The Chick-Fil-A Hoopla
So I was going to write a long post about what I thought concerning today’s “Support Chick-Fil-A” reverse boycott. I planned on explaining that I’m sure the intentions of those who started this idea...
View ArticleHeinrich Bullinger on Justification
Heinrich Bullinger, the 16th century Swiss Reformer, wrote a book with a typically long title: “The grace of God that justifies us for the sake of Christ through faith alone, without good works, while...
View ArticleStriking the Balance Between Comfort & False Conversion
As an advocate of what is essentially a Reformed perspective regarding issues related to soteriology, I fully subscribe to the idea that those whom God has chosen for salvation shall, in the end, be...
View ArticleCulver on the Purpose of Election
One of my favorite systematician writes: “An examination of some of the relevant passages reaps the following fruit of teaching. Believers have been chosen by God ‘to the praise of his glory’ (Eph....
View ArticleThe Necessity of Contextualizing the Gospel is Found in the Gospels!
One of the most powerfully convincing statements on the necessity for contextualizing the gospel can be found in The Convergent Church. When answering how we can take the timeless gospel and apply it...
View ArticleNo! The Old Testament Saints Were Not “Saved” by Works!
It happened again. I was listening to a popular radio preacher and they repeated an idea I have heard many times in my life. He stated that in the Old Testament, people were “saved” by obeying the Law...
View ArticleThe Problem of Sin is Not the Purpose of the Gospel
Spring is here and one of my favorite things to do is go after weeds with my weed eater. I hate pulling weeds. I also hate killing weeds with weed killer because it makes much of my yard brown, not...
View ArticleA Theology Reshaped through Racism and Grace
The opportunity to experience the grace of God is an experience like no other. In this so called post-racial world, I had a run in with a racist old man. I had just let my wife out at the door of the...
View ArticleEmphasize Discipleship Over and Above “Decisionism”
I don’t want to undervalue the necessity of people making a “decision” to follow Jesus as Lord, but I think it’s somewhat true that there’s a prevalent ideology at work in many churches that simply...
View ArticleThe New Testament in 100 Words (or less) #1
This will be the first of five posts that summarize my personal understanding of the theology and mega-message of the New Testament. I have 100 words or less to get it done, and I really want to hear...
View ArticleThe New Testament in 100 Words (or less!) #2
Here it is! Version #2 of my attempt to communicate the central message of the New Testament in 100 words or less. On the advice of a few friends, I did more work with the cross and with Israel, which...
View ArticleA Pharisee’s Guide To The Death of Jesus of Nazareth
We Jesus-following Christians rightly enjoy discussing the purpose and significance of the death of Jesus in primarily christological, soteriological, and generally theological terms. “Why did Jesus...
View ArticleThe Historical Figure of Jesus, by E.P. Sanders
As a student of the New Testament, I collect “Jesus Books.” I don’t agree with the conclusions of all the authors, but I buy them and read them anyway. That’s because I like to talk about Jesus, and I...
View ArticleObedience to Jesus is Faith!
“Bro, I gotta tell you… this goes down in history as the first time I have ever been called a Pharisee for saying that Jesus is Lord – because I believe that saying ‘Jesus is Lord’ means we should obey...
View ArticleWhen does God love us?
John Wesley believed that God loves everyone, period! His understanding of God’s love was quite contrary to the teaching that God specially loves the elect (e.g. certain individual people who are...
View ArticleWhy Did Nero Throw Christians to the Lions?
“Nero did not throw Christians to the lions because they confessed that ‘Jesus is Lord of my heart.’ It was rather because they confessed that ‘Jesus is Lord of all,’ meaning that Jesus was Lord even...
View ArticleGetting the Gospel (W)right…
Let’s start with an exercise. Push away from this post for a minute, and do your best to either say aloud or write down your answer to the question – “What is the Gospel?” Make it as concise as you...
View ArticleLoyal Liars
Years ago, a new term was introduced into church jargon: the Loyal Liar. It was first used in a fictional story about an older liberal professor mentoring a young Pentecostal pastor into giving up his...
View ArticleSo… What is the Gospel?
“Jesus died for your sins, and that’s good news!” So ended the form-letter that my friend wrote, emailed to me, and asked me to read (and edit) for him. My friend wrote the letter so that he could cut...
View ArticleShould the kingdom of God be viewed against the kingdom of the cross? Ummm… no.
Pick up Crown of Thorns today!
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