I’ve thought about Scott’s comments all week long. He presented a contrast between preaching (reaching out to the unsaved) and teaching (reaching out to the saved).
As I thought about the discussion this week, I noticed something ironic: Blackhawk is Blackhawk Evangelical Free Church. The “E-Free” denomination is supposed to be about the good news of [...]
Alternate Title: Sheep Feeding or Adding to the Flock
Hi Joe,
I think your point is well taken, although I see it less as a theological issue at this time and based on the information and more an issue of preference. How do you like that for hedging:) But I’m of mixed minds about the [...]
After writing last night’s post, I sent an e-mail to a friend — Scott Sager.
A couple of things were running through my mind as I listened to today’s sermon. Do you think I’m off base? I actually talked (very briefly) with Matt after the sermon tonight. He basically said that [...]
Today’s sermon at Blackhawk (in the “The B Team: Book of Judges” series) was on Samson. Matt Metzger preached a wonderful sermon illustrating that Samson was no action hero.
Samson was a narcissistic, selfish man. Everything he did was designed to feed his own ego and legend. He consistently ignored his religious vows and violated the [...]
Last week, I read an article in the Wall Street Journal talking about church discipline. At the time I read it, I thought that it was more than a little unfair. Not only did the author present church discipline in an entirely negative light, but she somehow found only bad examples, of church discipline, to [...]
Pastor C. J. Mahaney, on conflict and how to resolve it.
Cravings and Conflicts
I am so glad that when it comes to relational conflict God doesn’t provide mere generalities. He gives us so much more information than, “Sin has occurred” and “It’s worse than you think.” Now that is accurate and even quite valuable, [...]
Between Two Worlds: The Dangers of Culture Warfare Imagery
There is a spiritual component to this battle; and therefore, all our intellectual efforts must express our faithfulness to Christ and must be bathed in prayer. We must never use the weapons of unbelief — dishonesty, slander, name-calling, and so on. The second danger, related [...]
The Reformed Expository Commentary Series (an interview, from Tim Challies).
There have been a few times in the past few months that I’ve mentioned the Reformed Expository Commentary Series. This is a growing series of commentaries written from a distinctly Reformed perspective and targeted at both pastors and laypersons. Having used these commentaries for [...]
Jesus Made in America. Did you know there’s a Jesus action figure? And that American Christians are snapping it up, apparently oblivious to what this says about the depth of their faith? Intervarsity Press is publishing a book about the trivialization of Jesus, through commercial culture.
Beliefnet: Are Mormons Christian?. Dr. Albert Mohler and Orson Scott [...]
I was given a copy of Pastor John Piper’s book — The Purifying Power of Living by Faith in Future Grace — for my birthday. Pastor Piper wrote the back as a series of short chapters, intended to be read one a day. I’ve been attempting to do so.
Over the next couple of weeks, I’d [...]