Strange Lyre: Conclusion
A good theologian once drew me a diagram of the progress of Christian doctrine and Christian history from the apostles to our day. He drew… Read More »Strange Lyre: Conclusion
Articles
Browse articles on various topics below.
Cessmaticism: The Strange Hybrid of Contemporary Christian Worship
We began this series by making the claim that Pentecostalism has quietly (or not so quietly) colonised Protestant worship, even in those churches and groups… Read More »Cessmaticism: The Strange Hybrid of Contemporary Christian Worship
Strange Lyre: Nothing But Feelings
Pentecostal worship places great emphasis on intensity. By intensity, they mean a strongly felt experience of emotion, intimacy, joy, wonder, or happiness. Indeed, this is… Read More »Strange Lyre: Nothing But Feelings
The Idols of Intensity and Extemporaneity
A polarized debate goes on between different stripes of Christians over the place of experience in Christianity. One side asserts that experiential faith (what the… Read More »The Idols of Intensity and Extemporaneity
Pentecostal “Praise and Worship”: A Radical Departure from Historic Worship
Christian worship has often had a remarkably similar shape across traditions. Bryan Chapell showed in his work Christ-Centered Worship that corporate worship (sans communion) in… Read More »Pentecostal “Praise and Worship”: A Radical Departure from Historic Worship
Survivor Bias
Kevin T. Bauder During a recent conversation, a friend and I were reminiscing about some of the hazards we had faced as children. I’ve heard… Read More »Survivor Bias
God’s Universal Natural Revelation
Last week I started a short series looking at God’s two-fold revelation as expressed in Psalm 19. This week we focus on the first form… Read More »God’s Universal Natural Revelation
Early Beginnings of Pentecostal Worship
An easy error for a historian to commit is to equate or link events or movements in history that are similar, while ignoring or underplaying… Read More »Early Beginnings of Pentecostal Worship
The ABC’s of Confrontation
Forgiveness has been the theme of my posts these past few weeks. Last week we explored when Scripture compels confrontation, repentance, and forgiveness. This week… Read More »The ABC’s of Confrontation
Was It Worth It?
Kevin T. Bauder The world watches in fascinated horror as the United States abandons its ally of nearly two decades. Enemy fighters are sweeping in,… Read More »Was It Worth It?
God has revealed himself
A central doctrine of biblical Christianity is that God has revealed himself, and he has done so in two ways, both of which we can… Read More »God has revealed himself
Strange Lyre: The Pentecostalization of Christian Worship
It’s hardly disputable that global Christianity has been overwhelmed and colonized by the Pentecostal and charismatic movements. After Roman Catholicism, the Christianity identified variously as… Read More »Strange Lyre: The Pentecostalization of Christian Worship
When Sin Compels a Confrontation and Forgiveness Must Be Formal
Last week, we saw that even when one is wronged and seriously so, he can choose to overlook the sin. But there are times when… Read More »When Sin Compels a Confrontation and Forgiveness Must Be Formal
I was wronged. Should I expect my offender to say, “I’m sorry”?
Sometimes we fret over whether or not a confrontation will shatter a relationship that seems cracked and falling apart. How do we discern whether or… Read More »I was wronged. Should I expect my offender to say, “I’m sorry”?
Philemon: An Example of Forgiveness
During Paul’s imprisonment in Rome (Philemon 1; cf. Acts 28:30–31), a household slave named Onesimus stole from his master Philemon and ran away (cf. Philemon… Read More »Philemon: An Example of Forgiveness
The First Step to Forgiving Others: Be Forgiven Yourself
“We aren’t speaking anymore.” “My sin is too big for God to forgive.” Have you ever heard statements like these? One pastor observes, “Early in… Read More »The First Step to Forgiving Others: Be Forgiven Yourself
Honor to Whom Honor Is Due
Kevin T. Bauder As you receive In the Nick of Time this week, I will be traveling in Colorado, but I won’t be on vacation.… Read More »Honor to Whom Honor Is Due
The End of Cain
Man’s first son, he tilled the ground, but God had no regard. A fallen face, he killed his brother. He wandered from the Lord. Then… Read More »The End of Cain
A Response to Criticisms: Another Spirit
Kevin T. Bauder As we have seen, 2 Corinthians 11:4 refers to “another Jesus, whom we have not preached” and “another gospel, which ye have… Read More »A Response to Criticisms: Another Spirit
Interpretive Options Galore: A Quick Look at James 4:5
James 4:5 is one of the most difficult texts in the NT to translate and interpret. Considering the verse as a whole, James appears to… Read More »Interpretive Options Galore: A Quick Look at James 4:5