To hear some people talk, you would think that the birth of freedom, democracy, and the modern world started with the Protestant Reformation. In fact, the coincidence of faith and modernity has less to do with Martin Luther than with John Calvin, . . . Continue reading →
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Chicago Public Schools Forced By Lawsuit To Admit Moody Grads To Program
Four months after filing a religious discrimination lawsuit on behalf of The Moody Bible Institute of Chicago, Alliance Defending Freedom attorneys reached a favorable settlement with the Chicago Board of Education. Chicago Public Schools had prevented Moody, a private Christian college, from . . . Continue reading →
A Concise Case For Covenant Baptism
Christian doctrine has never been determined by one or two proof texts. It’s always a matter not only of considering everything Scripture teaches on a subject, but then also using reason to collate and systematize all of that teaching. The classic example . . . Continue reading →
What About The “Holy Land”?
Full disclosure: I’ve always been pro-Israel and am so today, at least if that means that the nation has a right to exist. Since 1948, Israel has fought for its own existence, while Palestinians have also defended their homes. The only way . . . Continue reading →
Today Is Not A Day For Indulging In Myths And Foolish Speculation
Throughout Scripture, when historical events are being discussed, they are of tantamount importance. Unlike pagan myths that often focus on the universal principles of a story, there is a weightiness to Scripture’s treatment of history. The validity of our very faith depends . . . Continue reading →
Trueman: Why Is Plagiarism Wrong?
Thirty years ago, I was on faculty at one of the U.K.’s elite Russell Group universities. As the least important person in my department, I was assigned the administrative role that nobody else wanted: exams officer, in charge of overseeing all examinations, . . . Continue reading →
The Scandal And Coverup Of Sexual Abuse In British Evangelicalism
A British barrister’s “horrific” and violent abuse of more than 100 children and young men was covered up within the Church of England for decades, according to the conclusion of a damning report. John Smyth QC is believed to be the most . . . Continue reading →
Butterfield Contra The Premise Of Celibate Gay Theology
Celibate gay theology–which claims to uphold a traditional biblical view of sexuality– believes the “born this way” lie and has become the default compromise in evangelical churches and parachurch ministries. Celibate gay theology embraces homosexual orientation and identity but disallows gay sex. . . . Continue reading →
Ninth Circuit Enjoins Washington State’s Attempt To Force A Christian Mission To Hire Employees Who Reject The Mission’s Convictions
The panel affirmed the district court’s preliminary injunction prohibiting the enforcement of the Washington Law Against Discrimination (“WLAD”) against the Union Gospel Mission of Yakima, Washington—a Christian ministry—for preferring and hiring co-religionists for non-ministerial roles. WLAD prohibits employment discrimination based on several . . . Continue reading →
Religionless Spirituality Isn’t Just A Weigh Station
It is well known that many westerners today describe themselves as “spiritual but not religious.” Paul Heelas and Linda Woodhead define “spirituality” as a life based not on external authorities and expectations but “in deep connection with the unique experiences of my . . . Continue reading →
Is Praise And Worship Music A New Evangelical Sacrament?
Recent Evangelical experiments in worship are particularly significant for two reasons. First, they represent the most widespread changes in Protestant public worship since the Reformation. While various changes in worship had occurred earlier, they came much more slowly and were much less . . . Continue reading →
On Hosea 6:7 And The Covenant Of Works
Hosea 6:7 is one text traditionally understood to teach a covenant with Adam: “But like Adam they transgressed the covenant; there they dealt faithlessly with me.” In addressing Israel’s sin, Hosea indicates that their manner of covenant violations was “like Adam.” Many . . . Continue reading →
On Hosea 6:7 As A Proof For The Covenant Of Works
The fourth view, following the Vulgate, holds that Hosea 6:7 refers to the covenant that Adam broke in Eden. C. F. Keil says, “the local expression ‘there,’ refers to the place where the faithless apostasy occurred, as in Ps. xiv.5.” Robertson concludes, . . . Continue reading →
Ligon Duncan On Why You Should Embrace Reformed Covenant Theology
Covenant theology is the Bible’s way of explaining and deepening our understanding of: (1) the atonement (the meaning of the death of Christ); (2) assurance (the basis of our confidence of communion with God and enjoyment of his promises);(3) the sacraments (signs . . . Continue reading →
Pastoral Abuse Is Not Leadership
By 2014, Mars Hill Church in Seattle had grown to 15,000 members across 15 locations. Mark Driscoll, the church’s co-founding pastor, was one of the most influential evangelical voices in America. Then it all collapsed. The charges against Driscoll didn’t involve heresy. . . . Continue reading →
Dozens Of Congregations To Leave The EPC To Form New Denomination
In June, the Evangelical Presbyterian Church voted to accept a “pastoral letter” that critics say opens the door to ordaining celibate, same-sex attracted individuals — a decision that has drawn sharp criticism from within the denomination. Now some of those churches have . . . Continue reading →
D. G. Hart On American Liberty And Religious Dissent
June is the usual month for the convening of Presbyterian assemblies, but the jewel in the crown of Presbyterian reforms, replacing bishops with lengthy committee meetings, seems less impressive today than it did in 1560 when the Scots held their first General . . . Continue reading →
You Shall Not Make Pictures Of Jesus
“It’s a new storybook Bible for children!” as I looked to my wife from the kitchen table. She rolled her eyes in that familiar way and glanced over to the stack of similar books collecting dust. “Will it make the pile?” “Not . . . Continue reading →
Nebraska Sued For Pressuring Families To Attend Public School
As parents in Lincoln, Nebraska send their children back to school today, the New Civil Liberties Alliance is filing the Jacobsen v. Spellerberg lawsuit on behalf of two families in the District Court of Lancaster County, challenging the state’s K-12 education system’s . . . Continue reading →
John Witherspoon: Presbyterian Pastor
John Witherspoon is most famous for being the only clergyman to sign the Declaration of Independence. The most crucial part of that sentence is the recognition that Witherspoon was, from the age of 20 until his death at the age of 71, . . . Continue reading →