One of the most dangerous things that a theologian can do these days is attempt to describe and/or define the Emerging Church Movement. It’s a perilous task not because one is literally risking life and limb, but because those within the movement have taken great pains to resist being pigeon-holed into any rigid system of belief. Not only that, the movement is in many ways so disparate that characterization has appeared to many to be a well-nigh impossible task.
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God’s Grace and Cancer
Those of you who read my blog know how much I love and admire John Piper. I esteem him as highly as I do because the Lord has used him so mightily in my own life to raise my esteem for God. John Piper was diagnosed with cancer last December, and by the grace of God is turning the entire trial into a platform for bearing witness to the supremacy of Christ. I love him for that. I love God for that. On the eve of his surgery to have the cancer removed from his prostate, he penned a little exhortation titled, “Don’t Waste Your Cancer.†As usual, the words…
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John Piper on the Danish Cartoon Controversy
John Piper’s essay on the Danish Cartoon controversy is a must-read. It clearly and respectfully delineates the differences between Christianity and Islam and calls for people to see the supremacy of Christ crucified. “Being Mocked: The Essence of Christ’s Work, Not Muhammad’s” – by John Piper Go read it. You’ll be glad you did.
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Bono’s Remarks at the National Prayer Breakfast
Can a rock star preach? Apparently those who head up the National Prayer Breakfast in Washington, D.C. think Bono can. Last week, he spoke at the annual event with President Bush sitting close by (for a transcript click here). I would argue, however, that although there was much to commend in Bono’s remarks, there was also much to be concerned about. We can all appreciate and affirm Bono’s desire to see the Christian church get more involved in addressing poverty and disease in Africa. We welcome the challenge that he gave to Americans to be more generous in their giving to charities that help bring relief to those who are…
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Pray for John Piper’s Surgery
Be sure to pray for John Piper’s upcoming surgery to treat his cancer. It will be on February 14. You can read about his illness and about the procedure he’s undergoing here. In praying for God’s will in this difficult time, Dr. Piper has a good word from John Newton that he’s taken to heart: “Everything is needful that He sends; nothing can be needful that He withholds.” Thanks.
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Jerry Johnson Live
A few weeks ago, President Jerry Johnson of the Criswell College (where I teach) began a Christian worldview radio show here in Dallas, TX. The program is called “Jerry Johnson Live†and broadcasts all over the metroplex area every weekday from 5-6pm Central Standard Time. Dr. Johnson has invited me to take part in today’s show as we analyze and discuss the President Bush’s State of the Union Speech. You can listen to the show live on the internet by clicking on the following link when the show airs today from 5-6pm: KCBI Live Stream Dr. Johnson’s show has been going great so far, and I am honored to be…
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Should We Baptize the Babies? (Part 2)
Yesterday I directed your attention to an interesting discussion taking place on the Reformation21 Blog. Rick Philips has made some remarks on the paedo-baptist position, to which I have been responding. I am continuing that response here since Philips has posted another entry: “Wet v. Dry Christian Babies.†Philips writes: I would observe that this does not answer the uniform testimony of the Bible as to the application of covenant signs and seals to children of believers (including Peter’s new covenant teaching in Acts 2). Paedo-baptists often appeal to Acts 2:39 to show that children of Christians are included in the New Covenant: “For the promise is for you and…
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Brian McLaren Strikes Again
Pastor Brian McLaren responds to the responses to his response to “the homosexual question†that he wrote about last week. This newest essay extends to three times as long as his original piece, but it can be summed up as follows: McLaren still doesn’t have a position on whether homosexuality is a sin, and most of those who responded to his original piece are not very nice. We shouldn’t discuss the homosexual question until conservatives learn how to be nice to people they disagree with. You can go read the entire McLaren essay on Christianity Today’s leadership blog at the following link: “Brian McLaren on the Homosexual Question 4: McLaren’s…
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Should We Baptize the Babies?
I would like to direct your attention to an interesting discussion taking place on the Reformation21 Blog. Various reformed theologians and personalities contribute to this blog, and the format is somewhat of a conversation among the various contributors. Yesterday, the lone Baptist contributor, Justin Taylor, asked the paedo-baptists the following question: “According to covenant theology, what is the difference between the baby of a Presbyterian and the baby of a Baptist? . . . what privileges and benefits would [a Baptist baby] lack?†To my mind, this is the million-dollar question that my Presbyterian brothers cannot answer sufficiently. Rick Philips attempted a response today, but I think he hit way…
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Mark Driscoll Takes a Whack at McLaren Too
Well, if you thought Doug Wilson’s firebombing of McLaren was severe (see previous post), you haven’t seen anything yet. The cussing pastor Mark Driscoll is also outraged at McLaren’s non-stance on homosexuality. The lambaste appears on the same blog that hosted McLaren’s original essay. “A Rant by Mark Driscoll” – Out of Ur I cannot endorse the coarseness of Driscoll’s response, but it is significant because it represents a division between two Emergent leaders over this very pressing issue.