But even if you should suffer for the sake of righteousness, you are blessed. And do not fear their intimidation, and do not be troubled, but sanctify Christ as Lord in your hearts, always being ready to make a defense to everyone who asks you to give an account for the hope that is in you yet with gentleness and reverence; and keep a good conscience so that in the thing in which you are slandered, those who revile your good behavior in Christ will be put to shame. 1 Peter 3: 14-16
One Thing Americans Should Understand about Populism
In recent years, both Republicans and Democrats have experienced a surge of populism—the uprising of ordinary citizens against powerful “elites” who they view as overbearing, self-serving, and out of touch—within their political parties. For that reason, Christianity Today r...
A Black Church Chooses Pastor Based on the Content of His Character Rather Than the Color of His Skin
A black church has decided to forgo the typical hatred and divisiveness of the current zeitgeist in Evangelicalism today. While
The post A Black Church Chooses Pastor Based on the Content of His Character Rather Than the Color of His Skin appeared first on Reformation Charlotte.
Authors: Curated News...
Stand with Us on Giving Tuesday Featured
All over the world, there is an unprecedented demand for trusted teaching from Ligonier Ministries. We cannot meet this demand without you. Will you please watch and share this special video and consider giving a year-end gift to help Ligonier cross the threshold into 2020 with strength?
Au...
Killing body and soul
Jesus also said the following:
Do not fear those who kill the body but are unable to kill the soul; but rather fear Him who is able to destroy both soul and body in hell. (Emphasis added) (Matthew 10:28)
Hell is where God will destroy the soul! Some say that “destroy” doesn’t mean...
New Documentary: Spirit Truth Featured
Recently, I had the privilege to watch the new documentary Spirit & Truth and I want to explain why you should take time to watch it yourself.
The Necessity of Worship
As followers of Christ, we are called to worship God. Worship is not something that’s optional. God has created us as...
3GT Episode 159: Rewind Time!
On occasion the guys like to revisit a topic from a previous episode or take reader's questions about them. So they hit the rewind button and the record button (Can you even do that?), and the conversation begins.
But not before they discuss whether 3GT is even necessary or not, given this article ab...
Church Holds Gay Communion For Gays Denied Communion at Other Churches
Communion is for Christians and Christians are those who are saved by the grace of God and responded in repentance
The post Church Holds Gay Communion For Gays Denied Communion at Other Churches appeared first on Reformation Charlotte.
Authors: Jeff Maples...
FREE SEMINAR: Sexuality, Gender Identity, and the Gospel
Our culture is becoming increasingly confused about all matters related to sexuality and gender. And this confusion is slowly but surely creeping into otherwise solid churches and Christian homes. Now, more than ever, biblical clarity, conviction, and leadership on these issues is vital!
This...
Terminology Tuesday: Secularism
A belief system, attitude or style of life that denies or ignores the reality of God. Derived from a term that means “worldly,” secularism (and its articulate philosophical expression, secular humanism) focuses on the natural order of things as the only reality. Increasingly, however,...
The Magnetic Force of All His Preaching
Cotton Mather writing of a godly pastor, “Mr. Eliot,
He would, “drive men unto the Lord Jesus Christ… The Lord Jesus Christ was the Loadstone which gave a touch to all the sermons of our Eliot; a glorious, precious lovely Christ…” Cotton Mather, Magnolia...
5 Things Your Children Need from You
Lies Children Believe
It is important to understand that every child ever born believes two dangerous and destructive lies. If you pay attention, you can see these lies operating in the lives of your children. The power of these lies should be way more...
Suffering and Evil are THE Perennial Questions
Through the lens of superhero movies and the LGBTQ conversation, Sean highlights how suffering is the perennial question that shapes how we think about God.
Authors: Sean McDowell...
“Merry Gentlemen” or “Merry, Gentlemen?” Featured
The hymn God Rest Ye Merry Gentlemen is a Christmas favorite of mine. I love the majesty and the pace of it. It’s an easy tune to remember and full of biblical truth. The pace of the song prevents us from recognizing the need for a comma after “merry.” This can cause a little...
Truth from Arkansas! Sunday sermon series, #8
It’s Tuesday, which normally means we would have a couple of sermons from the brethren down in Arkansas. Regrettably, there isn’t a sermon from Pastor Roger Copeland at Northern Hills Baptist Church in Texarkana this week because the church hasn’t uploaded any sermons to YouTube...
Together We Will Strengthen, Hold Fast, and Engage
It’s Giving Tuesday! Greg explains the special gift we have ready for you when you give to the work of Stand to Reasonthis December and invites you to join us as we work to build confidence for every Christian, clear thinking for every challenge, and courage and grace for every encounter.
Auth...
Our Stable-ized Universe
Of the increase of his government and ofpeace there will be no end,
on the throne of David and over his kingdom, to establish and uphold it with justice and righteousness from this time forth and forevermore. The zeal of the Lord of hosts will do this.Isa. 9:7
Lord Jesus, your righteousness is our...
The Unexpected Virtue of Arbitrary Sports Allegiances
I live in a baseball town. I know this because in the fall of 2011, I found myself in a divey pizza joint with a bunch of other transplants from other parts of the country watchingone of the most dramatic comebacks in World Series history, cheering for the team that I’d spent most of my life...
Movie Tuesday: Christmas Gone Viral Featured
Best Wishes to Pastor Johnny Hunt from Ken Ham
On Sunday, my good friend Pastor Johnny Hunt (who spoke at our Answers for Pastors conference this past October) preached his last sermon at his church of 33 years, First Baptist Church Woodstock. He is moving from the pastorate to the position of senior vice president of mobilization and...
Thirty Days of Jesus Repeat: Day 8, The Magi offer gifts and worship Featured
Bible Contradiction? Should we follow our own hearts?
For today’s post we will tackle the question the Skeptic Annotated Bible asked: Should we follow our own hearts?
Here are the two answers which the skeptic believes indicate a Bible contradiction:
We should follow our heart and eyes.
“Rejoice, young man, during your childhood, and...
Book Briefs
It has been a long time since I’ve done a Book Briefs blog, and I have a backlog of books to mention. Stay tuned in the next week or so for my Best Books of 2019.
For today, here are more than a dozen books I’ve read (somewhat) recently in several different categories.
Church History
I...
Columns from Tabletalk Magazine, December 2019 Featured
The December issue of Tabletalk explores the topic of God in three persons: the blessed Trinity. The Christian faith is a Trinitarian faith that affirms the existence of one God who is also three persons: Father, Son, and Holy Spirit. Throughout history, faithful servants of the Lord have...
Cloudy Days
Why It’s So Important to Understand the Forms of Evidence When Investigating the Existence of God (Video)
In this video, recorded as part of the Cold-Case Christianity Course at Southern Evangelical Seminary, J. Warner Wallace describes the forms of evidence used in criminal trials and illustrates how an understanding of these forms can help us to communicate the truth of Christianity to others. For...
A Pastoral Response to the Saugus High School Shooting Featured
On November 14th a terrible tragedy struck the city of Santa Clarita as a student at Saugus High School shot and killed classmates before turning a gun on himself. Two students were killed a few more injured and the shooter himself was killed by suicide.
Events like these are beyond tragic. Yet God...
Looking at the Example of Jesus
Nuggets from Occult Invasion—To Heaven/Hell and Back?
A Wise Holiday Ambition
The annual, year-end holiday season from Thanksgiving to New Year’s Eve provides a wonderful opportunity for Christians to shine as lights in a dark and bungling world. During this time, as the bitter cold and darkness increases, the behavior of nonbelievers increasingly reveals their...
How the Bible’s Irony Combats the Prosperity Gospel
Ups and Downs Our life consists of ups and downs. We are usually surprised by both, but we should not be so surprised, since the Bible testifies that such ups and downs are part of the divinely designed warp and woof of life. This is true of both the believer in Christ and the unbeliever. […]...
Bear and Share
Galatians 6:5-6, “For each will have to bear his own load. Let the one who is taught the word share all good things with the one who teaches.” In these concluding words, Paul is outlining various responsibilities for the believer who is walking by the Spirit. So far, his instruction...
Can It Be?
More...
Authors: Days of Praise from ICR...
“Seek First,” with Dr. Jeremy Treat
Derek and Alastair sit down with pastor and theologian, Dr. Jeremy Treat to talk about his latest book on the Kingdom of God, ‘Seek First: How the Kingdom of God Changes Everything.’ Treat helps the guys work through the Christianese that surrounds discussions of “the...
LARRY W. HURTADO (29 December 1943 – 25 November 2019): A Guest Post by Eldon Jay Epp
Nigger
Authors: Debunking Atheists...
New Children’s Book: The Mirror Who Wanted To Be Someone Featured
I’m pleased to announce the release of a children’s book, The Mirror Who Wanted To Be Someone. Lovingly illustrated by Diane Shearer with hand-drawn illustrations, this is a fairy tale of the Christian story of creation, fall, redemption and restoration.
A happy Mirror becomes confused...
December 3: Rev. Ethan Osborn
No Parallel in the Annals of the American Pulpit
So it was thought by the pulpiteers of the late nineteenth century, that is, our unique title today. The description fit the Rev. Ethan Osborn, the pastor of the Fairfield Presbyterian Church, in Fairton, New Jersey.
Born in Litchfield,...
Review: New Creation Eschatology and the Land, by Steven L. James
This book provides an informative introduction and critique of the recent trend among scholars to stress earth-centeredness of the eschatological passages of Scripture...
Giving Tuesday
Today is a very important day to organizations like Truth For Life—it’s Giving Tuesday, the international day of giving back to the nonprofits that benefit us all year long.
During this busy holiday shopping season, Giving Tuesday marks a day for us to pause and redirect our gift giving...
A La Carte (December 3)
It has been strange working 7 hours ahead of my usual time zone this week. I’ve not been able to track down any Kindle deals for today, though may add some later if and when I gain internet access again.
(Yesterday on the blog: Is There Still a Place for Blogs in 2020?)
What Does the True...
Protestant Relics and the Graves of Whitefield and Edwards
Evangelicals have always had a complicated relationship with the graves and relics of their heroes. On one hand, the heritage of the Reformation made them wary of Catholic excesses regarding religious devotions and relics. On the other, evangelical heroes including George Whitefield and Jonathan...
A consideration of Wayne Grudem’s Argument for Divorce on Grounds of Abuse
Wayne Grudem has recently made an argument that abuse is permissible basis for divorce in accordance with 1 Corinthians 7:15. The issues of divorce is fraught with peril; and so, my arguments here are quite tentative and based upon a brief consideration. I am merely thinking out loud. But I do...
Not By Might Nor By Power Featured
And my speech and my preaching was not with enticing words of man's wisdom, but in demonstration of the Spirit and of power. — 1 Corinthians 2:4
If in preaching the Gospel you substitute your clear knowledge of the way of salvation for confidence in the power of the Gospel, you...
The Wisdom of This World
Authors: Pastor J. C. O'Hair...
Psalm 5 Links
Which Should be Obvious
“The kind of God we believe in determines the kind of sermons we preach.”
Stott, The Challenge of Preaching, p. 13
The post Which Should be Obvious appeared first on Blog & Mablog.
Authors: Douglas Wilson...
Which is a Problem
“That was just one problem with ministering to the youth of today—riding the waves of cool and contemporary youth ministry was like surfing the big ones, and with one false move, there you were with sand in your trunks.”
The post Which is a Problem appeared...
2019 Year End Celebration!
As 2019 comes to a close, I want to say “Thank You” for your continued interest in the Institute for Pastoral Care. Here are some things that your investments help make possible.
New Workbook for Unstuck: A Nine Step Journey to Change that Lasts
Response to my latest book, Unstuck: A...
Amid False “Racism” Scandal, Executive Pastor of FBC Naples Resigns
A few weeks ago, you may remember the scandal brewing at First Baptist Church of Naples, FL where a black
The post Amid False “Racism” Scandal, Executive Pastor of FBC Naples Resigns appeared first on Reformation Charlotte.
Authors: Jeff Maples...
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