Pride of Cowardice

Pondering John Piper's remarks about pride--how it not only takes the form of boasting but also cowardice.  So helpful as a word of challenge to all who follow Jesus, and especially to all who are leaders.

"Dignitary Harm" and the Debate over Religious Freedom

Albert Mohler reviews a new two-views book on religious liberty and LGBTQ concerns.  Especially important is the discussion of "dignitary harm."

About Preaching

Sam Storms has a very thoughtful article on why preaching has fallen on hard times, including some direct challenges both to the preacher and to church communities as well.

The Benedict Option and the State of the Church

A serious, sobering, and important conversation about the North American church in our age of cultural upheaval.  Rod Dreher's message deserves careful, prayerful consideration.

Questioning Christian Slogans

Michael Kruger has a helpful series of posts on "Taking Back Christianese," where he looks closely and critically at what people seem to mean when they say various stock spiritual phrases.  Like "it's not my place to judge" and "America is a Christian nation" and "preach the gospel--use words if you have to."  All in all, an excellent reminder not to just pass along the going religious slogan.

Always Reforming?

Kevin DeYoung makes vital distinctions about semper reformanda here on the threshold of Reformation Day.  The notion of the church "always reforming" provides no valid basis for revisionist teachings that set aside classic biblical doctrines in order to keep up with the times.  See also Michael Horton's article on how the church should, and should not, be perpetually reforming.

"Think It Not Strange"

The team at Desiring God has released a collection of essays on "navigating trials in the New America."  John Piper's introductory video is brief but very helpful as we seek to understand the changing cultural landscape and the place of the church in the West.  The title echoes 1 Peter 4:12, "Beloved, do not be surprised at the fiery trial when it comes upon you to test you, as though something strange were happening to you."
 

Non-Optional Christianity

I appreciate the way Ray Ortlund challenges the "small Christianity" which people see as an option to consider between Sunday soccer practices.  "Christian conversion is not God sprinkling his pixie-dust blessing on our typical routines."  "Real Christianity is massive.  But is that our Christianity?"

Are the Culture Wars Over?

Carl Trueman says yes.  Consider his important analysis.

Trevin Wax has raised some of those questions which are off limits in today's Western anti-culture, as Trueman notes.  But the questions are valid, and urgent.

Who Left Whom?

Helpful reflections from Trevin Wax on the sense of dismay many church-going evangelical Christians currently have:  "I don't feel at home in the Republican Party anymore."  About this feeling, Wax adds, "Maybe that's a good thing."

Biblical Illiteracy in the Church

Al Mohler laments the spread of biblical illiteracy not just in Western society, but in the church:  "We will not believe more than we know, and we will not live higher than our beliefs. The many fronts of Christian compromise in this generation can be directly traced to biblical illiteracy in the pews and the absence of biblical preaching and teaching in our homes and churches."

Chipotle and Church

A humble, helpful, honest, challenging word from Brett McCracken about our consumerist mentality as we view churches.

Sobering Reflections on De-Conversion

I appreciated Ed Stetzer's heart-felt, humble, and searching reflections on the de-conversion of Bart Campolo.
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Some Insight about Ferguson

Pastor Bob Bixby's thoughts are shared by Justin Taylor--helpful insights for white Christians to probe and pray over.
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Church Clutter

Some good food for thought on church programs and busy-ness and the danger of overloading God's people and failing to safeguard time and space to seek the Lord (regarding the danger of letting the cart (structure) get ahead of the horse (relationships), see also The Trellis and the Vine, by Colin Marshall and Tony Payne):

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Night Driving Without Headlights?

Mark Dever is asked if you can be a Christian and not be a part of a church.  His answer, yes, it's possible, but it's kind of like driving at night with your headlights off:  "I don't think you want to do it."  Listen to this six-minute excerpt of his conversation with David Platt:

Platt and Dever on Disciple-Making: Part 6 from David Platt on Vimeo.
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Doing "Church Stuff"

A story of grace in a series of videos from Renovation Church on "Making beautiful what is broken."  The love of Jesus Christ is sufficient to cover even our hypocrisy.

Jesus Loves Whores & Hypocrites - Michael Wang from Renovation Church on Vimeo.
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Faith Matters

Love cares about faith—1 Thessalonians 3:1-10 makes this point with urgency.  Five times Paul says that one thing weighed most heavily on his heart:  the vitality of their FAITH.  3:2 we sent Timothy … to establish and exhort you in your faith,… 3:5 when I could bear it no longer, I sent to learn about your faith,… 3:6 Timothy has brought us the good news of your faith… 3:7 we have been comforted about you through your faith… 3:10 we pray that we may supply what is lacking in your faith. 

Faith is the heartbeat of Christian life; without faith there is no spiritual pulse (Heb 11:6).  Love compels believers to check one another’s vital signs.  If we love people, we’ll care about their faith (or their lack of it); if we don’t care about their faith, we don’t love them.

Think of some of the good things Paul does not mention five times in this chapter.  He does not say five times that he could no longer bear not knowing about their feelings—were they feeling positive, feeling happy?  He does not say five times how deeply con­cerned he is for their health—was anyone sick or injured?  And he does not say five times how he just had to know about their safety, were they all safe and sound, free from harm?  These good things are overshadowed by what really moves Paul’s heart.  FAITH is what counts (cf. Gal 5:6); Paul loves them, so he simply must know about their faith.

What about us?  Are we content to rub shoulders at church without getting to know about each other’s faith?  It’s nice if we can testify of one ano­ther’s pleasant demeanor or regular attendance or church activities.  But do we see faith?  I don’t mean fuzzy “faith” that’s little more than optimism:  I mean conscious dependence on the mercy, power and shepherding care of Christ.  I mean serious confidence in the Great Hero of the Uni­verse, such that we take bold steps to honor him.  As we watch one another walk this earth, do we see evidence of strong, heart-felt, biblically-informed trust in Christ?  Do we look in the mirror and in the pew and find faces that light up at the wonder of God’s majesty and gift of his grace through Jesus?  What do our conver­sations, spending habits, and scheduling patterns say about our faith in Christ?  Do we know each other well enough to have a sense for these vital signs?  How is your faith today?

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Anti-Intellectualism

Helpful and challenging words about anti-intellectualism in the church.
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Church & State

This election season, let’s ponder the oft-cited 2 Chronicles 7:14:  If my people who are called by my name humble themselves, and pray and seek my face and turn from their wicked ways, then I will hear from heaven and will forgive their sin and heal their land.  “My people…”; “their land…”  How should this word to ancient Israel be applied by Christians in today’s world?

In Old Testament times God’s people lived under “theocracy”:  devotion to the Lord and allegiance to government were inseparable; no divide between religion and public life (between “church and state”).  American Christians some­times succumb to wishful thinking that we have a theocracy today—that the rule of God could be “restored” in our land.  But that’s not a biblical hope.  With the coming of Christ and his Great Com­mission, God brought theocracy to an end.

God’s children today are an inter­national, inter-racial, worldwide people—called the church—that can’t be con­tained in or aligned with any one nation-state.  So an Old Testament promise about the “land” of ancient Israel cannot be neatly transferred to our country (or any country) today.  Rather, the application of 2 Chronicles 7:14 would center on the church—i.e., that group who, today, are God’s people:  “my people.”  If we as Christians, in fellow­ships all around the world, repent and pray and humbly seek God, then he’ll forgive and renew his people—his church.  And so, the text relates to the revival of the church, not the improvement of this country.

Here are a few church-and-government challenges believers should grapple with: 

1) Thank God for the gift of the US government—it’s not perfect, but much about it is good. 

2) Submit to the law of the land (see Rom 13:1-7; 1 Pet 2:12-17).  Only when “Caesar” would force you to turn against Christ is it right to play the Acts 5:29 civil disobedience card:  We must obey God rather than men.  

3) Pray for government leaders (1 Tim 2:2)—for wisdom, humility, reverence for God, zeal for the common good, unwavering commitment to justice, and both restraint and courage in “bearing the sword.” 

4) Serve your country, including through constructive criticism.  “Sub­mit” does not mean silence. 

5) Watch your expectations:  the state isn’t supposed to promote or advance the church (or vice versa), so don’t expect it to do so. 

6) Model respectful inter­action with those you disagree with this election season (e.g., other party, other positions). Let it be obvious that “the Christians” don’t use the world’s weapons of twist­ing facts, half truths, smearing opponents, or hitting back.  Break the rules of politics as usual. 

7) Finally, give praise to Jesus as Lord of All and King of Kings.  For all your appreciation of our government and nation, let it be ever so clear to all around you that you exalt Christ as “Commander-in-Chief”!

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