A great interaction between PCA denomination leaders Ligon Duncan and Tim Keller on the last day of the 41st General Assembly. An excerpt: “We both believe that we are in a new cultural moment,” said Duncan. “We need to know where we are, how we’ve gotten here, and how we can forge a biblical, faithful consensus on how we’re going to address that together.” Keller picked up the conversation by painting a bleak picture of where America is as a culture: “This is an unprecedented time in human history. There have always been relativists. There have always been doubters of God. There have … [Read more...] about Ligon Duncan and Tim Keller: A More Relevant PCA?
Practical Ministry
Hero Worship and Holy Emulation
John Piper wrote a few years ago on the important distinction between hero worship and holy emulation. Here's an excerpt: What is the meaning of the attention given to well-known pastors? What does the desire for autographs and photographs mean? The negative meaning would be something akin to name-dropping. Our egos are massaged if we can say we know someone famous. You see this on blogs with words like “my friend Barack” and the like. And I presume that, for some, an autograph or a photo has the same ego-boost. However, I don’t assume the worst of people. There are other possible … [Read more...] about Hero Worship and Holy Emulation
Importance of Vocation for College Students
An exceptional speech entitled "Renewing the Wellsprings of Responsibility," was given in 2009 by Dr. Nathan O. Hatch, President of Wake Forest University. The immediate context was the collapse of the housing industry and associated sectors: The current economic turmoil is taking its toll on jobs and psyches on Wall Street and on Main Street. It will also slam shut the easy routes to fame and fortune that many students have enjoyed. But now we’re left with the question: what happens when the rewards aren’t there? When the applause stops and the checks shrivel? Students will be forced to … [Read more...] about Importance of Vocation for College Students
3 Common Traits of Youth Who Don’t Leave the Church
Excellent article by Jon Nielson, coming at the question of "Why do young adults leave the church?" from an another angle: Looking at the traits of those who stay. Here are the three he lists, with excerpt: 1. They are converted. "Youth pastors, we need to preach, teach, and talk—all the while praying fervently for the miraculous work of regeneration to occur in the hearts and souls of our students by the power of the Holy Spirit!" 2. They have been equipped, not entertained. "Put your youth ministry strategies aside as you look at that 16-year-old young man and ask: “How can I spend … [Read more...] about 3 Common Traits of Youth Who Don’t Leave the Church
Randy Alcorn’s new graphic novel Eternity
Randy Alcorn has just released a graphic novel called Eternity. It'd be a great giveaway for a teen or pre-teen boy who enjoys comic books (even if he's never read the Bible or heard about Jesus). I was invited to offer an endorsement, and here's what I wrote: "Randy Alcorn's Eternity is an engaging, biblically faithful, and beautifully illustrated retelling of Jesus' story of a rich man and Lazarus, a beggar, both of whom die and have their fortunes immediately reversed (Luke 16:19-31). But it's more than that. Alcorn used this story to unpack the weighty realities of heaven, hell, and the … [Read more...] about Randy Alcorn’s new graphic novel Eternity
A Letter From Dad
This man's son had a short life full of meaning: … [Read more...] about A Letter From Dad