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How Churches Lose the Plot
Our Confusion About God
What benefit is there to believing in the Trinity? This article explains that the Trinity is the key to understanding the Bible, Christian life, and prayer.
The Marcions Have Landed! A second-century heretic is Dominating Worship and Theology
Martin Luther and the Power of Preaching
This article assesses the approach of Martin Luther to preaching, and how in spite of its one-size-fits-all approach, it reminds us that the Word of God has power in itself.
Martin Luther, the Loving Father
This article shows how Martin Luther was a family man who loved children, and wrote about child-rearing himself. It also highlights how he had to grieve multiple times on account of losing children.
The Church in Exile
What will allow the church in exile to face the social agendas of the day? This article suggests four foundations: Word, sacraments, discipline, and worship.
Luther on the Christian Life – What Has Geneva to Do with Wittenberg?
This chapter is a general introduction to the study and understanding of Martin Luther. Trueman points out some of the difficulties and dangers in studying Luther today, one of which is to reinvent Luther as a modern Western Evangelical believer and theologian.
Boethius: The Philosopher Theologian
The article provides a survey of a Christian thinker of the Middle Ages, Boethius. His contributions to Western civilization in general and to theology in particular are significant. One of the questions he had to address in his philosophical debates was the relationship between foreknowledge and freedom.
The Holy Spirit and Reformed Spirituality – The Spirit and the Word Incarnate: John Owen's Trinitarian Christology
How should we understand biblical texts that speak of development and struggle in the life of Jesus Christ? Luke 2:40, 52, for example, speak of Jesus growing and maturing, and increasing in favour with both God and man. Hebrews makes it clear that the dynamism of Christ’s life is essential to his role as the believer’s heavenly high priest (Hebrews 2:18, Hebrews 5:14-16).
The Marcions Have Landed!
Is evangelicalism equal to Marcionism? This article maintains that evangelicalism's tendency to exclusively preach God's love while neglecting his wrath is parallel to Marcionism. The article begins at page 27.
Luther's Theology of the Cross
What was Martin Luther's theology of the cross of Christ and about God's revelation of himself?
A Church for Exiles: Why Reformed Christianity Provides the Basis for Faith Today
The church today is facing the challenge of cultural irrelevance. The answer to this challenge lies in Reformed Christianity. Reformed Christianity's position on doctrine and liturgy equips the believer to face the challenge of culture, and live a Christian life that contrasts the life of this world.
What Luther Says to This Confessional Age
Our celebrity culture, with its self-promotion attitude, has eroded the practice of true confession of sins. This article shows Martin Luther's perspective on confession of sins as part of the worship service and in private communication with others.
Why is so Much Preaching so Poor?
Throwing Toys Out of the Pram
Please Don’t Explain the Bible to Me
An Important But Neglected Distinction
What if Life Was Complex?
Reading Luther Not Wisely But Well (Part 2)
This article offers some works of Martin Luther which can be a good start for anyone seeking to better understand Luther.
Reading Luther Not Wisely But Well (Part 1)
Looking at the different reactions to Martin Luther's work, this article shows that Luther's work cannot be understood separate from his life. This author discusses four aspects of Luther's biography that help the reader better understand his written work.
Augustine vs. Russell
This article discusses Augustine's belief that human satisfaction can only be found through true love for God. All pursuits of fulfillment in materialism, sex, or atheism will fail.
T-t-t-talkin' Bout My Generation (But Thinking About the One After Next)
95 Theses on Martin Luther Against the Self-Indulgences of the Modern Church
This article looks at the character and views of Martin Luther, discussing whether or not they are in line with the modern evangelical church.
Just Disconnect
With the flooding in of modern technology and social media, this article calls from a different lifestyle among Christians. The author calls individuals to cultivate solitude as a way of being alone with God.
No Country For Old Men?
This article is about church unity versus denominational separation. Why are creeds important and when should individuals separate from a denomination?
A Question of Priorities
Looking at 1 Timothy 4:16, this article shows how the pastor should set priorities in his life.
An Important and Positive Lesson From the Liberals (Which You Might Not Hear Elsewhere)
This article looks at the development of mega-churches and the decline of small churches in our culture. The author encourages Christians to focus on supporting their local church and denomination.
It Ain't Over 'Till It's Over
Looking at Luke 23:41-42, this article shows that the way Desiderius Erasmus treated the text did not do it justice. The dying thief who received forgiveness is not an example of "mere Christianity." The text shows that the thief knew a lot about Christ and His kingdom. The author of this article argues that the thief could have learned this from his childhood; thus, this text can be used to encourage parents in their parenting call.
Why I Believe in the One Great Heresy
Looking at the relationship between forgiveness and consequences, this article shows that forgiveness of an action does not mean a fresh start with no repercussions. Some actions, even when God has forgiven them, have a permanent effect.
The Crowd is Untruth
This article looks at the the relationship between communality (community) and individuality in the church.
An Unmessianic Sense of Non-Destiny
The author of this article discusses the challenge of the mid-life crisis. The author states that it is important to throw away the lie that every individual is unique and special, which makes us out to be like messiahs. Only Christ is unique and only the church has a special destiny. The sooner that is embraced, the better individuals can appreciate old age.
Celebrating the Death of Meaning
This article looks at postmodernism and its emphasis on the meaninglessness of life. THe concept of death challenges this ideology, and shows that the secular world longs for meaning in life.
The Nameless One
This article highlights some concerns around the new "young, restless and reformed" (YRR) movement.
Pro-Choice Not Pro-Options
The author of this article laments the impact of consumerism culture, with its love of choice and dislike of responsibility, on individuals.
Making Exhibitions of Ourselves
Looking at social networks and celebrity culture, this article discusses our modern culture which functions on false intimacy. This false intimacy undermines the true nature of human relationships.
Why Are There Never Enough Parking Spaces At The Prostate Clinic?
This article discusses the relationship between Christians and modern culture. The author calls Christians to focus on the doctrine of scripture and upholding biblical standards rather than getting caught up in modern culture and entertainment.
From The Versace Vacuum to the Brand of Brothers
This article looks at the application of the intellectual property laws and copyright laws to literature. The author focusses on the concepts of authorship and the use of ghost writers.
Trapped in Neverland
This article discusses how in modern times many young people remain immature and fail to take responsibility for their actions. The author discusses the root of this problem, and how to counteract this culture of youth.
Old Opium Meets the New
Looking at television and its impact on culture, this article shows that culture is never value-neutral. Television has produced a celebrity culture, and this in turn has impacted Christians. This article warns the church from taking the path of culture syncretism, as did the Roman Catholic Church.
A Good Creed Seldom Goes Unpunished
Bridging the gap between those who resist any use of creeds and those who uphold creeds above scripture, this article proposes a healthy way of viewing creeds. The author maintains that creeds should be viewed historically (unifying the church of all times and places) and doctrinally (identifying the cores of the Christian faith). Having this perspective on the creeds, however, does not mean that confessions cannot ever be improved or changed.
American Idolatry
This article considers idolatry in our culture, as it is embodied in a show like <em>American Idol</em>. It explains that the key to understanding and critiquing much of human culture is total depravity.
Leadership, Holy Men and Lessons from Augustine
This article is about self-love in leadership, sexual sins in leadership, narcissism, and leadership problems.
Ferret Breeding on Watership Down
This article is about church and church history. The author also shows the importance of church history for the believer and the church.
Death, the Final Boundary
This article looks at a society that is avoiding and ignoring death, our mourning and sympathy in death, and the will of God in death.
Naustalgia
This article is about nostalgia, the Christendom's dealing with history and the past, and church history and a Christian lifestyle today.
Why and How I teach Heresy
A Most Dangerous Gift
This article is about anti-ageing, society's obsession with youthfulness, and consumerism.