Theology

The posts below include most posts on Here I Blog since all issues have a theological basis.

Thumbnail image for Are SBC Resolutions Only Valid for One Year?

Are SBC Resolutions Only Valid for One Year?

While citing the Southern Baptist Convention website on resolutions for yesterday’s applied ethics post1 I noticed a interesting statement about resolutions. Note the following from the SBC website [emphasis added]. 21. How do I find out the official SBC stance on various issues? The Southern Baptist Convention makes official statements regarding specific issues by means [...]

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Thumbnail image for ‘The Exchange’ with Ed Stetzer Live Today on this Blog

‘The Exchange’ with Ed Stetzer Live Today on this Blog

I will be hosting Dr. Ed Stetzer’s (President of LifeWay Research) webcast “The Exchange” as part of a test syndication. Tune in today! Today on “The Exchange” Pete Wilson, pastor of Cross Point Church in Nashville, discusses his newest book Empty Promises: The Truth about You, Your Desires, and the Lies You’re Believing. Philip Nation, [...]

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Thumbnail image for Preparing For Easter

Preparing For Easter

The Rev. Alfred W. Wishart, Jr., opened his Easter sermon at the Arlington Avenue Presbyterian Church of East Orange, N.J., with these words: “Did you ever stop to think how much time it takes to get all of you looking so nice for today? What with the shopping and all, I’d conservatively estimate that it [...]

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Thumbnail image for Why is this Good News?

Why is this Good News?

Dear readers, read the following Scripture. “Men of Israel, hear these words: Jesus of Nazareth, a man attested to you by God with mighty works and wonders and signs that God did through him in your midst, as you yourselves know—this Jesus, delivered up according to the definite plan and foreknowledge of God, you crucified [...]

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Thumbnail image for The Extent of the Atonement and Baptist Ecclesiology

The Extent of the Atonement and Baptist Ecclesiology

Dr. Stephen Wellum recently gave Southern Seminary’s Faculty Address entitled, “What does the Extent of the Atonement have to do with Baptist Ecclesiology: an Experience of Doing Theology.” John Meade has posted a downloadable mp3 of Wellum’s talk at his site, LXX Studies.1 Dr. Wellum addresses the issue of the extent of the atonement and [...]

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Thumbnail image for Subjectivity in Modern Preaching

Subjectivity in Modern Preaching

I was recently listening to a pastor preach on the importance of prayer in pastoral ministry. Prayer is certainly important in the life of a pastor (or any Christian). The context was that this pastor was teaching future pastors. Giving his time to such teaching is a great service. However, the text he used to [...]

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Thumbnail image for Megachurch Wal-Mart Effect

Megachurch Wal-Mart Effect

I came across an interesting observation in a book I am reading for one of my classes. In the book Shepherd Leader, author Timothy Witmer points out what he calls the “Wal-mart effect” among megachurches. The truth of the matter is that much of the growth of megachurches is drawn from smaller churches in the region. [...]

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Thumbnail image for Brief thoughts: Abortion and Reproductive Rights

Brief thoughts: Abortion and Reproductive Rights

The pro-abortion, pro-choice crowd argues that abortion is a reproductive right. However, there is a problem with this line of reasoning. In order to have an abortion, reproduction must have already taken place i.e. a human life must exist in order to abort it. A right to reproduce, or have offspring, is not the same [...]

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Thumbnail image for Baptist College President Offers Calvinist Vision?

Baptist College President Offers Calvinist Vision?

Breaking News: Southern Baptist College President Offers Calvinist Vision! Imagine if that were a real headline. Surely, that college president would be universally welcomed by Baptists with open arms and a warm embrace. Call me a skeptic, but I doubt it. The very presence of Calvinists seemed to set off alarms for Christian Index editor [...]

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Thumbnail image for The Gospel Project: Free Downloads

The Gospel Project: Free Downloads

At the start of this year, LifeWay introduced a major new Bible study initiative for all ages called The Gospel Project, which will launch in Fall 2012. The resource takes a Christ-centered approach to Bible study by examining the grand narrative of Scripture and how the gospel transforms the lives of those it touches. The [...]

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Thumbnail image for Letter to the editor of ‘The Christian Index’ by Marty King

Letter to the editor of ‘The Christian Index’ by Marty King

Editorial not worthy of editor or Index Dear Gerald, As a former Georgia Baptist, I appreciate you and your service as Index editor. But, your Feb. 10 editorial was not your best. The level of research, organization, and writing are simply not up to what Georgia Baptists have come to expect. Let me share with [...]

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Thumbnail image for Franklin Graham on President Obama’s Christianity

Franklin Graham on President Obama’s Christianity

Below is a one minute clip cut from a longer interview (see below) where Franklin Graham is asked whether or not he believes President Obama is a Christian. Check it out. The MSNBC hosts call Graham out for inconsistent answers. On the one hand, Graham will not definitively say whether or not he believes Obama is [...]

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Thumbnail image for The Calvinists: a Reply to Gerald Harris Part II

The Calvinists: a Reply to Gerald Harris Part II

The following is part II of a reply to Gerald Harris recently published the article “The Calvinists are here.” The article was published in The Christian Index, the Georgia Southern Baptist newspaper, of which Harris is the editor. If you have not read part I, follow this link to do so: The Calvinists: a Reply [...]

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Thumbnail image for The Calvinists: a Reply to Gerald Harris Part I

The Calvinists: a Reply to Gerald Harris Part I

Gerald Harris, editor of the The Christian Index, the Georgia Southern Baptist newspaper, recently published the article “The Calvinists are here.”1 There have been two immediate responses to Harris’ piece including one by former Calvinist William Birch2 and an article in the Baptist Press in which some of the people mentioned by Harris answered his [...]

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Thumbnail image for Woody Harrelson On Christianity

Woody Harrelson On Christianity

GQ magazine published an interview with actor Woody Harrelson. In the interview, Harrelson is asked about the Gospel and his Christian upbringing.1 He was raised in church studying the Bible and preached his first sermon at age 17. GQ: Can you tell me about when you preached the Gospel as a child? Woody Harrelson: I [...]

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Thumbnail image for TD Jakes Reviews: Elephant Room and 11 Various Books

TD Jakes Reviews: Elephant Room and 11 Various Books

First, James White weighs in on his Dividing Line radio show for two hours. There were so many listeners that the servers crashed.  Find the link and a description below. A Mega-Friday DL on TD Jakes and Elephants in the Room In any case, I addressed the TD Jakes: is he a Trinitarian? issue head [...]

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Thumbnail image for Angry Apostles and the Trinity

Angry Apostles and the Trinity

On the Trinity First, Pastor Tom Chantry has provided a actual transcript of T.D. Jakes words on the Trinity from The Elephant Room 2, session 4.1 Chantry then made a follow-up post in which he shares his thoughts in the following five points.2 1. Jakes masterfully deconstructs the entire practice of theology. 2. Driscoll and [...]

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Thumbnail image for A Response to Jerry Vines on Calvinism and Southern Baptists

A Response to Jerry Vines on Calvinism and Southern Baptists

Friend and fellow Southern Baptist Joshua Breland has responded to Jerry Vines’ recent comments that Calvinism is one of the biggest challenges confronting the Southern Baptist Convention in his article: Maybe the Mayan Calendar Was Marking the End of the Southern Baptist Convention. One of the claims Joshua addresses is Vines’ charge that a move [...]

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Thumbnail image for God is Doing Amazing Things!

God is Doing Amazing Things!

God is going to do something awesome. God is going to do something amazing. God is doing something incredible. God is doing something awesome. God is doing something amazing. God is doing amazing things. It’s going to be awesome. Let’s change the world. God will prosper you. Fly with the eagles. Listen to the Spirit. [...]

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Thumbnail image for On Public Rebuke

On Public Rebuke

As far as I know, being rebuked is not something to which most Christians look forward, especially, being publicly rebuked. However, Scripture says it is good for rebuke (2 Tim. 3:16). Scripture even includes the well-known example of one Apostle publicly rebuking another Apostle (Gal. 2:11, 14). Today, there is no shortage of Christians rebuking [...]

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Thumbnail image for What God is This? Osteen on Oprah

What God is This? Osteen on Oprah

This clip is riddled with unbiblical conclusions. Toward the beginning, in reference to Osteen’s prosperity preaching, Oprah asks, “What god would want you to be poor and miserable?” Osteen does say that prosperity includes peace of mind and a healthy body rather than just material wealth. Osteen also says that there is a belief that [...]

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Thumbnail image for Real Marriage: Heeding Pragmatism Over Biblical Criticism?

Real Marriage: Heeding Pragmatism Over Biblical Criticism?

Mark and Grace Driscoll’s new book Real Marriage has drawn much attention. The attention comes partly due to its content and partly due to some critical reviews.123 Denny Burk probably offers the most thoroughly biblical critique to date. Today Burk linked to an article on CNN’s belief blog titled “Pastor’s detailed book on sex divides [...]

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Thumbnail image for Elephant Room II and TD Jakes’ Oneness Association

Elephant Room II and TD Jakes’ Oneness Association

Elephant Room II is only 20 days away. T.D. Jakes is still on the schedule.1 Several of us disagreed with Jakes being a participant2, including Mark Dever who withdrew3, but I did suggest some questions for Jakes.4 Although I am still not very excited about Jakes participation, I am interested in what he will have [...]

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Thumbnail image for What Will You Do with the Christmas Gift?

What Will You Do with the Christmas Gift?

Another Christmas has come and gone and a new year is around the corner. A year lies ahead both to use this year’s Christmas gifts and think about next year’s. However, some gifts are all ready used up although some are advertised as gifts that keep on giving. There is only one gift that keeps [...]

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Thumbnail image for Sunday Considerations: Word and Conscience

Sunday Considerations: Word and Conscience

Again, do we love the holiness of the Word (Psalm 119:140)? The Word is preached to beat down sin and advance holiness. Do we love it for its spirituality and purity? Many love the Preached Word only for its eloquence and notion. They come to a sermon as to a music lecture (Ezek. 33:31,32) or [...]

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Thumbnail image for Preaching On Sin and Responsibility

Preaching On Sin and Responsibility

Sin and responsibility may not be the most comfortable topics about which to talk or preach. No one really wants to consider that they are responsible for something they did i.e. sin. It is much easier to blame sins on someone else as if they some how caused the sin and, therefore, avoid personal responsibility. [...]

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Thumbnail image for The Gospel in the Liquor Store

The Gospel in the Liquor Store

The following true story is about a seminary student sharing the gospel in a liquor store. The student is an acquaintance and the story is shared with permission. This is all that will be revealed of this student. One of the most divisive disagreements among conservative Christians is the subject of Christians drinking alcohol. Tim [...]

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Thumbnail image for So You Want My Daughter?

So You Want My Daughter?

I’ve always been intrigued about why a Christian would want to date or marry a non-Christian. A solid biblical case can be made that a Christian should only date or marry another Christian.1 In a mixed dating situation the Christian is not trusting Christ nor finding Him sufficient, but is looking elsewhere to satisfy certain [...]

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Thumbnail image for Are Christians to Blame for Gay Teen Suicides?

Are Christians to Blame for Gay Teen Suicides?

John Shore created the video below and used it to ask if Christians have some culpability in gay teen suicides in an article at the Huffington Post. 1 The question of whether or not there is a gay teen suicide epidemic has also been raised.2 The video did not make me mad, but it did [...]

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Thumbnail image for Reformation Day 2011: Luther on the Power of God’s Word

Reformation Day 2011: Luther on the Power of God’s Word

Love, therefore, demands that you have compassion on the weak, as all the apostles had. Once, when Paul came to Athens, a mighty city, he found in the temple many altars, Acts and he went from one to the other and looked at them all, but did not touch any one of them even with [...]

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Thumbnail image for Exterminating the Canaanites

Exterminating the Canaanites

Richard Dawkins recently explained why he would not debate William Lane Craig.1 Dawkins does not like that Craig defends God’s commands to the Israelites in the Old Testament to destroy certain people groups that were inhabiting the Promised Land. He claims that Craig has a “dark side” and that “Most churchmen these days wisely disown [...]

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Thumbnail image for Servetus Asked for Calvin’s Death

Servetus Asked for Calvin’s Death

Geoff Ashley of The Village Church recently wrote an article on John Calvin’s role in the death of Michael Servetus.1 Ashley gives seven points to consider before “harshly judging Calvin a heartless tyrant.” While not absolving Calvin of any and all wrong doing for his role in Servetus’ trial it may be pointed out that [...]

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Thumbnail image for An “in Christ” Mindset

An “in Christ” Mindset

Paul and Timothy, servants of Christ Jesus, To all the saints in Christ Jesus who are at Philippi, with the overseers and deacons: Grace to you and peace from God our Father and the Lord Jesus Christ. (Philippians 1:1-2 ESV) Notice how Paul begins the letter to the Philippians. He calls Paul and Timothy “servants” [...]

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Thumbnail image for Did Mark Dever Withdraw from Elephant Room 2?

Did Mark Dever Withdraw from Elephant Room 2?

I my previous post I shared that I leaned toward Mark Dever withdrawing from participating in Elephant Room 2(ER2) due to T.D. Jakes scheduled participation.1 A commenter on that post informed me that Dever’s bio, pictured above, is missing from the ER2 website. If Dever does or did withdraw from the event it should not [...]

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Thumbnail image for What Would You Ask TD Jakes at Elephant Room 2?

What Would You Ask TD Jakes at Elephant Room 2?

The announcement T.D. Jakes participation at Elephant Room 2 (ER2) has generated much digital ink in the last week. I’ve shared some of the trouble I have with Jakes participation.1 Other Christians have provided more thorough responses than I explaining their concern over James MacDonald inviting T.D. Jakes.2 Note that no one is disputing that [...]

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Thumbnail image for TD Jakes: Association Lacking Discernment?

TD Jakes: Association Lacking Discernment?

It has been recently revealed that T.D. Jakes will be a participant in Elephant Room round 2.1 Elephant Room is hosted by James MacDonald and Mark Driscoll. Its format is for influential pastors to have “blunt conversations” around “differing approaches to ministry” with the purpose of modeling “loving confrontation and gracious disagreement that honors relationship [...]

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Thumbnail image for Does “Southern” Give Southern Baptists a Bad Image?

Does “Southern” Give Southern Baptists a Bad Image?

The above wordle was created in 2009 by Thom Rainer, President and CEO of LifeWay Christian Resources. The wordle is composed of the 140 character replies to Rainer’s twitter question - “What do you think when you hear ‘Southern Baptist’?” Thom Rainer’s son, Sam, categorized the unscientific twitter results stating, “About 60% of the respondents gave [...]

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Thumbnail image for Southern Baptists: Racial Relations and Spiritual Worth

Southern Baptists: Racial Relations and Spiritual Worth

Victor Irvine Masters, D.D. (1867-1954) while Superintendent of Publicity of the Home Mission Board of the Southern Baptist Convention was asked to write a mission study book at the 1914 Southern Baptist Covention. The Home Mission Board published the book in 1915. I recently shared Masters’ perspective from this publication in two areas: 1) Southern [...]

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Thumbnail image for Calvinistic Methodist Influence on Early American Baptists

Calvinistic Methodist Influence on Early American Baptists

I recently shared an excerpt on Southern Baptist doctrinal conditions from a book by Victor Irvine Masters, D.D. (1867-1954).1 Masters was a past Superintendent of Publicity of the Home Mission Board of the Southern Baptist Convention. In the last sentence of the section on doctrinal conditions Masters states, “The Baptists of 1815 in the South, [...]

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Thumbnail image for A 1915 Perspective on Southern Baptist Doctrinal Conditions

A 1915 Perspective on Southern Baptist Doctrinal Conditions

Victor Irvine Masters, D.D.  (1867-1954) was the Superintendent of Publicity of the Home Mission Board of the Southern Baptist Convention. In 1914 at the Southern Baptist Convention, Masters was asked by the Corresponding Secretaries of the State Boards to write a mission study book.1 He offered an interesting observation about Southern Baptists and their history [...]

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Thumbnail image for Would You Pray at Ground Zero?

Would You Pray at Ground Zero?

An interfaith prayer vigil will be held at the National Cathedral for the tenth anniversary of the September 11 terrorist attacks. It seems that no Evangelicals were invited to participate along side the “dean of the Cathedral, the Bishop of Washington, a rabbi, Buddhist nun and incarnate lama, a Hindu priest, the president of the [...]

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Thumbnail image for Preach the Law to Rest In the Gospel

Preach the Law to Rest In the Gospel

5. Those who already believe. We must teach them: (i) The gospel: the biblical teaching on justification, sanctification and perseverance. (ii) The law: but as it applies to those who are no longer under its curse, so that they may be taught how to bear the fruit of a new obedience in keeping with their [...]

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Thumbnail image for Free: Online Video Teaching Series by RC Sproul

Free: Online Video Teaching Series by RC Sproul

Ligonier Ministries is offering several free online video teaching series by R.C. Sproul. Below is the first video from each series that are available to watch for free. The Holiness of God 1. The Importance of Holiness 2. The Trauma of Holiness 3. Holiness and Justice 4. The Insanity of Luthe Chosen By God 1. [...]

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Thumbnail image for Israel, A Christian Idol?

Israel, A Christian Idol?

In the following video Mormon Glenn Beck sits with Evangelical David Barton who introduces hyper-dispensationalist, prosperity preacher John Hagee1. These men are together for the sake of supporting the modern day state of Israel. Supporting Israel is not a bad thing, but are they supporting Israel in a biblical sense? For starters, Hagee, a professing [...]

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Thumbnail image for A Rough Seminary Semester, Part II

A Rough Seminary Semester, Part II

In part I, I shared about some of the issues my family and I faced during the 2011 spring semester which ran from January – May. God taught me a lot during that time. Some of what He taught me I’m still digesting while other lessons He taught me I’m not sure exactly how to [...]

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A Rough Seminary Semester, Part I

Thumbnail image for A Rough Seminary Semester, Part I

This past 2011 spring semester (January – May) was rough. A lot happened in that five month span. I knew it was going to be busy since I was taking four classes in addition to my family, job, deacon duties, my daughter’s high school graduation and a teaching assignment at church. I began to feel [...]

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Thumbnail image for Servant Evangelism: Gimmick or Grace?

Servant Evangelism: Gimmick or Grace?

Steve Sjogren is know for what is called Servant Evangelism which, as I understand it, is a way of doing outreach through acts of kindness in hopes of sharing the gospel. At SermonCentral.com Sjogren has an article titled 94 Servant Evangelism Ideas for Your Church. The ideas he lists are certain good, kind things to [...]

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Thumbnail image for Preaching: Young, Restless and Four?

Preaching: Young, Restless and Four?

Paul wrote to Timothy and stated, ” Let no one despise you for your youth, but set the believers an example in speech, in conduct, in love, in faith, in purity.” (1 Timothy 4:12 ESV) I don’t think Paul had a four year old preacher in mind as one way this Scripture may be applied. [...]

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Thumbnail image for Brewing Controversy: A Respectful Disagreement with John MacArthur

Brewing Controversy: A Respectful Disagreement with John MacArthur

[The following reply is a guest post originally published on spencernix.com (hyperlink removed the site is currently hacked) by friend and fellow blogger Spencer Nix. Spencer is a north Georgia native and Lead Pastor of Isaac's Keep in Canton, Georgia. He enjoys connecting with people and their story and living life simply and beautifully in [...]

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Thumbnail image for Alcohol: Of Greeks and Barbarians

Alcohol: Of Greeks and Barbarians

There has been enough talk about alcohol on Christians blogs lately to make readers drunk with words. While alcohol is always a favorite topic on Southern Baptist blogs1 one of the well-esteemed pastors of our day, John MacArthur, also felt the need to address the topic2. MacArthur was answered by the accused, Erik Raymond3 and [...]

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Thumbnail image for Anders Breivik Needs to be Crucified

Anders Breivik Needs to be Crucified

After Anders Breivik went on a killing spree various media sources identified him as a fundamentalist Christian. Many Christians rejected that claim, not only because of his actions, but because of the words he wrote in his manifesto. I even quoted Breivik’s manifesto in Was Anders Breivik a Christian? to refute the claim that he [...]

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Thumbnail image for Surry Baptist Association-Flat Rock Baptist Timeline

Surry Baptist Association-Flat Rock Baptist Timeline

Flat Rock Baptist Church (FRBC) was recently removed from fellowship in the Surry Baptist Association (SBA) for calling a female to the pastorate. Some have disagreed with the way SBA removed them seemingly so quickly1 while others disagree with the removal at all2. The background of the situation may be found in those posts or [...]

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Thumbnail image for IMB Missionary Interview for LovingMuslims.com

IMB Missionary Interview for LovingMuslims.com

The International Mission Board (IMB) of the Southern Baptist Convention recently launched a website to encourage Christians reach out to their Muslim neighbors. The website is LovingMuslims.com and the timing of the launch was no mistake as the 10 year anniversary of 9/11 approaches. I had the privilege to send a few question to the [...]

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Thumbnail image for Mark Driscoll On Prophetic Dreams and Seeing the Future

Mark Driscoll On Prophetic Dreams and Seeing the Future

Fellow blogger (of ill-repute) and friend, Frank Turk recently wrote an Open Letter to Mark Driscoll. In the letter Turk took Driscoll to task over some of the things he said about cessationism. The summary of Driscoll’s view may be most clearly seen when he said that “cessationism is worldliness” and then sealed the deal [...]

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Thumbnail image for Discipleship Through Judgement

Discipleship Through Judgement

Look at the word discipleship. There within it is the word disciple, which is obviously related to the word discipline. In view of the next section on corrective church discipline, I would point out that discipleship is the other side of the coin—it is formative church discipline. These words, discipleship/discipline/ disciple, all connote ideas of [...]

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Thumbnail image for On Frivolous Prayer and Reverence

On Frivolous Prayer and Reverence

Given the discussions on the recent NASCAR prayer both here (A NASCAR Prayer, Parody or Blasphemy?) and elsewhere the commentary below from Calvin offers helpful perspective to consider on prayer. In the first quote, Calvin addresses the state of the mind and reverence to God in prayer. Let the first rule of right prayer then [...]

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Thumbnail image for A NASCAR Prayer, Parody or Blasphemy?

A NASCAR Prayer, Parody or Blasphemy?

Below is a transcript and video of the invocation “prayer” that Pastor Joe Nelms of Family Baptist Church in Lebanon, TN (near Nashville) recently gave at a NASCAR event. I’m not sure how to respond other than to scratch my head and think of this in light of the state of American Christianity. Of course, [...]

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Thumbnail image for Was Anders Breivik a Christian?

Was Anders Breivik a Christian?

My prayers go out to the people of Norway and all of those affected by the vicious murders of Anders Breivik. My intention is not to make less of what happened in Norway, but to explain that his murderous actions were not of the teachings of Christianity. I expect to see reactions from other conservative [...]

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Thumbnail image for Is God the Author of Evil?

Is God the Author of Evil?

Is there any sense in which God can be said to be the author of evil? In the quote below one author answers yes. See if you agree. God is the author (is in sovereign control) of everything that happens. Evil is something that happens. So God is the author of evil. If this is [...]

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Thumbnail image for Dear Same-Sex Marriage

Dear Same-Sex Marriage

Dear Same-sex marriage, May I call you SSM? Thanks! So, what are you? And what have you done with marriage? Actually, you haven’t done anything with marriage. I’m here writing you. Yes, this is Marriage sending you a note. I’m a little upset that you’re trying to do away with me by re-defining me. However, [...]

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Thumbnail image for News Show Host: Mitt Romney Is Not a Christian

News Show Host: Mitt Romney Is Not a Christian

“Fox & Friends” co-host Ainsley Earhardt made a passing remark about Mitt Romney’s faith when talking about viable fund raising avenues for Republican presidential candidates. She said that that “Romney, obviously not being a Christian” would not be able to raise money from the Christian Coalition. Interesting and presumably accurate if Romney hold’s to his [...]

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Thumbnail image for Popping Off Is Not Pastoral

Popping Off Is Not Pastoral

Christianity in America seems to be in a constant state of decline rather than a constant state of repentance. One sign of this decline is the way in which celebrity rather than Scripture seems to have become the lens through which certain pastors are evaluated. This type of bias undermines the witness of the Church [...]

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Thumbnail image for Presuppositional Apologetics Month at Monergism

Presuppositional Apologetics Month at Monergism

The monthly focus at Monergism.com is Presuppositional Apologetics. Some resources are given on the introductory page. The resources include articles apologetic articles by: Cornelius Van Til Greg Bahnsen Doug Wilson John Frame Tim Keller They offer more on Presuppositional Apologetics at the bottom of the page. You may also want to check out a blog [...]

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Thumbnail image for A Response: Patriotism and Christian Worship

A Response: Patriotism and Christian Worship

Pastor David Brumbelow recently posted Patriotism and Christian Worship at SBC Voices. I will admit upfront that I disagree with Brumbelow on this topic. I’ve even written about patriotic worship in the past on more than on occasion. Christians will probably continue to disagree about this topic this side of heaven. Make no mistake that [...]

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Thumbnail image for Freedom: More Than An American

Freedom: More Than An American

Christian, what will be at the forefront of your mind during corporate worship this 4th of July weekend? (HT: John Strickland)

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Thumbnail image for Transcript and Commentary: Al Mohler On Homosexuality at the SBC

Transcript and Commentary: Al Mohler On Homosexuality at the SBC

Dr. R. Albert Mohler, President of Southern Seminary, recently answered a question from Dr. Peter Lumpkins concerning alleged comments he made about Evangelicals and homosexuality. The question was answered from the floor of the 2011 Southern Baptist Convention’s annual meeting during his report on Southern Seminary. Dr. Mohler confirmed that the statements in question were [...]

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Thumbnail image for A Teenager On Youth Ministry

A Teenager On Youth Ministry

I’m recycling a post about a teenager named Erica who was given an assignment to write an editorial on the subject of her choice. She choose youth ministry. Youth ministry is difficult. Questions are often asked about how to best reach and minister to youth. It can be hard to get into the mind of [...]

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Thumbnail image for NFL Star David Tyree On Gay Marriage

NFL Star David Tyree On Gay Marriage

A few highlights and comments. At the beginning of the video Tyree offers a question which all Christians can apply to their lives regardless of profession. He asks, “Do our fans mean more than our position in eternity?” He then explains that marriage is the “only relationship that actually mirrors a relationship with God. It’s [...]

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Thumbnail image for The Southern Baptist Phantom Menace

The Southern Baptist Phantom Menace

Imagine for a moment that a church friend comes to you and expresses his frustration over another member of the church. Your friend mentions that he is tired of Sunday School at various times. He does not like the way things are taught sometimes or some of the methods used in the lessons. In his [...]

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Thumbnail image for Southern Baptist Church Offices, Elders et al. (Update)

Southern Baptist Church Offices, Elders et al. (Update)

Update below. A simple Google search will yield discussions concerning Southern Baptists and the subject of having a plurality of elders/pastors in place in the local church. It is understandable that there are biblical interpretive disagreements on how a church ought to fill its offices, on congregational involvement, etc. Hopefully, all local congregations seek to [...]

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Thumbnail image for Ethics: Army Chaplain Preaches for Memorial Day

Ethics: Army Chaplain Preaches for Memorial Day

What would you do Wednesday! It is the Sunday before Memorial Day. It has been a weekend full of Military appreciation. Television stations have run specials with great reminders of the sacrifices of the many men and women who have served and are serving in America’s Armed Forces. The gratefulness of living in such a [...]

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Thumbnail image for Camping Missed It: Judgement Day is Everyday

Camping Missed It: Judgement Day is Everyday

Unfortunately, by now Harold Camping is probably a household name. A household name that is probably not widely cherished among households. Camping will most likely be known as that false Christian Judgement Day teacher until the day he dies. Since he is approaching 90 years old he probably will not be with us much longer. [...]

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Thumbnail image for Ethics: Name the Racist Church?

Ethics: Name the Racist Church?

What would you do Wednesday? Tony Morgan recently wrote a post entitled This White Church Doesn’t Want Black Members. His post is the account of a true story of the racism exactly as the title suggests. It is from this sad story that I offer this weeks ethics question. The scenario is that you have [...]

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Thumbnail image for Keller On Fanatical Christians (with example?) Update

Keller On Fanatical Christians (with example?) Update

Update Just as I was about to post the quote below I was notified about the above tweet. I read it and thought about Keller’s words below. I wondered – does that tweet fit the definition of a fanatical Christian that Keller writes about? Here are two quotes from two professing Christians with whom I [...]

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Thumbnail image for Sermon: Drinking Is Not Drunkeness

Sermon: Drinking Is Not Drunkeness

Eddie Exposito, a pastor friend from Louisiana, preached a sermon about the biblical approach to alcohol. The sermon, linked below, is called Drinking Is Not Drunkenness. He addresses some of the unbiblical approaches to alcohol that are prevalent today and offers a corrective, biblical view. I thought some of you would appreciate this sermon. Drinking [...]

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Thumbnail image for How Would Jesus Tax?

How Would Jesus Tax?

Lawrence O’Donnell vs. Rush Limbaugh: Biblical lessons from the media? Or – How to do eisegesis? Guess which one argues for the gospel of Jesus Christ.

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Thumbnail image for Hell Now

Hell Now

Whatever change of trouble a child of God meets with, it is all the hell he shall have. Whatever eclipse may be upon his name or estate, I may say of it, as Athanasius of his banishment, it is a little cloud that will soon be blown over, and then his gulf is shot his [...]

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Thumbnail image for Daily Appropriating the Gospel

Daily Appropriating the Gospel

When we look at Paul’s letter to the Galatians, we realize that it is easy for us to follow false gospels of various kinds. We need to remind ourselves that all of us follow and lean on various false gospels. Detecting them is difficult because they often are below our theological radar. Few well-churched Christians [...]

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Thumbnail image for Universalism: Rob Bell and Paul Dean

Universalism: Rob Bell and Paul Dean

Even before the release of his latest book, Love Wins: A Book About Heaven, Hell, and the Fate of Every Person Who Ever Lived, Rob Bell set the blogosphere ablaze. The biggest charge against Bell is that of him being a universalist. In a recent interview with Newsweek’s Lisa Miller, Bell first states, with qualifications, [...]

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Thumbnail image for The SBC and Calvinism: Three Reviews of Whosoever Will

The SBC and Calvinism: Three Reviews of Whosoever Will

The Journal for Baptist Theology and Ministry, Spring 2010, is out. This issues deals with “Baptists and the Doctrine of Salvation.” There are three reviews of two recent books by Southern Baptists dealing with salvation. Whosoever Will: A Biblical-Theological Critique of Five-Point Calvinism, editors David L. Allen and Steve W. Lemke, reviewed by: Gregory A. [...]

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Thumbnail image for Is T.D. Jakes Now Trinitarian?

Is T.D. Jakes Now Trinitarian?

In light of the recent concerns over Modalism and the SBC Pastors’ Conference, it has been said that T.D. Jakes no longer holds to a form of Modalism or to a Onesness Pentecostal view of God. There are plenty of resources (I don’t have time to note them here) online and in books that document [...]

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Thumbnail image for Open Email: SBC Pastors’ Conference 2011 Doctrinal Concern

Open Email: SBC Pastors’ Conference 2011 Doctrinal Concern

Please note: Mr. Jones’ name and the link to the Potter’s House website have been removed from the Pastor’s Conference website. On Feb. 17th I sent an email to Vance Pitman, President of the 2011 Southern Baptist Pastors’ Conference about a doctrinal concern. The email is posted below and contains within it the first email [...]

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Thumbnail image for Michael Horton: What is the Gospel?

Michael Horton: What is the Gospel?

(Source: What is the Gospel?) Horton states that the Gospel is “a very precise term. It is not equivalent to whatever is good and important in Christianity. Gospel is a very particular word, or kind of speech in the Bible. From Genesis to Revelation the Gospel is God’s promise of a Son who will crush [...]

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Thumbnail image for “Live the Gospel” Charles Spurgeon Advised

“Live the Gospel” Charles Spurgeon Advised

Can anyone but Christ live the gospel? Disagreements on the answer to this question can be seen from Open Letters to The Fear of Antinomianism. I wonder if the disagreements lie within what one means when challenging others to “live the gospel.” I don’t know of anyone who uses this phrase to mean that Christians [...]

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Thumbnail image for Wisdom of Solomon, Obama and Abortion

Wisdom of Solomon, Obama and Abortion

This article was originally published on Nov 19, 2008. In light of Dr. Mohler’s post today, In His Own Words: A Radical Pro-Abortion President, I thought I would re-publish my post below. Obama and Solomon There has been much past discussion about Obama concerning his stance on abortion.  This discussion is not going to end [...]

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Thumbnail image for What If Governor Robert Bentley Instead…

What If Governor Robert Bentley Instead…

Newly elected Alabama Governor Robert Bentley made headlines recently while speaking at a church in celebration of Martin Luther King Day. His words were delivered right after he was sworn in as governor. There may be more of a timing issue here because though he was speaking at a church, the offending words were his [...]

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Thumbnail image for Church Sign: Gospel or Moralism?

Church Sign: Gospel or Moralism?

In a message this morning about post-modernism the church sign pictured above was put up as an example of what post-modernists are rebelling against in the modernist Christian culture. The question that crossed my mind is whether this picture is an example of reaching out with the gospel or with moralism?

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Thumbnail image for Paul Washer: The Great Sin of the American Pastor

Paul Washer: The Great Sin of the American Pastor

Below is an excerpt of Paul Washer from the DVD Divided by Philip Leclerc. Because we have dumbed-down the gospel. Because we’re not preaching the true gospel and we are using carnal means to attract people. If you use carnal means to attract men you’re going to attract carnal men and you’re going to have [...]

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Thumbnail image for A Grinch Alert?

A Grinch Alert?

I’m convinced that the celebration of Christmas is always going to be a point of contention somewhere. Whether it’s from anti-Christian secularists, Christians who are convicted that it is not a holiday to be celebrated or corporations that embrace the holiday season in general simply as a means for revenue. Scripture gives Christians no direct [...]

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Thumbnail image for Spurgeon on Impressive and Borrowed Sermons

Spurgeon on Impressive and Borrowed Sermons

Justin Taylor recently posted TGC Asks Don Carson: When Has a Preacher Crossed the Line into Plagiarism in His Sermon? Carson starts by explaining that it is always wrong to preach someone else’s sermon as if it were your own. A related question is whether it’s right or wrong for a preacher to admittedly deliver another’s [...]

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Thumbnail image for Six Megaproblems and the Gospel Ain’t One (via Barna)

Six Megaproblems and the Gospel Ain’t One (via Barna)

Yesterday, Barna posted the results of a the study – Six Megathemes Emerge from Barna Group Research in 2010. The six points are numbered below in bold. The research is based research conducted throughout 2010. I’m unsure how many polls or people in total were involved. It gives me no pleasure to read these conclusion, [...]

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Thumbnail image for Mad At God?

Mad At God?

Eric stormed into my office and flopped into a chair. “I’m really mad at God.” Having grown up in a strong church family, he’d met and married a Christian girl. Now he was the picture of misery. “Okay…so why are you mad at God?” “Because,” he said, “last week I committed adultery.” Long pause. Finally [...]

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Thumbnail image for Contentment and Pride

Contentment and Pride

Another rule is, that those in narrow and slender circumstances should learn to bear their wants patiently, that they may not become immoderately desirous of things, the moderate use of which implies no small progress in the school of Christ. For in addition to the many other vices which accompany a longing for earthly good, [...]

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Thumbnail image for The Theology Program Discounted

The Theology Program Discounted

The Theology Program is 50% off through Wednesday of this week. You get the entire program which includes DVD’s and workbooks. I’m too busy this week to think which is what I need to do most. So I thought I’d pass this sale along. It would make a great Christmas gift for yourself or someone [...]

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Thumbnail image for Giveaway- Justified: Essays on the Doctrine of Justification

Giveaway- Justified: Essays on the Doctrine of Justification

I’m giving away a copy of Justified: Modern Reformation Essays on the Doctrine of Justification (Volume 1) edited by Ryan Glomsrud and Michael S. Horton. You can find this book on Amazon or find even more information, including the introduction, on the White Horse Inn site. So how do you enter the giveaway? You must [...]

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Thumbnail image for Evangelical Identity

Evangelical Identity

I wonder if description below would be true of evangelical Christians as they are known today. If not, I wonder if this should be the description and if it’s a place worth trying to get to. Conclusion: Evangelical Identity Evangelicals believe, first of all, the gospel as it is set forth in the Bible. The [...]

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Thumbnail image for Ridiculous Item: ‘Jesus was HIV Positive’

Ridiculous Item: ‘Jesus was HIV Positive’

Apparently, South African pastor, Xola Skosana, has claimed that Jesus was HIV positive to raise awareness about how poorly churches treat people who are HIV positive. This report comes from the Daily Mail Reporter story ‘Jesus was HIV-positive’: South African pastor sparks outrage with bizarre claim. A bizarre claim and then some. ‘Wherever you open [...]

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Thumbnail image for Amazing Grace: The History & Theology of Calvinism – DVD Giveaway

Amazing Grace: The History & Theology of Calvinism – DVD Giveaway

I’m giving away the DVD set – Amazing Grace: The History & Theology of Calvinism. Check out the description below from Monergism Books. You can also read the reviews on Amazon. Description: Rich in graphics, dramatic vignettes, and biblical analogies, Amazing Grace: The History and Theology of Calvinism features many of the finest reformed thinkers [...]

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Thumbnail image for Poll: Is the Reformation Over?

Poll: Is the Reformation Over?

Reformation Day 2010, October 31, falls on this coming Sunday. In light of this, I thought this would be an interesting question to ask. Are the theological positions of the Protestant Reformation and the Council of Trent now reconciled? Or are we still divided? Does it matter? What do you think? Discussion welcomed.

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Thumbnail image for Is Your Church White?

Is Your Church White?

Is your church white? That is the disturbing question what was email to a church in Apex, NC. Ken Keathley recently shared this inquiry over at Between the Times in his post A Shocking Question. The context of this disturbing question was: We know the Lord loves all of us, but we believe in honoring [...]

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Thumbnail image for Scientific Deconstruction of Science

Scientific Deconstruction of Science

All of us tempted to swallow this popular pill, cunningly served up with our secular education, should appreciate that the empiricists have not shown that the Creator has not spoken in his creation or in the Christ of Scripture. In the process of their argument they annihilate empirical science itself, the very thing that they [...]

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Thumbnail image for An Illustration On Urgency: Starring Satan

An Illustration On Urgency: Starring Satan

Below is a great illustration I ran across on urgency. I thought I’d share it. The story of told of three apprentice devils being trained by Satan. ‘What are you going to try today?’ asks the leader. The first apprentice replies, ‘I’m going to tell them there is no God.’ ‘Well,’ says Satan, ‘you can [...]

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Thumbnail image for Atheist Christopher Hitchens Debates Christian Brother

Atheist Christopher Hitchens Debates Christian Brother

Hitchens brothers debate if civilization can survive without God Editor’s Note: CNN Belief Blog Co-Editor Eric Marrapodi files this report from Washington, DC. Brothers Christopher and Peter Hitchens squared off Tuesday in a debate over whether civilization can survive without God. Christopher, the older of the two, is a renowned atheist thinker and author. Peter, [...]

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Thumbnail image for A Letter From Hell

A Letter From Hell

Pastor Jeremy Rhode of  Faith Lutheran Church in Capistrano Beach, CA has graciously allowed me to publish the text of his sermon A Letter From Hell. This sermon is based on the parable of The Rich Man and Lazarus from Luke 16:19-31. Pastor Rhode offers what a letter from the rich man writing from hell may look [...]

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Thumbnail image for Thabiti On the Gospel and Witnessing, Secrets and Tricks

Thabiti On the Gospel and Witnessing, Secrets and Tricks

Desiring God 2010 National Conference Thabiti Anyabwile’s topic was Thinking for the Sake of Global Faithfulness: Confronting Islam with the Mind of Christ. Of all the good words Thabiti shared one thing stood out as a great reminder for all Christians. Although he was speaking about witnessing to Muslims, any type of person or group [...]

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Thumbnail image for 9Marks at Southeastern Seminary Audio Available

9Marks at Southeastern Seminary Audio Available

On September 10-11, 2010 Southeastern Seminary held it’s annual conference in partnership with 9Marks ministries. The theme this year was biblical theology. The presenters were Mark Dever, Thabiti Anyabwile, Danny Akin, Matt Chandler and David Platt. If you’re like me, you wanted to attend, but could not. Thankfully, the audio is now available for download. [...]

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Thumbnail image for Ethics: A Homosexual Asks About Christianity

Ethics: A Homosexual Asks About Christianity

What would you do Wednesday! You have the opportunity to minister to a friend who is a practicing homosexual.You’ve had some passing conversations with him about Christianity. He’s never wanted to engage too much and believes he knows where you stand. He thought it might hurt your friendship if you talked too deeply about Christianity [...]

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Thumbnail image for Thomas Brooks’ Four Prime Things

Thomas Brooks’ Four Prime Things

I did some quote mining from Thomas Brooks Precious Remedies Against Satan’s Devices from the chapter ‘The Epistle Dedicatory’. I found Brooks’ words to be very insightful, practical and challenging. The ‘The Epistle Dedicatory’ is a letter he wrote to his congregation. He was very humble in the letter which can be seen in the prayers [...]

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Thumbnail image for Describing the Rejoicing of the Heart

Describing the Rejoicing of the Heart

The precepts of the LORD are right, rejoicing the heart. (Psalm 19:8a, ESV) Last night in men’s Bible study we used this verse in part of the lesson. One of the things our teacher asked us is to explain what it is for God’s word and the gospel to rejoice the heart. Several of us [...]

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Thumbnail image for Calvin the Evangelist

Calvin the Evangelist

Reprinted by permission of Reformed Theological Seminary. This article was first published in the Reformed Quarterly Magazine Fall 2001. There are many popular misconceptions about John Calvin. Who is the true Calvin behind the image? Will Durant, the famous author of the eleven-volume series on the History of Western Civilization, said of Calvin: “We shall [...]

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Thumbnail image for Rick Warren, John Calvin and Quoting Heretics

Rick Warren, John Calvin and Quoting Heretics

What ever your theological position you will find other positions that just make you squirm. And the people that make statements supporting those other position might make you squirm even more. I get that. For example, I get nervous when Protestants quote Chesterton, a man who championed the Papacy. In my mind the reader of [...]

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Thumbnail image for Lord, Help Me Submit to the Pain

Lord, Help Me Submit to the Pain

Below is a guest post from my wife. As my family, church family, friends and many readers know my wife suffered back injuries from a car accident in August 2008. It’s been a long two years. Two years of needles, meds and prayer. The Lord has guided us to a procedure that may finally give [...]

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Thumbnail image for Did Jesus Preach Paul’s Gospel?

Did Jesus Preach Paul’s Gospel?

As I was thinking recently about faith and justification a commenter made an assertion about a conflict between Jesus’ and Paul’s gospel. I was reminded John Piper’s excellent talk from T4G 2010 where he answers the question: Did Jesus preach Paul’s gospel? The text Piper spoke on was from Luke 18:9-14 about the Pharisee and [...]

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Thumbnail image for Justification: Through Faith Not To Faith

Justification: Through Faith Not To Faith

It can be difficult to explain that salvation comes by grace through faith in the gospel. Faith being the instrument by which God’s grace is received. Understanding this helps us not to ground our faith in our faith. For example, if I am struggling with my standing before God and I look to my faith [...]

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Thumbnail image for Ethics: Business Bribes

Ethics: Business Bribes

What would you do Wednesday! The scenario is that you work for an international company that works, directly and indirectly, on projects with governments in the Middle East. You the leader on a team for a project that is about to begin. The contract is with a local Middle East government in which several officials [...]

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Thumbnail image for Study Your Sin

Study Your Sin

Should Christians study their sin? Do we have a tendency to take sin for granted? Each person must answer that question for themselves. The answer may become clear upon an individual’s study of their sin. It reminds me of hearing Paul Washer’s challenge, “Do you have a new relationship with sin? Because, if you don’t [...]

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Thumbnail image for Ethics: Church Staff An Illegal Immigrant

Ethics: Church Staff An Illegal Immigrant

What would you do Wednesday! The scenario involves a lady employed full-time by your local church. She came recommended by another local pastor and has been employed for six months. You hear a rumor from a friend that she is in the USA illegally. You rebuke your friend for the rumor. You then take the [...]

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Thumbnail image for Themelios Journal July 2010

Themelios Journal July 2010

Volume 35, Issue 2 – July 2010 of the Themelios Journal is out! The content looks great. Lots to read. Check it out. Minority Report: Not in the Public Interest by Carl Trueman Suffering, marginalization, and the abuse of power are now the stock in trade not only of literary theorists but also of many [...]

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Thumbnail image for Frank Turek Refutes Judge Walker’s 10 Gay Marriage “Facts”

Frank Turek Refutes Judge Walker’s 10 Gay Marriage “Facts”

Frank Turek of CrossExamined offers a refutation of 10 of Judge Vaughn Walker’s finding of “facts” used to overturn Proposition 8 in order to legalize gay marriage. Turek writes – Second, Prop. 8 doesn’t violate the Fourteenth Amendment because every person in America already has equal marriage rights. We’re all playing by the same rules [...]

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Thumbnail image for Does Literally Carrying A Cross Spread The Gospel?

Does Literally Carrying A Cross Spread The Gospel?

‘Deeds, not creeds’ brings a connotation with it that Christians’ actions carry more weight than their verbalized beliefs.  An older, more popular version is the out of context quote of Francis of Assisi – Preach the gospel always, if necessary use words. (Some question whether he really said it or not.) There is some wisdom [...]

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Thumbnail image for Teaching The Bible: Still Unpopular, Still Essential by Phillip Jensen

Teaching The Bible: Still Unpopular, Still Essential by Phillip Jensen

Below is an article written by Phillip Jensen, founder of Matthias Media and writer of the gospel outline in Two Ways To Live. Though the article is a few years old I found it extremely relevant and helpful. Teaching The Bible: Still Unpopular, Still Essential by Phillip Jensen Yoga is to Hinduism what Billy Graham [...]

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Thumbnail image for Ethics: Immodest Dress In Church

Ethics: Immodest Dress In Church

What would you do Wednesday! The scenario is that you are friends with a couple at church who are always in Sunday School (or whatever you might call it). Spring comes and you notice that this couple has stopped coming to Sunday School. Although they do attend corporate worship as usual. You go to your [...]

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Thumbnail image for Ethics: Resign Church Membership To Avoid Discipline

Ethics: Resign Church Membership To Avoid Discipline

What would you do Wednesday! The scenario is that a fellow church member whom you are fairly close to is under church discipline. There will be two issues to decide on. Your friend is a single lady. It was discovered that she is having an inappropriate relationship with her boyfriend who attends another church. The [...]

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Thumbnail image for Ethics: Cohabitation In the Church

Ethics: Cohabitation In the Church

What would you do Wednesday! You are friends with two church members who are dating each other. They officially joined your congregation 12 months ago. They faithfully attend corporate church functions and have been singing in the choir for the last six months. Upon having dinner at his place (you thought) it looks as though [...]

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Thumbnail image for Hell, Are You Offended?

Hell, Are You Offended?

Last week I mentioned that Christianity Gives Atheism Life. Some atheists have gained much by their push against a God they don’t believe exists. In a similar vein, some people who don’t believe in hell are offended when others believe they are headed that way. Why?

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Thumbnail image for On Altar Calls And Gospel Proclamation

On Altar Calls And Gospel Proclamation

Recently, brother Les Puryear posted an article on the issue of altar calls – Differences Between Reformed and Southern Baptist Churches: Altar Calls vs No Altar Calls. Please not that Les calls himself a Calvinist, but not Reformed which is a fair position. As one might imagine from the title some debate took place in [...]

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Thumbnail image for Haddon Robinson On Truth In Sermon Illustrations

Haddon Robinson On Truth In Sermon Illustrations

It can be tempting to exaggerate or lie when trying to entertain or persuade others. This is understandable as it is nice to feel appreciated and engaged. It is an easy trap to fall into, especially, if one’s flesh gets in the way. Christians too? Even though the Christian is called to glorify Christ in [...]

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Thumbnail image for Fired In Jesus Name?

Fired In Jesus Name?

On May 31, Pastor Ron Baity was relieved of his Chaplaincy prayer duties before the N.C. House of Representatives after he prayed in Jesus name. Baity is the pastor of Berean Baptist Church in Winston-Salem and was filling in as a guest Chaplain. I first read this story from FOXNews’ article Pastor Yanked From Capitol [...]

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Thumbnail image for Norman Geisler: Context, Application and Defense

Norman Geisler: Context, Application and Defense

Upon discovering Dr. Norman Geisler’s first defense of Dr. Ergun Caner I wondered how he would address the evidence. Some responded that Geisler did not answer well and ignored the context of some of Dr. Caner’s statements. Geisler then responded with a follow-up article – In Further Defense of Ergun Caner. He attempted to seemingly [...]

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Thumbnail image for Ethics: Church Staff And Internet Pornography

Ethics: Church Staff And Internet Pornography

What would you do Wednesday! Upon borrowing a church staff member’s computer to use the internet a shameful discovery is made.  The URL address bar auto-populated with a pornographic website. While nervously trying to close the website an open folder is clicked on and maximized only to find a handful of pornographic pictures. Upon calming [...]

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Thumbnail image for The Center of Christian Union

The Center of Christian Union

The doctrine of Christ crucified is the grand centre of union among true Christians. Our outward differences are many without doubt: one man is an Episcopalian, another is a Presbyterian; one is an Independent, another a Baptist; one is a Calvinist, another an Arminian; one is a Lutheran, another a Plymouth Brother; one is a [...]

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Thumbnail image for Real Calvinism

Real Calvinism

Update: One of my facebook “friends” commented (seemingly at random): If a Pentecostalist, Arminian, Charismatic, Revivalist, or Anabaptist, please defriend or delete me. Or send me your name. I’ll help you. That is the unhelpful attitude the articles below address. There are two recent articles for the Calvinist to consider. The first is from the [...]

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Thumbnail image for Black Church White Church

Black Church White Church

Below is a hip-hop song dealing with something we are all familiar with. Racial segregation on Sunday morning in our local churches. The song is from Voice’s new album Christ the King. Black Church White Church by avoice Below is the third verse of the song. Whatever version of American English you speak, whatever your

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Thumbnail image for Vindication of popular ministers

Vindication of popular ministers

How dare you speak of him that way! Do you know who he is? Do you know what he’s done for the Kingdom? Look at all the people he’s ministered to! So goes the argument. It’s been stated before. It’ll be stated again. It recently reared its head in the blogosphere. But what argument is [...]

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Thumbnail image for Adrian Rogers on integrity

Adrian Rogers on integrity

Ephesians 6:14a Stand therefore, having girded your waist with truth (NKJV) The Girdle Of Truth – The Believer’s Integrity A soldier in Paul’s day had a leather girdle that he tightened about his waist to protect his loins and carry his weapons of warfare, such as a dagger or sword. The belt also held his [...]

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Thumbnail image for Ethics question: Capital Punishment Vote

Ethics question: Capital Punishment Vote

The death penalty has been in the news recently. A tough subject to be sure. Consider the three recent news stories below and then the ethical question on the issue. High Court refuses to hear appeal of woman on death row – Linda Carty was convicted of the 2001 murder of Joana Rodriguez in Texas. [...]

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Thumbnail image for T4G2010: Brian Habig-Fears of the Minister (Update)

T4G2010: Brian Habig-Fears of the Minister (Update)

(Update: Audio now available see the handout below.) Brian Habig lead one of the breakout sessions at T4G2010. His topic was The Fears of the Minister. Part 1 and part 2 of an interview with Habig can be found on the T4G blog. Part 2 includes: 7) What will you be speaking on at T4G? [...]

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Thumbnail image for Sermon listening

Sermon listening

Most Christians listen to sermons weekly. And many listen to some other kind of biblical teaching during the week. How often is a second thought given about what exactly is going on in our mind when listening? In other words, how do we listen? Challies has a review of a book called Expository Listening by [...]

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Thumbnail image for Quote on Southern Baptist Cooperation

Quote on Southern Baptist Cooperation

Matt over at SBCVoices wrote an interesting post called Arminio and Calvinito: Best Friends? In light of the recent Great Commission Resurgence, he lays out where some unnecessary Southern Baptist infighting takes place. Of course, the ultimate solution is the gospel. I was reminded of a quote that grabbed my attention from a book I [...]

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Thumbnail image for Note on T4G 2010

Note on T4G 2010

Together for the Gospel 2010 is over. It was fun while it lasted. Seriously, it was a great time. I was thankful to even be able to attend. Even more, I was thankful I was able to attend with my church’s staff and a couple other church members. This was my first time attending. I [...]

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Thumbnail image for Three Questions

Three Questions

As I consider my upcoming attendance in the 2010 Band of Bloggers, the topic Internet Idolatry and Gospel Fidelity really stick out in my mind. Why? Because it’s so easy to create idols using the internet and live in infidelity to the gospel. Is this especially so over the internet? Maybe. Which brings me to [...]

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John Piper and Rick Warren on the gospel

Recently it’s been stated as confirmed that Rick Warren will be speaking at John Piper’s National Desiring God Conference for 2010. I thought it would be interesting to hear each of them on the gospel. I believe the videos are a few years old. I’m curious about whether or not people think we can be [...]

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Thumbnail image for Faith Alone and world religions

Faith Alone and world religions

Below is a brief thought on a practical implication of how justification by faith alone helps to differentiate Christianity from other world religions. Most world religions have a component of a works-based justification built into them. Evaluating such religious systems outside the revelation of the Christian Scriptures would call for an honest appraisal of one’s [...]

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Thumbnail image for Open letter to Miley Cyrus

Open letter to Miley Cyrus

I was recently directed to an interview with Miley Cyrus in Parade. The interview reveals some thoughts on her move away from a young star branded as Hanna Montana into maturity and a more private life. More revealing is the fact that she was baptized in a Southern Baptist church in 2005 and gives some [...]

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Thumbnail image for March Devotion MP3

March Devotion MP3

2 Peter 3:9 Evening Service Devotion [ 0:01 ] Play Now | Play in Popup | Download (344)

This is a devotion I gave at our evening service on March 7. The first 1.5 minutes did not get recorded so I added it myself. The change in audio can be heard on the recording. It is interesting how different it was trying to recreate this short intro sitting at my computer versus being [...]

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Thumbnail image for Hermeneutics Quiz

Hermeneutics Quiz

A good friend recently sent me this Hermeneutics Quiz. It’s a couple of years old, but interesting nonetheless. So, I took the quiz and scored it. It’s only 20 questions and it doesn’t take long. Give it a shot and let me know what you scored. It would also be interesting to hear what others [...]

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Thumbnail image for Defining Missional

Defining Missional

What exactly does the term missional mean? Attempts to answer this question can be found in books, videos, sermons, blog posts, theological ejournals, conference presentations, magazine articles, etc. Depending on who you ask will depend on the answer which may be good, bad or ugly. You get to decide which is which. Where do we [...]

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Thumbnail image for Poll: Does “success” mean God is honoring a ministry?

Poll: Does “success” mean God is honoring a ministry?

Many times a ministry/person is defended, regardless of their teachings, because they are popular or successful. Not only are ministries defend as such, but they also come to a place where they can do no wrong. They might be betrayed as above any type of criticism or biblical correction. Such ministries might be defended in [...]

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Thumbnail image for Was Jesus a victim?

Was Jesus a victim?

Taking the position of the victim is a popular offensive today. It is a way to turn the tables and draw sympathy from others. Kevin DeYoung posted a great article on this very subject – Why Are We So Offended All the Time? (cross-post). In his post he made the following statement. As Christians, we [...]

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Thumbnail image for Metro Atlanta Apologetics conference with James White

Metro Atlanta Apologetics conference with James White

Christianity – A Faith Worth Defending Dr. James White James White will be giving a FREE Christian apologetics conference in the Metro Atlanta area. The details are below. I plan

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Thumbnail image for New Year’s Unity

New Year’s Unity

On January 1, 1865, Charles Spurgeon preached a sermon entitled True Unity Promoted. Given the recent disagreements over signing The Manhattan Declaration this is a very interesting sermon on unity. In the first paragraph Spurgeon states, “It is an old saying that England never prospers so well as when the Pope curses her. I hope [...]

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Thumbnail image for Convert or die?

Convert or die?

I’ve often wondered if Christians in the USA have freedom to their detriment. There are so many churches that they can leave one for another for whatever reason they like. Many start campaigns and stand against national department stores for not saying Merry Christmas. It is easy to complain about the world not holding to [...]

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Thumbnail image for I am Tiger Woods

I am Tiger Woods

‘I am Tiger Woods’ is a popular slogan repeated by several kids in a Nike commercial. Given Woods’ recent transgressions that phrase is even more true today. Except the adults are missing. GASP?! It’s true, as I mentioned in Tiger Woods and the cross, he is just like the rest of us. I am not [...]

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Thumbnail image for On serving others

On serving others

Fellow Southern Baptist and blogger Trevin Wax tweeted something today that really stuck. The world estimates your importance by how many people are serving YOU. God estimates your importance by how many people YOU are serving. First, the world does measure one’s importance by their popularity in one vein or another. Tiger Woods is a [...]

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Thumbnail image for Congregational Prayer Requests

Congregational Prayer Requests

Can asking for prayer ever be a burden? That might sound like a strange question. It just might be right now, but hear me out. I am not talking about prayer requests that turn into gossip. Those requests that ask for prayer for uncle Bill’s and aunt Martha’s marriage only to go on to give [...]

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Thumbnail image for Lord’s Day 11/06 righteousness

Lord’s Day 11/06 righteousness

Je­ho­vah Tsid­ke­nu is a name for God which means “The Lord Our Right­eous­ness.” This is easily forgotten today with the emphasis on doing good deeds for God. Preaching the Gospel to yourself is a great reminder that deeds do not save. It is the Gospel of grace through faith alone that saves. Jesus Christ is [...]

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Thumbnail image for Internet fellowship

Internet fellowship

The internet can be used for good, bad, stupid, indifferent, etc. like many things in life. The more sinful people get involved with these things the more we mess them up. Please, don’t look around the internet. Take my word for it. Funny, we still cannot stand in God’s way. God sovereignly works through the [...]

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Thumbnail image for Church is boring

Church is boring

Church is boring. Right? No matter what setting one is in the same basic activities are done each worship service. Sing, pray, Scripture reading, announcements, some sort of preaching, fellowship. Did I mention singing? However a worship service is set-up it is most likely going to be similar week after week. Even if worship time [...]

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Thumbnail image for Lord’s Day 11/29 rest burdens

Lord’s Day 11/29 rest burdens

The heart’s fierce effort to protect itself from every slight, to shield its touchy honor from the bad opinion of friend and enemy, will never let the mind have rest. Continue this fight through the years and the burden will become intolerable. Yet the sons of earth are carrying this burden continually, challenging every word [...]

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Thumbnail image for To Faith Or Through Faith

To Faith Or Through Faith

Just have faith. Keep the faith. Faith is important. Everyone needs faith in something. These types of statements about faith can be found just about anywhere. What does having faith actually do? Faith gives hope. It is something to rely on in times of need. It gives comfort. But

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Thumbnail image for Lord’s Day 11/22 Hard Worship

Lord’s Day 11/22 Hard Worship

Life is hard. Worshiping God can be harder. At times life seems to get in the way of God. Actually, it is our sinfulness that is in the way. The problem only gets bigger because without God there is no way for us. Thankfully, Jesus Christ has done for us in the Gospel what we [...]

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Thumbnail image for Could Molinism Support Universalism

Could Molinism Support Universalism

Dr. William Lane Craig has an article called A Middle Knowledge Perspective on Biblical Inspiration. In this article he offers Molinism as the answer of how God can work with man to write inspired Scripture. This preserves man’s freedom while still giving God a level of control of the outcome. If this position is satisfactory [...]

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Thumbnail image for Comfort in God’s Sovereignty and Goodness

Comfort in God’s Sovereignty and Goodness

My good friends John and Shannon Jordan are going through one of those unexpected trials of life. On October 31 their six year old son Gideon was diagnosed with a brain tumor. They started a Facebook group (link at the end) for prayers and updates on Gideon. In less than a month, over 1,800 members [...]

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Thumbnail image for Do Scott Hahn’s Book Endorsements Offer Protestants Validity?

Do Scott Hahn’s Book Endorsements Offer Protestants Validity?

Covenant and Communion: The Biblical Theology of Pope Benedict XVI by Scott Hahn has a few Protestant endorsements. The biggest stir was caused by Michael Horton’s endorsement. People are asking – Why endorse such a book? Would the Apostle Paul have endorsed a book on metaphysics by Aristotle? Dr. Horton has responded in his post [...]

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Thumbnail image for Lord’s Day 11/15 Petition and Confession

Lord’s Day 11/15 Petition and Confession

Confession and Petition Holy Lord, I have sinned times without number, and been guilty of pride and unbelief, of failure to find Thy mind in Thy Word, of neglect to seek Thee in my daily life. My transgressions and short-comings present me with a list of accusations, but I bless Thee that they will not [...]

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Thumbnail image for Lord’s Day 11/08 Faith Undeserved

Lord’s Day 11/08 Faith Undeserved

Many Christians around the world are preparing to worship. Nothing as powerful as God’s word to reflect on worship. When we understand just how sinful we are it is easier to truly appreciate God’s grace in saving us. It is a blessing to gather together as a community of Christians petitioning God directly. An undeserved [...]

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Thumbnail image for Lord’s Day 11/01 Faith and Doubt

Lord’s Day 11/01 Faith and Doubt

Doubt sees the obstacles, Faith sees the way! Doubt sees the darkest night, Faith sees the day! Doubt dreads to take a step, Faith soars on high! Doubt questions, “Who believes?” Faith answers, “I!” ~author unknown

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Thumbnail image for Happy Reformation Day 2009

Happy Reformation Day 2009

On October 31, 1517 Martin Luther kicked off the Protestant Reformation. His purpose was to reform the church. That did not work, however, and the Catholic church instead responded with the Council of Trent. Today the protest continues as Trent stands in opposition to the biblical and Protestant understanding of the Gospel. Many of us [...]

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Thumbnail image for Poll: Can Evangelism Be An Idol?

Poll: Can Evangelism Be An Idol?

In An Idol Called Evangelism Dr. Roy Hargrave states that evangelism rather than the glory of God is driving many churches today. That might be too strong a position for some to fathom. Maybe unbiblical for others. It is not often that evangelism is spoken of in terms of idolatry. It is an uncomfortable question. [...]

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Thumbnail image for Lord’s Day 10/25 Gospel and Legalism

Lord’s Day 10/25 Gospel and Legalism

Christians are good at replacing the gospel with religious duties. There is a performance aspect to the Christian life that says-I got saved and now I’m going to do all this stuff to give back to God. It is a tendency to become either practical or actual legalists. Consider this definition of legalism in light [...]

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Thumbnail image for A la blog list 10/23 Update

A la blog list 10/23 Update

Reformation Day UPDATE! In celebration of Reformation Day The Listener’s Bible is offering a FREE down load of Martin Luther’s – Here I Stand read by Max McLean. David Powlison helps with how to break porn addiction – Part 1 and Part 2. Jonathan says to Beware Your Seminary Professors, they are not your church [...]

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Thumbnail image for Trent: Let Me Be Anathema

Trent: Let Me Be Anathema

The sixth session of the Council of Trent,the Canons Concerning Justification, anathematizes me how many times? Else where in the meta Dan Phillips mentioned to me that we should have a contest. “How many Romish anathemas can you rack up?” I decided to count the number of anathemas that I am under from the 33 [...]

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Thumbnail image for Lord’s Day 10/18 Joy

Lord’s Day 10/18 Joy

Joy and Peace in Believing By John Newton 1. Sometimes a light surprises The Christian while he sings; It is the Lord who rises With healing in his wings: When comforts are declining, He grants the soul again A season of clear shining, To cheer it after rain.

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Thumbnail image for Blog Action Day 2009: Climate Change

Blog Action Day 2009: Climate Change

Today is Blog Action Day 2009. The topic this year is climate change. The most talked about in this area may be global warming. Global warming is here to stay. The question becomes – What are we going to do about it? Global warming is here, but not necessarily in a literal sense. It exists [...]

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Thumbnail image for Lord’s Day 10/11 the Incarnation

Lord’s Day 10/11 the Incarnation

Praise for the Incarnation by John Newton Sweeter sounds than music knows Charm me in Immanuel’s name; All her hopes my spirit owes To his birth, and cross, and shame. When he came, the angels sung, “Glory be to God on high;” Lord, unloose my stamm’ring tongue, Who should louder sing than I? Did the [...]

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Thumbnail image for One Nation Under A Mormon God?

One Nation Under A Mormon God?

The painting One Nation Under God by Jon McNaughton promotes a Mormon author. My initial reaction to the painting was that another Christian is using Jesus and the Bible for political propaganda. It seems I was wrong. The evidence points to the artist, Jon McNaughton, as being a Mormon. The name Jon McNaughton can also [...]

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Thumbnail image for Poll: Does Christian Hip-Hop Harm the Gospel?

Poll: Does Christian Hip-Hop Harm the Gospel?

My friend and brother Nathan and I have had a short twitter discussion on whether Christian hip-hop harms the Gospel. This issue came up in reference to Mark Dever’s recent interview with Christian rappers Shai Linne and Voice. I actually interviewed Christian hip-hop Artist Sho Baraka. Then, I attended the the Don’t Waste Your Life [...]

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Thumbnail image for Gospel Then Morality: Lesson From Abortion Counseling

Gospel Then Morality: Lesson From Abortion Counseling

What can Christians learn about the Gospel and change from abortion counseling? I recently attended a fundraiser for Cobb Pregnancy Services (CPS). It was a great night of fellowship and celebration of what God is doing at this organization. A young pregnant lady gave her testimony of how God used CPS to convince her to [...]

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Thumbnail image for Tullian Tchividjian to Stay at Coral Ridge: Lessons?

Tullian Tchividjian to Stay at Coral Ridge: Lessons?

Tullian Tchividjian will stay as pastor of  Coral Ridge Presbyterian Church per a congregational vote of 69%-31% this morning. “I’m staying!!,” wrote pastor Tchividjian in the title of today’s blog post about the future of his pastoral role at Coral Ridge.The pressure on this new pastor must have been unbelievable in anticipation of this vote. [...]

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Thumbnail image for Lord’s Day 09/13 Unity

Lord’s Day 09/13 Unity

The Apostle Paul on unity and community in the local church. Volumes have been written about the text of the Bible. Sometimes Scripture gets overlooked for these volumes about Scripture. Sometimes Christians get too caught up in reading these other works. Upon returning to Scripture they find that there is nothing as sweet as reading [...]

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Thumbnail image for Book Review: Christianity in Crisis The 21st Century

Book Review: Christianity in Crisis The 21st Century

Christianity In Crisis: The 21st Century By Hank Hanegraaff.  Thomas Nelson Publishers, 2009. 432 pages. Hank Hanegraaff has updated the 1993 edition of Christianity in Crisis to keep up with the “Word of Faith” movement and its teachers. The author exposes the continued growth and danger of these teachings. The book is divided into seven [...]

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Thumbnail image for Lord’s Day 09/13 You

Lord’s Day 09/13 You

Mirror, mirror on the wall. How can God accept me at all? As Christians grow in their walk with Jesus they become more and more aware of their sinfulness. This is certainly my experience. As Christians gather to worship corporately what does each person bring with them? Do Christians gather with others in mind? With [...]

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Thumbnail image for Book Review: Fearless by Max Lucado

Book Review: Fearless by Max Lucado

Fearless: Imagine Your Life Without Fear By Max Lucado, Thomas Nelson, 2009, 224 pages. Fearless is a practical book addressing various fears in life by pointing to Jesus as the answer to those fears. The book is filled with real-life illustrations of fear and the things people do to run or hide from those fears. [...]

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Thumbnail image for Westboro Baptist Revealed: Evangelized, Interviewed, Reviewed (Updated)

Westboro Baptist Revealed: Evangelized, Interviewed, Reviewed (Updated)

If the messages on the signs are not disturbing enough, how about the people holding them? They are children! My heart breaks to see a picture like this just hoping it is a photo-shopped picture. Unfortunately, it is not. Last week I wrote Westboro Baptist To Share Hate In Atlanta to give folks a heads [...]

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Thumbnail image for Lord’s Day 09/06 Love Each Other

Lord’s Day 09/06 Love Each Other

It’s Sunday morning and you have just whacked your alarm clock with a hammer. The alarm keeps buzzing. You continue wielding the hammer until the alarm clock is in 100 pieces. The alarm still will not stop! Finally, you awaken to realize that it was only a dream and it’s time to get ready for [...]

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Thumbnail image for Great Night: Don’t Waste Your Life Concert

Great Night: Don’t Waste Your Life Concert

Thanks to Lecrae for the video below. You can hear everyone yelling, “Send me. I’ll go.” It was an awesome night! We took some of our youth group and they really enjoyed it. Even one of my pastors was there who is a few generations removed from the hip-hop era. It was a good night [...]

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Thumbnail image for Lord’s Day 08/30 Humble Joy

Lord’s Day 08/30 Humble Joy

Below is an excerpt of the sermon A Penitent Heart The Best New Year’s Gift by George Whitfield. The humility that Jesus’ love brings when realizing no one deserves it is astounding. Can we really even begin to consider what He has done in dying for such sinners as us? Do we feel joy in [...]

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Thumbnail image for Lord Kill Me If I Don’t Preach the Gospel

Lord Kill Me If I Don’t Preach the Gospel

So I’m driving. I hear “Lord kill me If I don’t preach the gospel.” What? Did I hear that right? Rewind! Again. Yep! That line really hit me. It made me think. Imagine singing that in church to the tune of Amazing Grace. This was not from a hymn though. (Maybe we can add it [...]

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Thumbnail image for August Devotion MP3

August Devotion MP3

Isaiah 24:23 Sunday Evening Devotional [ 14:26 ] Play Now | Play in Popup | Download (174)

I gave this devotional for our Sunday evening service on August 16. My previous devotion was the evening of April 5 if you’d like to listen. My text for this devotion was Isaiah 24:23 The moon will be abashed, the sun ashamed; for the LORD Almighty will reign on Mount Zion and in Jerusalem, and [...]

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Thumbnail image for Senator Ted Kennedy Dies at 77

Senator Ted Kennedy Dies at 77

Senator Kennedy has left this world to face whatever is next on his path. He was 77 years old. Was he really old? He wasn’t young. Life is fleeting. It’s here today and you wonder where yesterday went. I have almost 40 years before I reach 77, if the Lord so allows. Seems like a [...]

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Thumbnail image for Help Needed for Local Atlanta Mission

Help Needed for Local Atlanta Mission

I need your help! Sandy Springs Mission needs your help! Who? What? The Sandy Springs Mission needs help for their after-school program. They minister to low-income elementary and middle-school children and their families in this Metro Atlanta community.These young people get help they might not otherwise receive. The mission helps in these areas.

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Thumbnail image for Lord’s Day 08/23 Holy Inability

Lord’s Day 08/23 Holy Inability

What do we do to be holy? What abilities do we have to achieve holiness? None! It is Jesus who is holy. It is He who makes us holy. It is only because of Him and his work on the cross for us. As we go to worship this weekend here is something to think [...]

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Writing Opportunity with Examiner.com

Examiner.com currently reaches 110 cities across the county. It is a growing community with a national reach. This is done through the many local examiners it employees through those 110 cities. The examiners cover issues in each city under 25 different topics. They have openings so I applied. Guess what happened? I are one now! [...]

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Thumbnail image for Michael Horton Interviews Robert Schuller

Michael Horton Interviews Robert Schuller

A Conversation with Dr. Robert Schuller* The following are highlights from a two hour discussion between Dr. Robert Schuller and Dr. Michael Horton on the White Horse Inn radio broadcast, Nov. 1992. Michael Horton: Would you be willing to address your congregation as a group as sinners? Robert Schuller: No I don’t think I need [...]

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Thumbnail image for Book Review: Dear Timothy Letters On Pastoral Ministry

Book Review: Dear Timothy Letters On Pastoral Ministry

Dear Timothy: Letters on Pastoral Ministry edited by Tom Ascol. Cape Coral: Founders Press, 2004. 384 pages. Many times in life we wish we had a practical “how to” guide for the various activities of which we are involved (i.e. new job, volunteer work). Dear Timothy: Letters on Pastoral Ministry edited by Thomas Ascol is [...]

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Thumbnail image for Lord’s Day 08/16 the Gospel

Lord’s Day 08/16 the Gospel

Last week I offered some thoughts on preparing for the Lord’s Day by meditating on the sufferings of Christ and understanding your own brokenness. During our worship services we will all (I hope) hear the Gospel. Many times there is this idea that Christians don’t really need the Gospel anymore. The Gospel is really just [...]

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Thumbnail image for Les Paul Will Strum On

Les Paul Will Strum On

The great Les Paul has passed away at 94 years old. He leaves behind a list of accomplishments and a name that will seemingly never fade away until the Lord’s return. He left quite a legacy. Even up to the end where he won two Grammys for an album he released after his 90th birthday [...]

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Thumbnail image for John Hagee Clarifies: Jesus is Messiah

John Hagee Clarifies: Jesus is Messiah

Not long ago many people came to the conclusion that John Hagee denied that Jesus was the Messiah in his book In Defense of Israel. I was one of those people. What drove my conclusion was reading parts of the book and listening to audio of Hagee. Despite our theological disagreements this alleged belief of [...]

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Thumbnail image for Free Hip-Hop Mixtape from Reach Records

Free Hip-Hop Mixtape from Reach Records

There is a hip-hop (rap music for you older folks) movement that is reaching places with the Gospel that the traditional church has not gone. Much of the music is filled with deep theological lyrics that shame much of modern praise music. I’ve pointed out two examples of such lyrics in the past. One on [...]

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Thumbnail image for Lord’s Day 08/09 Preparation

Lord’s Day 08/09 Preparation

In my last post I offered how to meditate on Scriptures. That post focused on the personal time we spend with the Lord. In similar fashion we should be encouraged to meditate to get ourselves ready to worship at our church meeting place. I offer some words by Thomas Boston from his The whole works [...]

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Thumbnail image for How To Meditate On Scripture

How To Meditate On Scripture

How do you meditate on Scripture? I’ve heard the question many times. I’ve even asked it myself many times. Even when the question is answered it isn’t always clear. The real question is – What is the process for meditation? What exactly do I do? In this post I’m going to (hopefully) give you the [...]

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Thumbnail image for Rejoice On the Lord’s Day

Rejoice On the Lord’s Day

The Lord’s Day is approaching. I won’t be with my local church family due to celebrating my anniversary. However, I will still worship with my larger church family in the area in which we are staying. I leave you with these thoughts from The complete works of Richard Sibbes ( 74), as we all prepare [...]

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Thumbnail image for Book Review: Religion Saves By Mark Driscoll

Book Review: Religion Saves By Mark Driscoll

Religion Saves: And Nine Other Misconceptions By Mark Driscoll. Crossway Books, 2009. 287 pages. (I will be starting a drawing tomorrow for a free copy of this book.) Background After 343,203 online votes on the Mars Hill Church website, nine questions for Pastor Mark Driscoll emerged as the ones most urgently calling for answers. Inspired [...]

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Thumbnail image for De-baptism Thoughts

De-baptism Thoughts

The title of a recent USA Today article says it all Atheists choose ‘de-baptism’ to renounce childhood faith. I’m not sure that Hemingway could have said it better. When a person becomes a Christian they repent and believe the Gospel. There is a renunciation of the previous life and a proclamation that we belong to [...]

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Thumbnail image for Why Worship?

Why Worship?

As you go to worship tomorrow or whenever the next Lord’s Day is think about why your worshiping. Are you worshiping as a means to find total satisfaction in God? What might be some wrong motivations? Below I’ve reformatted a paragraph from Brothers, We Are Not Professionals by John Piper, page 240. Read this list [...]

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Thumbnail image for Book Review: Brothers We Are Not Professionals

Book Review: Brothers We Are Not Professionals

Brothers, We Are Not Professionals: A Plea to Pastors for Radical Ministry by John Piper. B&H Publishing Group, 2002. 286 pages. The Review Brothers We Are Not Professionals by John Piper is a very encouraging book. It is written to pastors as a call to for Jesus Christ to be the center of every aspect [...]

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Thumbnail image for Southern Baptist Disclosure and Unity

Southern Baptist Disclosure and Unity

So what do you do believe pastor? Do you hold to X-theology or Y-theology? Which is it Xism or Yism? If you hold to Xism we must have full disclosure! OK, those aren’t exactly real questions. Though it’s been said more than once in Southern Baptist life that if a pastor holds to X-theology, he [...]

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Thumbnail image for Write Your Own Message Bible

Write Your Own Message Bible

What do I mean write your own Message Bible? First, The Message Bible is a paraphrase Bible written by Eugene Peterson.  I’ve often found myself gently saying, “It’s not a translation it’s a paraphrase” when references to The Message would come up. Many folks like The Message.  To a point that’s fine if it’s used [...]

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Thumbnail image for Walking with God

Walking with God

Jesus saves us from ourselves, our sin and His wrath.  He does this inspite of ourselves.  Think on this as you worship with your brothers and sisters on the Lord’s Day.  Love Jesus, love your church family.  Think about where you were or where you would be if it weren’t for Jesus.  Go. Worship together. [...]

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Thumbnail image for Happy 500 John Calvin

Happy 500 John Calvin

Today is John Calvin’s 500th birthday. (See cake at left)  Whatever our disagreements with Calvin it cannot be denied that Protestants (everyone?) owe much to his theological study.  God certainly gifted him in areas many of us only wish our minds could go. Calvin was more than a mind though.  He had deeds along with [...]

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Thumbnail image for Book Review: Godology

Book Review: Godology

Godology: Because Knowing God Changes Everything By Christian George.  Moody Publishers, January 1, 2009. 176 pages. What first caught my attention about this book was the foreward by J.I. Packer.  Right away this made me want to look further into Godology. Godology is a book explaining the attributes of God in more modern terms.  The [...]

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Thumbnail image for Logos Bible Software Giveaway July

Logos Bible Software Giveaway July

Logos Bible Software is celebrating the launch of their new online Bible by giving away 72 ultra-premium print Bibles at a rate of 12 per month for six months. The Bible giveaway is being held at Bible.Logos.com and you can get up to five different entries each month! After you enter, be sure to check [...]

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Thumbnail image for Gospel Coalition or Assertions?

Gospel Coalition or Assertions?

David Fitch has asked if we agree or disagree with his views on the work of The Gospel Coalition (TGC).  His views are expressed at Christianity Today’s Out of Ur blog post: Gospel Coalition or Expedition? How effective will The Gospel Coalition be in post-Christendom? One of the problems with Fitch’s approach can be seen [...]

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Thumbnail image for Be Happy God Says

Be Happy God Says

Did you know that God commands you to be happy? Serve the LORD with gladness! Psalm 100:2 Delight yourself in the LORD and he will give you the desires of your heart. Psalm 37:4 The best news in the world is that there is no conflict between your greatest possible happiness and God’s perfect holiness. [...]

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Thumbnail image for Free Bibleworks8 Software?

Free Bibleworks8 Software?

Would you like a free copy of Bibleworks8?  I know I sure would!  It would be especially helpful if I start seminary soon as planned. Fellow blogger Nathan W. Bingham over at Cal.vini.st (Cool url!) is offering a way to get this software…for free! Want in on this? Find out how to register to win: [...]

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Thumbnail image for Fatherhood: Appreciation, Humility, Ministry, Reflections

Fatherhood: Appreciation, Humility, Ministry, Reflections

Another year.  Another Father’s Day.  A useless holiday that we made up to spur the economy i.e. to get people to spend money.  That’s just about what I used to think anyways.  Not so much anymore. Today when I think of Father’s Day I think of my father, myself as a father and my heavenly [...]

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Thumbnail image for Who Is Watching Your Life?

Who Is Watching Your Life?

Ride to Live, Live to Ride is the motto you’ll find on biker t-shirts.  It’s really a cool saying.  The motto can be changed to reflect whatever is primary in your life from riding motorcycles to sports to your job.  In reality the motto is about self.  The primacy of me we might say.  So [...]

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Thumbnail image for Alcholism Vs Legalism

Alcholism Vs Legalism

If you’ve read my testimony you’ll see that I grew up in a legalistic religion.  I could never be good enough.  I was the on the receiving end of the the never ending road of legalism.  Whether it was a cuss word or a beer, I was done. 

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Thumbnail image for Should “Celebrity” Pastors Offer Disclaimers?

Should “Celebrity” Pastors Offer Disclaimers?

Warning.  Caution.  Disclaimer.  These are popular words.  We see them on everything and everywhere today.  They are good, bad, indifferent and life saving.  Should we have something of those words at our Christian conferences where “celebrity” pastors and theologians speak?  Maybe. There are many good, Gospel-centered conferences offered these days.  I was at one of [...]

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IssuesEtc on Free Will

This is an interesting discussion by some Lutheran pastors on free-will and salvation.  They even discuss Roman Catholic and Protestant differences. One of the questions at about the 20 minute mark by email was concerning God’s foreknowledge.  It was along the lines of if God knows what you’re going to eat for dinner is it [...]

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Thumbnail image for Advance09 Makes Local News

Advance09 Makes Local News

How awesome is it to for a Christian conference to make the local news?  The final day was good.  I’m too tired to write out any notes.  I hope to have some final reflections on the event soon.  I was certainly blessed by the messages and fellowship.  Check out the news story. There’s about 2,900 [...]

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Thumbnail image for Advance09 Day Two

Advance09 Day Two

Today was day two at Advance09 here in Durham, NC.  It was another good day.  To catch up you can find all of the uploaded audio for you to download here: Advance09 Session MP3′s. Order of Events

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Thumbnail image for Advance09 Day One

Advance09 Day One

I’m having a great time at the Advance09 Conference.  A great time of learning and conviction.  I’m rooming with a brother named Kris from NC who also put some notes up. I’m going to give you today’s line-up and some highlights from my notes.  You can go over to DesiringGod.org and download The First Three [...]

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Thumbnail image for Dynamite Sermon Illustrations

Dynamite Sermon Illustrations

As the story goes, we get our word dynamite from the Greek word dunamis.  Dunamis means power.  This can be a powerful illustration in a sermon where we read about the power of God in the Bible. We can actually see the dynamite of God!  Powerful!  Right? 

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Thumbnail image for Considering Death

Considering Death

Do you consider death?  After death?  It’s not the most comfortable thing to think about even for Christians.  It’s even tougher to talk about.  There is one such talk that you want to hear,  Rachel Barkey’s.

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Thumbnail image for Bodies The Exhibition Visit

Bodies The Exhibition Visit

It was something my family wanted to do.  I wasn’t sure if I wanted to though.  I almost felt like I would be observing something wrong.  The thought of going made me uncomfortable.  Well, I ended up going anyway. This past Saturday I took the family to visit the Bodies: The Exhibition gallery.  It was [...]

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Thumbnail image for How Will We Worship

How Will We Worship

As the Lord’s Day approaches, how will prepare?  What do you expect?  How will you worship? *Question 66: How is the Sabbath to be sanctified? Answer: One day in seven should be especially devoted to corporate worship and other spiritual exercises that restore the soul’s rest in God and zeal for His name. It should [...]

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Thumbnail image for Memorial Day 2009 Worship Service

Memorial Day 2009 Worship Service

It was a mostly normal Sunday morning.  My wife and I left for church wondering if it would happen.  It did.  The Pledge of Allegiance was said.  The National Anthem was sung.  Everyone stood.  We sat.  It was uncomfortable, I admit.

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Thumbnail image for The Trinity Working Together In Salvation

The Trinity Working Together In Salvation

I was listening to this on the way to work this morning.  It speaks of how the Trinitarian God works together in salvation.  This is a subject I don’t hear talked about much.  How often to we think of  how the Trinity works together in salvation?  This song made me think about just that!

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Thumbnail image for Dear President Obama – No!

Dear President Obama – No!

Amen! Spread the word. The world needs to watch.

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Thumbnail image for Heavy Hearts Good Words

Heavy Hearts Good Words

Five minutes to leave.  We’ve got to go!  We’re going to be late. C’mon traffic!  Move cars! The interview is in a week.  How do I answer those questions again?  I’ve got to say it just right. What if I don’t get that job.  I need it.  I should check my email again to see [...]

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Thumbnail image for Angels and Demons A Novel Idea

Angels and Demons A Novel Idea

The folks at Westminster Seminary have shined some light for truth.  They’ve put together a great new site responding to the movie “Angels and Demons” based on Dan Brown’s novel.  The site is The Truth About Angels & Demons.

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Thumbnail image for A La Blog 5/15

A La Blog 5/15

Michael DeBusk asks if Henry Blackaby is right about evangelism? I don’t think he is. What do you think? Jim Duggan wants to know that at which you’re staring. Is it Jesus? It better be! (BTW, who ever heard of Ty Ty, Georgia?) Eric Carpenter stumbles upon a crack pot King James Only website.  This [...]

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Thumbnail image for Unchangeable Free Will

Unchangeable Free Will

I know that yesterday I am going to eat chocolate chip ice cream.  That can’t change.  It cannot change.  It already happened.  I ate the ice cream, and even though that’s not going to change, I had free will to not eat the ice cream.  Even though I am telling you today that that I [...]

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Divine Rape and Forced Love

I recently heard a sermon by an SBC pastor.  He was speaking on TULIP.  One of his points was against irresistible grace.  He basically calls the doctrine irresistible predestination.  Then, goes on to say the following. Forced love is rape.  And God is not a divine rapist.  God offers His love.  He desires that we [...]

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Uncommon Prayer Requests

It’s Sunday morning.  Sunday School has started.  It’s time for prayer requests.  What do you think about?  What is your prayer request going to be?  The common habit is to ask for healing for illness, disease, broken limbs, etc.  These are good prayer requests.  However, we can expand our prayer lives. There are greater things [...]

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Good Enough To Be A Saint

Who is a saint?  A holy person?  One who is above and more deserving than others?  One who stands out because of their works?  Specific Christians who’ve reached a certain level of holiness in their walk?  Recently in my small group we touched on this very topic as we discussed Ephesians 1:1. Paul, an apostle [...]

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Preparing To Worship

As I think about and prepare for worship tomorrow on the Lord’s Day it is a blessing.  I’m going to  worship God.  To give Him something.  I’m going to sing for Him.  Will I like the songs?  What if we sing that really slow one?  Or the one that’s too contemporary?    Or what if..whatever…?  [...]

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Keep Up With Your Favorite Blogs

New on my blog roll is a site called My Christian Blogs.  First, for those unfamiliar with my blogroll it’s listed in three categories in collapsible format.  Click to open and there you have it. OK, where were we?  This new site is actually an aggregator for certain Christian blogs.  It looks to be a [...]

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$5 Deal of the Day Giveaway

How’s your prayer life? Would you like to improve it?  Wouldn’t we all!  For the next 48 hours you can pick Paul Miller’s new book A Praying Life: Connecting With God in a Distracting World for about 5 bucks.   This offer expires at 5 PM (EST) on Saturday, April 25th.  Or it possibly might [...]

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Wanna Be A Christian Blogger?

Well, do ya? Fellow blogger Matt Svoboda, and soon to be co-blogger (sshh!), is looking for some folks to contribute to two blogs. The first is SBC Voices where Matt just took over as editor. (Congratulations!)  SBC Voices is looking for theologically conservative Southern Baptist contributors. Second, is Evangelical Village which is a community blog [...]

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Prayer and Devotion Online

I can’t believe that I will have been blogging for five years come June 2009.  Blogs and websites come and go.  I’m not sure how or even why I’ve perservered so far.  Looking back, I’ve come a long way.  Looking ahead, I’ve got a long way to go. Two Quick Items There are so many [...]

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Upcoming Book Review And Project

I have a few book reviews on the way.  The next one up is not the typical book I would read.  The book is The Noticer: Sometimes, All A Person Needs Is A Little Perspective By best selling author, Andy Andrews.  I received my review copy from Thomas Nelson last week and will be releasing [...]

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When I Hear Southern Baptist

What do you think when you hear “Southern Baptist”?  This was the question from Thom Rainer, president and CEO of LifeWay Christian Resources, that came across Twitter last week.  My answer in Twitter fashion was: @ThomRainer ‘Southern Baptist’? 1-my church.Then sad-easy believism, weak Gospel overshadowed by “conservative” politics but much potential. Dr. Rainer weighed in [...]

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10 Reasons You Might Be A Watchblogger If

There is a lot of commotion going on with my fellow bloggers Challies, TeamPyro and Campi writing about what are called “watchbloggers”.  In addition to my Rick Warren Did Not Lie post I offer this “10 Reasons” list. 10 Reasons you might be a watchblogger if… 10. You constantly Google yourself. 9. You Google your [...]

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Christ Our Righteousness Is Risen

We have finished the doctrine of Christ’s humiliation, wherein the Sun of righteousness appeared to you as a setting sun, gone out of sight; but as the sun when it is gone down to us, begins a new day in another part of the world, so Christ, having finished his course and work in this [...]

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What About This Blog?

There’s been quite a few new visitors here lately.  I’m sure it’s not too hard to tell what this blog is  about by clicking around.  However, as part of the Build a Better Blog Challenge day 1, the challenge is to briefly tell what the blog is about. And my answer to what this blog [...]

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Proposition What? Rick Warren Did Not Lie

If  you watch this video: News & Views 10/23/2008 Part 3 (Prop 8 ) at about the 30 second mark you will hear the following. “We support Proposition 8 and if you believe what the Bible says about marriage, you need to support Proposition 8.” If you read this transcript Interview with Pastor Rick Warren [...]

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Financial Omniscience

Below is a great quote by Ben Stein on knowing the future, especially, the future of financial and economic markets. I am bemused because I have long noticed that almost all economic pundits and soothsayers – whether on television, in newspapers, or at brokerage firms and conferences, are asked to tell the future. And most [...]

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April Devotion MP3

April 5 Devotion Play Now | Play in Popup | Download (151)

My pastor said something I found funny while introducing me.  He mentioned that I was a blogger.  I was still too nervous at that point to comment. Below is a recording of the devotion I gave that I wrote about yesterday.  I hope it’s edifying.  If not, then shoot the messenger (me) because the message [...]

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Behind the Pulpit

Last night I had the opportunity to lead my church in a devotion for our evening service.  (A devotion is like a mini-sermon and mine was about 14 minutes.)  It’s been several years since I’ve preached at all.  I’ve taught classes and done a few presentations, but no sermon-like activities.  I was very honored when [...]

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Wisdom From A Teenager On Youth Ministry

A teenager, named Erica, was recently given an assignment to write an editorial on the subject of her choice. Her topic? Youth ministry.  Below is the editorial exactly as sent to a fellow blogger who is also a family friend of Erica.  Did I mention that she is only 15? Wow! ——————————————————— A new phenomena [...]

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How James White Made Me Roman Catholic

This will come as a shock to many of you who know the work of James White and team concerning Roman Catholicism as well as those who know me.  I’ve been acquainted with Dr. White since 2001 and he did something very special for my family in the years following. He’s helped me a lot [...]

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Twitter Church and Classroom

Life is full of distractions.  Reading this blog right now might be one of them.  Though I hope it’s not.  Aside from whether or not you actually like this blog, it really depends on prioritizing as to whether or not something is a distraction.  In our sinfulness it’s easy enough to make time for prayer [...]

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Helping Baby Hannah

There are times in our lives when we don’t understand the greater purposes of God in our lives.  These can be very hard and trying times, especially, when it comes to our children.  When your child is only 14 months old and a rare cancerous brain tumor is discovered the pain only gets worse.  Yet [...]

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Jesus the Answer

Enjoy worshiping on the Lord’s Day with His people.  Below are some wonderful words to think on from John Newton which were written a few years after he wrote Amazing Grace. I heartily sympathize with you in your complaints; but I see you in safe hands. The Lord loves you, and will take care of [...]

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Passion Church Part 2

Below is my response to Randy’s original comment to my post. I’m going to most post my reply rather than copy and paste the whole exchange. You can read it at comment #9. My initial post was me grabbing comments that stood out for one reason or another and then responding to them. This post [...]

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Ask John Piper: Pornification of the Pulpit

John Piper is taking questions again: Ask John Piper a Question on Twitter (Note: you don’t have to use twitter, check the link.) My question via twitter is: @desiringgod #apj Pastor John, what did you think of Phil Johnson’s recent sermon on “Pornification of the Pulpit”? Why ask this?  If you aren’t familiar with this [...]

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Devotion On Grace

Our Bible passage for this devotion is Ephesians 2:8-9 For by grace you have been saved through faith. And this is not your own doing; it is the gift of God, not a result of works, so that no one may boast. (ESV) In today’s culture, much like the time when this passage was written, [...]

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9 Marks Journal: Young Pastors

Church members: read these articles to help see where you may be a problem and how you may help with the solution for your pastor and the health of your local church. The latest 9Marks eJournal is out.  The topic is young pastors and it looks very good.  It’s good for the church to understand what pastor’s go [...]

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How Is Your Marriage? Deal of the Week

When Sinners Say “I Do”: Discovering the Power of the Gospel for Marriage by Dave Harvey looks like an excellent book.  This week Westminster Bookstore has the book for only $8.37 which is 40% Off.  You can purchase it at Westminster Bookstore online and read excerpts, an author interview and endorsements.  Check out the table [...]

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Starting the Week

I started this morning reading Psalm 116 and 117. Go read Psalm 116. Even if you don’t get to read it right now, 117 is such a great, profound yet simple summary of praising the Lord. Psalm 117 (NASB) A Psalm of Praise. 1 Praise the LORD, all nations; Laud Him, all peoples! 2 For [...]

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Sheep Stink A Pastoral Thought

I was talking to a pastor friend about the work of the ministry and the local church.  We were talking about the work the Bible describes, the hard work.  He summed it up nice and succinctly. People are sheep. Sheep stink and bite. Feeding them isn’t really hard, living with them is. For what it’s [...]

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Good Buys On Good Books

Someone buy the name of drpuritan is selling some very good Chrisitan books on ebay.  As of now there are 379 titles available which include individual books and various volumes.  Starting bids range from $.99 to $120. I don’t know why these books are being sold.  Speculation leads to me think it may be due [...]

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A Look at Passion City Church

A new church is coming here to Atlanta.  It’s called Passion City Church and it stars will be lead by Louie Giglio, Matt Redman, and Chris Tomlin.  (Don’t throw stones, I’m only kidding.)  ChristianityToday recently had a Q&A with Louie Giglio about the coming church plant.  Let’s take a look at the plans for this [...]

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My Birthday 2009

Today,  I am officially one year older.  Yeah, it’s my birthday.  My awesome wife came through again and gave me a great gift.  Her gift is my enrollment in a class: Pastoral Theology with Tom Ascol.  I pray this will be a gift that will keep on giving.  More on this later as I give [...]

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Apostle Paul Shunned By Christians

A while back I wrote Could Jesus be a student at Liberty University? I took a look at some of the reprimands and fines for certain activities of Liberty students.  I ran across something along the same lines over at The Sacred Sandwich site which is a brilliantly accurate portrayal of today’s Christianity. If Paul’s [...]

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Shut Up Christians!

The movie is actually called Speechless: Silencing the Christians.  Just watch the video and ask yourself – Is there a pro-homosexual agenda at work?  If so, is it affecting families, our nation, and religious freedoms? In the video you will also see reference to and quotes from the book After the Ball: How America Will [...]

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A Story of Conversation, Witnessing and Theology

In light of my recent post on contextualization, I wanted to share something interesting that happened on the way to work last week. I got to talk to an unbeliever where I interjected theology into our conversation.  This opened the door to witnessing.  OF course, theology and witnessing should go hand in hand, but I’m [...]

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John Newton On Our Hope

A gem to meditate on for the Lord’s Day. “Our righteousness is in Him, and our hope depends, not upon the exercise of grace in us, but upon the fullness of grace and love in Him, and upon His obedience unto death” – John Newton Grace to you, Mark

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Talking Theology with Non-Christians: Contextualization

Mention the word contextualization today and that spark ignites a fire among the evangelical crowd.  Christians do need to be able to communicate with non-Christians.  There may be some forms of what people call contextualization that go too far though.  Whatever you call it I believe Van Til expresses well our need to bridge the [...]

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LifeWay Reads With Discernment

Update: The Baptist Standard reported that LifeWay backs off ‘read with discernment’ label for books. Apparently the label was irrelevant to their customers. So all of the links below have been removed since they were dead. LifeWay, the Christian bookstore of the Southern Baptist Convention, has a new warning label out. It’s called Read With [...]

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Miss America Interview

On Feb. 10, Pastor Wilken interview the new Miss American, Katie Stam, on the Issues, Etc. radio show.  I’m assuming Wilken got the interview because Ms. Stam is a Lutheran and her mother teaches at a Lutheran school.  Though I may be wrong.  I wanted to make a few observations about the interview. Slight Rant [...]

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Muller On the Textus Receptus

A debate recently took place on the text of Scripture between Christian apologist James White and agnostic textual critic Bart Ehrman.  The debate Did the Bible Misquote Jesus? has made for some interesting comments around the web.  It’s certainly a debate worth listening too.  It’s also very affordable.  Given this recent topic along with disagreements [...]

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Get Outta My Face! – Book Review

A review of Get Outta My Face!: How to Reach Angry, Unmotivated Teens with Biblical Counsel by Rick Horne. Wapwallopen: Shepherd Press, 2009, 176 pages. The book is divided into three main parts:  I. What You Must Understand to Connect with You Teen, II. What You Must Do to Help Your Teen and III. How [...]

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Instant Millionaire!

When I first got the email I’ve share below I was just going to post it to show share the attempted scam.  It’s either a scam or someone is actually willing to give me $4.5 million!  Yeah, I’m holding my breath.  I’ve seen stories on investigative reporting shows about such scams.  Then I thought, why [...]

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Irresistible Prevenient Grace

Motivated by C. Michael Patton’s post: A Brief Rejection of Arminianism or “Why Arminianism Does Not Work” I’m reposting one of my old articles below. I may be about a week late to the game, but Pastor Gary L. W. Johnson over at the Teampyro blog finishes his three part post entitled Arminianism: Semi-Pelagianism? I [...]

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Free Atlanta Area Worship Conference With Don Kistler

Thanks to the alert by fellow blogger Brian Thornton at Voice of the Sheep.  It is Brian’s church that is hosting this conference.  This looks like a great conference.  Its’ in my backyard and I plan on being there! WHO: Don Kistler, Founder of SDG Books & The Northampton Press WHAT: Winter Bible Conference – [...]

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Apostle Paul On Inauguration Day

There’s been mixed reviews of Rick Warren’s Inauguration Day prayer (a transcript) for President Barack Obama.  The reviews have been critical and grateful.  Like the mixed reviews I have mixed feelings.  I don’t want to talk about my reaction though.  I read what Mark Driscoll said and thought about one of Driscoll’s points. If you [...]

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Spiritual Warfare Sunday School

This past Sunday I got to substitute teach in Sunday School.  I was jumping in the middle of teaching on spiritual warfare.  The topic I was to cover was spiritual warfare and church leaders.  I was asked if I would share my notes here so I will.  I wasn’t sure at first, but someone may [...]

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The Shack On Issues Etc

This week Pastor Todd Wilken took some time to review much discussed book The Shack. He plays the sounds clips from the audio version of the book and comments.  I’ve provided the audio below.  It’s definitely worth listening to Pastor Wilken’s excellent comments. While Pastor Wilken mentions a few good aspects of the book he [...]

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Top 100 Theology Blogs: I Made It

Jessica Merritt has posted a list of the Top 100 Theology Blogs.  I made the list at # 17 and want to say thank you.  I can’t believe it, but I appreciate it.  How did I make it?  I don’t know, but if anyone is going to put my blog in the top 100 of [...]

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A Song For A Calvinist Wife

Michael Dewalt posted a performance of the song I Think My Wife’s A Calvinist by its author Brandon Milan.  Too funny! I’ve transcribed the lyrics below and here is an mp3 download of the song.  I’m going to play it for my wife without telling her about the song. I can’t buy my wife roses [...]

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My Awesome Wife At Christmas

My awesome wife got me Richard Muller’s Post-Reformation Reformed Dogmatics for Christmas!  Now, my wife isn’t awesome because she got me these volumes.  It’s because she is awesome in more ways than I can count that she got them for me!  What a great gift. For those not familiar with this set here’s the description [...]

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Christmas Jingle: Jesus Christ Is Coming To Town

I’ve (attempted to) put together a little Christmas jingle this year.  It is sung to the tune of Santa Claus is Coming to Town. Jesus Christ is Coming to Town You better repent You better have faith Better not relent So you will be saved Jesus Christ is coming to town He’s writing a book [...]

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A Christmas Meditation

The Fall of Man Then the man and his wife heard the sound of the LORD God as he was walking in the garden in the cool of the day, and they hid from the LORD God among the trees of the garden. But the LORD God called to the man, “Where are you?” He [...]

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Santa Nicer Than Jesus?

The last post with quotes from Michael Horton is similar to these below from Dr. Packer.  They both deal with a misunderstanding and even neglect of who God is.  Below Packer points out that the severity of God is passed over in favor of viewing God as only delivering goodness.  In all of the things [...]

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Jesus and Santa Claus

Does evangelicalism have a problem of treating Jesus like He is Santa Claus?  The quote below from Dr. Horton are not addressing this, however, I believe they are applicable to this topic.  In a way, I think Santa Claus gets more respect.  At least with Santa the morality of being good or bad is in [...]

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Christian Criticism

I’m not very good at receiving compliments as my wife can attest.  I’m equally not very good at receiving criticism.  I suppose this makes me like a wooden dummy that just spits out information where people are listening or not.  Thankfully, the Lord sanctifies me and conforms me more and more to be like Christ.  [...]

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Christless Christianity Q and A With Michael Horton

On October 31 Michael Horton appeared live on washingtonpost.com’s Viewpoint.  Horton was answering questions about his new book Christless Christianity that was released on November 1.  The book has been doing well selling over 7,000 copies and the live chat at Viewpoint was the best so far.  This is great news!  It would be nice [...]

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Curt Daniel A Hardshell, Hybrid Or Hypo-Calvinist?

Dr. Curt Daniel, pastor of Faith Bible Church in Springfield, IL. is known for his book The History and Theology of Calvinism.  This book is massive, unattractive and presently purely for geeks who want to read historical theological research.  Daniel’s material was recently referenced in the blog world in order to clarify charges of hyper-Calvinism [...]

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Praising God When Your Baby Passes Away

Could you praise God in all things? Do you?  Could you praise God if He took a 3 month old infant to go home with Him?  Could you preach the funeral of this child?  How about preaching the Gospel at the funeral including mentioning that all are sinners?  Could you speak about the glorifying God [...]

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Spurgeon: Liberal or Landmarker?

Does who you serve the Lord’s Supper with make you either a Landmarker or a liberal?  I suppose it depends on who you ask.  Maybe the answer would be more along the lines that one might lean one way or the other without actually being either.  In other words, if, as a Southern Baptist, you [...]

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Printable Amillennial Chart

Thanks to Dr. Riddlebarger for pointing out this cool Amillennial Eschatology Chart as he put it.  I thought it would be nice to have a printable pdf version.  So I made one. Click here to download the Amillennial Chart in pdf. (Preview below.) That is cool! Mark

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Horner vs DeMar on Endtimes, Israel, Replacement Theology

This is part of the Grace Reformation Church Forum 2008. Topic – Orthodoxy:Unity and Diversity in the Midst of Christ’s Church Introduction of Saturday Speakers Dr. Barry Horner on Matthew 24 – Is it Future or Fulfilled Dr. Gary DeMar on Matthew 24 – Is it Future or Fulfilled Matthew 24 Forum Dr. Gary DeMar [...]

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John 3:16 Conference, Together for the Gospel and Poor Arguments

One of the concerns raised by Steve Lemke at the John 3:16 Conference (J316C) is the current trend of baptists organizing conferences with Presbyterians.  As I lived blogged, Dr. Lemke mentioned that when baptists team up with Presbyterians is causes confusion.  As Lemke explained in an email to Ed Stetzer one aim of this conference [...]

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Ten Indictments Against the American Church by Paul Washer

A practical denial of the sufficiency of Scripture. An ignorance of God. A failure to address man’s malady. An ignorance of the gospel of Jesus Christ. An ignorance of the doctrine of regeneration.* An unbiblical gospel invitation. Ignorance regarding the nature of the Church. A lack of loving and compassionate Church discipline. A silence on [...]

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Why I Appreciate My Pastor

Abraham Piper has asked, “Thankful for your pastor?”  Followed by, “Say so and win him a pair of tickets to DG’s pastors conference.”  I am going to say so.  I really do appreciate my pastor regardless of whether or not I win the tickets.  Though it would be a great gift for my pastor. On [...]

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Giving Thanks

O Lord, remember not, How I once stood. Before mine own reflection, Worshiping what I thought was good. Long did I look, For life’s answers I sought. Only emptiness grew, Only death was I taught. I saw death as inevitable, A hopeless situation. Laboring for self in this life, This was my salvation. Grabbing hold [...]

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The Holy Spirit Is Not An It

I have heard the Holy Spirit called “it” more times that I’d like.  It’s usually in the form of, “We must rely on the Holy Spirit.  It can help guide you.”  It’s usually in those terms and I want to tell you something.  It drives me absolutely crazy!  Consider this.  How would you feel if [...]

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Missional Living with Matt Chandler

I’ve written in the past about sponsoring a Compassion International child.  I’ve also written of what prompted us to sponsor a child.  It was a sermon by Matt Chandler that I’ve been wanting to point to for a while.  Reading one of Tom Ascol’s recent posts Matt Chandler, mortification and the sins of fathers has [...]

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Book Review: Knowing God

I recently had the opportunity to write a book review for our church newsletter.  I was very appreciative to be asked do so.  And a big thanks my wonderful wife for being editor who helped me condense the review from 1,200 words down to less than 800.  Below is the review. Knowing God by J.I. [...]

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A Calvinist Helping Missions?

Dear Readers, I still need your help in being sponsored and this is the last week! This Friday, November 21st, I will be joining 30 other men to help raise money for the Sandy Springs Mission in Atlanta, GA.  I found out last week that this mission will most likely run out of money in [...]

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A Lord’s Day Reflection: Richard Baxter

This is a wonderful poem to meditate upon.  It reminds me of how short I fall and how great a Savior we have in Jesus! Lord, it belongs not to my care Lord, it belongs not to my care Whether I die or live; To love and serve thee is my share, And this thy [...]

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A Calvinist Missionary and Other Notables

When it comes to missions and evangelism in the Southern Baptist Convention today’s hot button is Calvinism and it’s resurgence among younger Southern Baptists.  Is the concern that Calvinism does and will stifle missions and evangelism in the SBC valid?  The answer seems to depend on who you ask.  Regardless of theology, it’s a Gospel [...]

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A Seminary Student’s Thoughts on the John 3:16 Conference-Update

Update: Todd Burus shares a great letter written prior to the conference. Read it: Calvinism in the SBC- An Open Letter to Johnny Hunt and Jerry Vines One of the people I was at the John 3:16 Conference with is a seminary student working towards an M.Div.  He attends an SBC seminary and was asked [...]

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Southern Baptist Pastors: A Must Read Letter

Open Letter to All Pastors of Churches in the SBC Dear Pastor, Let me first clarify that this letter is for Southern Baptist Convention (SBC) pastors in general. I am well aware that what you are about to read does not include all pastors – at least not in totality. …What is really so remarkable [...]

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John 3:16 Conference 60 minute Q&A

John 3:16 Conference live blogging links in order Welcome Part 1 Part 2 (T) Part 3 (U) Part 4 (L) Part 5 (I) Part 6 (P) Part 7 And the downloadable handout from Dr. Allen with updated cleaner charts thanks to Tony Byrne. UPDATE: James White and Phil Johnson have answered David Allen concerning the [...]

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John 3:16 Conference Charles Stanley – John 3:16 to the World

Dr. Stanley starts telling that he grew up in a pentecostal holiness church.  He wasn’t raised with the belief that we can have assurance of salvation.  He then came to understand in the substitutionary sacrifice of Christ. Stanley doesn’t like this new move of talking about raising up “leaders” and such.  Instead we need to [...]

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John 3:16 Conference Ken Keathley – Perseverance of the Saints

Quote from I.H Marshall – 2 Tim. 1:12 – Two components – One is presently saved – you can know that you are saved – One who in a state of grace will remain in the state of grace –>This is the perseverance What is the basis for assurance? Asahel Nettleton says “I think it [...]

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John 3:16 Conference Steve Lemke – Irresistible Grace

Desires to go forward in unity. Those these discussions are appropriate. References Dordt and it being a response to the Remonstrance. Reads some long quotes of God’s grace that man has not saving grace within himself, etc. that we can’t do anything that is good. All good deeds must be ascribed to the grace of [...]

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John 3:16 Conference David Allen – Limited Atonement

Dr. Allen starts with John 3:16.  He plans on quoting only Calvinsts to prove his case against limited atonement.  Calvinists are going to be “shocked.” What two things to these men have in common – Calvin, Bunyan, Bullinger, Watts, Brainerd, Hodge, Edwards, Shedd, Barnes, Strong, etc. etc.? (I couldn’t get them all)  Dr. Allen wants [...]

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John 3:16 Conference Richard Land-Unconditional Election

Dr. Vines starts the morning explaining that disagreeing is not a bad thing. He has many Calvinist friends with whom he disagrees. He claims man can still make a choice and that though depraved not so much to as to say our capacity to chose is ruined. He does not mention God’s grace and how [...]

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John 3:16 Conference Paige Patterson-Total Depravity

The most hated doctrine in the world today is the exclusivity of Christ.  The second is total depravity. He says thank God that our Calvinistic brethren for preaching the word of God. We have so much total depravity in our churches today because the word of God is neglected in preaching today. Dr. Patterson starts [...]

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John 3:16 Conference Jerry Vines-John 3:16

Dr. Vines, as far as I can tell, is preaching the same message on John 3:16 that he preached at SBTS chapel earlier this year.  You can listen here: “The Inexhaustible Love of God” (John 3:16).  Since you can go and listen I may not say too much on this.  We’ll see.  From what I [...]

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John 3:16 Conference Welcome Message by Johnny Hunt

As I blog through the John 3:16 Conference I will try to follow the schedule. Jerry Vines introduces the conference and Johnny Hunt.  He says this conference is designed to be a biblical and theological response to five point Calvinism. Johnny Hunt gets a show of hands and about 90% of the attendance are pastors [...]

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President Obama: Another View of the Election

The United States has elected it’s new President.  A President election that marks a milestone achievement concerning race in this country.  Our first black, or African-American, President.  I hope this will help in the healing process of race relations in this country.  However, for myself and many other this election was never about race. It [...]

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John 3:16 Conference Questions

As many of you know (or maybe not) I will be attending the John 3:16 Conference this week.  The very last item on the schedule is a 60 minute Q&A. So… I’d love to hear from blogdom out there as to what questions you’d like answered.  Maybe, just maybe I could get to ask or [...]

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A Healthy View of Church?

“Because people like me come from professional backgrounds, and we want churches that reflect our backgrounds. I don’t want to be opening my home to people. I don’t want to get involved in people’s lives. I don’t want needy people in my church. Before people like me went into Christian ministry, we were lawyers, doctors, [...]

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Help Needed for Local Atlanta Mission

Dear Readers, I need your help! On November 21st, I’m going to join 30 other men and play in a golf tournament in Atlanta, Georgia. This is not a situation where those with money pay for an overpriced round of golf and a chance to miss work! It is, however, a charity event, where we [...]

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Obama, Higher Taxes, Selfish Virtue

I want to offer an idea that is atleast a step in the right direction for those who favor Obama’s tax increase.  I read the article where is quoted concerning taxes and selfishness Obama. “John McCain and Sarah Palin they call this socialistic,” Obama continued. “You know I don’t know when, when they decided they [...]

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Reformation Day 2008: Protestant Courage

I remember several years ago while talking to a Roman Catholic about doctrine.  Though she had just left the convent and would no longer be in process to become a nun, she was a devout Roman Catholic as far as I could tell.  She left the convent and married a friend of mine.  We were [...]

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Reformation Radio

Friend and co-blogger James Swan will be on Chris Arzen’s Iron Sharpens Iron radio show. Schedule and Topics James will be on the show Wednesday (today), Oct. 29 and Thursday, Oct. 30 from 3-4pm. Wednesday James will cautiously tackle the problem of Martin Luther’s Antisemitism. Thursday’s topic will be: Martin Luther: Madman, Heretic, Prophet, or [...]

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Highway to Heaven

While driving on the interstate across state lines you never know what you might see.  While driving behind a semi on the doors to the trailer we saw two things.  On the left was a very large Icthus aka fish symbol.  On the right door were the words “Psalm 22:19.”  In the NASB, that verse [...]

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Deeper Conference, First Baptist Woodstock: Paul Washer

In a previous post I blogged about the Deeper Conference.  I didn’t get to attend as I’d hope, but below is one of Paul Washer’s presentations that is quickly becoming very popular. Play the audio above or download MP3 here. Enjoy! Mark

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Piper On Christian Voting As Though You Were Not

How should Christians think of voting as that time is upon us in the USA?  John Piper unpacks this with something we can often forget about during times like these.  Scripture! Voting is like marrying and crying and laughing and buying. We should do it, but only as if we were not doing it. That’s [...]

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Calvinism or Just a John 3:16 Kind of Guy III

Calvinism or Just a John 3:16 Kind of Guy Part III This is the third and final installment of this series.  This will finish up part I and part II and my review of Dr. John Compton’s sermon “What is Calvinism?”  I want to take a look at Dr. Compton’s three concerns, his theology of [...]

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Calvinism or Just a John 3:16 Kind of Guy II

Calvinism or Just a John 3:16 Kind of Guy Part II This is a continuation of the previous post.  We start this section with the claim of the over-emphasis of God’s sovereignty above man’s free-will. An assertion based on what? We aren’t told. A side observation is that rarely are objections raised when a preacher [...]

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Calvinism or Just a John 3:16 Kind of Guy I

Calvinism or Just a John 3:16 Kind of Guy Part I Fellow SBC blogger Timmy Brister linked to a sermon telling us why it’s important to combat false representations of Calvinism within the Southern Bapitst Convention. Note: If you want to see why it is so necessary to publicly debunk errors by Lemke and others, [...]

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Blog Action Day 2008:Poverty

What is poverty?  How do we fight poverty?  Can we do more?  How do we do more?  What is particular day all about? What is Blog Action Day? Today thousands of bloggers will unite to discuss a single issue – poverty. We aim to raise awareness, initiate action and to shake the web! (click the [...]

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BICR About the Gospel

The Problem Think about a time when you’re at work or some other place you frequent with non-Christians.  They know you’re a Christian and you get into a discussion about religion.  It feels really good to be thought of and accepted as a Christian.  You feel like you can fit in without hiding your faith. [...]

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The Shack Widget

After seeing the Issues, Etc. widget, I thought creating a widget would be pretty cool. However, I didn’t really have anything to widgetize. Maybe I still don’t, but I did it anyways! Below you can find a widget that you can display on a website that points to a resource page for several reviews of [...]

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Roman Catholic Evangelism

My last post was to make folks aware of Michael Horton’s forthcoming book Christless Christianity.  I believe this will be an important book for evangelical churches.  This post is about another forthcoming book that I am not excited about.  One that Horton’s book should be in opposition to.  Frank Beckwith’s Return to Rome: Confessions of [...]

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Christianity Without Christ?

What happens when we take Christ out of Christianity?  That’s the question Michael Horton asks in his new book Christless Christianity.  This book follows this year’s theme of “Christless Christianity” on the White Horse Inn radio show.  I was excited when I first got the email about the book.  Then I read that this discounted [...]

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Dissent from Darwinism

What do 700+ scienctists have in common?  They’ve all signed the Scientific Dissent From Darwinism list. Who gets to sign the list? Signers of the Scientific Dissent From Darwinism must either hold a Ph.D. in a scientific field such as biology, chemistry, mathematics, engineering, computer science, or one of the other natural sciences; or they [...]

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Thank You Issues Etc

The best I can tell is that I have been listening to Issues, Etc. since sometime in 2004. That is the date that my oldest mp3′s I have of the program.  And I have been appreciating the show since I started listening. As many listeners know this show was canceled by KFUO AM earlier this [...]

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Fundraising Auction for AOMin.org has Ended!

Bidding is closed.  We have a winning bid donation of $114 that will go directly to AOMin.org.  Thanks to everyone who bid in support of this ministry. Update: For anyone interested this auction is ending this Sunday night at 10pm est. (I will leave this up as the lead post for the weekend.) I have [...]

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Issues Etc vs KFUOAM Stats

Recently, on the Issues, Etc. Radio Program, Pastor Todd Wilken, the host, and Jeff Schwarz, the producer, went over answers to questions as to why their radio show was canceled. Those answers were given by David Strand, the LCMS Executive Director on the Board for Communication Services. Issues, Etc. is a great radio show. One [...]

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The Visibility of Barack Obama

Dr. Bruce L. Fields1 of Trinity Evangelical Divinity School writes in the latest Themelios Journal2 about Barack Obama’s presidential candidacy as it relates to his racial identity and who people actually see. In his article, Barack Obama: The Quandary of “Selective Invisibility”3 Dr. Fields touches on what is visible about Obama and what needs to [...]

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Are Megachurches Healthier?

Are megachurches healthier than smaller churches?  According to the Institute for Studies of Religion at Baylor University as reported by the Washington Post 1 the answer seems to be yes.  According to the article megachurch congregations tithe more, are committed to attendance and build better relationships.  This seems to be contrary to how many people [...]

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The Shack Is Only Fiction?

I wanted to take a few moments to respond to some of the comments from one of my posts The Shack Review. Interesting review. Unfortunately, I think it not only misses the point of the book but seems to find criticism for the sake of criticism. Advice to Christians to be discerning is excellent. However, [...]

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Big Bang Recreated!

Look at the screen at the bottom left.  See the small white spot in the center?  That’s the Big Bang in action!  You can read the whole story and watch the short video by going directly to the article: Scientists cheer as protons complete first circuit of Big Bang machine This has got to be [...]

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Obama, Abortion and Pay Grades

Christianity Today’s morning article Obama says abortion comment at megachurch forum too flip has some interesting quotes from Obama speaking about his answer to when a baby gets human rights at the Saddleback Forum.  Remember, Obama first said that this question was “above my pay grade.”  One immediate problem with that is many people are [...]

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The Metaphorical Safety of The Shack

So far I have two reviews of The Shack posted.  One, The Shack Review, by a dear brother and fellow church member Wayne Elliott.  The other, Uncovering The Shack, by local yet widely known Pastor Michael Youseff. Now, I have another dear brother who I recently had a good Southern Baptist dinner with.  For folks [...]

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Flew Names Dawkins A Secularist Bigot

The God Delusion by the atheist writer Richard Dawkins, is remarkable in the first place for having achieved some sort of record by selling over a million copies. But what is much more remarkable than that economic achievement is that the contents – or rather lack of contents – of this book show Dawkins himself [...]

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Should A Woman Be Vice-President?

There’s been some discussion from the conservative Christian perspective as to whether or not Sarah Palin should be able to be Vice-President due to the fact that she’s a woman.  I would just like to high-light some good posts addressing this subject. Jason Robertson over at Fide-O writes about Work From Home Moms. Christians who [...]

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Southern Baptist Double-Standard?

David Waters post Southern Baptists and their Gender Double-Standard over at On Faith claims that Southern Baptists have a double-standard when it comes to the new republican VP pick.  His claim is basically that Southern Baptists shouldn’t promote and vote for Sarah Palin, a woman, since we wouldn’t let her pastor a church.  So what’s [...]

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Uncovering The Shack

My fellow church member bro. Wayne whose review of The Shack I recently posted informed me of another review of The Shack.  Michael Youssef, pastor of Church of the Apostles, one of our neighboring churches, has reviewed The Shack in a recent sermon. Dr. Youseff’s review, Uncovering The Shack, can be downloaded directly on mp3 [...]

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Roman Catholic Baptist?

Peter Smith of the courier-journal out of Louisville gives us an interesting story morning Married, ex-Baptist minister to become Catholic priest.  Sad, but interesting story about former baptist pastor David Harris converting to Catholicism.  So why the question “Roman Catholic Baptist?”  Smith’s story begins. David Harris never considered his conversion to Catholicism six years ago to [...]

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Sin Sells But Who’s Buying?

Sin sells, but who’s buying?  If we were to answer this question based on the recent success of Katy Perry today vs. Katy Perry Hudson several years ago, I’d say that many are buying.  Just consider the two Christianity Today articles from back in 2001 and today in 2008.  It seems as though Hudson, though [...]

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Faith and Reason

Without faith reasoning becomes impossible.  So do I believe this on the basis of reason or faith?  Well, it all depends on how you want to state it.  I believe it on the basis of faith, but faith which saves reasoning and, therefore, it’s the most reasonable thing to do.  So that’s my reason for [...]

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The Shack Review

A friend from church wrote a brief review of The Shack that touches on some key points as to why we should be cautious about this book.  Or maybe even disregard it all together.  He gave me permission to share this review. SHACK ATTACK – OR A CALL TO DISCERNMENT? “Discernment is not simply a [...]

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Sermoneutics

I would like to introduce you to my first official sniglet, sermoneutics. sermoneutics (ˈsər-məˈnü-tik) – n. The art of interpreting Scripture in a sermon by giving its meaning as an abstract, peripheral idea that is not the main point of the text. My motivation for the above word is Dr. John Walton’s post Hermeneutics and [...]

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A Wedding Anniversary – Mine

Today is my third wedding anniversary. I just want to say that I have a wonderful wife! As I told my wife, I would never have dreamed of having her as my wife. That is because my dreams have never been to beautiful and wonderful! Praise the Lord! I will share one more thing with [...]

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My Testimony Podcast

I started playing around with podcasting and figured that recording my testimony was a good place to start.  I don’t know what, if anything, I will do in the future with audio. Anyways, if anyone wants to hear my brief testimony you can listen or download it below.

My Christian Testimony [ 0:01 ] Play Now | Play in Popup | Download (778)
For what it’s worth… Mark

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Calvinism, Hyper-Calvinism and Arminianism

I thought this might be a good suggestion for the week with the continuous talk of Calvinism and Hyper-Calvinism, etc.  This is a revised and updated version of this book written in 1985. Description: Confused about the differences between Calvinism and Arminianism? Tired of uneducated clergy and layman confusing “classical Calvinism” with the error of [...]

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Beckwith The Protestant Roman Catholic

The much awaited book by both Roman Catholics and Protestants is here.  It is none other than former President of the Evangelical Theological Society, Dr. Francis J. Beckwith’s new book Return to Rome: Confessions of an Evangelical Catholic. Quite the title, huh?   This is the reason this book will appeal to both Catholics and [...]

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Talk to Ravi Zacharias

Our friend Chris Arnzen, host of the Iron Sharpens Iron Radio Show, is having Christian apologist, Ravi Zacharias as a guest. As I understand listeners will be able to call in with questions and a downloadable mp3 will be available after the show. He will be speaking on the theme of his book NEW BIRTH [...]

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Proper understanding of Roman Catholic salvation?

Monsignor Lorenzo Albacete He reads Paul in his context? On Buddhist salvation, the Buddhist will get to heaven “probably faster than I will.” How about an atheist? Just watch. Not sure what it’s worth… Mark

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What Hymn Is This?

Below is a song that is full of biblical theology.  Is it a hymn?  What kind of song do you think it is?  I recently got the current album of this musician from iTunes. Can you guess where lyrics below come from? TRIUNE PRAISE LYRICS VERSE 1 Praise God the Father, the Immortal Creator (1 [...]

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Of Cavalier Attitudes

I was recently left a very cavalier comment by a pastor.  You may read it here.  I will leave the comment for now although I don’t really want to clutter that particular page with such exchange.  So I will reproduce the comment here with some interaction.  I will try not to trade insult for insult [...]

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Fox in the Pew Forum

There seems to be some disagreement between FOX News FOX Forum contributors Cal Thomas and Father Jonathan Morris.  The disagreement stems from the recent Pew Forum report on Religion and Public Life.  The disagreement is over the position which came out in the Pew Forum report as follows: Most Americans agree with the statement that [...]

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Patriotic Worship

Brother Stan has posted some great thoughts over at the Reformed Baptist Fellowship blog about patriotic worship services. A typical patriotic service might include a presentation of the American flag, singing of patriotic hymns, and a message centered around the Christian roots of the United States and a call to return to them. Are these [...]

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Summarizing the Gospel?

Our friend Andrew has asked a couple of good questions over at StrangeBaptistFire in his post “God loves you and Jesus died for you.” Is this the gospel message we must proclaim? The title of the post is very telling as to what his questions are. 1. “Is the statement, ‘God loves you and Jesus [...]

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Dangers Church Members Face

As church members we are often in danger particularly when we don’t understand how to live. From being overly concerned about how we look to over analyzing the words we use in prayer to getting caught up in the snare of thinking that we don’t spiritually measure up to everyone else, we have a tendency [...]

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Views on homosexuality

LifeWay has just released research on views of homosexuality from a telephone survey.  The groups included in the survey were Americans in general, Roman Catholics, Protestants and another called “born-again, evangelical or fundamentalist Protestants.”  I’m not quite sure of the distinction of the last group from the Protestants. A quote from the article by friend [...]

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Southern Baptist Convention: on tips and alcohol

I just wanted to relay this true story from a good friend of mine.  He was a messenger at this years annual Southern Baptist Convention.  He tells me this story about eating dinner in Indianapolis. He goes to have dinner at a restaurant.  He asks the server if she has been busy due to all [...]

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Hyper-Calvinism and Southern Baptists

Many times in the Southern Baptist Convention (SBC) we hear concerns over Calvinism and how it can split a church or destroy evangelism. And just as many times the Calvinist answers that those charges are not true. But are they true? Well, theology in the hands of sinful men can do much harm to a [...]

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SBC Membership Resolution Passes

My good friend John Jordan called me this morning from the Convention floor to tell me that the resolution on regenerate church membership passed.  He said it was just wonderful to be there and watch the support for the resolution as the amendments were initially not being fully supported. As resolutions go, whatever it ends [...]

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James White Speaking in Atlanta

Dr. James White of Alpha and Omega Ministries will be speaking in the Atlanta area Saturday, June 7th, 7pm at the Aletheia Foru. The topic is: How Islam Defines Itself Through a Denial of Christian Belief. Full details here.  And a flyer. Lord willing, I will be attending. Mark p.s. James White will also be [...]

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Death of the Elephant God

In an effort to explain religious truth a popular fable entitled The Blind Men and the Elephant has been used by various religious leaders. Are all religious truth claims equally valid as this story purports? I think not. And once this elephant dies another must take its place. Here is a modern version from Lillian [...]

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Deeper Conference in Atlanta: Paul Washer

UPDATE:  Paul Washer in Atlanta/Woodstock audio here! No, the above video isn’t from the Deeper Conference. It’s the famous (infamous?) shocking youth message that Paul Washer delivered. It’s a kind of preaching that you don’t hear so much of and it’s good for the soul. If you’ve never heard or watched the above I encourage [...]

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Courage to Be Protestant: Marketing the Gospel

“That is where this gospel really parts company from the way in which products and services are marketed in our modernized world. These products and services are nothing more than products and services. They are simply there for our use. The gospel is not. The gospel calls us not to use it but to submit [...]

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Dawkins Converts Corner

Richard Dawkins has a place on his website called Converts Corner. He states: Please write in to Converts’ Corner if you have lost your religion (or have been encouraged to come out of the closet) as a result of reading The God Delusion or other Dawkins books. If you read through the stories it seems [...]

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T4G 2008 MP3s – Together for the Gospel

T4G 2008 wishing I were there… Session I – Ligon Duncan MP3 Sound Doctrine: Essential to Faithful Pastoral Ministry: A Joyful Defense and Declaration of the Necessity and Practicality of Systematic Theology for the Life of Church Session II – Thabiti Anyabwile MP3 Bearing the Image: Identity, the Work of Christ, and the Church Session [...]

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Pope Says No More Pedophiles

In an AP news story Pope Benedict XVI is quoted. “It is a great suffering for the church in the United States and for the Church in general and for me personally that this could happen,” Benedict said. “It is difficult for me to understand how it was possible that priests betray in this way [...]

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Who Are They Really Angry At?

In James White’s debate this weekend against Muslim apologist Jalal Abualrub, Mr. Abualrub said the following: So don’t think you can come here and act you’re angry, because we are angry. Because Allah doesn’t have a son. He told you so. Jesus never said I am Lord, I am divine, I am the God, the [...]

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Was Abe Lincoln a Christian?

In a new book Did Lincoln Own Slaves? there is some unveiling of Lincoln’s religious beliefs.  Below is an excerpt from the Change of Subject blog. The answers to questions about Lincoln’s church membership are not the ones that most people are hoping to hear. He was never a member of the church you attend, [...]

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Tim Keller on the Laura Ingraham Show

Today, Tim Keller was interviewed on the Laura Ingraham Show about his newest book The Reason for God. I only picked up the conversation towards the end so I will have to go back and listen to the podcast. I usually enjoy her show when she engages politics and such although sometimes that stuff just [...]

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Become A Better Calvinist

Joel Osteen has decided to help Calvinists, especially, the ones who miss the big picture. —————————————————— Question: For Calvinists, what is your advice for how they can slow things down and find peaceful moments and smile? Answer: What Calvinists need to realize is that their predestination is the key. See, what Victoria and I have [...]

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Who said that?

No googling or wagering! We are to copy the views and virtues of the men who found they could remain under the Pope, and especially of one who actually died for the supremacy of the Pope. We are to throw away practically every rag of thought or theory that was held by the people who [...]

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March 2008 Book Giveaway at Beggars All!

Go here to sign up!

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Dr. Hargrave addresses Southern Baptists & Calvinism

An astute reader informed me of this video. As the screen shots tell us, yet again, Calvinism and hyper-Calvinism must be distinguished from one another for SBCers. Gene Bridges recently addressed this same issue. Dr. Hargrave gives an important message to consider in the SBC. Dr. Hargrave talks about labels and being honest about them. [...]

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Calvinism, Arminianism and John 6:44

I’ve been a little busy lately, but I wanted to share some food for thought with some folks. Brian Bosse has written on his blog A Logical Analysis of John 6:44. He also provides a link to the .pdf file of his paper which is here. It’s a very interesting and maybe a somewhat difficult [...]

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Extra: Baptists to Debate Calvinism at Liberty!

A debate on Calvinism is scheduled to be held in a month at Liberty University. You read right, at Liberty! Is this the debate we’ve been waiting for between James White and Ergun Caner? Well…no, unfortunately, it won’t be. However, it will be between two Liberty students who are good friends and hold each other [...]

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Prayers Needed: The Katrina Aftermath

My very good friend Russ has asked for prayers in his Rebuilding Lakeshore post. The damage in this area is more than many of us realize. I guess if it doesn’t serve the political interest of certain groups nor sell articles and papers then those whose lives were drastically affected aren’t so important anymore. I [...]

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Young Life: Doctrine Divides Staff?

There has been an internal disagreement that has caused all 10 staffers of Young Life at the Chapel Hill, NC office to leave voluntarily or otherwise. It seems that more than disagreements were heating up as the article on CT Gospel Talk was having a server overload earlier. You may also read an article about [...]

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Straight Answers from a Mormon

Today many Mormons in the public eye answer theological questions using phrases that sound evangelical.  Such as referring to Jesus using phrases like “personal  Saviour” as Mormon presidential candidate Mitt Romney did in a recent press conference.  This has caused at least one uninformed mega-church leader, Joel Osteen, to say he accepts Mormons as Christians.  [...]

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Joel Osteen and becoming a better Mormon?

Our friends Steve Camp and James White has recently pointed out Joel Osteen’s answer to whether or not a Mormon is a true Christian. They’ve documented and said what needs to be said on the topic. The transcript reads as follows: WALLACE: And what about Mitt Romney? And I’ve got to ask you the question, [...]

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The Story of Jesus’ Birth by Martin Luther

I. The Birth of Jesus Christmas Text: Luke 2:1-14 The Story of Jesus’ Birth 1. It is written in Hag 2:6-7, that God says, “I will shake the heavens; and the precious things of all nations shall come.” This is fulfilled today, for the heavens were shaken, that is, the angels in the heavens sang [...]

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The Assembly Interview: A Pastor with a Church in Need

I met a couple of pastors, Charlie Scalf and Adam Fann, at the Southern Baptist Building Bridges Conference a few weeks ago. They pastor a church called The Assembly Baptist Church in downtown Johnson City, TN. I met them through my good friends John and Shannon Jordan who I have known for several years. I [...]

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Paul Washer Highlights: Conviction

This video is called “Paul Washer Jam” and it’s a great short video of clips. This is not your everyday preaching. Talk about conviction!

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Modalism Revisted: Phillips, Craig & Dean

Update, on 04/01/2010  A third party has contacted me claiming that PD&C are not Modalists per a correspondence from PD&C. The email does not give a clear expression of their doctrine and I would like to hear from them directly with clear expressions of what they believe. A response is forthcoming. This probably hasn’t been [...]

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WDJD

The WWJD acronym took Christian marketing by storm, had it’s 15 minutes of fame and still lingers and reappears at times. In my experience, most of the time when “WWJD” is brought up it’s in the context of being kinder, gentler and nicer to those around us. Or to a certain situation currently being dealt [...]

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Hard but true words from John Piper

In other words, in this research the term “born again” refers to people who say things. They say, “I have a personal commitment to Jesus Christ. It’s important to me.” They say, “I believe that I will go to heaven when I die. I have confessed my sins and accepted Jesus Christ as my Savior.” [...]

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Vote for Timmy’s question for Mark Driscoll

If you don’t mind, would you give your votes to Timmy Brister’s question to Mark Driscoll at his Ask Anything blog. Go here to vote and give him the 10 votes you’re alloted per day. His question is: Do you believe that the Scripture not only regulates our theology but also our methodology? In other [...]

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Darrin Patrick on the Emerging Church at Covenant Seminary (Update II)

It looks like the audio of part 1 (are there more parts?) of Darrin Patrick on the Emerging Church is now available. The interview is part of the Fall 2007 Francis A. Schaeffer Lectures entitled A Dialogue on the Emerging Church. The MP3 is available. I haven’t heard it yet, but I look forward to [...]

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Southern Baptists and a Great Commission Resurgence?

Beyond Calvinism This post will refer to cleaning our house beyond Calvinism though it stems from talks from Calvinism. Last week I attended the Southern Baptist Building Bridges Conference and Dr. Danny Akin in his presentation said we need a Great Commission Resurgence. Tim Rogers who I had the pleasure of meeting at the conference [...]

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The Final Apologetic

At the recent Southern Baptist Building Bridges Conference I sat and listened to Tom Ascol deliver one of the closing sermons. He mentioned Schaeffer’s “Final Apologetic” in reference to those of us of different theological perspectives should love and treat each other. He is part of this topic by Schaeffer to reflect on. The Final [...]

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Heaven, it’s easy!

Family Christian is selling this little number for $9.99. Isn’t that great? I really hesitated to include the link, but I did least someone think I made this up. The marketing of Christianity is unbelievable today. I told my wife and she was disgusted. She wondered how someone could say this and added that dying [...]

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Southern Baptists Building Bridges: Reflections

The Building Bridges Conference was a great experience. By now most people probably know that the audio is online at Lifeway.com and presentations are available at Ed Stetzer’s blog. I would have gotten to this sooner, but I could not get my friends router to connect with my wireless card. I decided not to try [...]

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Southern Baptist Building Bridges Pic of the Week

I just want to give a quick update since I am back home and about to go to church. I will hopefully have a larger post sharing some thoughts on the conference. I talked to Ed Stetzer just before I left and he said he had all ready posted this pic, but that’s okay. He [...]

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Building Bridges: Southern Baptists and Calvinism

I’d just like to answer Nathan Finn’s question about who is going to the National Founders Conference. Lord willing, I will begin my drive tomorrow morning. As to the other part of Nathan’s question I’m not sure what my attire will be. The edgy Calvinist look, traditional SBC CR 1970′s look, my regular business casual [...]

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Piper responds to Witherington

John Piper responds to Ben Witherington about God being a narcissist. Piper says that Witherington’s conclusion is “astonishing for five reasons”.  Read it. God’s Loving Self-Exaltation: A Response to Ben Witherington It’s encouraging that pastors like John Piper take time to respond to criticism such as this. Mark

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Georgia Baptist Blogging Resolution

Last week in Augusta, GA I was a messenger to the Georgia Baptist Convention. Two resolutions passed one on appreciation and another on blogging. Fellow Georgia Baptist blogger Roger Ferrell recently commented on this resolution over at sbc IMPACT! I pretty much agree with his observations. I also appreciate that Timmy Brister has chimed in [...]

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The Gospel and Evangelism: 60 Seconds

In Mark Dever’s book The Gospel & Personal Evangelism he writes on at the end of chapter 2 page 42-43. In our church in Washington, I always ask our prospective members to tell me the gospel in one minute or less. How would you do that? What would you say the message is? I’ve thought [...]

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Muslim-led Interfaith Service Unwelcome

Fox News reports. A Muslim-led interfaith Thanksgiving service in Austin, Texas, was forced to move to another location at the last minute after a Baptist church objected to non-Christians worshipping on its property. Apparently Hyde Park Baptist Church didn’t realize that “interfaith” meant different religions rather than different Christian denominations. When the leadership realized they [...]

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Piper, Justification, ETS and Theories

A theological issue came up on Justin Taylor’s blog in his blurb about ETS from Christianity Today’s interview about ETS’s annual convention. In the interview, Francis Beckwith and the upcoming papers at ETS are mentioned about which I had my own blurb. The topic that came up on Taylor’s blog, of course, was justification and [...]

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Catholic Powerball Apologetics

I was just doing some searching online and I came across a relatively popular blog run by a Catholic who is a DJ. As I scrolled down the right-hand side to learn more about this blogger I noticed several Catholic links with a box entitled “False Teachers” that contains an interesting array of people lumped [...]

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Does Justification Matter at ETS?

Earlier this year Frank Beckwith stepped down as president of the Evangelical Theological Society (ETS). His actions were the right thing to do as he returned to the Roman Catholic Church, IMO. But maybe I and others who agree with me were wrong. Upon reading CT’s short q&a State of the Society with ETS’s current [...]

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John MacArthur’s Truth War

I picked up The Truth War by John MacArthur on CD. So far I’ve only gotten through the first of three CDs. For the folks who think MacArthur is somehow mean and unloving maybe listening to him read his book will change your mind. For that matter, just listening to his sermons should help understand [...]

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MO Southern Baptists: Towards an Unbiblical Position

The annual Missouri Baptist Convention just wrapped up.  Tim Townsend of the St. Louis Post-Dispatch reports that there was talk and debate about the topic of, what else, alcohol.  Now I don’t know if alcohol was taking over the Missouri Baptists, but apparently, Rodney Albert of Hallsville Baptist Church has a great quote that made [...]

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A Sinner’s Testimony

I’ve had many clicks on the ‘My Testimony’ link at the top of my blog. It’s been empty for a while until now. I’ve written about the beginning of my journey. I say beginning because my testimony ends where my new life in Christ began which is when I came to faith in Jesus Christ. [...]

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Reformation Day 2007: The Sinner’s Justification

Today, we don’t hear as much about sin from the pulpit as was once popular. I’m not talking about just preaching hellfire and damnation either. I’m talking about our actual biblical stance as a sinner before a holy God. I know it’s not PC to talk about sin in such a way because it’s not [...]

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Seeker-obsessed Willow Creek Repents?

Recently, the net was buzzing about the article Willow Creek Repents? with mixed feelings. I was happy at first and then unsure. Now, BlogOManiac PyroManiac, Phil Johnson, has responded to a criticism of the style of his criticism towards Willow Creek. I, like others, think Willow Creek is just going to replace their old programs [...]

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Rain

Rain. We try not to go out in it or drive in it if we can help it. We put on special water proof clothes and use umbrellas to keep from getting wet from it. But at the same time we can’t live without the water it brings. Water is a sustainer of life and [...]

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The Weight of Gluttony No More

Not long ago I posted Southern Baptists and the Weight of Gluttony.  And God has blessed me from that post through a commenter named Jane.   She went through the course I listed in the above mentioned post and has a great testimony I thought should have it’s own entry and I don’t want to take [...]

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Mike Corley blogs Emergence Conference

Over at The Expositor Mike Corley has two brief posts on the 2007 Emergence Conference he just attended in Austin, TX.  Mike gave his insights about days one and two.  He was challenged by an emailer to give specifics of his criticisms.  Mike plans on doing this on his radio show Monday which I hope [...]

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Bush vs. Carter: Theological Differences?

Very recently at Emory University former President Jimmy Carter gave a talk about faith. The difficulties of being theologian and chief international religious conflict came up. On the topic of international religious conflict, President Carter referred to his term in office. “I was president once, in ancient times,” he joked, adding, “I had some difficult [...]

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Southern Baptists, Investing and Morality

The ChristianNewsWire has an interesting story Investments In and Profits from Abortion and Pornography Loom Large for Protestants/Catholics Alike that reveals investments in companies that are somehow involved in immorality. The world’s two largest “ultra-conservative” denominations currently invest hundreds of millions (if not billions) of dollars in companies that profit from and/or promote what their [...]

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Worship and the Theology of the Cross In One Sentence

I just want to share some thoughts as we prepare for the Lord’s Day. Why are we going to worship the Lord tomorrow or any other day? Are we going to get an experience out of it like a trip to the zoo? Are we to seek an emotional experience like you get at the [...]

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Habits resulting in death?

We all have habits both good, bad and indifferent.  One of my habits that may fit into any of those catergories on any given night is that while channel surfing I see someone like Joel Osteen “preaching” so I stop and listen.  I did this last night and just in time to hear Joel’s “This [...]

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What some fear about Southern Baptists and Calvinism

What am I talking about? The fear that there is a movement of sorts in the Southern Baptist Convention to remove those who hold to the Doctrines of Grace from serving. Just as Calvary Chapel did with Daniel Cassady in which his embracing of the DoG resulted in his Ordination Removal. It’s a very interesting [...]

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Are Southern Baptists more Arminian than Calvinist?

I came across this quote below from an Arminian. In his book, The Trouble With Tulip, Page argues that Baptist need to embrace a biblical theology that is not labeled with either Calvinism or Arminianism. In essence though, Page takes what he likes from Calvinism (which would be total depravity and perseverance of the saints, [...]

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Rick Warren Vs. John Piper on the Gospel

First, I think Godtube is cool and I hope WordPress will allow their videos to be posted. I went there to see Dr. White’s videos he posted. And I also wanted to see the site after hearing about it in a news report today. I got to browse around a little. Then, I read centuri0n’s [...]

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Engage: Scot McKnight at North Point

Last Saturday I spent the morning at a seminar called Engage. It took place at North Point Community Church where Andy Stanley pastors. I got to listen to Dr. Scot McKnight speak about engaging the culture. He has blogged about the event too. First, I want to say that Scot McKnight is a man of [...]

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The T in TULIP

This is not a pleasant story to read.  Just the word “castration” gives me the creeps, but a ring of this kind of homebased activity?  I don’t know what is more disturbing; that something like this exists or that the participants were wanting, willing and then some. And some say there is no such thing [...]

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Mark Driscoll on the White Horse Inn

The latest White Horse Inn show features and interview with Mark Driscoll of Mars Hill Church in Seattle, WA.  The guys on the WHI are known for addressing theological issues head on.  The interview was nice and cordial and it would be interesting if Driscoll were on again to tackle some more questions. Give it [...]

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N.T. Wright and Leonard Sweet and A Radio Show

It looks as if the local Atlanta Christian talk radio station 970 & 1400 AM WNIV will have at least two special guests on next week. Leonard Sweet and N.T. Wright will be interviewed on these stations on the John Young Show. Currently, there is no show archive, but the show repeats a few times [...]

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What are the most common objections to Calvinism?

For imformational purposes I’d like to get some of your input. I am not looking for a debate though. A. Total Depravity B. Unconditional Election C. Limited Atonement D. Irresistible Grace E. Perseverance of the Saints And if you would like to add these additional items that would be great too. – Brief Presentation of [...]

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An Idol Called Evangelism booklet now out

Last year I learned of a sermon from James White’s blog called An Idol Called Evangelism.  This sermon is by Pastor Roy Hargrave of Riverbend Church.  A few folks blogged about it including Jeff Fuller and friend Howard Fisher. Well, now the  talked about booklet is out and can be ordered online.  Here is the [...]

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Will Anglicans Become Roman Catholic?

The Timesonline has reported that Churches back plan to unite under Pope. It looks as though this path may be offered as a solution to the liberalism that plagues the Anglican church. The Anglicans will attempt to resolve their differences today by publishing a new Anglican Covenant, an attempt to provide a doctrinal statement under [...]

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Is Madonna doing the work of Christians?

It is said from time to time, and maybe more frequently lately, that those doing charity work are doing the work of Christians.  That Christians are not doing enough in the world to reach out to the poor and needy.  That we are too judgmental of the world and it’s ways.  That we should reach [...]

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Please welcome the Reformed Baptist Fellowship

This new blog features contributors Richard Barcellos • Mark Chanski • Bob Gonzales • James Renihan • Jim Savastio • Geoffrey Thomas • Sam Waldron • James White. I look forward to reading and learning from these men.  This is a welcomed addition to the blogosphere.  Thanks guys, Mark

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The Altar Question: Southern Baptists and Others?

I have mostly heard and seen this in Southern Baptist churches. I am not talking about altar calls where unbelievers are being called forward which is another topic for another time. I am talking about going forward to pray and/or renew your commitment to Christ. I have asked about this practice before on this and [...]

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George Bryson, Doug Wilson & Calvinism: Selective Quoting

I just finished listening to James White on The Dividing Line webcast. He was reviewing audio of George Bryson speaking against Calvinism. At one point Bryson quotes a person whom wrote approvingly of Bryon’s book The Five Points of Calvinism. This theologian, Bryson said, was touted by R.C. Sproul as one of the sharpest minds [...]

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A Conversation on Calvinism

I was talking to an old friend from high school recently and we talked of many things about church.  I’ve run into this old friend in the church we now attend which is some 250+ miles away and 15+ years ago from High School.  We caught up a little bit on old friends and old [...]

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Calvinists are Evangelical

Below is a response I sent to The Christian Index in reply to a reader’s recent submission entitled Evangelical Calvinism is an oxymoron. Let’s see if it gets published. Calvinists are Evangelical I can’t believe some who professes to be Protestant know all that the original Protestants professed. If Southern Baptists wish to continue to [...]

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Dear Emir and Ergun Caner: A Calvinist History Lesson

To Emir and Ergun and those who fall inline with their anti-Calvinist, I’m a Southern Baptist not a Calvinist position.  It’s been a long weekend and I’m tired so I won’t write much.  Someone from my local state SBC paper wrote out some factual points very well. So please read Baptist Identity and Calvinism. Since  [...]

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Politically Liberal Calvinist

Yes, I can certainly hear it now from the anti-Calvinist Southern Baptists like Falwell and whosoever else shall speak.   Calvinists may now be put in the party of the liberal democrats in an attempt to further discredit our theology.  Below is a quote from one of Eric Sapp’s posts in which he claims his Calvinism.  Sapp formerly worked [...]

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Lord’s Day Reflections: God’s Glory Among Us

This is a shot from the patio in the back of my office building.  It’s a beautiful sight.  Sometimes I forget what’s right outside my door while I am working all week.  Then, I remember and I go outside, slow down and just take it all in.  I get so caught up on all of [...]

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Being More Holy: Forward to the Altar Steps

Is there something more spiritual about going forward, kneeling down and praying on the steps around the pulpit (sometimes called the altar)?  It sure seems like there is.  My wife and I recently experienced this call.  After a very sharp appeal to the emotions in reference to serving God and prayer there was a strong [...]

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Agreeing with Al Sharpton about the Gospel

You read that right! Al Sharpton and I agree about an aspect of the Gospel. There are not many times that Al Sharpton and I fully agree. And since I’ve never heard him preach nor speak clearly about theology this was a suprise to me when I discovered this last night. There was a story [...]

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Prevenient Grace is Irresistible

I may be about a week late to the game, but Pastor Gary L. W. Johnson over at the Teampyro blog finishes his three part post entitled Arminianism: Semi-Pelagianism? I am not here to argue that Arminianism equals semi-pelagianism either directly or practically. I think Greg Welty argued well and reasonably that it doesn’t. I [...]

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Article Rich with Sadness and Poor Theology

The Miami Herald’s article A rich Jesus? Debate flares over his finances gives us the same ole story about the WoF prosperity “gospel”. The article states: But when the Rev. Creflo Dollar looks inside that manger, he doesn’t see a poor baby. He sees a baby born into wealth because the kings visiting him gave [...]

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Southern Baptists the coffins are here and Voddie’s got the hammer!

Do you want to here the straight truth about what’s going on in the SBC? Inflated baptismal numbers? Unregenerate members? Actually preaching the Gospel? Church discipline? Want to hear about “the dance”? You can hear about all of these things and more at this years Eastern Evangelism Conference in Hampton Voddie Baucham brings it. My [...]

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Reformation Day Reflections 2006

The famous quote attributed to Johan Tetzel, “As soon as the coin in the coffer rings, the soul from purgatory springs” probably doesn’t mean much to many in the church today. If it weren’t for my own studying and reading, as a layman, it probably wouldn’t mean much to me either. The struggle today is [...]

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Blog bites: Emir Caner vs. Apostle John

Emir Caner recently spoke at Thomas Road Baptist Church. You can download it at – A Gospel Worth Preaching. Paraphrasing Emir he said that God doesn’t send people to hell for their sins, but for their rejection of Christ. John wrote at 16:8-9 “And He, when He comes, will convict the world concerning sin and [...]

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Blog bites: Voddie Baucham at the Piper Conference

First, listen to all of the conference: Desiring God Conference 2006. I am working my way through and am listening to Voddie this morning. He said something that we should think about as Christians. He was address the question of “Why are we here?” It will make us reflect on God’s grace and love and [...]

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Worshiping with Ed Stetzer

This past Sunday my best man at my wedding, Russ, and his wife were in town. I was also his best man at his wedding. Neat, huh? We met and worshiped with Ed Stetzer at his church plant Lake Ridge Church which is about a year old. I found out the people was very welcoming. [...]

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Blog bites: Remembering our past theological heros and the Joshua Convergence

A quick and dirty to the summary of my thoughts on the recent Joshua Convergence on the topic of gratitude. The speaker on this topic was local pastor Jeff Crook. Quoting from this article in the Florida Baptist Witness he comments. “Gratitude and honor are inseparable,” Crook said. “To not give honor is to not [...]

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Blog bites: Warrenism Splits Church

Yes, that’s Warrenism named after Rick Warren. I wondered if anyone had used that term before so just Google it and see. When I say Warrenism splits church I am referring to a story by Suzanne Sataline in the Wall Street Journal entitled A Popular Strategy For Church Growth Splits Congregants. It was only a [...]

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Timely sermon: Rolfe Barnard’s The God Nobody Is Mad At

Friend and fellow georgian, Pastor David King suggested this sermon. You can read it or listen to it or both if you like. The opening paragraph of the sermon reminds me a lot of how the Gospel is given today. I went to a big Bible Conference, Southern Baptist Fellowship last week; and one more [...]

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Southern Baptists & the Alcohol Resolution: How?

There have been numerous bloggers writing on Resolution No. 5 On Alcohol Use in America from this years Southern Baptist Convention. The first “RESOVLED” of this resolution says, “RESOLVED, That the messengers to the Southern Baptist Convention meeting in Greensboro, North Carolina, June 13-14, 2006, express our total opposition to the manufacturing, advertising, distributing, and [...]

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Blog Bites: Appealing to Free Will

I was flipping channels the other day and came across something on Daystar. I think it was Daystar. Anyways, it was some sort of Bible teaching and I was just thankful that it was the ole health and wealth stuff that is often on as Bible teaching. Well, I hear a statement that went something [...]

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Lord’s Day Reflection

Last week I bought John Piper’s DVD set Blazing Grace. We’ve been watching it as a family and he really breaks down God’s glory and sovereignty in a way that my teen daughter or anyone else for that matter can understand. I mentioned it to the youth minister and he wants to borrow it when [...]

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Blog Bites: The Gospel and a Baptism

I was talking with friend Frank today as we normally do when we get to actually talk. We touched on all kinds of subjects and I thought of something that I would really like to see. I explained to Frank that what I would really like to see if only once in my life time [...]

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Frank Page: Calvinism Manmade Not Bible-based

Just scroll down to the bottom of the article Frank Page discusses SBC theological issues. Many felt that Dr. Page would be a great moderate voice towards the Calvinists in the SBC despite his book The Trouble with TULIP (reviewed here). You can read an interview with Dr. Page in which he states, I have [...]

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Sovereign Over Sovereignty?

I read that Roger Olson has a new book out called Arminian Theology: Myths and Realities. (Not to be confused with Gordon Olson who I’ve blogged about.) I searched and found in The Baptist Standard an article written by Roger Olson entitled God is sovereign over his sovereignty. What does that even mean? Is this [...]

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Rome and Evangelicalism: Cults with the Same Gospel?

On a recent program of Issues, Etc. that is worth listening to host Todd Wilkin said something very interesting. The show is from Tuesday, July 25 entitled “Audio Open Lines: The Journey Home Broadcast Featuring a Roman Catholic Convert from Lutheranism”. Actually he said many true and interesting things. I want to quote one here [...]

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Frank Page and Alcohol Use: Heart of the Disagreement

First, I don’t believe anyone has been clearer nor dealt as exegetically with the issues in this debate in the SBC of alcohol abstinence vs. moderation than the material by ConcernedSBCer. This issue has been dealt with on this blog without using the iron fist in the lace glove technique. Brad Reynolds has quoted an [...]

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Worship Your Way

Brother Frank* posted some good thoughts DGM’s interview with Mark Driscoll. I read his post and then a little later read an article from the Boston Globe entitled New approaches to worship emerge. Please be aware that I am in no way affiliating Mark Driscoll to the likes of denomination nor practices listed in the [...]

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The SBC, Alcohol, Patterson and MacArthur

It’s been several months since I’ve posted anything. I’ve been busy with my new family and studying for the CFP. I appreciate my concerned brothers who checked up on me to make sure I was well. Thanks a bunch. I also appreciate my friends who were going to take me off their blog roll if [...]

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James White to debate Caner brothers…possibly

Yes, it’s true that the brothers Caner, Emir and Ergun, may be debating James White and (someone else). Can’t say who that someone is yet, but I hope the time can be “found” by him. There are two potential locations for the debate. Though I may not be at liberty to say as everyone may [...]

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Catholic Priest Speaks of Justification by Faith

Hat tip to Dr. White for his link to the article. First read the article. It’s very interesting. Then, visit Capuchin Father Raniero Cantalamessa’s sermon in question which you can find from his homepage. This sermon is actually part 3 of 3 meditations. I don’t have much time so I am going to pick out [...]

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End of the Spear preliminary thoughts

There has been talk about the blog-o-sphere concerning the lead character in the new movie End of the Spear. In “real life” the actor who plays this character is a homosexual. I should say their are disagreements over whether or not a homosexual should have played this part. I just want to ask one question [...]

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The 50 Most Influential Christians?

To my five readers. Thanks and yes, I’ve been away and have been very busy. On with it… The Church Report has put out a list entitled The 50 Most Influential Christians in America. Who are these Christians? Are they Christians? And what are they influencing in America? Let’s take a quick look at the [...]

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James Swan responds to Ray’s comment from this blog

I posted one of James’ articles before he pleasantly suprised us by starting his own blog. The article was essentially about Norman Geisler, Gordon Olson and Calvinism. Someone named Ray commented on my original post of James’article and now James has responded on his blog.

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Desperate Housewives for kids

I couldn’t believe it when my wife was at the store shopping for the daughter. She was looking for something specific and I was on the phone with her. She then saw something that she just couldn’t believe. I asked her what it was and she told me about the Desperate Housewives Dirty Laundry Game [...]

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Dr. James White vs. John Shelby Spong on homosexuality

The 2006 AOMin Cruise’s theme is Pulpit Crimes: The Criminal Mishandling of God’s Word. As usual, a day or so prior to the cruise a formal debate takes place. This year it will be Dr. White debating Bishop Spong. The debate: IS HOMOSEXUALITY COMPATIBLE WITH AUTHENTIC, BIBLICAL, ORTHODOX CHRISTIANITY? will take place on November 3, [...]

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Grace No More

In a recent Barna Group article the title One-Quarter of Self-Described Born Again Adults Rely On Means Other Than Grace to Get to Heaven says it all. It’s an interesting read. The article states Overall, 80% of adults in the U.S. call themselves “Christian.” In comparison, the phrase “a committed Christian” is embraced by two [...]

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Please welcome James Swan to the blogging world!

I have known/interacted with James Swan on the net for probably around four years. Well, now our friend has decided to join the blogging world with his new blog Beggars All: Reformation and Apologetics. Glad to see he’s making time to join the bloggers. I believe he can contribute much to the blogging world. He’s [...]

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50 Cent 50 Shekel

One of my co-workers sent me something about Jewish hip-hop yesterday. I just remembered tonight that one of these groups was called “50 Shekel” so I googled it. Here is some of his testimony. MY TESTIMONY Note: For those of you who have already read this page before I put this note up and made [...]

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The McCainian Lutheran Nicene Creed

After reading Steve Hays answer to Paul McCain’s claims about Calvinism I wanted to attempt to apply his Lutheran hermeneutic to the Nicene Creed. I will use the method McCain complains that Calvinism does not use, but should. My attempt below, though tongue in cheek, should provide an interesting read and comparison. McCain’s complaint is [...]

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Keeping Christ in Christmas so we can sleep in?

I just Googled “Christ out of Christmas.” With quotes I got 88 results and 1,950 without quotes. There has been much talk of companies taking Christ out of Christmas. Talk done by governments, news organizations, department stores, etc. Many of these places are replacing the Christmas tree with “Holiday” tree or have rules which forbid [...]

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Moore, Pearce, Camp and a Lecture

I read through Steve Camp’s The Top Ten Turkey Awards of 2005 and his post Double standards. Number eight on the list is Russell Moore (the Henry Institute and Southern Baptist Theological Seminary) for having Roman Catholic Joseph Pearce speak at the Gheens Lectures. Dr. Moore is, however, a very solid theologian. These lectures are [...]

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Through the Maze of the Roman Catholic Plan of Salvation

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Blogging issues etc.?

I really don’t understand Todd Wilken who hosts the Issues, Etc. radio show. Recently, on one of Paul McCain’s anti-calvinist blog posts Wilken shared a few of his anti-calvinist ideas. “Jesus” When you read that word, a picture popped into your mind, right? The iconoclastic Calvinist or Zwinglian cannot escape THAT image. Lutherans are comfortable [...]

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Roman Catholic limbo in limbo?

Vatican puts limbo in state of, er … limbo Panel appointed by Pope John Paul II wants the concept banned from church teachings. Doug Saunders / Toronto Globe and Mail LONDON — In Latin, it means “the lip,” and for centuries devout Roman Catholics have tried to avoid thinking about its full meaning: the edge [...]

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Beyond Geisler & Olson by James Swan

This guest article is posted with permission by friend James Swan. All I came up with was the clever title. I thought about this article which James emailed me a while back after the recent talk about Gordon Olson on atleast one or two blogs. James has also written some other good articles definately worth [...]

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How not to disagree with your pastor. Even if he is WoF.

Apparently one guy in the church service didn’t like what Billy Joe Daugherty had top say so he punched him. I was watching Fox News and saw this story. So far I have not come across a reason as to why Daugherty was attacked. Well see…story below. Caught on Tape: Pastor Attacked During Church Service [...]

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Dr. Rogers, say hello to Jesus for us.

According to the Baptist Press Dr. Adrian P. Rogers went to be with our Lord today. I used to listen to Dr. Rogers on the radio off and on a few years ago. While we had certain theological differences we certainly have the Gospel of Jesus Christ in common. Dr. Rogers was a great brother [...]

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The Mohler – Patterson “discussion”

When I first read that Al Mohler and Paige Patterson were going to “debate” Calvinism I was excited. I was glad a prominent Calvinist was finally going to correct and properly represent the Calvinists positions and all of its misrepresentations. I thought, “Finally, an answer!” The more I thought about it the more I wonder [...]

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Islamic Calvinists: Flattery through imitation?

First, I want to say that this is truly not flattery as they are not imitating Calvinism merely stealing the name. Second, I am glad, but surprised that the anti-Calvinists out there haven’t used this information to try and discredit Calvinism. Give them time though. III. ISLAMIC CALVINISTS A. Max Weber in Kayseri No visitor [...]

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Purpose driven crystal meth?

Earlier this year Brian Nichols was in custody at the courthouse in downtown Atlanta and about to go to trial on rape charges. Nichols got free, killed four people and escaped. He ran to a suburb and ended up at Ashley Smith’s apartment. Smith talked him into giving himself up and allegedly used Rick Warren’s [...]

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Thanks Dave Hunt. Glad I was a Calvinist afterwards! Whew!

In Dave Hunt’s recent Berean Call newsletter we find the question and the end of the answer below. Question: In the July ’05 Letters section,“TF of Ireland,” a self-proclaimed “Calvinist,” acknowledged that Tom and Dave are saved. Is it possible for someone who believes only in the soteriology of Calvin to be saved? Specifically, that [...]

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SBTS, Mohler & Moore: Alcohol &

First, I want to thank my good friend Russ for pointing me to this issue over at Steve McCoy’s blog. And thank you, Steve and all the others for the good and brotherly insight and engagment on this issue. Dr. Russ Moore opens with a wonderful prayer and thanks all for being there and being [...]

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The report is that the White vs. Crossan debate went well.

No, unfortunately I wasn’t there and nor was I able to go on the cruise this year. James White briefly mentioned the debate on his blog and a few others commented on it in #prosapologian. During last night’s debate Dr. White told Dr. Crossan that he’d make a great Calvinist. I heard the expression on [...]

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Is the sermon about Jesus?

I often listen to Todd Wilken on the Issues, Etc. radio show. He evaluates sermons of various preachers and he has three “rules” that he uses. Below I am going to put them in my own words. They are: 1. Is Jesus mentioned in the sermon and how much? 2. If Jesus is mentioned, is [...]

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The Albert Mohler Program

I listened to The Albert Mohler Program episode entitled The Pope: Taking the Measure of the Man. This is just a part of the program where he answers a caller’s question about the Pope’s salvation. Mohler said some interesting things and did not sacrifice the truth in order to be politically correct. Dr. Mohler said [...]

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Interesting statements by Marvin Wilson

In light of recent interest and discussions of Marvin Wilson and “block logic” I have been looking around for some info on Dr. Wilson. I have his book Our Father Abraham. Before getting to the interesting statements I found here are a couple examples of block logic that Wilson gives in this book. The prophets [...]

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Just got back from visiting with Dr. James White

What a wonderful weekend with great fellowship and bright sweaters. Saturday we received apologetic teaching against the Da Vinci Code and post modernism. Then, we had a some great fellowship over dinner at Pastor Randy’s house. Sunday morning arrived and Dr. White taught Sunday School as well as preached the sermon while our friend Colin(cds) [...]

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God is merely trying to save everyone?

These are some quick thoughts I had in the past that I typed out, saved and just found again. I was thinking about how some people view God as trying to save people rather than actually saving them. This thought process lead me think of God being a failure since He tried to save all, [...]

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Double standards, Mr. Powers?

I guess I just had to reply due to a most glaring double standard. Kelly Powers runs a website linked in the title above called Apologetics For Christians Ministry. This all started when all of us #pros geeks were in channel chatting and such, as ususal, when someone named “John” came in and dropped a [...]

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Ravi Zacharias at the Mormon Tabernacle?

This past weekend Zacharias spoke at the Mormon Tabernacle. It was a joint effort together with Greg Johnson’s Stand Together Ministries. I don’t know a whole lot about this ministry, but from what I’ve read it seems too “ecumenical” towards Mormons if there can be such a thing from the Christian perspective. So far the [...]

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CRI, Roman Catholics and Salvation

Hank Hanegraaff recently wrote an article entitled Catholics and Salvation. Whenever I hear Hank or CRI talk about Roman Catholics I am reminded of the debate I have between Dr. Bob Morey and Elliot Miller called The Ecumenical Debate. Elliot Miller was and maybe still is (I don’t know) the editor-in-chief of The Christian Research [...]

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Justification Debate Update White vs. Wilson

Special thanks to Richard Barcellos, managing editor of the Reformed Baptist Theological Review, for the debate update. Again, this is Rich working from memory and not from the mouth or keyboard of Dr. White. Below are Rich’s highlights of the debate (with permission). The debate went as expected; no surprises. Both men were cordial and [...]

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Justification debate update

There is to be a new update sometime tomorrow on this blog. After talking with Rich it was decided that a little more thought out review is in order since the first was done first thing in the morning after the debate off the top of ye ole head. I want to make sure that [...]

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40 Days of a new Reformation?

During Rick Warren’s recent appearance on the Today Show he made the following statement. “I believe that we are possibly on the verge of a New Reformation in Christianity and another Great Awakening in our nation,” said Warren. “The signs are everywhere, including the popularity of this book.” Interesting that the popularity of Warren’s The [...]

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Quote of the Day

“But let me ask: If it be so very absurd, to worship the work of other men’s hands what must it be, to worship the works of our own hands? Perhaps, you may say, “God forbid that I should do so.” Nevertheless, let me tell you, that trust, confidence, reliance, and dependence, for salvation, are [...]

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Church History

Recently, I have been thinking about the role that Church History plays in Biblical authority, sola scripture, etc. And also, how do the classic creeds and confessions of Christianity play into this. In the January issue of the Reformed Baptist Theological Review there was a great article by Sam Waldron entitled The Meaning of Sola [...]

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Joel Osteen’s church “confession”

The following is the confession that Joel Osteen of Lakewood church in TX gives at the opening of every or most church services. I have been listening to the radio show Issue’s Etc. critique Osteen these last couple months. I found this “confession” on Lakewood’s homepage. Joel says the confession while the congregation repeats the [...]

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Poisoning Calvin’s Well

The attempted argument against Calvinism goes something like this, “Was the burning of Michael Servetus a justified, godly thing to do?” The person making this argument is usually trying to blame John Calvin as a person who single-handedly convicted, tied-up and lit the match that started the burning of Servetus. Then, the conclusion which is [...]

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Morning has broken

I listened to a couple songs from Derek Webb’s new House CD today on the way to work. This CD is several of his songs with a few previously unreleased which are recorded live in front of small “house” audiences. Listening to Derek introduce his previously unreleased song I Repent was interesting. I listened to [...]

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Ponderings on William Lane Craig’s molinist position

On Dr. William Lane Craig’s website he has an article called A Middle Knowledge Perspective on Biblical Inspiration. Taking Craig’s conclusion on the inspiration of the Bible and applying it salvation seems to offer no valid reason why all are not saved. The first paragraph below are Craig’s actual words. The second is my re-written [...]

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Random babble

Update: If you happen upon this page please see the blog relaunch and redesign post for an update – Blog Relaunch With Thesis DIY Theme. As I was thinking of a name for the blog I asked the folks I was chatting with in #prosapologian. My friend TheHinge came up with names like “TheologicalGRITS” while [...]

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