I have been travelling around the country for the last decade or so speaking to evangelical churches and conferences about gender and sexuality. In those travels and indeed in my own church, I have heard story after story from ordinary Christians about how difficult it is to be in secular workplace environments that are becoming increasingly hostile to Christians who believe what the Bible says about marriage. A dear brother shared with me once about a small celebration in his office during work hours for a colleague who was soon to enter into a gay “marriage.” Should he eat a piece of cake with his officemates? Or should he risk…
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What Happened at the Rocky Mountain ETS?
Another annual meeting of the Evangelical Theological Society (ETS) is now in the books. We met in Denver, Colorado this year, and it was a really good week. For those of you unfamiliar with ETS, it is a society of theologians and biblical scholars who are dedicated to biblical inerrancy and a belief in the Trinity. At the annual meeting, members come together to present academic papers, meet with publishers, and catch up with old friends. Keep in mind that I only experienced a narrow slice of things, but here are my reflections on what I saw. 1. Denver, Colorado It’s really cold there. It’s also a place where marijuana…
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A Discussion about “Gay Christianity” with Becket Cook
I recently recorded a conversation with Becket Cook about the Revoice conference and the celibate gay Christian movement. Many thanks to Becket for inviting me on his show. The video and the podcast are below.
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A Discussion of Issues Facing the SBC
Albert Mohler hosted a panel discussion about issues facing the Southern Baptist Convention in Southern Seminary’s chapel this morning. We discussed the conservative resurgence, woman as pastors, Saddleback, celibate “gay Christian” movement, and abuse reform. You can watch the video of our discussion below. If you prefer audio, here’s a link to the podcast. I’ll also embed the podcast audio below. P.S. I go by “Denny the Bruce” now. Podcast Video
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Confronting Lies about Paul
2 Corinthians 12:11-21 11 I have been a fool! You forced me to it, for I ought to have been commended by you. For I was not at all inferior to these super-apostles, even though I am nothing. 12 The signs of a true apostle were performed among you with utmost patience, with signs and wonders and mighty works. 13 For in what were you less favored than the rest of the churches, except that I myself did not burden you? Forgive me this wrong! 14 Here for the third time I am ready to come to you. And I will not be a burden, for I seek not what…
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Saddleback Pastor Affirms Intention to Continue in the SBC
The new pastor of Saddleback Church, Andy Wood, told the Associated Press earlier this week that he intends to expand the number of women serving in pastoral roles. He highlights his own wife’s role at Saddleback saying, “My wife has the spiritual gift of teaching and she is really good. People often tell me she’s better than me when it comes to preaching, and I’m really glad to hear that.” These remarks of course raise more questions about Saddleback’s status as an SBC-affiliated church. The SBC’s statement of faith says the office of pastor is limited to men as qualified by scripture, and Saddleback’s practice obviously contradicts what our doctrinal…
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Dr. Martyn Lloyd-Jones vs. Expressive Individualism
In December 1970, BBC journalist Joan Bakewell interviewed Dr. Martyn-Lloyd Jones on national television. I love this entire interview. The good doctor bears faithful witness to Christ throughout. The clip below, however, is cued up to an excerpt near the end where Bakewell asks Lloyd-Jones about what we now call expressive individualism. Lloyd-Jones’ response is classic. Watch below. Then after you’ve watched the clip, rewind and watch the whole thing.
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How Do the Humble Boast? (part 2)
2 Corinthians 12:1-10 8 Three times I pleaded with the Lord about this, that it should leave me. 9 But he said to me, “My grace is sufficient for you, for my power is made perfect in weakness.” Therefore I will boast all the more gladly of my weaknesses, so that the power of Christ may rest upon me. Paul prays earnestly to the Lord that the trial should be removed from him. Three times, he pleads with the Lord, “Lord, take it away. Remove it. Make the pain stop.” Have you ever prayed like this? Have you ever had a deep and abiding trial or fear or grief and…
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Why the SBC Should Remove Saddleback
Over the weekend, a friend sent me a post from one of Saddleback Church’s social media accounts announcing that their new female teaching pastor would be delivering her first sermon on Sunday, October 9. Her sermon streamed live yesterday on YouTube, and I took some time to watch it myself last night. If you are interested in watching it, this link is cued up to her husband’s introduction to her message, and her message follows immediately after. I don’t know either of them personally, but if you take time to watch the message, you are going to see a husband and a wife that seem as sweet as they can…
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Chloe Cole Tells Her Story of Detransition
Transcript: Over the past decade there has been as high as a 4,000 percent increase in children being referred to so-called gender clinics across the United States. I was one of these children. My name is Chloe Cole, and I am an 18-year old former transgender child. I transitioned from the age of 12 up until 16 when i realized it all was a lie. My story is cautionary tale. Children and parents across the country have been caught off guard by gender ideology discussions about gender. Transgenderism and gender identity went from being a relatively benign social oddity to a doctrine that has invaded nearly every academic medical and…
