Beware the Celebrity Syndrome
In October of 1845, after 33 years away from the United States, Adoniram Judson, the first American missionary to Burma, returned to his homeland in… Read More »Beware the Celebrity Syndrome
Articles
Browse articles on various topics below.
The Threat of Team and the Life Business: A Warning to Fellow-Shepherds
As a shepherd of the flock of God, one of my most important responsibilities is to be on the lookout for potential threats—those teachings or… Read More »The Threat of Team and the Life Business: A Warning to Fellow-Shepherds
The Early Church’s Prayer Meeting
“Where many were gathered together praying” (Acts 12:12) These words are part of the story wherein Peter is imprisoned and then miraculously delivered. It is… Read More »The Early Church’s Prayer Meeting
An Open Letter to Les Ollila
Dear Les, Somewhere C. S. Lewis notes that friends are people who look at the same things. I first noticed what you were looking at… Read More »An Open Letter to Les Ollila
The founders of the first church had a proper respect for Scripture
Last week we discovered that the founders of the first church were characterized by united, fervent prayer. But prayer is not the only thing with which… Read More »The founders of the first church had a proper respect for Scripture
“Dear Refuge of My Weary Soul” by Anne Steel
Dear refuge of my weary soul, On thee when sorrow rise; On thee, when waves of trouble roll, My fainting hope relies. While hope revives,… Read More »“Dear Refuge of My Weary Soul” by Anne Steel
The Practice of the Presence of God
Brother Lawrence, born Nicolas Herman in Hériménil, near Lunéville in the region of Lorraine, in 1611, was a former footsoldier and valet who entered the… Read More »The Practice of the Presence of God
A Sound Church: Submitted to Scripture
(The articles in this series were originally written for publication in the local newspaper of the town in which I pastor.) What do you look… Read More »A Sound Church: Submitted to Scripture
Do past music controversies prove that it’s just a matter of preference?
It is fairly common in music debates for progressives to cite examples of music controversies throughout church history as proof that since the conflicts have… Read More »Do past music controversies prove that it’s just a matter of preference?
Edwards on the proportion of reverence to boldness
For those who have not (yet) read it, Edwards’s Religious Affections argues what are the proper marks of a genuine work of the Holy Spirit in the life… Read More »Edwards on the proportion of reverence to boldness
Shall We Preach the Gospel or Morality? Part One: Laðra Spella
Morality cannot save. All true Christians understand this principle. Humans have already been constituted sinners by virtue of Adamic guilt (Rom. 5:12-19). Because of the… Read More »Shall We Preach the Gospel or Morality? Part One: Laðra Spella
The founders of the first church were united in fervent prayer
We have begun a series looking at characteristics of the founders of the first church that we should emulate in our churches today. The first… Read More »The founders of the first church were united in fervent prayer
Doing Our Own Thing
Winner of “Best Book Subtitle of the Last Decade” must surely go to John McWhorter’s Doing Our Own Thing: The Degradation of Music and Language… Read More »Doing Our Own Thing
Moore Myers: A Call for Clarity and Charity in Dialogue on Virtuous and Vicious Music
In a recent front-page article for Christianity Today, Russell Moore argues that Christian hip-hop could call the American church back to a powerful, even dangerous, gospel. Calling the… Read More »Moore Myers: A Call for Clarity and Charity in Dialogue on Virtuous and Vicious Music
Characteristics of the founders of the first church
After their Lord ascended into heaven, the disciples stared into the sky, having just have receiving instruction to remain in Jerusalem until they were immersed by… Read More »Characteristics of the founders of the first church
A call to pray before studying or hearing the Word (with a resource)
One of the best ways we can prepare to hear from God is through prayer. The Bible teaches that we need God’s grace for us… Read More »A call to pray before studying or hearing the Word (with a resource)
Discipline Offenses
In the New Testament, church discipline involves varying degrees of censure. In 2 Thessalonians 3:14-15, the congregation is told to avoid associating with certain members,… Read More »Discipline Offenses
Four Commitments of the Infant Church
Regular readers of this blog know that I am a fervent defender of the Regulative Principle of Worship. However, today I’d like to set that debate… Read More »Four Commitments of the Infant Church
Prayer in Gospel Ministry
Prayer is a necessary practice of a sound church. The role of secret and corporate prayer in the life of a Christian congregation is sometimes… Read More »Prayer in Gospel Ministry
On Fundamentalism Past: A Progress Report
In one of his books, Jack Hyles identified three varieties of fundamentalism. One was interdenominational fundamentalism, represented in his day by such institutions as the… Read More »On Fundamentalism Past: A Progress Report