Author Archives: Chaplainmike

Phil Johnson on “Is The Reformation Over?”

Update: Those of you who keep mentioning that this post is disjointed need to remember that it is simply some interaction with the main points of Phil Johnson’s talk. There’s no attempt for this to stand alone; it’s not meant to be polished or comprehensive. Tim Challies is “liveblogging” the Grace Community Church Shepherd’s Conference.Continue reading “Phil Johnson on “Is The Reformation Over?””

Answers Not In Genesis

Nothing discourages me about the future of evangelicals like “young earth creationism,” Hamm style. Josh puts it well in this post at Here We Stand: “Every time I read someone saying it’s the Christian’s duty to refute biology and physics with the Bible, something inside me just dies a little.” I’m feelin’ that as well.Continue reading “Answers Not In Genesis”

A Perfect Paul?

Are evangelicals blind to the obvious faults of the Apostle Paul….and, consequently, to many of their own? I’m reading Charles Freeman’s book “The Closing of the Western Mind.” It’s not exactly an unbiased presentation of Christianity, though Freeman’s thesis that established Christianity squelched the rational tradition of the Greeks is interesting and worth discussing. HisContinue reading “A Perfect Paul?”

Video Games and Christian Maturity

I just finished reading the current edition of the Highland Study Center’s monthly publication, Every Thought Captive, with the theme “Revolt Against Maturity.” It’s a good issue, and it will eventually be on the net, but not yet. Several of the articles, such as “Theologians in Diapers,” are excellent, and I would welcome access toContinue reading “Video Games and Christian Maturity”

The Deconstruction Project: My emerging church talk

I am speaking at an emerging worship service this weekend. I’m pretty excited. I figured out the other day that in the last 15 years, I have spoken to the same audience (different people) over 2,000 times. So any opportunity to speak to a new audience is exciting for me. In preparing, I try toContinue reading “The Deconstruction Project: My emerging church talk”

Andrew Jones: An Emerging “Apostle” and His American Epistle

Andrew Jones- a.k.a. the Tall Skinny Kiwi– is a missionary spokesmen to and for the global emerging church. Andrew wouldn’t like me saying this, but I see him as an apostle for the movement and the absolutely must-hear voice to understand the emerging church. He is the type of emerging church leader our Truly ReformedContinue reading “Andrew Jones: An Emerging “Apostle” and His American Epistle”

The End of the Debate: Gene Bridges on Baptists and Baptism

UPDATE II: Gene Bridges addresses the issue of the universal church, and reprints Dagg on that subject. (J.L. Dagg was Southern Baptists’ first writing theologian.) UPDATE: Tom Ascol adds some more historical material that further demonstrates Baptists have never rejected Baptism on the basis on Arminianism. More from Ascol here: The Philadelphia Association accepted Free-willContinue reading “The End of the Debate: Gene Bridges on Baptists and Baptism”

A Generous Catholicity

We like the creeds….except for the catholic parts. “I believe in the Holy Spirit, the holy catholic church, the communion of saints…” -The Apostle’s Creed “And I believe one holy catholic and apostolic Church. I acknowledge one baptism for the remission of sins;… Amen.” – The Nicene Creed I’ve been in probably 3000+ Baptist ledContinue reading “A Generous Catholicity”