Dr. Peter Enns and Westminster Theological Seminary have released a joint statement announcing Dr. Enns’ departure from WTS. Here it is.

“The administration and Prof. Peter Enns wish to announce that they have arrived at mutually agreeable terms, and that, as of 31 July, 2008, Prof. Enns will discontinue his service to Westminster Theological Seminary after fourteen years.

“The administration wishes to acknowledge the valued role Prof. Enns has played in the life of the institution, and that his teaching and writings fall within the purview of Evangelical thought. The Seminary wishes Prof. Enns well in his future endeavors to serve the Lord.

“Prof. Enns wishes to acknowledge that the leaders of the Seminary (administration and board) are charged with the responsibility of leading the seminary in ways that are deemed most faithful to the institution’s mission as a confessional Reformed Seminary.

“Prof. Enns expresses his deep and sincere gratitude to the Lord for his education and years of service at Westminster Theological Seminary.”

For those who are interested, here is my review of Enns’ book:

Peter Enns and Evangelical Debates over Genesis

The program for the annual meeting of the Evangelical Theological Society is now available for download from the ETS Website. Page 28 says that “Dennis Burk” will be doing a presentation on Paul’s righteousness language. I guess that means that my dad will be presenting a paper. I’m just kidding, of course. Even though I have gone by “Denny” my whole life, every now and again “Dennis” still pops up, and that’s okay. I am grateful that the program has updated my institutional affiliation (Thanks, Dr. Ware!).

Seriously though, if you are interested in seeing the tentative program, click below.

Program for the 60th Annual Meeting of the Evangelical Theological Society

I wrote yesterday about Dr. Dobson’s announcement on his radio program that he may in fact support Senator John McCain’s candidacy after all. Dr. Albert Mohler appears on the program with Dr. Dobson, and both men vociferously oppose the candidacy of Senator Barack Obama. They agree that Obama is one of the most liberal candidates ever to run. The broadcast is now available online, and you should listen to it.

“Dr. Dobson Says He ‘Might’ Endorse Sen. McCain” – CitizenLink.com

(HT: albertmohler.com)

Dr. James Dobson made news in early 2007 saying that he would not support Senator John McCain for President of the United States. Dr. Dobson didn’t mince words in his opinion of McCain:

“I would not vote for John McCain under any circumstances. . . He’s not in favor of traditional marriage, and I pray that we won’t get stuck with him” (see here). (more…)

The openly gay U.S. Episcopal Bishop Gene Robinson recently had this to say about his fellow Anglicans who think homosexuality to be a sin.

“Why is the Anglican Communion tearing itself apart over two men wanting to make a Christian family together? . . . We have raised this one issue of sexuality over and above all the essentials. This is at best unhelpful — and at worst idolatry.”

Talk about chutzpa! The Bishop calls opposition to homosexuality “idolatry.” Yet the apostle Paul says exactly the opposite in Romans 1 where he says that homosexuality is idolatry (Romans 1:25-27).

This is what happens when biblical authority is abandoned. Anything goes.

New Testament scholar Ben Witherington appeared on CNN to talk about an ancient pre-Christian tablet that has recently caused some controversy among biblical scholars. Witherington’s brief remarks are good, and to them I would add a few of my own. (more…)

Openly gay US Episcopal Bishop Gene Robinson was preaching in London about how sad it was that the Anglican Communion was tearing itself apart over the issue of homosexuality. As he was speaking, a congregant stood up and began shouting “heretic” and “repent.” Many others in the congregation followed the outburst with claps. Watch it here.

To be sure, some people will say that the outburst was just rude. But you tell me. Who is the prophet in this picture? Here are some lines from Bishop Robinson’s sermon: (more…)

Yesterday, Senator Barack Obama addressed the 99th annual conference for the National Association for the Advancement of Colored People (NAACP). William McGurn of the Wall Street Journal notes why the meeting was important:

“For one thing, the first African-American to head the presidential ticket of a major party was on hand. Yet there was another interesting appearance that went mostly unmentioned. This was a protest by African-American pro-lifers – many NAACP members – who can’t understand why America’s most venerated civil rights organization turns a blind eye to what they say is the abortion industry’s practice of targeting poor minority neighborhoods.” (more…)

I heard a fascinating interview last week with Heather Payne, a member of the award-winning Christian pop group “Point of Grace.” Recently, Payne announced that she was leaving the group so that she could focus on being a mom. You can read about her departure here, but I recommend listening to the interview below.

I think what Payne has done is positively counter-cultural (in a good sense). May her tribe increase!

Here’s a description of the show from “The Albert Mohler Program” website:

“Can a Christian mom do everything the world tells them they can and should do? The perfect education, career, and family? Singer Heather Payne recently announced she was leaving Point of Grace to spend more time at home with her family. According to her, much of that decision was motivated by frustration at trying to do everything at once. She and her husband Brian join guest host Russell Moore for a helpful conversation about her own experience and broader implications for churches.”

“I will never back down from making sure that women have their reproductive rights here in this country. That’s what’s at stake in this election.”

He’s certainly right about the last part, but tragically wrong about the first. Read the rest here from Michael Foust.