Phil Johnson provides two examples; swearing (cursing) in the name of evangelism & cage fighting / martial arts to relate to men in church.
Right now I’m cringing and grieving at the same time, but sadly, nothing surprises me now.
HT: Erik Raymond
Tagged as // Contextualisation, Evangelicalism, Evangelism, Pragmatism, Relevance
Filed in // General
Comments [3]
In this epic video trailer, Sunday’s Coming, you’ll get a glimpse into the once original –but now predictable– contemporary church movement. I wonder if David Murray will include some of the preacher’s tips in his preaching e-Book? If you’re wondering, I’m “pausing” now. 
HT: Bryan Lilly
Tagged as // Evangelicalism, Humour, Relevance, Worship
Filed in // Videos
Comments [3]
Michael Horton has written again in response to the Piper / Warren controversy this time reflecting on what it means to be “Reformed” and the state of the “Young, Restless and Reformed” movement.
I rather like his suggested label for the YRR movment, “Evangelical Calvinism”. What are you thoughts?
Be sure to read the whole thing, but here is an excerpt:
“Reformed” has a specific meaning. It’s not defined by movements, parachurch ministries, or powerful leaders, but by a confession that is lived out in concrete contexts across a variety of times and places. The Westminster Standards and the Three Forms of Unity (Belgic Confession, Heidelberg Catechism, and Canons of Dort) define what it means to be Reformed. Like Orthodoxy, Roman Catholicism, Lutheranism, and Anabaptism, Reformed Christianity is a particular tradition. It’s not defined by a few fundamentals, but by a whole system of faith and practice. If being Reformed can be reduced to believing in the sovereignty of God and election, then Thomas Aquinas is as Reformed as R. C. Sproul. However, the Reformed confession is a lot more than that. Even the way it talks about these doctrines is framed within a wider context of covenant theology.
Continue reading The Hallway and the Rooms.
Tagged as // Canons of Dordt, Creeds and Confessions, Evangelicalism, Five Points, John Piper, Michael Horton, Reformed, Rick Warren
Filed in // General
Comments [14]
“…for two years, joining a megachurch and revealing her nonbeliever status to no one.”
TIME have an interview with her.
Tagged as // Atheism, Evangelicalism
Filed in // General
Comments [2]
I had a rather uncomfortable 2 minutes watching this clip from Wretched TV. According to the Jonas Brothers “Jesus” really is your girlfriend.
Then maybe read these words by John Calvin and ask yourself if your worship is “worthy of God”?
Tagged as // Church Growth, Evangelicalism, Relevance, Worship
Filed in // Videos
Comments [11]
“[Many churches] are forgetting that the power is in the Word of God, not in methods, and that the Word is addressed in the first instance to the mind. The Word was intended by God to be intelligible, and only as we understand it does it get into our bloodstreams and into our hearts, and show up in changed lives.” – R. C. Sproul
Tagged as // Church, Church Growth, Culture, Evangelicalism, Means of Grace, Ministry, Pragmatism, R. C. Sproul, Relevance, Word of God
Filed in // Quotes
Comments [2]
Popping up all over Twitter has been the following:
“‘Preach the Gospel; when necessary use words’ is like saying ‘Tell me your phone number; if necessary, use digits.’”
I thought it helped show the fallacious nature of the title of this post (often attributed to Francis of Assisi) but I didn’t bother posting it here as it had made the rounds and it appeared everyone was “re-tweeting” it. I also thought it was a clear “open and shut” case. It appears for many Christians it isn’t.
Brian Thornton got himself in some hot water over on Facebook for posting it:
“My tweets automatically post to my FB page (thereby killing two birds with one post), and that comment has sparked a controversy over the nature of the gospel.”
In one comment on Thornton’s blog Scott Autry offered another analogy that may be closer to home for all those that want social-justice but aren’t keen on verbally speaking the gospel:
“Feed starving children, when necessary use food.”
My thoughts – preach the gospel and by God’s grace don’t live a life that’s contrary to the gospel you proclaim. When you do miss the mark, don’t justify your actions, but use it as another opportunity to proclaim the amazing grace of God. He saved even a wretch like you.
Oh, I’d ask you to comment but I’d rather you just look at my life and “know” that I’d like you to.
Tagged as // Evangelicalism, Evangelism, False Teaching
Filed in // General
Comments [20]
“Searching for a new look? Have your faith lifted here!”
Most Christian slogans and church signs (like the one quoted above) make me cringe rather than laugh. I find it so refreshing when I drive past a church sign that actually quotes Scripture (correctly!). This is a rare occurance here in Australia.
Read a collection of “Christian” slogans at Gospel-Centered Musings
Tagged as // Evangelicalism, Humour, Relevance
Filed in // General
Comments [0]
