Lex Orandi, Lex Credendi
Over the past several weeks I have been making the argument that in order to shape the behavior–the culture–of a people, we must give attention… Read More »Lex Orandi, Lex Credendi
Articles on Church
Reenactment
We saw last week that in order to counteract the negative effects of worldly liturgies, the liturgies of our churches must be shaped by Scripture.… Read More »Reenactment
Corporate Worship is Formative
Last week I mentioned that we are inevitably shaped by worldly liturgies, and so we need something to counteract this. This is where it will… Read More »Corporate Worship is Formative
Worldly Liturgies
Our aim over the past several weeks has been to discover how Christians can cultivate higher inclinations toward what is true and good, but we must… Read More »Worldly Liturgies
The Form of the Liturgy
Behavior is shaped by liturgies because, as Lewis stated, our inclinations are organized through trained habits, and habits are formed through rituals. And it is… Read More »The Form of the Liturgy
The People’s Work
Perhaps one of the best ways to help us contemplate how behavior is shaped in the way that I have been explaining over the past several… Read More »The People’s Work
Habits
Last week I suggested that data transmission alone does not create disciples. Rather, we must focus upon the heart’s inclinations in order to shape one’s… Read More »Habits
There are no conservative hermits
The following is excerpted and adapted from an address that I had the privilege of offering at a recent gathering of conservative friends, on the… Read More »There are no conservative hermits
Make Disciples
Last week I argued that culture is essentially the behavior of a people. Here is the second peg to the argument I am developing over these… Read More »Make Disciples
Worship Implies a Theology
We spend a lot of time thinking about how our culture has affected Christian worship, and we often reflect on what sorts of things we… Read More »Worship Implies a Theology
All Things to All Men | Part 3: What the Passage Means (vv19-20)
In 1 Cor 9:22, Paul writes, “I have become all things to all people, that by all means I might save some.” This is series… Read More »All Things to All Men | Part 3: What the Passage Means (vv19-20)
All Things to All Men | Part 2: Interpretative Principles
Before us are Paul’s words to the Corinthians in 1 Corinthians 9:19-23: For though I am free from all, I have made myself a servant to… Read More »All Things to All Men | Part 2: Interpretative Principles
All Things to All Men | Part 1: The Context
“I have become all things to all people, that by all means I might save some.” 1 Cor 9:22. This verse, and the verses surrounding it (1… Read More »All Things to All Men | Part 1: The Context
Knowledge Puffs Up
Love edifies. It builds up others. When Christians love other believers, they take concrete steps to help them spiritually. When God loves his people, he… Read More »Knowledge Puffs Up
Article 15: On Local Churches and the Sovereignty of God
This is a series to further explain the articles of “A Conservative Christian Declaration.” . We affirm the primacy of the local church in the conservation… Read More »Article 15: On Local Churches and the Sovereignty of God
The good and bad of Christendom
Hindsight is always 20/20, but when thinking about a past period in history, it is always important to be careful not to generalize or paint… Read More »The good and bad of Christendom
Article 5: On the Appetites
This is a series to further explain the articles of “A Conservative Christian Declaration.” . We affirm that manipulation of the visceral appetites is dangerous to… Read More »Article 5: On the Appetites
What 2 Peter taught me about Christian ministry
Any time we closely study Scripture, we come away learning God’s will, valuable lessons about Christian living, and new emphases we had not previously took… Read More »What 2 Peter taught me about Christian ministry
Philosophy vs. Application
I have strong convictions about church ministry and worship philosophy. I also have strong opinions about certain applications of that philosophy. But these are not… Read More »Philosophy vs. Application
Luther on the centrality of the Word in worship
Martin Luther did not want to revolutionize completely the traditional worship of the Western church. He did, however, believe that preaching of the Word had… Read More »Luther on the centrality of the Word in worship