by | Jan 22, 2007 | Books, Preaching, Theology, Worship
At the end of Part 2 of Pilgrim’s Progress, when Mr. Stand-fast is summoned by his Master, who “was not willing that [Stand-fast] should be so far from him any longer.” As Stand-fast readies himself to die by crossing the River, so that he might...
by | Jan 21, 2007 | Bible, Books, Church, Theology
Last semester, I wrote a paper for my biblical hermeneutics class that analyzed Matthew 20:1-16, the parable of the vineyard laborers. Many people (notably Craig Blomberg, who wrote The New American Commentary on Matthew) understand the parable as teaching that there...
by | Jan 17, 2007 | Bible, Books, Church, Preaching, Theology, Worship
Jesus brooks no rivals. There have been, there are, many religious leaders. In an age of postmodern sensibilities and a deep cultural commitment to philosophical pluralism, it is desperately easy to relativize Jesus in countless ways. But there is only one Person of...
by | Jan 16, 2007 | Books, Theology, Worship
An excerpt from my homework: Prudence: And what is it that makes you so desirous to go to Mount Zion? Christian: Why, there I hope to see him alive, that did hang dead on the Cross; and there I hope to be rid of all those things, that to this day are in me, an...
by | Jan 15, 2007 | Church, Theology
Because I now believe in baptizing infants, I have begun the process of finding a new church home in Birmingham. Yesterday morning, I visited a wonderful PCA church, where, for the most part, I was very pleased. We sang quality hymns; we affirmed the historic faith by...
by | Jan 8, 2007 | Bible, Church, Theology, Worship
The more I reflected about my earlier post, my mind went to this verse, spoken by John the Baptist: “I baptize you with water for repentance, but he who is coming after me is mightier than I, whose sandals I am not worthy to carry. He will baptize you with the...