Conservative Change
Those two words don’t seem to fit together, do they? Doesn’t “conservative” imply a reluctance to change? While it is true that conservative people are… Read More »Conservative Change
Articles on Culture
Tolkien on the use of archaic language
Our family has begun using the New City Catechism as part of our family worship and Bible study time. The catechism is a combined adult/child… Read More »Tolkien on the use of archaic language
Corinth and Christmas: What ‘Food Offered to Idols’ Can Teach Us about Celebrating Christmas
What shall we do with Christmas? A quick glance at the store-fronts and an ear perked to the songs in the air would seem to… Read More »Corinth and Christmas: What ‘Food Offered to Idols’ Can Teach Us about Celebrating Christmas
Acts 17 and cultural contextualization
Acts 17 records Paul’s attempt to evangelize three cities, each of which had very different kinds of people. Paul’s audience in Thessalonica was predominantly Jewish.… Read More »Acts 17 and cultural contextualization
Does Revelation 5:9 prove that all kinds of cultural expressions will be in heaven?
A passage often cited by evangelicals to prove that every cultural expression is legitimate since people from every nation will be admitted into heaven is… Read More »Does Revelation 5:9 prove that all kinds of cultural expressions will be in heaven?
Discussion about Christian rap with Shai Linne: Example of Sinful Music (Rebuttal)
Shai Linne and I are having a conversation between Christian brothers about Christian rap. This post will not make sense unless you start at the beginning of this discussion and… Read More »Discussion about Christian rap with Shai Linne: Example of Sinful Music (Rebuttal)
Discussion about Christian rap with Shai Linne: Example of Sinful Music
Shai Linne and I are having a conversation between Christian brothers about Christian rap. This post will not make sense unless you start at the beginning of this discussion and… Read More »Discussion about Christian rap with Shai Linne: Example of Sinful Music
Discussion about Christian rap with Shai Linne: How does rap “flavor” its truth content? (Rebuttal)
Update (12/10 6:00am): Shai’s reply is posted below. Shai Linne and I are having a conversation between Christian brothers about Christian rap. This post will not make sense… Read More »Discussion about Christian rap with Shai Linne: How does rap “flavor” its truth content? (Rebuttal)
Discussion about Christian rap with Shai Linne: How does rap “flavor” its truth content?
Shai Linne and I are having a conversation between Christian brothers about Christian rap. This post will not make sense unless you start at the beginning of this discussion and… Read More »Discussion about Christian rap with Shai Linne: How does rap “flavor” its truth content?
Discussion about Christian rap with Shai Linne: Can Music Be Sinful?
The first question in our discussion goes to Shai Linne: Scott, in your recent post where you explained your comments on the NCFIC panel, you… Read More »Discussion about Christian rap with Shai Linne: Can Music Be Sinful?
Discussion about Christian rap with Shai Linne: Introduction
Over the next couple of weeks, Shai Linne (bio) and I will have a public discussion about Christian rap here on this site. I am… Read More »Discussion about Christian rap with Shai Linne: Introduction
Some answers to questions about my views on Reformed rap
Since Shai Linne is a busy church planter/assistant pastor, and I am a busy seminary professor in the last week of the semester, we’re finding… Read More »Some answers to questions about my views on Reformed rap
Explanation of my comments about Reformed rap on the NCFIC panel
A firestorm erupted online last week after video of a panel discussion in which I participated at the NCFIC “Worship of God” conference went viral,… Read More »Explanation of my comments about Reformed rap on the NCFIC panel
Panel discusses Reformed Rap
I had the opportunity to participate in a panel discussion at the Worship of God Conference sponsored by the National Center for Family Integrated Churches.… Read More »Panel discusses Reformed Rap
Stevens on Culture and Meaning
Wallace Stevens, one of the preeminent poetic voices of the modern period, was one of the greatest American poets, period. Among his chief concerns was… Read More »Stevens on Culture and Meaning
For the Sake of Argument…
Let’s imagine that culture does not refer to anything and everything that people say and do. Let’s imagine culture is that secondary environment that incarnates… Read More »For the Sake of Argument…
Two-Kingdom vs. Transformationalism: What’s all this fuss about?
There has been quite a surge on the blogsphere in recent days over debates between so-called “Two-Kingdom” advocates and “Transformationalists.” This post is an attempt… Read More »Two-Kingdom vs. Transformationalism: What’s all this fuss about?
Hebrew worship and the surrounding culture
One of the more important aspects of studying the worship of Israel is to wrestle through the relationship between Israel’s worship culture and that of… Read More »Hebrew worship and the surrounding culture
Is culture the same as race?
The issue of culture is always of interest to those involved with worship for one obvious reason–the “cultural” aspects of worship, primarily music, poetry, and… Read More »Is culture the same as race?
The Lord is my . . . cattle-driver?
There is a lot of talk about contextualizing biblical truth these days. Of course, there is always a need for translation from language to language… Read More »The Lord is my . . . cattle-driver?