General Theology, Culture Wars, Faith and Science, Global Christianity, Bible Passage
Is Dawkins Cracking?
by Clay Staggs
Richard Dawkins, probably the world's most prominent atheist (at least til now?) seems to be hedging his bets a little. Check out this report from the UK Telegraph from a debate between Dawkins and the Archbishop of Canterbury. Hmmmmmm:
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General Theology
Steve Jobs Wins the World
by Tim Lien
“For what will it profit a man if he gains the whole world and forfeits his soul? Or what shall a man give in return for his soul?”
“A visionary” and “A great man”
Well, let’s just hold on a minute.
If Steve Jobs’s soul has not be …
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General Theology
Jesus, Alcohol, and Riverwood
by Tim Lien
If you need a good articulation of what we think about alcohol for the unabashed Christ-follower-and-exalter, check out this link.
Two books that we have frequently put on our book table: God Gave Wine, Kenneth Gentry and Drinking with Calvin and Luther, Jim West
I recommend them both.
Two quotes …
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General Theology
Preaching the Gospel and the Cross (Without Smugness)
by Tim Lien
“A proud Calvinist is an oxymoron.”
Steve Patridge found a great Q&A session from a ReSurgence event in Orlando, FL. Sitting around the table: R.C. Sproul, Tullian Tchividjian, Matt Chandler, and Mark Driscoll. (I couldn’t recognize another voice) There is a great exchange about how a true …
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General Theology
Three Bucks of Grace
by Tim Lien
My wife regularly shoots me encouragements from IrishCalvinist (Erik Raymond) Just another guy who has happy-conniption fits over the Gospel of Jesus Christ. In other words, my kind of guy. He recently posted this little gem from D.A. Carson:
I would like to buy about three dollars worth of …
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General Theology
Homosexuality and Sola Scriptura
by Eric Venable
So I’ve been doing a lot of thinking about the issue of homosexuality lately. I’ll explain. Even if one isn’t much of a “thinking” kind of person, you cannot ignore this issue. I’ve heard some say that this is the civil rights issue of our times …
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General Theology
The defining mark of true religion
by Eric Venable
If someone were to ask you, “What exactly do you Christians—particularly you people who use the r-word (Reformed) a lot— believe that makes you any different from the other thousands of religions on planet earth?,” what would you say? I came across this while reading Abraham Kuyper’s Lectures on …
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General Theology
Is the resurgence of Calvinism in Evangelical America a good thing?
by Eric Venable
So I read some great words this week by Carl Trueman on reformation21.org. Trueman is talking about the resurgence of Reformed theology within evangelicalism in the last few years. This kind of thing has even been noted by secular sources such as an article from Time magazine back in …
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General Theology
Mormonism 101: You Know, for Kids
by Tim Lien
I ran across this video recently. It was made by a Christian group in the 1970’s. Informative, educational, yet, a little weird.
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General Theology
The Dogma Is the Drama
by Tim Lien
In Dorothy Sayer’s essay, “The Dogma is the Drama,” she writes up a theological exam and answers them in perfect parody of a truly ignorant Christian:
Q.: What does the Church think of God the Father?
A.: He is omnipotent and holy. He created the world and imposed on …
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General Theology
A Nation of Freelancers
by Tim Lien
Since the Census Bureau does not cover religious affiliation questions, the American Religious Identification Survey (ARIS) has attempted to identify the various religious rumblings of America. They release its newest findings today. It’s still a survey, but some of the general trends are a fascinating look at American faith …
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General Theology
The Spark That Lit Reform
by Tim Lien
Martin Luther was apalled.
But little has changed: TIME magazine covers the noveau hotness of indulgences in the year of St. Paul. “Now, for a limited time only….”
Tim Lien is aghast.
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General Theology
Educational *And* Fun: The Free Will Song
by Tim Lien
The Arminian Doctrine of Free Will as sung by the Joy Quartet.
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General Theology
Jakes v. Lien, or, Get Your Science Fiction Straight
by Clay Staggs
This past Sunday evening, Tim gave an excellent presentation on Christianity and Patriotism, as part of our continuing “What We Believe” series. For those who missed it, I think that I can summarize the central thesis of his presentation as follows: the USA (or any country, for that matter) is …
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General Theology
A Theology Lesson from Newsweek
by Clay Staggs
Newsweek - Newsweek! - has decided to give the great unwashed masses a lesson in what the Bible says about marriage - gay marriage in particular. Guess what? According to them, the Bible is actually supportive of gay marriage.
I am not making this up. It’s the cover story. Read it all …
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General Theology
95 Theses Rap
by Clay Staggs
I know, I’m a day late, but this is too good not to post.
HT: Herb Saunders
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General Theology
Common Grounds Online
by Tim Lien
For the next 4 weeks (5 weeks, including last week, Sept. 15 - Oct. 17) Common Grounds Online will be hosting an online forum discussing the turmoil and theological trajectories in the PCA.
Tim Keller, Mark Driscoll, John Frame, Reggie Kidd and sixteen other church leaders will be participating.
I am …
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General Theology
Dirty Words Doing Dirty Jobs For the Glory of God
by Tim Lien
This post is a convergence of several ideas:
1) John Piperâ??s Desiring God Ministry is hosting a conference September 26-28. This yearâ??s theme is â??The Power of Words and the Wonder of God.â? Among the scheduled speakers there are: Sinclair Ferguson, Mark Driscoll, Paul Tripp, and …
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General Theology
Sin Redefined
by Clay Staggs
First off, I should say that I agree wholeheartedly with Jimmy’s earlier thoughts on the meaning of being an “Evangelical” in politics today. It is true, however, that (for lack of a better term) orthodox Christians do tend to rather overwhelmingly support the Republicans. Much ink and many pixels …
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General Theology
Old Time Religion
by Matt Tootle
Please donâ??t ask me why, but I was flipping through AM radio stations the other day and I stumbled across a gospel radio station. At that particular point, a song by the Canton Spirituals was playing (no, I didnâ??t know that â?? I had to google it), and …
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General Theology
Faith or Negligence?
by Tim Lien
In Wausau, Wisconsin last week, 3 siblings were removed from their parents after their 11 yr. old sister died of an undiagnosed (yet fully treatable ) form of diabetes. The parents believed that healing comes exclusively from God. The removal has only occured for the duration of the upcoming investigation. Officials …
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General Theology
Iconoclastic Fantastic
by Tim Lien
Recently, a church leader in Birmingham said that young PCA guys were a bunch of “iconoclasts”— always wanting to smash down all kinds of idols— be they traditionally venerated or obvious. Ok, I admit, I fit the description.
In reflection upon that this morning, I stumbled across this thought:
What …
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General Theology
Worth a Thousand Words
by Jimmy Hopper
Most of you have seen the “Motivational” posters that have “inspirational” pictures with an ironic meassage below them. For example, one I saw recently with a baton being passed in a race had the title BLAME, and the message, “Success is usually knowing who to blame.” The company that makes …
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General Theology
Chesterton Quote
by Jeff Miller
From Orthodoxy, ch 4.
“…the proper form of thanks is some form of humility and restraint: we should thank God for beer and Burgundy by not drinking too much of them.”
This is not a call for prohibition, nor even moderation in and of itself, but a call to enjoy …
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General Theology
From A Secure, Undisclosed Location
by Tim Lien
Like Geraldo, I will make marks in the sand to let you know where I am for the pastor’s conference. I can put it in a way only Tuscaloosans can understand: Auburn Avenue and Monroe Louisiana. Both of those references sting a bit for the UA faithful. Here’s …
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General Theology
Really, really, really Fallen….
by Jimmy Hopper
Last Tuesday I had the pleasure of giving the morning devotional to the Riverwood Classical School and, using the week’s Catechism question as a guide, talked about the Fall of man. Afterward, I was thinking about the Fall in light of a book I was reading the previous week …
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General Theology
But We Are Right, Right?
by Tim Lien
Quotation from Douglas Wilson:
But we do not demand that they trust in “living in this certain way” for their justification. We demand the opposite. We require them to not trust in what they are doing, and we also teach them not to trust in what they are saying. We …
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General Theology
Mutual Defenestration in the PCA
by Blake Johnson
Click here.
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General Theology
Exporting Prosperity
by Tim Lien
“Tim, why do preach pain so much? Tim, why do your sermons seem so heavy on suffering?”
An email has lingered in my inbox for quite some time, containing a link to John Piper preaching in Birmingham. How does the Reformed Gospel differ from Creflo Dollar, Benny Hinn, Paul Crouch …
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General Theology
Carrie Nation Defeated in Athens
by Clay Staggs
At the risk of seeming obsessed with this topic, I just had to post this, for two reasons, really. First, it’s a defeat for prohibitionism, which I say is a good thing. Second, it’s too shining an example of works theology to leave alone.
On Tuesday of this …
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General Theology
Deaths in our Family
by Jimmy Hopper
I have had our Pastor’s sermon last Sunday on death and resurrection for the Christian very much on my mind. I tend to think about death more (I am almost 70!) but I’m not sure that’s the real reason. Its inevitability is such a part of life …
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General Theology
“What do you do with Jesus?”
by Clay Staggs
Anybody casually reading my writing on this blog might really think that I have it in for the Episcopal Church USA. I really don’t, but they do seem to be a perfect example of where liberal mainline Christianity is off the tracks. But today’s installment shows that they …
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General Theology
Church on the Cross
by Blake Johnson
The Cross intersects the past, present, and future. The finished work of Christ in the past is the basis for our present justification, anticipating Godâ??s ultimate verdict in the future that we are indeed righteous. In a similar way, the cross stretches us from the past to the present …
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General Theology
Peace, Purity, and the PCA
by Blake Johnson
This week the PCA (our denomination) will meet for its annual General Assembly. Each year Ruling Elders and Teaching Elders from our churches congregate to discuss and deliberate various theological, cultural, and practical issues facing our denomination.
The PCA has enjoyed much growth in recent years while remaining faithful to …
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General Theology
The Great God Debate
by Clay Staggs
Hugh Hewitt, whose blog I have plugged several times before, has a fantastic exchange on his site this morning. He hosts a radio show (which, unfortunately is not carried by any local station) and on yesterday’s program he hosted a debate which he called “The Great God Debate.”
On …
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General Theology
Has the Train Derailed or Just Taken an Unforeseen Track?
by Peggy Drinkard
Jeff Miller’s recent post was very helpful to me as I tried to figure the recent, troubling “book banning” thing out. In fact, this post originated as a response to Jeff, but became lengthy enough and enough of a rabbit trail to necessitate its own space. Because of respect …
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General Theology
Joel Osteen and the Miracle of an Umbrella
by Matt Tootle
mirâ?¢aâ?¢cle (mÄr’É?-kÉ?l)
n.
An event that appears inexplicable by the laws of nature and so is held to be supernatural in origin or an act of God.
While in a hotel recently, I was flipping television channels and landed on the preaching of Joel …
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General Theology
Rescue from the South
by Clay Staggs
I ran across two interesting comments on National Review‘s blog, The Corner. Here’s the first, by Mark Krikorian:
The head of the Episcopal Church, Bishop Katharine Jefferts Schori, is complaining about Nigerian Anglican bishops coming to Virginia this weekend to formally install the head of the conservative breakaway …
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General Theology
Hunger
by Jimmy Hopper
Holy Week is almost always the most moving and meaningful time at most churches but last week at Riverwood was especially so for me. First there was the service and sermon on Palm Sunday on the humility of Christ as He approached Jerusalem and His (wonderful!) mission. Then there was …
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General Theology
Open Thread
by Clay Staggs
A Baptist Church in Australia has posted a sign that says “Jesus Loves Osama.”
The full story is here. It has caused enough consternation that the PM of Australia has commented on it.
I have my own reaction to this, but I thought it might be more interesting to hear …
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General Theology
Mysterious Ways
by Clay Staggs
Every time that I think that the state of the church (the global church, I mean, not Riverwood) can’t get any worse, I read something like this.
It seems that a Church of England congregation in Lincoln, England will be hosting a “U2-charist,” which the article describes as “an …
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General Theology
On “God’s Chosen People,” an earlier version…
by Jimmy Hopper
I am a member of the cult that believes Patrick O’Brien’s series of novels about the Napleonic sea wars are the best historical novels ever written, so it was natural that I would be interested in Arthur Herman’s history of the British navy, To Rule the Waves …
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General Theology
Falls Church Fallout
by Clay Staggs
Here’s a great post by a blogger who takes on the Washington Post over its characterization of her church, the Falls Church, which happens to have recently split with the ECUSA. Note that the Post actually manages to call Episcopalians the “frozen chosen.”
I think I’m offended - that …
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General Theology
A Riff on Alcatraz
by Jimmy Hopper
Last week Riverwood published a poem in the Reflections page of the bulletin that has fascinated and even haunted me. The poet is Sharon Olds and it can be found in her book, The Gold Cell. Itâ??s title is Alcatraz and is printed below.
Alcatraz
When I was a …
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General Theology
Be Fruitful And Multiply, But Only If It Won’t Mean Taking More Than Your Share Of The Earth’s Resources
by Clay Staggs
I ran across this article by Mark Steyn, who I believe is one of the best opinion writers in the business. What I found fascinating about it was the quote from the newly installed presiding bishop of the Episcopal Church USA, Katharine Jefferts Schori. The original is on the NYT …
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General Theology
Status
by Jimmy Hopper
This morning at 7 AM I was on the RiverWalk with two excited Shelties, walking northeast toward the morning directly beside the Warrior River. It was partly sunny, cool, and absolutely glorious; with the river running strongly to the southwest, the wind rippling it, and the trees in Fall colors …
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General Theology
From A Distance
by Clay Staggs
There’s a Bette Middler song by that title that suggests that God is merely watching what we’re doing down here on earth “from a distance.” (Bryan Bond, are you out there?)
Apparently, according to a recent Harris Poll, that’s the most prevalent belief among Americans about what …
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General Theology
The Center of Creation
by Jimmy Hopper
In the extraordinary Sunday School series now playing at Riverwood, Faith and Science, Bob Thornton and Allen Powers spoke of the time in which it was proven that the universe didn’t revolve around the earth, as the religious dogma of the day believed. In fact, science now speaks of …
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General Theology
A saint who’s gone ahead…
by Peggy Drinkard
For our last Air Force assignment before retirement God led us to Keesler Air Force Base in Biloxi, Mississippi. In His grace, before the boys and I arrived, He led David to visit a tiny PCA church pastored by Dr. Richard L. Summers, Th. D. One visit and David was …
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General Theology
Identity Crisis
by Clay Staggs
One of the frequent themes that I hear in the preaching at Riverwood is our identity as Christians. Refreshingly, yesterday, the pope even got in on the act, urging Christians not to give up their unique identity for the sake of dialogue with other religions, which Reuters obligingly reads as …
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General Theology
Point of the Sword
by Clay Staggs
I’ve been thinking for awhile about the Fox News Channel Reporter, Steve Centanni, and his cameraman, Olaf Wiig, who were captured in Gaza a few weeks ago. Thankfully, they were eventually released. What has been on my mind is the way that they were forced to convert to Islam …
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General Theology
The Sage of Omaha
by Clay Staggs
I saw an entry on the Drudge Report yesterday that Warren Buffett had married his “companion” of decades. Apparently, even though he separated from his wife back in the seventies, they remained married until she died a couple of years ago.
I thought this was an unconventional arrangement, and it …
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General Theology
Hearing Voices
by Clay Staggs
The New York Times this weekend published an article about women in the clergy and, more specifically, how few women lead large congregations. They call it the “stained glass ceiling.” The full text of the article is here:
http://www.nytimes.com/2006/08/26/us/26clergy.html?pagewanted=1 …
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General Theology
Prayer for the sick….
by Jimmy Hopper
I have always thought that praying for healing of the sick was necessary but needed to be done in a particular way that addressed the omnipotence of God. What we see in the “healing” services on television and, I’m sure, in certain churches, is an emphasis on results based …
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General Theology
Lost in Translation While Walking Through the ‘Hood of Death
by Tim Lien
Newsweek recently published an article about the power and new popularity of â??hip-hopâ? masses or â??hip-hop servicesâ? for youth and the urban sub-culture. (Newsweek, July 31, 2006, â??BeliefWatch: â??Wordâ??â?) One pastor even created the Hip Hop Prayer book, inspired by the Book of Common …
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General Theology
A. A. Hodge on the Lord’s Supper
by Steven Crawford
I purchased a few books from St. Matthews recently. Among them was Evangelical Theology by A. A. Hodge. I found this quote while reading a section on the Lord’s Supper:
Whosoever puts away true and real wine, or fermented grape juice, on moral grounds, from the Lord’s Supper …
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General Theology
N.T. Wright quote from Following Jesus
by Steven Crawford
I have been reading N.T. Wright’s book Following Jesus recently, and I ran across this gem (there were plenty others):
The Church, ironically, has …
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General Theology
Beeson Pastor’s School
by Steven Crawford
Beeson is having a “pastors school” July 19-23; here’s a PDF of the brochure. Roger Salter has a workshop titled John Donne: The St. Augustine of Anglicanism. Sounds interesting. I wish I could attend. I’m hoping to get a copy of the audio if nothing else.
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General Theology
Calculating Christmas
by Steven Crawford
I ran across this interesting article regarding the church’s choice for the date we celebrate Christmas. The story is at Touchstone Magazine. I’ve read a few other interesting articles there.