Posts by Carl Trueman

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Postscript

Carl Trueman
Apr 1, 2010
Just as a postscript to Rick's post: Professor Enns must have changed his mind on the historical Adam since leaving WTS as I have in my possession as Dean a letter from him, dated early 2008, which unequivocally expresses his belief in the historical Adam and its importance for Reformed theology. I...

Calvinism in the CSM

Carl Trueman
Mar 31, 2010
The Christian Science Monitor has an interesting article on the revival of Calvinism here . It is worth reading to the end for the hilarious sociological/psychological analysis of the movement by Phyllis Tickle: the revival is all about reaction to the Emergent Church, a once-every-500-years...

Calvinism in the CSM

Carl Trueman
Mar 31, 2010
The Christian Science Monitor has an interesting article on the revival of Calvinism here . It is worth reading to the end for the hilarious sociological/psychological analysis of the movement by Phyllis Tickle: the revival is all about reaction to the Emergent Church, a once-every-500-years...

Vintage Kung

Carl Trueman
Mar 20, 2010
Hans Kung has fired a fine salvo in the discussion of the sex abuse scandal in the Catholic Church. As usual, his take on his own church is far more astute and perceptive than the many rose-tinted interpretations that are the stock-in-trade of prominent American evangelicals. You can read it here...

Vintage Kung

Carl Trueman
Mar 20, 2010
Hans Kung has fired a fine salvo in the discussion of the sex abuse scandal in the Catholic Church. As usual, his take on his own church is far more astute and perceptive than the many rose-tinted interpretations that are the stock-in-trade of prominent American evangelicals. You can read it here...

Is European Exceptionalism the Context for the New Atheism?

Carl Trueman
Mar 19, 2010
Johann Hari, a journalist for the British newspaper, The Independent , has written an article which lands quite a few good punches on the current religious scene, particularly with reference to the plots to murder the Mohammed cartoonist and the Pope's involvement in covering up the rape of...

Is European Exceptionalism the Context for the New Atheism?

Carl Trueman
Mar 19, 2010
Johann Hari, a journalist for the British newspaper, The Independent , has written an article which lands quite a few good punches on the current religious scene, particularly with reference to the plots to murder the Mohammed cartoonist and the Pope's involvement in covering up the rape of...

Facing Off on Facebook

Carl Trueman
Mar 18, 2010
Mrs. Peel has brought this article to my attention. Once again, it highlights the problematic nature of the exhibitionism inherent in Facebook-type media.

Facing Off on Facebook

Carl Trueman
Mar 18, 2010
Mrs. Peel has brought this article to my attention. Once again, it highlights the problematic nature of the exhibitionism inherent in Facebook-type media.

The Stain that Stays

Carl Trueman
Mar 17, 2010
All the fuss surrounding Tiger Woods' potential return to golf has left me wondering about how times have changed. There was a time when it was key for public figures to keep private sleaze private; if it slipped into the public realm, they were finished. That was perhaps overkill: as many have...

The Stain that Stays

Carl Trueman
Mar 17, 2010
All the fuss surrounding Tiger Woods' potential return to golf has left me wondering about how times have changed. There was a time when it was key for public figures to keep private sleaze private; if it slipped into the public realm, they were finished. That was perhaps overkill: as many have...

Don't Disagree but....

Carl Trueman
Mar 13, 2010
I don't disagree with what Sean says; but I repeat: the `aha' moment is not application; it is not the end point of the sermon; it is not sufficient in itself to communicate the imperative; it certainly is not where Paul ends his letters; and it isn't where Sean ends his sermons, some of which I...

Don't Disagree but....

Carl Trueman
Mar 13, 2010
I don't disagree with what Sean says; but I repeat: the `aha' moment is not application; it is not the end point of the sermon; it is not sufficient in itself to communicate the imperative; it certainly is not where Paul ends his letters; and it isn't where Sean ends his sermons, some of which I...

Slouching to Bethlehem

Carl Trueman
Mar 12, 2010
Derek's comments on a certain kind of Reformed preaching are spot on. If the game is simply to get from Text A to Bethlehem, what do you do with a book like Judges? Preach 200 sermons which essentially say `This judge failed; but, surprise surprise, there is a judge who didn't fail; let's talk...

Slouching to Bethlehem

Carl Trueman
Mar 12, 2010
Derek's comments on a certain kind of Reformed preaching are spot on. If the game is simply to get from Text A to Bethlehem, what do you do with a book like Judges? Preach 200 sermons which essentially say `This judge failed; but, surprise surprise, there is a judge who didn't fail; let's talk...

The Mystery Source Is....

Carl Trueman
Mar 12, 2010
Karl Barth, as correctly identified by James from Edinburgh, who also raises the question as to why Barthian preaching is, by contrast with the quotation, often deathly dull. My theory is that neo-orthodox writing on preaching is often brilliant because it can never confuse preaching with...

The Mystery Source Is....

Carl Trueman
Mar 12, 2010
Karl Barth, as correctly identified by James from Edinburgh, who also raises the question as to why Barthian preaching is, by contrast with the quotation, often deathly dull. My theory is that neo-orthodox writing on preaching is often brilliant because it can never confuse preaching with...

A Teaser on Preaching

Carl Trueman
Mar 12, 2010
Here's an interesting quotation: "Preachers must not be boring. To a large extent the pastor and boredom are synonymous concepts. Listeners often think that they have heard already what is being said in the pulpit. They have long since known it themselves. The fault certainly does not lie with them...

A Teaser on Preaching

Carl Trueman
Mar 12, 2010
Here's an interesting quotation: "Preachers must not be boring. To a large extent the pastor and boredom are synonymous concepts. Listeners often think that they have heard already what is being said in the pulpit. They have long since known it themselves. The fault certainly does not lie with them...

The Exorcist

Carl Trueman
Mar 11, 2010
The Vatican's chief exorcist has written his memoirs. You can read the story here . He claims ca. 70 000 exorcisms which is, I suspect, a workload which might even make Benny Hinn stop and take notice.

The Exorcist

Carl Trueman
Mar 11, 2010
The Vatican's chief exorcist has written his memoirs. You can read the story here . He claims ca. 70 000 exorcisms which is, I suspect, a workload which might even make Benny Hinn stop and take notice.

Laugh out loud

Carl Trueman
Mar 6, 2010
Laughter is generally a social phenomenon; usually, it is very difficult to laugh at, say, a comedy program if nobody else in the room is so doing. It is also even more difficult to do, for some reason, when reading -- a naturally isolated activity --, and, up until recently, only one book ever...

Laugh out loud

Carl Trueman
Mar 6, 2010
Laughter is generally a social phenomenon; usually, it is very difficult to laugh at, say, a comedy program if nobody else in the room is so doing. It is also even more difficult to do, for some reason, when reading -- a naturally isolated activity --, and, up until recently, only one book ever...

Watch out, watch out, there's a Calvinist about!

Carl Trueman
Mar 5, 2010
Todd Pruitt just brought this to my attention. The list fails to mention two other tell tale signs -- suspects will also cast no reflection in the mirror, and exhibit a strange preference for the earlier, Shatner-dominated series of Star Trek.

Watch out, watch out, there's a Calvinist about!

Carl Trueman
Mar 5, 2010
Todd Pruitt just brought this to my attention. The list fails to mention two other tell tale signs -- suspects will also cast no reflection in the mirror, and exhibit a strange preference for the earlier, Shatner-dominated series of Star Trek.

Pastors, ever wondered why you are lazy?

Carl Trueman
Mar 2, 2010
As William Willimon puts it in his superb book, Proclamation and Theology , page 72: `I believe the roots of clerical sloth are theological rather than primarily psychological. We become lazy and slovenly in our work because we have lost the theological rationale for the work.'

Pastors, ever wondered why you are lazy?

Carl Trueman
Mar 2, 2010
As William Willimon puts it in his superb book, Proclamation and Theology , page 72: `I believe the roots of clerical sloth are theological rather than primarily psychological. We become lazy and slovenly in our work because we have lost the theological rationale for the work.'

Back to School

Carl Trueman
Mar 2, 2010
I have always been a huge fan of Luther and especially of his pastoral advice, especially the comment he made to the effect that no Christian should ever think they have so mastered the ABCs of the faith that they have no need of reading simple things like catechisms. And it is remarkable that, as...

Back to School

Carl Trueman
Mar 2, 2010
I have always been a huge fan of Luther and especially of his pastoral advice, especially the comment he made to the effect that no Christian should ever think they have so mastered the ABCs of the faith that they have no need of reading simple things like catechisms. And it is remarkable that, as...

The most broken vow of all

Carl Trueman
Mar 1, 2010
What is the most broken vow in the church? The wedding vow? Divorce rates among Christians are high, but rates of breach of this vow are probably higher still. Ministerial vows to preach the gospel? Conservatives in mainline denominations might point to those who are ministers and who deny key...

The most broken vow of all

Carl Trueman
Mar 1, 2010
What is the most broken vow in the church? The wedding vow? Divorce rates among Christians are high, but rates of breach of this vow are probably higher still. Ministerial vows to preach the gospel? Conservatives in mainline denominations might point to those who are ministers and who deny key...

Dawkins is right etc

Carl Trueman
Feb 28, 2010
A friend has drawn my attention to two articles in the Daily Telegraph (my, you know you are getting old when you start to say `Amen' at the end of articles in the DT). The first concerns Richard Dawkins, who has caused a storm by stopping any foul-mouthed whacko who wants from posting on his...

Dawkins is right etc

Carl Trueman
Feb 28, 2010
A friend has drawn my attention to two articles in the Daily Telegraph (my, you know you are getting old when you start to say `Amen' at the end of articles in the DT). The first concerns Richard Dawkins, who has caused a storm by stopping any foul-mouthed whacko who wants from posting on his...

Sein ohne Leben

Carl Trueman
Feb 25, 2010
The UK has altered its guidelines regarding the matter of assisted suicide, and this in a way which places more emphasis upon the motivation of the agent. It does not legalise mercy killing and, as the Director of Public Prosecutions says, does not on paper make prosecution more or less likely; but...

Sein ohne Leben

Carl Trueman
Feb 25, 2010
The UK has altered its guidelines regarding the matter of assisted suicide, and this in a way which places more emphasis upon the motivation of the agent. It does not legalise mercy killing and, as the Director of Public Prosecutions says, does not on paper make prosecution more or less likely; but...

Indecent Exposure

Carl Trueman
Feb 25, 2010
I wish I could claim to have written the article to which Justin links. The point is so obvious -- that Mr Woods owes us (i.e., everybody but his wife and kids) nothing -- it is sad sign of the times that it needs to be made. It speaks of an age of voyeurs and massive sense of entitlement. Yet...

Indecent Exposure

Carl Trueman
Feb 25, 2010
I wish I could claim to have written the article to which Justin links. The point is so obvious -- that Mr Woods owes us (i.e., everybody but his wife and kids) nothing -- it is sad sign of the times that it needs to be made. It speaks of an age of voyeurs and massive sense of entitlement. Yet...

MDB 35: I Cor 6

Carl Trueman
Feb 21, 2010
In this chapter, Paul addresses issues of lawsuits among believers and (again) sexual immorality. At the heart of both lies the notion that Christians are meant to walk to the beat of a different drum. As they are to reject worldly criteria for judging their leaders, so they are also to reject...

MDB 34: I Cor 5

Carl Trueman
Feb 21, 2010
Now Paul introduces the second problem: not only is the church torn by cults of personality, but it also tolerates serious sexual immorality. It would appear that a blind eye was being turned to the particular instance to which Paul refers, apparently on the grounds that everything else - the signs...

Phil Ryken is Guilty

Carl Trueman
Feb 21, 2010
To any who have missed it, Wheaton College has just appointed Dr Phil Ryken as its new President. The story was/was not leaked (depending on your perspective) by Christianity Today yesterday. You can read the blog and comments thread here . As interesting as the news itself is the thread of blog...

Phil Ryken is Guilty

Carl Trueman
Feb 21, 2010
To any who have missed it, Wheaton College has just appointed Dr Phil Ryken as its new President. The story was/was not leaked (depending on your perspective) by Christianity Today yesterday. You can read the blog and comments thread here . As interesting as the news itself is the thread of blog...

Sorry for what?

Carl Trueman
Feb 19, 2010
So the Tiger finally breaks his silence, and it's a truly great shame. Out of control he may have been, but that he has now publicly apologised "to each and every one" of us "simply and directly" for his "selfish and irresponsible behaviour" is rather sad. He betrayed his wife and children; but...

Sorry for what?

Carl Trueman
Feb 19, 2010
So the Tiger finally breaks his silence, and it's a truly great shame. Out of control he may have been, but that he has now publicly apologised "to each and every one" of us "simply and directly" for his "selfish and irresponsible behaviour" is rather sad. He betrayed his wife and children; but...

MDB 33: I Cor 4

Carl Trueman
Feb 17, 2010
In this chapter Paul addresses the arrogance of the Corinthians and what should be the priorities of the church. The Corinthians are apparently incredibly smug. We learn later of the spectacular phenomena which characterize their church life; and we have already noted their focus on outward...

MDB 32: I Cor 3

Carl Trueman
Feb 16, 2010
Building on the first two chapters, in chapter 3 Paul addresses the issue of church division. Corinth was the host city of the so-called Isthmian Games, where rhetoric, the art of public speaking, was one of the most highly respected competitive events. It would seem that the Christians in Corinth...

MDB 31: I Cor 1-2

Carl Trueman
Feb 15, 2010
At the start of this letter to a church torn apart by divisions and sexual immorality, it is striking that Paul begins by giving thanks for the grace of God shown in the salvation of those in the congregation at Corinth. This is hardly surprising: Corinth, as a port city, was, to use the old...

Another tough day in the valleys

Carl Trueman
Feb 6, 2010
Who would have thought that the greatest living Englishman would turn out to be Welsh? Wyn Jones is my hero.

Another tough day in the valleys

Carl Trueman
Feb 6, 2010
Who would have thought that the greatest living Englishman would turn out to be Welsh? Wyn Jones is my hero.

It's just a camera.....

Carl Trueman
Aug 14, 2009
A couple of years ago, I wrote a short piece arguing that not all wives and mothers were cut out to homeschool. As a result, I received a note threatening terminal physical violence against me if ever I showed up in a certain part of the country. Of course, I could not resist spoofing such a nasty...

It's just a camera.....

Carl Trueman
Aug 14, 2009
A couple of years ago, I wrote a short piece arguing that not all wives and mothers were cut out to homeschool. As a result, I received a note threatening terminal physical violence against me if ever I showed up in a certain part of the country. Of course, I could not resist spoofing such a nasty...