Given the current cultural milieu, in which pluralism and relativism are becoming ever rampant problems, many Christians and churches struggle with how to apply the Bible to the many issues we face. Indeed, I often hear disagreements about whether or not a particular practice is Biblical, and it seems that a significant part of the … Continue reading How to Determine Whether a Practice Is Biblical
On Mocking John Piper
A clip from a recent address by John Piper from the live-streamed T4G conference has emerged and stirred quite the controversy on Twitter (surprise!). You can view it here. https://twitter.com/T4Gorg/status/1250580133506940929 If you don't want to take the time, Piper is giving his reasons for believing that complementarianism gives better grounds for the fight against spousal … Continue reading On Mocking John Piper
Why the Shelter-in-Place Order Does Not Equal Persecution of the Church
I have seen a few articles recently decrying the idea that the shelter-in-place mandate has shown that the American church has crumbled under persecution because the government is asking the church not to gather together for worship. There are those espousing that the government is violating our first amendment right and that this is leading … Continue reading Why the Shelter-in-Place Order Does Not Equal Persecution of the Church
Responding to Franklin Graham’s Fox News Commercial
While watching the Fox News Channel last week in an endeavor to keep up on the latest coronavirus updates, I repeatedly saw a commercial with Franklin Graham on behalf of the Billy Graham Evangelistic Association. I was surprised to see such a commercial, but I was even more surprised at what it said (or rather … Continue reading Responding to Franklin Graham’s Fox News Commercial
Of Bible Reading and Theological Formulation
Throughout my years as a believer, I have been told and taught that when one reads or studies the Bible that one should not come with any preconceived theology in mind but allow the Word of God and the Spirit of God to work as one reads and studies the text. This is, of course, … Continue reading Of Bible Reading and Theological Formulation
Why Celebrate the Reformation?
I grew up in a tradition in which I was largely unaware of the Protestant Reformation. I knew I wasn’t a Roman Catholic and I really was unsure why. But I knew to be “Catholic” was bad, and to be “Baptist” was good. Much to my shock one day as I read the Apostle’s Creed … Continue reading Why Celebrate the Reformation?
e-Sword 11.2.1 Is Available
I have been a long time user of e-Sword (alongside BibleWorks) and cannot recommend it highly enough. It is a free Bible study software program that rivals many that you would have to pay for and is better than most. This program also makes basic word studies a breeze and has been of great use to those … Continue reading e-Sword 11.2.1 Is Available
Responses to “The Secret History of Leviticus”
As many of the blog's readers may have heard, The New York Times recently published an article by Idan Dershowitz entitled The Secret History of Leviticus. In the article the author seeks to explain away the clear prohibition against homosexuality found particularly in Leviticus 18:22, but he really doesn't offer any new "arguments" beyond the … Continue reading Responses to “The Secret History of Leviticus”
The Other 5 Points of Calvinism
In the year 1610, Jan Uytenbogaert and forty-one other followers of Jacob Arminius crafted a remonstrance (a formal protest) consisting of five articles of opposition to the Belgic Confession and the Reformed faith. These five articles of the of the followers of Arminius, who became known as the Remonstrants, were officially reviewed and condemned by … Continue reading The Other 5 Points of Calvinism
An Example of the Way Scripture May Be Undermined in a Sermon
Following are notes taken as I listened to a June 21, 2015, sermon by Pete Cocco delivered at Minier Christian Church in Minier, Illinois. I had originally posted these notes not long after he had delivered the sermon and while he was still the director of a local campus ministry. I then took the post … Continue reading An Example of the Way Scripture May Be Undermined in a Sermon