The 2014 meeting of “Together for the Gospel” is just around the corner. The T4G guys recently convened a planning meeting in Louisville, and while they were here they recorded a roundtable conversation about the conference theme. It includes Piper, Platt, Chandler, Mohler, Dever, Duncan, and Anyabwile. Here’s the description of their conversation from the T4G website: Is “evangelist” a separate office in the church? Should pastors share the gospel with everyone? What’s wrong if a pastor is “a beast in the pulpit but a coward in the community?” Listen in as the T4G guys prepare for the April 2014 gathering. You can download the audio here or listen to…
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Wheaton students protest Rosaria Butterfield
Over the weekend, I read the news of Rosaria Champagne Butterfield’s recent visit to Wheaton College. The reports I read focused on a demonstration led by Wheaton students who were concerned about Butterfield’s testimony. It’s no surprise when students on a secular university campus stage a public protest against Butterfield. But it is quite surprising when about a hundred students demonstrate at an evangelical bastion like Wheaton. The question is this: Why did these students feel the need to demonstrate?
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The simplest explanation for bias in the press
I really miss Richard John Neuhaus. His regular commentary in the “On the Square” section of First Things was worth the price of the journal. He could always see right through to the heart of an issue and then expound and reprove with wit and humor. There was no one like him. In 2006, he wrote a short bit about bias among news reporters. It’s devastating and hilarious all at once. I bring it to your attention in case you have grown frustrated with the kind of reporting that we’ve had to endure in recent days. There is nothing new under the sun. Enjoy.
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Draft hopes dimmed by coming out of the closet?
You have no doubt heard that news that the SEC’s defensive player of the year has come out of the closet. This revelation could potentially make Missouri’s Michael Sam the first openly gay player in the NFL. But first, he has to get drafted. That is why one particular report caught my eye today. It says that Sam’s draft prospects are dimmed by his revelation. NBC Sports reports: Sam publicly announced that he is homosexual, putting the 2013 SEC defensive player of the year in position to be the first openly gay player in the NFL after May’s draft. Pete Thamel and Thayer Evans of SI.com spoke to eight NFL…
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Don’t miss the 2014 Band of Bloggers
Pastors and leaders often face pressure to build their “platform” in order to gain an audience and build influence. This is especially true if you are seeking to publish a book. With all the encouragement to self-promote and brand your identity online, how does this relate to the gospel call of taking up your cross and denying yourself? How do we make much of Christ when it seems so necessary to make much of our work? On Tuesday, April 8th the 2014 Band of Bloggers with gather to fellowship together at Heritage Hall on the campus of Southern Seminary and discuss the important topic of “Platform Building and the Gospel.”…
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Leaving the church means leaving Christ
Donald Miller has written a lengthy follow-up to his original post explaining why he has left the church (to which I responded yesterday). In this second posting, he doubles down on his original position that Christians need not involve themselves in a local church. They can attend if they want, if it helps them. But it is not necessary. It is certainly not a norm that should be imposed on all Christians everywhere. Because Miller’s essay is so long (over 3,000 words!), I will not attempt a point-by-point rebuttal. Nevertheless, a response is in order since he takes issue with my contention that leaving the church is “spiritual suicide.” Under…
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Brief reflections on the creation debate
The creation debate just ended. I do not plan on giving an extended commentary and analysis of this, but here are some of my initial impressions:
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Donald Miller’s prescription for spiritual suicide
I just read a rather stunning admission from Donald Miller. In a short blog post, he says that his learning style is not conducive for learning in traditional worship services. He doesn’t “connect” with God in singing praises or in listening to the preached word. On the contrary, he feels most connected to God when he is working to “build his company.” As a result of all this, he makes this confession: So, do I attend church? Not often, to be honest. Like I said, it’s not how I learn. But I also believe the church is all around us, not to be confined by a specific tribe. I’m fine…
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Forged in Forgiveness: Erik and Matthew’s Story
This is a remarkable story. Erik Fitzgerald was a youth pastor in Georgia when he awoke one day to the terrible news that his wife and son had been killed in a car accident. The video above is the story of what happened after he met the man driving the other car.
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Bill O’Reilly’s interview with President Obama
Bill O’Reilly’s interview with President Obama yesterday is fascinating on a number of levels.