I'm away at the Ligonier National Conference in Orlando, FL, which runs Thursday - Saturday. The theme is Tough Questions Christians Face. Check out the Free Live Stream. Or check out the blog for updates from Tim Challies and yours truly. … [Read more...] about Ligonier National Conference in Orlando, FL
Interview with Andy Naselli (Part 2)
I previously introduced Dr. Andy Naselli's important new book, Let Go and Let God? A Survey and Analysis of Keswick Theology, which is now available for pre-order from Logos. And I previously posted part 1 of an interview with Dr. Naselli. Here's part 2: 5. In your handout, you say, "Since it is unlikely that all living believers will agree on their view of sanctification, believers should promote unity on this issue as much as possible." Can you unpack this a bit? Here's how I unpack that in my book: This does not involve overlooking important differences, but it does involve keeping … [Read more...] about Interview with Andy Naselli (Part 2)
The (Unnecessarily) Long Road to Adulthood
The NY Times weighs in on a massive sociological trend: the extending of adolescence. They seem to take the perspective that it is morally neutral. While some of the contributing factors are themselves amoral (a greater need for college, or even graduation, education) the overall trend, in my view, is driven by the tendency of young men refusing to grow up because they don't have to. And the results are awful: Today 40 percent of births are to unmarried mothers, an increase from 28 percent in 1990. About one-fourth of 25-year-old white men lived at home in 2007 — this was before the latest … [Read more...] about The (Unnecessarily) Long Road to Adulthood
Interview with Andy Naselli (Part 1)
I previously introduced Dr. Andy Naselli's important new book, Let Go and Let God? A Survey and Analysis of Keswick Theology, now available for pre-order from Logos. Dr. Naselli was kind enough to answer a few questions for us about his book, Keswick theology, and the believer's ongoing struggle with sin. I'll post part 1 of our interaction now, and a second and final installment sometime next week: Keswick theology teaches that, after salvation, one must pursue the second blessing. Having received it, can one lose this "second blessing"? If so, what would be the mark(s) of such a … [Read more...] about Interview with Andy Naselli (Part 1)
Should We Marry If We’re Theologically Divided?
That last post on Ed Stetzer's take on the missiological benefits of denominations reminded me of great advice from Russell Moore to a pair of doctrinally divided Christians who are contemplating marriage. Calvin, a Reformed dispensationalist fundamentalist, and Aimee, a Pentecostal, have fallen in love and want to get married. Dr. Moore weighs in. … [Read more...] about Should We Marry If We’re Theologically Divided?
Benefits of Denominations for Missions Work
Membership in 90% of Christian denominations is in decline. Meanwhile, nondenominational churches have steadily grown since 2001—and the number of self-identified evangelicals is also on the rise. What's going on here? In a lengthy article in Christianity Today, Ed Stetzer explains that:According to many church leaders, denominations are not fading away—they are actually inhibiting growth. I have heard many pastors denounce denominations as hindering more than helping their churches' mission. Others carp at wasteful spending, bureaucratic ineffectiveness, or structural redundancies; these … [Read more...] about Benefits of Denominations for Missions Work