18
Sep
2014
On Being a "Biblicist": Why You Can’t Choose "None of the Above" on the Calvinism/Arminianism Question
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For my whole life I’ve been broadly a part of an ecclesiastical culture/movement that has been disinclined to commit either to Calvinism or Arminianism. A steady stream of articles, essays, and blog posts have kept this delicate balancing act alive for decades (for a recent and more-than-usually scholarly example, see the ongoing series here—I was... Read More
16
Sep
2014
Gospel Issues and Weighing Doctrines
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One of the issues that still needs clarification in Christianity is how to weigh doctrines. Christians have historically recognized that certain truths are fundamental or essential to Christianity, while others have less importance. But how do we know which doctrines are which? In the last issue of Themelios, D. A. Carson writes an editorial offering... Read More
9
Sep
2014
Mid-America Conference on PreachingOctober 16-17, 2014“Striving Together for the Faith of the Gospel”
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Dear Fellow Servant of Jesus Christ: It seems like every day brings more bad news in this crazy, sin-cursed world. And it seems, at least sometimes, like God’s people are dropping into defense-mode as the world becomes increasingly hostile toward Christianity. While all of this may be new to us, it is not different from... Read More
8
Sep
2014
Reason #26 Why You Should Consider Visiting Detroit Baptist Theological Seminary
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Michigan Cherry Coffee Sure, you can order it online. But only Michigan coffeehouses serve freshly brewed coffee made from cherries grown just a few hours to our north. If you like coffee but haven’t tried Michigan Cherry coffee, you need to. And if you don’t like coffee, you should probably see a doctor.
4
Sep
2014
On Preaching Predictive Prophecy
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While visiting a church a few weeks back I heard something I’ve not heard in many years: a sermon on predictive prophecy. Not a general sermon on the Second Coming, the final judgment, or the joys of heaven, but a sermon on the grind-it-out details of eschatology from the book of Zechariah. I grew up... Read More
28
Aug
2014
Gareth Cockerill and the Point of Hebrews 11
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I’m working up a paper on ‘The Story of Israel in Hebrews 11’ and one of the preliminary matters I’m trying to get a handle on is the point of the chapter. That is, before I can say anything about how Hebrews tells Israel’s story, I need to figure out what the author’s trying to... Read More
25
Aug
2014
Writing Advice from a Well-Known Author
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During his lifetime, C. S. Lewis (1898–1963) received thousands of letters from young fans who had read the Chronicles of Narnia and wanted to connect with the author. One such fan was an American girl named Joan Lancaster, who wrote to Lewis in June of 1956. We don’t know exactly what Joan wrote in her... Read More
22
Aug
2014
Cultural Fundamentalism or Cultural Evangelicalism?
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Over the past decade it has been popular to distinguish between “cultural fundamentalism” and “historic fundamentalism.” Cultural fundamentalism is regarded by its critics as very, very bad. It consists of folksy/outdated traditionalism that has drifted from its quaint, innocuous origins and has entered a bitter, skeptical stage of life—complete with theological errors of a sort... Read More
19
Aug
2014
Can Christianity Be Good If It’s Not True?
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In 1768 the French Enlightenment philosopher Voltaire wrote: “If God did not exist, it would be necessary to invent him.” Voltaire was not trying to denigrate Christianity. Rather, he was arguing for the social benefit of belief in God. He thought that belief in God helped provide incentive to people to live morally and helped... Read More
15
Aug
2014
Book Giveaway Winner
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The winner of our recent book giveaway was Chris K. in Clarkston, MI. His copy of Four Views on the Apostle Paul is in the mail. Congratulations, Chris. And thanks to all who participated.