Reformation21

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 at all.

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 about church...

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 50!). But you are the one who is legitimately 39 -- or have you finally entered adulthood? Thanks...

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 the gross abuses of Christians exposed by the secular media, it means that we have...

It looks like Tony "the Gent" is now cropping up in other places in the blogosphere, and people are asking questions.

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 the Imitation of Christ' was the great matter of...

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: 10. Do not teach that there is a universal biblical mandate for all churches to be...

I was struck by this description of social and intellectual attitudes in the ancient world in Ivor Davidson's Birth of the Church (Baker):

Phil, thanks for that helpful, clarifying distinction with regard to multiracial churches. Well said.

Just FYI. A new Understanding the Times has been posted in this issue, as well as a few book reviews. Carl, I have made some self-deprecating statements about the Welsh.