Reformation21

The great Danish theologian and philosopher, Sǿren Kierkegaard, is probably best known in Christian circles for his haunting reflections upon God's command to Abraham to sacrifice his son, Isaac. While I am guessing many of us would question the theology that underlies some of Kierkegaard's...

Some months ago, a Presbyterian magazine criticized a response I had made to comments about me by a certain well-known writer in a popular Christian publication. My response, the writer declared in good, contemporary fashion, was unfortunate because it contained `jesting, which is inconvenient' and...

In days gone by when the smoke of countless coal fires curled into the winter air, Edinburgh had the nick-name "Auld Reekie," which being translated is 'Old Smokie' - not to be mistaken for some eponymous but indeterminate Appalachian mountain famed in song. But, thanks to clean air acts, there is...

A Call to Add Church History to a Healthy Spiritual Diet Many of us may struggle with the feeling that the church is already too old-fashioned. If so, why should we study church history? Shouldn't we stop looking backward to the 16th century and start living in the 21st century? Contrary to our...

I felt like a kid in a candy store at this year's Evangelical Theological Society (ETS) annual meeting held in Atlanta, GA. Deeply discounted commentaries, well-known biblical scholars, bible college friends, and discussion about justification--what more could a bible nerd ask for? Although I could...

Ouch! The things Christians once got up to! Think, for instance, of old Simeon, the once-ballyhooed guru of the sixth-century Holy Fool movement. Not content with rubbing mustard into the eyes of the partially blind in mock 'healing' ceremonies, he dedicated himself to a ministry of streaking in...

[Editor's note] T his is the third in a series of Christmas-related postings by Carl Trueman. Several will come in this series during the month of December. The second can be read here . One of the most beautiful vignettes in the gospel accounts of the Christmas story comes in Luke 1, where Mary...

his year's Christmas season was a mixture of highs and lows. The highs: England cricketers retaining the Ashes in Australia (if you are American, you probably will not understand the remarkable nature of that statement - indeed, to offer a dynamically equivalent translation of such an incredible...

Basic Advice on How to Interpret Luther Before addressing a particular element of Rob Bell's new book, I want to make sure that anyone reading this understands exactly what I am and am not doing. First, to avoid the usual indignant reactions from the guardians of conscience in the evangelical world...

The Future Roman Catholic Church. Global Tales from the 21st Centur y [Editor's Note:] This is the second of a seven-part series on Roman Catholicism in the 21st century. A new entry in the series should follow every three weeks]. What will the Roman Catholic (RC) Church be like at the end of the...