As I’ve transitioned from teaching back to congregational ministry, I find myself reading widely in the “practical theology” field–whether pastoral theology, preaching, worship, or counseling. One of the better books that I’ve read recently is Elyse Fitzpatrick and Dennis Johnson’s…
‘What makes a preacher choose any book or passage of the Bible to preach on?’ That’s the sixty-four thousand dollar question I tend to ask myself on not a few occasions and feel I have to answer to my congregation…
Theology and literary flair. These days it seems never the twain shall meet. The former often suffers from clunky constructions and idiosyncratic pedantry; but when mixed with the latter, however, it turns sweetly succinct and yet able to ply the…
Theology and literary flair. These days it seems never the twain shall meet. The former often suffers from clunky constructions and idiosyncratic pedantry; but when mixed with the latter, however, it turns sweetly succinct and yet able to ply the…
Martin Downes draws my attention to a lecture on hell and annhilation given by J. I. Packer in Cardiff in 1991. You can find an audio file here.
As I’ve grown in my knowledge of the Reformed faith, I’ve come increasingly to appreciate the Heidelberg Catechism. In its exposition of the Ten Commandments, the Catechism wisely notes that the first commandment requires shunning “all idolatry” (Q94). When it…
Is Idolatry the New Sin?“Just talk about idolatry and you’ll be fine.” A mentor recently offered these words in my presence to a seminary student who was facing an assignment to preach on the topic of sin. The student’s sermon…
Is Idolatry the New Sin?“Just talk about idolatry and you’ll be fine.” A mentor recently offered these words in my presence to a seminary student who was facing an assignment to preach on the topic of sin. The student’s sermon…
Anyone who has ever emigrated as an adult to a foreign country will tell you that, while the physical process of moving can be dispatched in a relatively short period of time, the emotional and cultural transition takes much longer…
This is an amazing interview with Steven Curtis Chapman about his new album, Beauty Will Rise. Written as “personal psalms” in the aftermath of the tragic death of his five-year old daughter, Maria Sue, this album (to which I’m listening…
