Transformed by the Renewing of Your Minds

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I am inserting a brief interlude in the discussion of the development of bad evangelicalism in America. This is not a complete departure from the theme which will be resumed in a subsequent post, but a reminder of the kind of self-critical, conscientious attention to biblical truth that framed the lives of Christians and churches…



Culture, Covenant, and Comfort

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This past week, a survey by the Pew Research Center prompted an article by the New York Times, which said that Christianity in America is dying. The number of Americans who call themselves Christians has been dropping dramatically all over the country, and the decline seems to have accelerated over recent years. As fewer and…



Book Mini-Reviews

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I have been plowing away through a stack of books lately, so I thought I would give you my two cents on a few of them. Hopefully these notes will steer you toward some helpful resources so that you can make the best use of your time.   Perspectives on Israel and the Church: 4…

 

Responding to Gathered Worship: With Joy and Praise

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When we gather as the church for worship, we come as sinners in need of forgiveness and grace. We respond with confession and repentance. We come in need of rescue and redemption. We respond with faith and hope in the promise of the gospel. But though we come as sinful and needy people, we always…



Confession – Good for the Soul of the Church

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In a previous pastorate, a lady expressed her concern after a Sunday morning service. It seemed that the exposition of Scripture and its application had gotten a little too close for comfort. She admitted that she no longer enjoyed coming to church. This lady was no occasional attender either, but the wife of one of…



Billy Sunday, Part 4: Spiraling Manward

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(See also Part 1, Part 2, and Part 3 of this series.) Sunday’s suspicion of theology led to a heightened emphasis on the effectuality of decision. He adopted Finney’s insistence on immediate conversion under the living voice of the preacher. While he was more theological than Sam Jones, he still focused on human gumption as the vital…



The Objectivity of Christ’s Atonement

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We live in an age that militates against the idea of God’s absolute holiness. Combined with a denial of the sinfulness of man, the rejection of God’s moral character results in a necessary de-valuing, or even denial, of the atonement. A crucial piece of a biblical understanding of Christ’s work is the objective nature of Christ’s…



Contentment in Christ, Part 3

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(See also Part 1 and Part 2 of this series.) As fallen men, even redeemed fallen men, we will never be entirely content in this life. Our hearts are too prone to wander, far too apt to flirt with idolatry, for us to be completely content in Christ. As Calvin famously put it, the human…



Founders Press and Logos Bible Software

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Founders Press is pleased to announce that we are now partnering with Faithlife, the maker of Logos Bible Software. Soon you will be able to read and study Founders Press titles and issues of the Founders Journal on one of the most versatile and powerful Bible software programs available. Four Founders collections are now available…