The question of thinking like a Christian is an important topic and one close to my heart. We discuss this very question each fall in the Historical Theology orientation course. We read and discuss a roundtable discussion published some years ago in . . . Continue reading →
Christ and Culture
Natural is Not Neutral
Russ Reeves at Tolle Blogge (another great blog name!) makes some thoughtful comments on my “Christ is Lord of All But…” post. I agree with him that it may be that we agree more than it seems, but he raises a few . . . Continue reading →
Grace and Peace to Aliens and Strangers
1 PETER 1:1-2 This sermon was originally published in Modern Reformation in the Ex Auditu. section in the January/February 2000 issue and is republished here by permission. § Peter, an apostle of Jesus Christ, to God’s elect, strangers in the world, scattered . . . Continue reading →
Two on Christ and Culture
Sometimes pagan get it when Christian don’t Politically correct Constantinianism?
Uh, You Mean Jesus Isn't My Boyfriend?
Hannah Rosin offers a brief synopsis of Daniel Radosh’s Rapture Ready. What Rosin doesn’t mention is that there have been voices within the Christianity such as the Wittenburg Door (in the 70s), and more seriously the White Horse Inn guys have been examining . . . Continue reading →
Sometimes Voting is Just Voting
The Outhouse is a little skeptical about transforming voting into a priestly act.
When Middle Class Evangelicals "Engage" the Culture
Carl’s about had enough. Sounds like he might be getting a Clint-Eastwood-esque shotgun any day now. In place of the evangelical appropriation of “transformationalism,” wanna try a really radical approach? How about two-kingdoms? Here’s another. And another. And another.
Beyond Niebuhr on Christ and Culture
Here’s a review of H. Richard Niebuhr’s classic, Christ and Culture by WSC student. C&C is disappointing. It’s ham-fisted. It lacks historical nuance and it’s missing a crucial category. It’s been enormously influential among evangelicals and mainliners, however, so it’s important to know . . . Continue reading →
World and Life View: License to Baptize?
James Bond, Agent 007, had a “license to kill.” There are Reformed folk who also seem to have “license” of some sort or other based on what they call “the Christian world and life view” (hereafter, CWLV). This concept is interesting because . . . Continue reading →
Losing Our Religion
The WHI continues their series on Christianity in a Post-Christian Culture. Is there a problem, however, with speaking of a “Christian culture”? When was the culture Christian?
Hart Reviews Crouch on Culture Making
Here.
WSC: A Durable Institution Worthy of Support
There are many things competing for our attention, and many seem worthy of support. Meanwhile, times are tough. Various causes come and go. But there are few durable institutions that rightly draw enduring loyalty. Your family is one, your church or local . . . Continue reading →
Audio: How to Be Culturally Relevant
It probably isn’t what you think. Rob Norris has wise words for preachers (and parishioners)
Is the Evangelical Sub-Culture Dying?
Newsweek’s Lisa Miller thinks so even if she doesn’t put it quite that way. It’s probably a good thing in many respects, especially if it saves us from idolatrous and tacky (e.g. bobblehead) “Jesus junk.”
David Strain Interviews Darryl Hart
David is a Glaswegian in exile. He writes at Letters from Mississippi. Part 1 covers Old Side Presbyterianism (if you don’t know what that means, you should read this interview) and evangelism. It’s a nice follow-on to the Dever interview. There’s audio . . . Continue reading →
It's Not Your Church!
We often speak of “my church.” That’s a colloquial way of saying, “the congregation of which I’m a member.” We often act, however, as if the church actually belongs to us. One doubts that many people would be willing to admit that . . . Continue reading →
On the Distinction Between BBQ and the Kingdom of God
All my reading material was on my computer so on the way into the air and on the way down I read the American Airlines American Way magazine. It’s not often that one finds stories about churches in the in-flight mag, but . . . Continue reading →
Coen Brothers in CT
Christianity Today has a story today on two of the most interesting and thoughtful American film makers working today. Warning: if you’re easily offended, don’t watch Coen Brothers’ films. They are often graphic, violent, and profane. They also, however, ask important questions . . . Continue reading →
On Precision and Latitude
Over the last year or so there seems to have been a concerted effort to discredit any sort of “two-kingdoms” (or two-spheres) approach to Reformed ethics and this despite the long-history and pedigree in Reformed theology of distinguishing between the kingdom of . . . Continue reading →
Not to Nag But…
If you’re thinking about attending the 2009 Westminster Seminary California faculty conference let me encourage you to act soon. Every conference but one has sold out and we’re expecting an early sell-out this year. Our speakers this year are W. Robert Godfrey, . . . Continue reading →