Kevin T. Bauder There’s a lot of talk about gluttony out there. I mean a lot. Billy Graham wrote a Q&A about it. Joe McKeever rebukes it. John Piper tells people how to conquer it. Rachel Held Evans has compared it to homosexuality, and Kevin DeYoung has weighed in for the Gospel Coalition. Besides articles… Continue Reading
This weekend I am speaking the the National Center for Family Integrated Churches Conference in Asheville, NC. The theme of the conference is “Repentance: The Reformation Continues.” I have been asked to speak on the topic, “Repentance Through Singing in Corporate Worship.” I am going to preach from Psalm 130, one of the seven “Penitential… Continue Reading
In order to grasp the essence of Christian worship, we must start in the beginning. Creation provides the foundation for understanding not only the nature of God and mankind but also the substance of their relationship in worship. God, the sovereign Initiator, publicly revealed himself through what he made. The creation itself displays his nature… Continue Reading
Don Odens My father found it necessary to address end of life issues from time to time but could not bring himself to discuss his own death openly. Discussions always began with the phrase, “If something happens to me….” Dad’s difficulty was as much cultural as personal. Many Americans, including believers, go to extreme lengths… Continue Reading
Music through the Eyes of Faith by Harold M. Best (Harper Collins, 1993) is not a heavy read, but it’s not light either; the author is obviously well trained in both music and logical thinking. The book is a little dated (1993), but in terms of foundational philosophy, it is an excellent example of what a… Continue Reading
I’ve often said that from creation to consummation, people have had problems with proper worship. The first sins were ones of false worship, and so will the last be. The same is true for the first murder. Cain’s brutal slaying of his brother stemmed from his anger over his offering of worship not being acceptable… Continue Reading
I received this letter from Isaac Watts a couple years ago, and published it on my blog. Watts gave me permission to publish it so I have done so here at RA again, with an additional postscript at the end.* ___________ Abney Park in Stoke Newington, September 30, 2008 To Mr. Ryan Martin Dear Sir,… Continue Reading
I continue to receive e-mails concerning seemingly more and more common explanations of Sola Scriptura that in effect strip it down to nothing more than what Kevin Bauder calls Nuda Scriptura. You can read a good explanation of the doctrine by Jason Parker here, along with links to more pertinent articles. Along the same lines,… Continue Reading
The Bible encourages Christians to look for and respect godly examples. Hebrews 11 includes a list of faithful saints whom believers should imitate (Hebrews 6:12). Paul articulates the appropriateness of imitating godly people (1 Thessalonians 1:6, 2:14; 2 Thessalonians 3:6-7; ). He even commands believers to imitate him (1 Corinthians 4:16, 11:1). It is certainly… Continue Reading
In this series, we are establishing a theological foundation for conservatism, specifically the objective nature of aesthetic judgments. See part 1 here, part 2 here, and part 3 here. Sin is a rejection of the aseity of God. The theology of the aseity of God may well seem utterly abstract; to combat that misperception, I’d like… Continue Reading
Risen! Jesus Christ has risen! Shout the news with cheerful voice. Sin’s dominion now is broken; He has payed the ransom price. Alleluia! Alleluia! Jesus Christ has ris’n again! Risen! Jesus Christ has risen! He has conquered death and sin. Broke the chains of Hell’s strong power; He abolished Satan’s reign. Alleluia! Alleluia! Jesus Christ… Continue Reading
My song is love unknown, My Savior’s love to me; Love to the loveless shown, That they might lovely be. O who am I, that for my sake My Lord should take, frail flesh and die? Sometimes they strew His way, And His sweet praises sing; Resounding all the day Hosannas to their King: Then… Continue Reading
The following is taken from Sound Worship: a Guide to Making Musical Choices in a Noisy World. Part 1: Introduction Part 2: The Source of Beauty Part 3: The Marring of Beauty Part 4: The Redemption of Beauty Part 5: The Judgment of Beauty Change Your Taste During the years I was in college and… Continue Reading
The following is taken from Sound Worship: a Guide to Making Musical Choices in a Noisy World. Part 1: Introduction Part 2: The Source of Beauty Part 3: The Marring of Beauty Part 4: The Redemption of Beauty The Judgment of Beauty Once a person becomes a Christian — once his capacity to recognize beauty… Continue Reading
The following is take from Sound Worship: a Guide to Making Musical Choices in a Noisy World. Part 1: Introduction Part 2: The Source of Beauty Part 3: The Marring of Beauty The Redemption of Beauty Since sin marred beauty in creation, the atoning work of Christ on the cross and subsequent regeneration of individuals… Continue Reading
The following is taken from Sound Worship: a Guide to Making Musical Choices in a Noisy World. Part 1: Introduction Part 2: The Source of Beauty The Marring of Beauty If not for the presence of sin, all creation would still be beautiful, and by extension all creations of man would also be beautiful. Yet… Continue Reading