Articles

How to Destroy the Church

Apr 3, 2007 | Pastoral Ministry

From his book The Cross and Christian Ministry (which I am reading in my quiet time), D. A. Carson provides some apt application after his discussion of 1 Corinthians 3:16-17: The ways of destroying the church are many and colorful.  Raw factionalism will do it.  Rank heresy will do it.  Taking your eyes off the cross ad letter other, more peripheral matters dominate the agenda will do it – admittedly more slowly than frank heresy, but jut as effectively onthe long haul.  Building the church with superficial “conversions” and wonderful programs that rarely bring people into a deepening knowledge of the living God will do it.  Entertaining people to death but never fostering the beauty of holiness or the centrality of self-crucifyinglove will build an assembly of religious people, but it will destroy the church of the living God.  Gossip, prayerlessness, bitterness, sustained biblical illiteracy, self-promotion, materialism – all of these things, and many more, can destroy a church.  And to do so is dangerous:  “If anyone destroys God’s temple, God will destroy him; for God’s temple is sacred, and you are that temple” (1 Corinthians 3:17).  it is a fearful thing to fall into the hands of the living God. These kinds of truths the factionalists of Corinth ignored.  And these truths are all too frequently ignored by their modern counterparts.  This calls for thoughtful self-examination and quiet repentance. Well said. Worth praying about... read more

How the Old and New Testments Relate

Mar 31, 2007 | Biblical Studies, General Theology, Hermeneutics

The following articles written over at Expository Thoughts (as well as the comment threads) are excellent posts (and responses) dealing with the difficulties that inevitably arise when studying the Bible. I commend them to your careful reading. An Introduction Christological Hermeneutic Apostolic Hermeneutic The NT View of the OT The Priority of the Old Testament Common Mistakes in Preaching Walt Kaiser on 1 Peter 1:10-12 Paul’s Use of Hosea in Romans 9:25-26 Concluding... read more

The Blogging Brie

Mar 31, 2007 | Personal

So, I’ve been remiss to blog (it’s sort-of been nice) and with that absence I’ve posted NO pictures of the baby. So, here’s some fruit of my repentance. These are pics from the past few weeks:  Auntie Allie, Mom and Dad and Auntie Courtie.  We loved the visits and Brie is growing and changing every day.  The process leading toward adoption continues on track.  Enjoy the pics – they’ll give you a glimpse into how much we’re enjoying her. [rockyou... read more

A Pastor on Reading

Mar 31, 2007 | Reading

Pastor Steve McCoy has some helpful thoughts from his own approach to reading. Interview: Steve McCoy on Reading :: Fire and... read more

Church Blogging

Mar 1, 2007 | Blogging

Why should churches and leaders blog? Because I said so: How to’s of Blogging for Churches – by Cindy Solomon read more

Give Away a Christian Book

Feb 27, 2007 | Evangelism, Reading

From the Deisring God Pastors’ Conference Booklet – 50 Ways to Give Away a Christian Book: Give one to a believer to encourage them Give one to your neighbor Give one at the local store Give one to everyone in your study group Give one to a Jehovah’s Witness Give one to the next visitor at your office Give one instead of a Christmas card Give one to the new person at church Give one to the gas station attendant Give one to the sales assistant Give one to the car mechanic Give one to the cashier at the garden center Give one to your pastor Give one to the person next to you in the elevator Give one to your dentist Give one to your doctor Give one to your child’s teacher at school Give one to the paperboy Give one to each child in Sunday School Give one to someone who is hurting Give one to the next charity collector you see Give one out at the retirement party Give one to your bank manager Give one to your work mate Give one to the receptionist Give one to your child’s friend Give one to your boss Give one to the salesman Give one to the community gardener Give one to your secretary Give one to the policeman Give one to someone who is ill Give one to your accountant Give one to the postman Give one to the waitress Give one to your weight watchers class Give one to your missionary friend Give one to a teenager Give one to a parent Give one to your... read more

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C.J., Lig, Al, Mark, et. al. Mark Dever and Company John Piper John MacArthur Phil Johnson and Friends the same says it all.