Scripture & the Age of the Earth

In this panel discussion from Ligonier’s 2012 National Conference, R.C. Sproul and friends discuss the Christian’s approach to Scripture and the natural world, offering wise words regarding the importance of embracing both as infallible revelation from God.  In my opinion, R.C. Sproul (in the clip below) and Michael Horton (in the full recording, timestamp 69:30) offer the most helpful insights into [...]

That Smells Like…

The King James is better than most, translating one particular word here [in Philippians 3:8] as dung.  The word is skubalon, and means in the first place some kind of animal excrement.  And this verse helps show the problem we are in- Paul does teach elsewhere that we are to avoid filthiness in our speech, [...]

Dust Off Your Crossbow

For various reasons, satire is studied today as something of a museum piece, in much the same way that a military historian might analyze a crossbow.  The learned and respectable among us have agreed to abandon the use of satire, leaving this particular form of abuse to the buffooneries of late night comedians.  Our academicized [...]

Getting the Balance Right

It is highly likely that most Evangelical Christians have, at some time or another, heard this famous quote (often attributed to St. Francis of Assisi): Preach the Gospel at all times.  If necessary, use words. The sentiment behind such statements generally goes something like this: the church too often focuses too much on talking at people [...]

Statistics Like A Bikini

I don’t have any strong affinities for Rick Santorum.  For me, the jury’s still out on the best Republican candidate.  But, regardless of the candidate, what I can’t stand are ridiculous accusations of racism and/or discrimination whenever someone (usually a conservative) so much as mentions race.   And that’s just what happened recently in response [...]

The (True) War on Christmas – Part 2

Skye Jethani writes (emphasis mine): The New York Times conducted a survey of Christmas sermons in 1931 and reported a common theme: “the suggestion that Christmas could not survive if Christ were thrust into the background by materialism.” Another popular sermon of the period railed that Advent had become little more than a “profit-seeking period.” Sermons [...]

Fantastic Conceit

Elizabeth Scalia at First Things: The people who talk a good game about freedom and service and fairness – usually reserving their most ardent rhetoric for the $30,000 per-table fundraisers – never seem willing to promote the monastic ideal though, and they dont refer to the soup kitchens and outreaches, the church-administered hospitals or training [...]

The (True) War on Christmas – Part 1

Disclaimer: This post reflects my personal opinion on this topic.  I do not intend to impugn anyone’s motives, nor question anyone’s parenting decisions.  I recognize that there are godly Christians who would disagree with me on this issue. I hear there’s a war on Christmas.  But when I look around, it seems that many Christians [...]