Sincerity and Profanity
Many pastors and Christian leaders believe they are purifying Christianity and worship when they remove any kind of formality from corporate worship. Formal dress, an… Read More »Sincerity and Profanity
Articles on Church
Authority and Authoritarianism
When authority is usually discussed, about three sentences later, the word authoritarian will make its entrance. In fact, for some, authority is authoritarian – there is… Read More »Authority and Authoritarianism
I’m Still Here, Too
The most recent issue of Frontline Magazine is apparently getting a bit of buzz. I don’t subscribe, but through friends I’m getting caught up. It… Read More »I’m Still Here, Too
Pastors – Become Literate in Christian Culture
When the topic of music and worship comes up, a favorite slap-down argument against thoughtful discrimination of music is that pastors need not study music… Read More »Pastors – Become Literate in Christian Culture
Judging Matters of Freedom
Modern Christians are in the habit of labelling all sorts of things as ‘matters of Christian liberty’ or ‘areas of preference’. We do not doubt… Read More »Judging Matters of Freedom
A good and bad way to use Lent
It’s that time of year again, a time when Evangelical Christians debate whether or not it is a good thing to observe Lent. My answer… Read More »A good and bad way to use Lent
Horatius Bonar on Trendiness in Religion
Every pastor and Christian leader feels a certain pressure to be relevant. We do not want Christianity to slip away into an oblivion. We do… Read More »Horatius Bonar on Trendiness in Religion
Differences over philosophy of culture must always affect cooperation
Up to this point in this series, I have described the essence of conservative Christianity, particularly its philosophy of beauty and culture, and described the… Read More »Differences over philosophy of culture must always affect cooperation
The “Two Hands” of Ministry
In 2006 an approach to church ministry began to gain popularity. It was called a “two-handed” approach to ministry. One closed hand represented the theology… Read More »The “Two Hands” of Ministry
Chestless Churches
What would ‘Churches Without Chests” look like? To use a strictly Lewisian definition, it would be groups of professing believers without ‘the spirited element’. In… Read More »Chestless Churches
Tozer’s Third Concern – Worship and Entertainment
Perhaps Tozer used more ink on the topic of worship than on any other. As Tozer watched the heritage of Christianity being exchanged for a… Read More »Tozer’s Third Concern – Worship and Entertainment
Tozer’s Second Concern – Pragmatism
A.W. Tozer had the uncommon ability to step aside from his own culture, and see as alien what had become natural. Tozer saw that the… Read More »Tozer’s Second Concern – Pragmatism
Tozer’s Three Concerns
Although A.W. Tozer’s writings ranged over all kinds of topics, three concerns dominated Tozer’s writings. You’ll find him returning to these often, and giving them… Read More »Tozer’s Three Concerns
What Churches Take For Granted (But No Longer Should)
A first-grade teacher does not require, but typically expects the five and six-year-olds that arrive in class to be able to: * understand enough language… Read More »What Churches Take For Granted (But No Longer Should)
Being a Disciple of Jesus
The final words of Jesus before his Ascension give the Christian church its marching orders: “Go therefore and make disciples of all nations, baptizing them… Read More »Being a Disciple of Jesus
The Green Book
Poor Alex and Martin. Misters King and Ketley had no idea that their forgettable English textbook would unleash one of the twentieth century’s most eloquent… Read More »The Green Book
Paul, Plato, and Calvin on Music
In 1 Corinthians 14:7-8, Paul says, ”If even lifeless instruments, such as the flute or the harp, do not give distinct notes, how will anyone know… Read More »Paul, Plato, and Calvin on Music
The Meaning of the Word Church and What It Means for Us Today
Our word church is comes from the older kirk (Scottish) or kirche (German), which in turn derives from the Greek adjective kuriakos, meaning “belonging to… Read More »The Meaning of the Word Church and What It Means for Us Today
Practice Makes Perfect: Culture and the Liturgies of Life
So here are the primary points of my argument: Culture is the behavior of a people. The formation of certain kinds of behaviors falls squarely… Read More »Practice Makes Perfect: Culture and the Liturgies of Life
A Modest Proposal: One Loaf in Communion
In 1 Cor 10:17 Paul says, Because there is one bread, we who are many are one body, for we all partake of the one… Read More »A Modest Proposal: One Loaf in Communion