It is inevitable, and we can already see this in hundreds of social media debates, that followers of these men will reject any definition of empathy in a sloppy attempt to follow their thought-leaders. Empathy is not codependence and it is not enmeshment, but that is not and will not be clear to many.
Read MorePastor Doug Wilson and Christ Church elders played a central role in overturning justice and placing a young child within reach of a serial pedophile. The sexual predator then, tragically, acted on his perverse desires. In doing so, the elders who placed this child in harm’s way, and then in their denial of any wrongdoing, are unfit for public ministry. They are the shepherds who let wolves into the flock. They are the keepers of a goring ox let loose upon the people of God. There is forgiveness in Jesus Christ for this sin, but our leaders are to be above reproach. Let us fear God rather than men in this ordeal.
Read More“Churches and their services have travelled a long way from their beginnings in the Bible, and they have picked up major elements from pagan worship that have transformed the life and witness of the body of Christ on earth and indeed seriously compromised the calling of the body of Christ and compromised the way we are meant to go about fulfilling that calling.”
Read MoreThe pastorate/eldership is a non-legislative office. It cannot make laws; only declare Christ’s law which is revealed in his word. Elders do not possess decision-making authority over other people and how they are used by the Holy Spirit in their spiritual gifts they receive from Him. Because Elders have no decision-making authority, they must influence others by teaching the word and by being a godly example to them. The church today is in desperate need of this kind of leader. We need godly examples, not people who are good at barking orders. We need those who can influence and persuade with God’s word, not dictate into existence their own vision. Getting this right is crucial for the health and mission of every local church.
Read MoreThe reason I said that some loyalists would do the president’s dirty work is because they have said so. A recent article by U.S. News relates such stories. Take for example, one representative Trump supporter, a chiropractor from Texas, a professing Baptist, who recently joined a militia willing to fight for Trump. The dude told reporters, “If President Trump comes out and says: ‘Guys, I have irrefutable proof of fraud, the courts won’t listen, and I’m now calling on Americans to take up arms,’ we would go.”
Read MoreThere is an aphorism that says “Nature abhors a vacuum.” The unpalatable truth is that the vacuum left by the Christian Church’s abandonment of her calling to be salt and light to the nations is being filled increasingly by the values of a worldview that is in many respects similar to that of pagan Rome, and it is this worldview that is shaping our modern world.
Read MoreMisuse of words and terms can be a great snare. The Reformers did not reform any Church. If they had done so there would exist today a Reformed Roman Catholic Church. No such Church exists. Rather they left the Roman Church, or were thrown out of it, and they then started again.
Read MoreMorally, we should be aware of God's qualifications regarding civil leadership. Though Joe Biden does not meet these qualifications, this does not give believers moral license to lesson God's standards to accommodate another unqualified man. We must ask what our standard is and stand firm on that answer.
Read MoreThis is an excellent example of how ideological bias can severely twist data and abuse data. How Foster and IGTBAM attempted to use this data is both foolish and dishonest.
Read MoreAs we approach the 2020 election, many of us who have a strong desire to see Christ’s kingdom flourish and grow have become distraught and discouraged by the political hysteria that runs rampant in our country. So, I thought this would be a good opportunity to celebrate the basic but profound truth that King Jesus is still in charge. Last year I wrote an article entitled The Extent of Christ’s Mediatorial Dominion for troubling seasons such as the one we are in today. I pray this encourages you to keep up the good fight in the midst of increasing opposition to Christ’s Kingdom.
The Lamb will still reign in 2021!
Read MoreI just went back and read what I wrote four months ago concerning COVID-19. When I decided to go back and read my 53 thoughts, I expected to be proven wrong on a few points. After all, so much has changed. We have gone through various popular conspiracy theories, the official story has shifted more than once, and there seems to be a new COVID related controversy every week. Instead…
Read MoreChristians, indifference is cancer. Indifference never stays neutral because there is no such thing as ethical neutrality. Indifference against injustice is not neutrality, but just another form of injustice.
Read MoreJesus never told us to plant churches. He said he will build his church. He told us to seek the kingdom of God and his righteousness (i.e. justice, not piety) and the Great Commission he gave us is a command to disciple nations, not plant churches. Churches are a consequence of the Great Commission not its goal.
Read MoreYou really should listen to the Control Freak Christianity podcast.
Read MoreChristians should speak on this issue, but we should do so humbly. We could do without the Covid-19 prophets on either side trumpeting their version of certain revelation.
Read MoreIf biblical law in society and culture is going to be our claimed mission, then reimagining and reinventing a 1950s paradise is a hypocritical, ignorant, hurtful, and losing venture. But our movement’s history shows we are tangled up with the worst of that era while praising its facade.
Read MoreUntil you understand this fundamental principle, you will be easily beguiled by people who go around chanting a mantra: "Marxism, Marxism, Marxism." The mantra is nonsense if it is applied to modern Western society, the continent of Africa, India, and especially China.
Read MoreToo many theonomic models end up designing a backward-looking, tyrannical state. Trying to reinvent 1950, or 1850, or 1650, they create a broad civil power which would result in a fascistic tyranny. Such reconstructions are not biblical, but traditional. They should be abandoned for a fully biblical, forward-looking, biblically-progressive view of God’s law, as the New Testament would apply it, for today’s times.
Read MoreImagine a case with me in which police (all else being equal) do everything by the book, do it right, and are protected by the Courts for doing so. I want to start here so we can begin to understand what has become this big problem with police immunity.
Read MoreAmericans have recently been introduced to a new legal phrase “qualified immunity” in the wake of the string of police murders, abuses, and subsequent protests and riots. Many returned not only furrowed brows at the phrase, but some level of surprise that it means police are usually not held accountable for violating the law, including many clear abuses. For the first time in a long time, a phrase and troublesome policy generally only discussed in minority corners has been vaulted into mainstream discourse, with several people now calling to end it. The problem is, this demon is legion. It has many tentacles stretching into every sphere of government, the criminal justice system, and much of life. “Ending” it will require radical changes across the board or else we will see some kind of piecemeal, lip-service fix which does little to nothing.
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