Now that Q. 80 is marginalized in the CRC perhaps question 96 is next? I ask because of this press release just received today (thanks to WSC student Mark Vander Pol) from the CRC. The lead paragraphs say: Planners for the inaugural . . . Continue reading →
American Christianity
Mainline, Sideline, or Borderline?
An unsigned editorial posted on Tuesday (12 May 2009) on the Christianity Today website analyzes the new ARIS (American Religious Identification Survey). The news isn’t new. The mainline is shrinking and, according to the CT editorial, “evangelicals” (whoever they are and whatever . . . Continue reading →
When Liberals Try to Be Hip
The results can be tragic. Carl writes: And then finally, the pièce de resistance, the moment to which the whole service had been leading, the climactic moment when the congregation was taken to the very gates of heaven: the service ended, not . . . Continue reading →
Out Now: Sober, Strict, and Scriptural (Updated)
The Calvinpalooza continues for 2009. Sober, Strict, and Scriptural: Collective Memories of John Calvin, 1800–2000 is a collection of essays considering how Calvin’s life, theology, and legacy were received in the modern period. Contributors include, in alphabetical order, R. Bryan Bademan, Patrick Cabanel, R. Scott . . . Continue reading →
New Edition of "The Creationists" by Numbers
Ronald Numbers has done terrific work on the history of the creationist movement in N. America. He has revised his earlier work to account for the intelligent design movement. Everyone on all sides of this issue should read this book.
Mouw Reviews Muether's Bio of Van Til
Hey Mikey, He likes it! You can order your copy from The Bookstore at WSC.
Mainline Escapades: Union Seminary VA Hosts the You-Know-What Monologues
WARNING: this is graphic. If you click on this link you are responsible for what you see. This is not an inducement to click on the link (HT: Classical Presbsyterian). For those who don’t click the nub is that a an old . . . Continue reading →
Surprise! Emergent Leader Embraces Pelagius
Tony Jones rejects Augustine, the North African church of the 4th century, the French Church of the 6th century, the entire medieval church, the Protestant Churches, and the Council of Trent (HT: Kevin DeYoung). Here’s one on which the confessional Protestants and . . . Continue reading →
Protestants More Loyal to Toothpaste Than to Their Denomination?
In USA Today (HT: Geneva Redux)
Beyond Fundamentalism and Feminism
Back in May 2007 Carl Trueman raised the problem of the pressures females feel in conservative evangelical and Reformed Churches. This issue raises the question of how Reformed Christians ought to relate to the broader culture. How do we live in a . . . Continue reading →
Why Did Arminianism "Win"?
Sometime back Howard wrote to ask, “How and when did Arminianism become the predominate view?” That’s a good question. First, we should distinguish between Jacob Arminius (James Hermanzoon) and the Arminians (or the Remonstrants). Relative to the conclusions Arminian/Remonstrant theology later reached, Arminius . . . Continue reading →
Another Problem with the Inaugural Prayer
I’ve already listed Five Issues with the Inaugural Prayer. Now there’s a sixth. I didn’t hear or see the inaugural prayer but I have read it. One thing that Newsweek’s Lisa Miller didn’t mention is that, as part of the prayer, Warren . . . Continue reading →
Hyping the Great Commission
In 1995 Bill Bright published a volume on “the coming revival.” It summarized what he had been saying for years. If we would only fast and pray and follow the right methods, a revival would come. In other instances, however, he periodically . . . Continue reading →
What Richard John Neuhaus Means to Me
A number of evangelical and socially conservative blogs and publications are marking the death (not “passing” but that’s another post) yesterday of Richard John Neuhaus at age 72. It is not remarkable that social conservatives are weeping today. After a career as . . . Continue reading →
Five Issues with the Inaugural Invocation
1. That is exists. I realize that it is tradition, but so what? Oddly, many of the same people who inveigh against a “state church” will be thrilled that “one of our guys” gets to pray the invocation. Well, Rick isn’t exactly one . . . Continue reading →
What Americans Really Believe
Kim explains.
A Visual Tour Through American Pop Religion
From the weird to the wonderful.
Re-Posting: Three Ways of Relating to American Religion
Becuase folks are just finding the HB I’m re-posting the link to an earlier meditation about how Reformed folk should think about their relations to the dominant form of Christianity in America, “Three Ways of Relating to American Religion.”
The Myth Of Influence
In the March 7, 1998, issue of the Los Angeles Times, the “Religion” section featured an article entitled, “L.A.-Area Seminary Teachers Gather to Ponder the Truth.” For the fourth year, the Skirball Institute on American Values drew five seminaries together for discussion: . . . Continue reading →