The Ecclesiastes Attitude

walking_alone.jpgIt is the tradition of this web site to hear my confessions, my struggles and my emotions. “Confessional” blogging on my part has touched hundreds of readers and convinced one or two that I am unfit to be in the ministry or even a professing Christian. So be it. This is what’s set on my table these days. I can’t explain it to you; all I can do is write and pray. Trusting God is hard. His ways are not my ways, and his ways are unthinkably difficult for me right now.

So if you don’t understand these kinds of posts, I’m sorry. My journey. My struggles. My questions. My wrestling with God.

My Bible classes watch a lot of the “Turner” Bible movies. I’ve seen them all so many times that I frequently get them confused with scripture itself. Their storylines and scripts are embedded in my mind and I have to, occasionally, sort things out.

For example, in the movie “David,” the prophet Nathan tells David, “God makes it difficult to be a king.” Scripture never says that (at least not that I know of) but it is appropriate for the story of David and his particular failures.Continue reading “The Ecclesiastes Attitude”

No Riffs: 11:14:07: Piper on Church Planting and Ministry to the Poor

uganda-poor-church.gifJohn Piper has enough truth in this sermon to revolutionize evangelicalism—if anyone is really listening. Read it several times. It’s absolutely on target.

Memorize those church planting statistics, young preachers/church planters.

The connection between church planting, evangelism and ministry to the poor is a balance evangelicals need to embrace in a way that shapes everything we do. Education. Preparation. Cooperation. Leadership. Finance. Evangelism. All our priorities. Thank you, Dr. Piper, for making this connection clear.

Credible Christianity for the Cultural Atheist

header_3_image_1.jpgLINK: This is a bit of a follow up to last year’s (almost to the day) essay, “Do Chinese Students Need An American Jesus?”

In his book Christianity’s Dangerous Idea, Alister McGrath discusses the relationship of church architecture and the modernistic sense of the absence of God. In reference to the “whitewashing” of churches following the lead of Geneva, McGrath writes.Continue reading “Credible Christianity for the Cultural Atheist”

The Faith of a Suffering Servant

marcella-paliekara-suffering-servant-2005_jpg.jpgToday in chapel, one of my co-workers told his life story. That’s pretty common at our ministry, but this was anything but common.

Doc [not his real name] came to us about three years ago, along with his new bride. Middle-aged and a recent Bible college graduate, looking for a beginning in ministry. Of course, one look at Doc and you know Doc is different. He looks like he survived a war, or a major car accident, or bothContinue reading “The Faith of a Suffering Servant”

Sexual Freedom, Pullman’s Atheism and Christian Humanism

philippullman460.jpgUPDATE: Stan Gutherie surveys components of the Christian response to Atheism.

Some of my thoughts after reading The Atlantic Monthly’s feature story on The Golden Compass. Chataway cover’s the director’s response to the Atlantic Monthly’s article.

There is no more important single distinction in theology than the difference between being God-centered and man-centered. After years of listening to various Christians explain their faith and its implications, this distinction remains: Are we talking about a God-centered reality or a man-centered reality?Continue reading “Sexual Freedom, Pullman’s Atheism and Christian Humanism”

Catholic Questions Part 2: Horton, Sungenis, Justification and the Confusion Over Trent

logo-wi.gifThe November 4th edition of the White Horse Inn was an interview of well-known Roman Catholic apologist Robert Sungenis. It is called “Roman Catholicism and Justification.” The MP3 is available free from WHIs OnePlace site, and I highly recommend it.

(By the way, if you want to hear what it sounds like when a world-class Reformation scholar restrains himself commendably in an interview so his opponent can have his say clearly and without being attacked, listen to this. I imagine Horton was about to respond and disagree loudly at points, but he plays the gracious interviewer and says nothing. Well…with one exception 🙂

Sungenis gives what I consider to be a refreshingly honest collection of answers on the subject of grace, justification and the “solas.” Horton follows that interview with a brief interview with Mark Noll, co-author of Is The Reformation Over?

The interview brought a few questions to my mind that I’d like to invite IM readers, especially Catholics, to engage. As usual, I am not looking for debate, but a clear presentation of distinctions, definitions and meanings.

If possible, listen to the program. If not, and you still are going to comment, say so.Continue reading “Catholic Questions Part 2: Horton, Sungenis, Justification and the Confusion Over Trent”

Who’s On “The Next Billy Graham” This Season?

portrait_hr.jpgNOTE: I will not publish hateful, conspiratorial comments. You can critique, but be respectful.

“You most faithful readers know that ultimately, I’m a fan of Mark Driscoll. Fan — can’t help it. Somebody has said that there isn’t a “Billy Graham” for 21st century Christianity, and I totally disagree — I think Driscoll is in the running to be such a thing, if I can say that and not cause a complete melt-down of the blogosphere and everything that’s holy.” –Frank Turk

It could be a reality show: “The Next Billy Graham.”

I’ve used the phrase “the next Billy Graham” a few times, and it’s fairly common in evangelicalism. If you know my own working definition of evangelicalism- and post-evangelicalism- then you know that Billy Graham features largely in both. Graham, in symbol, substance and style, is the single most defining figure in post WWII, American evangelicalism. To try, as more than a few of the Truly Reformed regularly attempt, to blame him for all that’s wrong and ignore his massive influence on what is and should be right, is complete foolishness.

But this post isn’t primarily about Graham, it’s about what we mean when we use the phrase “the next Billy Graham,” something I haven’t seen anyone discuss as yet. Maybe because it can’t be done. We’ll see.

Try this.Continue reading “Who’s On “The Next Billy Graham” This Season?”

A Big Announcement

sabbatical.jpgWent to the post office this morning (where Crazy For God and an Exodus Commentary by Peter Enns were waiting for me) and got my mail. Last letter in the stack was from the Louisville Institute.

It opened with the usual “Thanks for applying…..400+ applicants….lots of deserving people….” And so on…

And then the second paragraph. Congratulations. You have received a $10,000 grant for your 8 week Sabbatical proposal.

I had my iPod going and was standing in line with four other people. I looked up at this guy behind me and grinned like an idiot. He probably took a couple of steps back.Continue reading “A Big Announcement”