John Piper responds to prominent atheist Christopher Hitchens and (retired) Bishop John Shelby Spong of the Episcopal Diocese of Newark. Upshot: You both seem to assume that the affection of gratitude is puerile and unsatisfying—something we need to grow out of if we would be deeply joyful and useful people. Presumably you feel that way because, in your experience, being self-sufficient and being thanked is more satisfying than feeling dependent and thankful. I have tasted this pleasure you seem to prefer. It is the pleasure of power—the pleasure of being above others so that they must give … [Read more...] about Importance of Gratitude – A Thanksgiving Meditation
Archives for 2007
Huckabee Commercial #2
This ad will air in Iowa starting tomorrow. Recent polls (immediately before Thanksgiving) showed Huckabee in a statistical dead heat with Gov. Romney for first place in Iowa, and tied for second place nationally among likely Republican primary voters. Also: Randy Alcorn on why he supports Huckabee and why he wrote a letter to the NRLC protesting their decision to endorse Senator Thompson. … [Read more...] about Huckabee Commercial #2
Vintage Francis Schaeffer
Francis Schaeffer argued that "at its core, the Reformation was the removing of the humanistic distortions which had entered the church." Schaeffer explains: ...The Christianity of the Reformation, therefore, stood in rich contrast to the basic weakness and final poverty of the humanism which existed in that day and the humanism which has existed since. It is important that the Bible sets forth true knowledge about mankind. The biblical teaching gives meaning to all particulars, but this is especially so in regard to that particular which is the most important to man, namely, the individual … [Read more...] about Vintage Francis Schaeffer
HuckChuckFacts
This video has almost 300,000 views in its first 24 hours of existence. … [Read more...] about HuckChuckFacts
The Importance of Church Planting – Piper / GCA
Evangelicals are increasingly interested in church planting, and with good reason. John Piper offers seven considerations: 1. There are 195 million non-churched people in America, making America one of the top four largest “unchurched” nations in the world. 2. In spite of the rise of mega-churches, no county in America has a greater church population than it did ten years ago. 3. During the last ten years, combined communicant membership of all Protestant denominations declined by 9.5 percent (4,498,242), while the national population increased by 11.4 percent (24,153,000). 4. Each year 3,500 … [Read more...] about The Importance of Church Planting – Piper / GCA
Investigating Prosperity Ministries
Republican Senator Chuck Grassley, ranking member of the Senate Committee on Finance, is investigating the ministries of Kenneth and Gloria Copeland, Creflo Dollar, Benny Hinn, Eddie Long, Joyce Meyer and Paula White. Grassley believes that he owes it to donors and taxpayers to determine whether the organizations have abused their tax-exempt status as churches to finance lavish personal lifestyles. Each of the ministries received formal letters from the Senator. Jamie Dean of World Magazine notes that "the letters asked organization leaders to provide detailed financial information, … [Read more...] about Investigating Prosperity Ministries