Ancient and (Post)Modern
I was struck by this description of social and intellectual attitudes in the ancient world in Ivor Davidson’s Birth of the Church (Baker):
Category Reformation21
How Long, O Lord?
The Welsh have not (generally) adopted that legacy of Platonism in post-Renaissance culture, commonly called “the stiff upper-lip.” The Welsh, you see, give voice to their complaints with reckless abandonment. Typical here is Wales’s most famous twentieth century poet and…
Race and Grace: A Clarifying Comment
Many thanks to Justin for giving us some principles to use in dealing with issues of race in the church. I want to go farther with one of his principles, pushing for the kind of clarifty Justin advocates.. He writes:…
Christ as Atonement and Example, Part I
In his sermon “Servus Servorum” (or “Servant of Servants”), Charles Spurgeon speaks in favor of following Christ as our example, provided we first trust him as our Savior: “Years ago, Christ was set forth almost exclusively as an example. ‘Concerning…
Tony “the Gent”
It looks like Tony “the Gent” is now cropping up in other places in the blogosphere, and people are asking questions.
Another Embarrassment
I just saw that this week’s TIME magazine cover story is on the Health and Wealth Gospel. Of course, it makes it look like this is what evangelicalism is all about. But we deserve it. In my view, whenever we see…
Nearer My God, to Thee
Thanks, Phil, for the happy birthday. Yes, you got the date right. Actually, it was my 46th birthday — the big five O is coming fast. (When I turned 40 it was a relief — but I’m not so sure about…
The Purpose-Driven Transition
Last week’s article (Suzanne Sataline, “Veneration Gap: A Popular Strategy for Church Growth Splits Congregants,” Wall Street Journal, front page, September 5) on the trouble some churches are facing as they transition to a purpose-driven format was illuminating for what it said…
What’s the difference between God and Google?
An interesting web phenomenon: Google. Godlike in its ability to see into the nooks and crannies of each webpersons virtual life. Omnipresent and omniscient. But there is a way in which Google, even its mighty knowledge of the web, is not like God…
Happy Birthday to Rick
posted by Philip Ryken I believe I am writing in saying that my good friend Rick Phillips is celebrating his birthday tomorrow, September 9. Let’s see, Rick, are you 39 again this year? In any case, may the Lord give…