Month: August 2010
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What is the gospel?
We read about Christ-less Christianity, Moralistic Therapeutic Deism, pluralism, universalism, and lots of other notions common today that are not the gospel and it begs the question why. How can we tell the difference between authentic biblical Christianity that has been agreed by Christians throughout history and these other notions that are merely a western…
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A Different Kind of Spine
The ground zero mosque is such a great opportunity to address issues of the day and discuss them with students! Theologian and pastor Doug Wilson exposes the issues for what they are rather than what people seems to be arguing. In the end, he concludes… I said that the Muslims know what they are doing.…
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When religion and politics collide
Growing up the saying was “don’t talk religion or politics”. It was the way to avoid arguments and be nice friends, neighbors, co-workers, etc. Politics and religion have long had a strange relationship. Some don’t like to mix them and others find their one dictating the other. Now I think we have reached a point…
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Hipster Christianity
An excellent op ed in the Wall Street Journal addressed “The perils of ‘wannabe cool’ Christianity. Kinda reminded me of two things. First, what Paul did not mean in 1 Corinthians 9:19-23. If he had meant that we are meant to imitate the culture around us, then I need to go buy a pair of…
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The Ministry of Rebuke
Kevin DeYoung, whose writing I enjoy, wrote a 3 part blog post on the concept of rebuking. He is surely not a southerner! Covers the why, when, and how as well as how to receive a rebuke. Worth checking out HERE. There are two kinds of Christians: those who like to rebuke and do it…
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The almost-Christian formation of teens
Kenda Creasy Dean has an interesting article in The Christian Century that explores some of the concepts of her book “Almost Christian“. A few bits… This faith, called Moralistic Therapeutic Deism, “generally does not and cannot stand on its own,” so its adherents are affiliated with traditional faith communities but unaware that they are practicing…
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Less gimmick, more God
An article in The Birmingham News on the Rooted Conference from last week. Ashley Null was amazing. Brilliant man who is warm and pastoral. He teaches and does research much of the year and serves as chaplain to the US Olympic team. I hope we can get him to speak to our youth ministers at…
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‘Forget the pizza parties,’ Teens tell churches
USA ran this article on the state of youth ministry which is both hopeful and despairing. Worth checking out the whole article (HERE) Bye-bye church. We’re busy.” That’s the message teens are giving churches today.Only about one in four teens now participate in church youth groups, considered the hallmark of involvement; numbers have been flat…
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No Christianity Please, We’re Academics
John had been a straight-A student until he enrolled in English writing. The assignment was an “opinion” piece and the required theme was “traditional marriage.” John is a Southern Baptist and he felt it was his duty to give his honest opinion and explain how it was grounded in his faith. The professor was annoyed…
