Francis Beckwith granted an interview with Christianity Today earlier this week in which he recounts his return to the Roman Catholic Church. Beckwith notes: "The issue of justification was key for me. The Catholic Church frames the Christian life as one in which you must exercise virtue—not because virtue saves you, but because that's the way God's grace gets manifested. As an evangelical, even when I talked about sanctification and wanted to practice it, it seemed as if I didn't have a good enough incentive to do so. Now there's a kind of theological framework, and it doesn't say my … [Read more...] about Francis Beckwith Interview with CT
The Pain of Infertility
What does Paul mean when he says, “I rejoice in my sufferings for your sake, and in my flesh I do my share on behalf of His body (which is the church) in filling up that which is lacking in Christ's afflictions?” Is your vision of God and your understanding of the biblical theology of suffering sufficient to sustain you if (when!) God calls you to suffer for the sake of His Name both here on the home front or perhaps on the mission field? This seminar is designed to prepare you for such suffering and to help you “count it all joy.” The above is the description of the 9th seminar of our … [Read more...] about The Pain of Infertility
The Fruit of Immaturity
Ted Slater and his team have now published my essay, The Fruit of Immaturity, which I previously mentioned. … [Read more...] about The Fruit of Immaturity
Called to the Ministry
Since I started blogging about a year ago, I've received numerous e-mails from young men contemplating leaving a technical career (or graduate school in engineering) and pursuing vocational ministry. Joe Thorn offers a pair of interesting posts on this topic, and there is also a helpful discussion in the comments section. The discussion includes the recommendation of many excellent books on two relevant topics: the calling to the ministry and the preaching ministry itself (Charles Bridges, Edmund Clowney, Lloyd-Jones, Spurgeon). … [Read more...] about Called to the Ministry
ETS Response To Beckwith Resignation
The Evangelical Theological Society (ETS) has now issued a statement, accepting the resignation of Dr. Frank Beckwith from membership in the Society, who also had been president of the Society in 2007 until that point. Here is the ETS statement: Statement of the ETS Executive Committee regarding Dr. Frank Beckwith’s Resignation as ETS President May 8, 2007 On May 5, 2007, Dr. Frank Beckwith resigned as President of the Evangelical Theological Society. This resignation has come as a result of his decision to be received into full communion in the Roman Catholic Church, which he did on April 29, … [Read more...] about ETS Response To Beckwith Resignation
Immaturity & Maturity in Young Men
I just finished an article for Boundless on the topic of immaturity and maturity in young men. It should appear this week, and I'll link to it when it does. Having attended the Children Desiring God conference, I have been re-reading portions of Addresses to Young Men: A Young Man’s Friend and Guide by Pastor John Angell James (1785-1859). I have been again impressed with this man's wisdom, and how much of what he said in his day is transferable to ours. Here's a pithy quote: "True piety [godliness] is the parent of every virtue which is either useful to man or pleasing to God; and when … [Read more...] about Immaturity & Maturity in Young Men