Category: Uncategorized
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Prayer
“Contrary to popular opinion, prayer doesn’t come naturally. The “Lord’s Prayer” as we call it, was given in response to the request from a disciple, “Lord, teach us to pray as John taught his disciples” (Luke 11:1). Jesus replied: “When you pray, say Our Father…” Three things stand out here: First prayer must be taught.…
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Bring Your Guns to Church
One of the most fun conference talks I ever gave was this one in Monroe in 2020, developing a theology of self-defense and applying it to congregations. Thanks to Aaron Fudge, I now have an AI-generated transcript I can share. I have not edited this, but hopefully it’s pretty accurate. — # Bring Your Guns…
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James 2 and Care for the Poor: Helping Without Hurting
These notes are basically sermon follow-up from sermons I preached 10/6/19 and 10/13/19 — the sermons are available of our website. — In the sermon on James 2:1-13, I mentioned identity politics. I recommend this document on race and privilege to help clarify the issue: https://theecclesialcalvinist.wordpress.com/2017/08/31/critical-theory-and-the-unity-of-the-church/ In James 2:1ff, James is saying that judgment in…
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The Progressive Coalition: What Are We Up Against?
The rise of socialist Muslim pro-LGBTQ Democrat Zohran Mamdani to the place of apparent lock for NYC mayor raises all kinds of interesting questions about what ties together contemporary progressivism. Set aside the oddity of a city that saw firsthand how destructive Islam can be (has 9/11 been forgotten?) now choosing a Muslim to rule…
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Knocking Out Anxiety
The promises of Scripture enables the Christian to make fear and worry his punching bag. Hit fear with the right jab of God’s sovereignty. Assault anxiety with the left hook of God’s promise to never leave or forsake us. If you’re in a streetfight with feelings of guilt and shame, come at them with the…
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Theonomy and Christian Nationalism
In so many ways, the current discussions over Christian nationalism parallel discussions of Theonomy/Christian Reconstruction a generation ago. The Recons were also accused of fostering nominalism, seeking salvation in politics, etc. And they gave answers very similar to Joseph’s here (which I agree with). There is a massive blind spot in many expressions of Reformed…
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How Cultures Change
This is an excellent summary from Joseph Spurgeon of how cultural change happens. There is a top down “elite theory” component and a bottom up “grass roots” component, and the church is central to it all since the church is both elite and grass roots, and will always be the source of spiritual renewal through…
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A Classic
Anyone remember “Butt Prints in the Sand”? Such a classic! I know, I know – it sounds FV… [And, yes, this is a parody of “Footprints in the Sand.”]
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Pastoral Slobs
Many pastors today dress like slobs when they’re in the pulpit on Sunday. Pastors should not contribute to the ongoing slobification of America and the juvenilization of the church. I’m not saying you need to wear an alb+stole like I do (though I think there good arguments for it). I’m not even saying you need…
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What does it mean to be “pastoral”?
The adjective “pastoral” is an interesting one. What do we mean when we call a man “pastoral”? Most often today, “pastoral” seems to mean nice, soft, gentle, and most of all, winsome. But biblically, that’s not how pastors are described. It is true that pastors are called to be gentle and not quarrelsome. But it’s very…
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