Category: Bible

Should Christians Always Obey the Government, Unless Asked to Sin?

February 24, 2021

Amid the numerous government mandates regarding masks and social distancing in church, some Christian thinkers have argued that, “Christians should always obey the government, unless asked to sin.” Based on such reasoning, mask regulations should be strictly followed because it is not “sin” to wear a mask. Furthermore, Christians would also be obligated to obey … More Should Christians Always Obey the Government, Unless Asked to Sin?

Six Reasons Every Pastor Should Require Masks and Social Distancing at Church

February 16, 2021

I’ve said it before, navigating pastoral ministry is tricky business. But one thing that you can take to the bank is that requiring masks and social distancing at church is an outstanding pastoral decision. The nice thing is that you don’t really have to think about it. The government and health experts have already done … More Six Reasons Every Pastor Should Require Masks and Social Distancing at Church

Underrating the New Birth, or, How to Talk About Your Conversion

February 15, 2021

If you are repenting of sin and truly trusting in Jesus, I do not doubt your salvation. But I may just doubt your salvation story. To be clear, I don’t want to tell people how to share the story of how they came to Christ. Each believer’s testimony is a unique and marvelous story of … More Underrating the New Birth, or, How to Talk About Your Conversion

Is Ecclesiastical Succession Required for a Church to Form?

February 6, 2021

Does the Bible require ecclesiastical succession in order for a group of Christians to form a church? In other words, can a church start without being “sent out” by another church? By looking to the Bible and church history, we see that ecclesiastical succession is an unnecessary element when it comes to the formation of a legitimate local church. Furthermore, there are often good reasons why Christians ought to form churches without being “sent out” by another church. … More Is Ecclesiastical Succession Required for a Church to Form?

Unprecedented Times Call for Precedented Measures: Coronavirus and Cancelling Church Services

April 23, 2020

[Author’s note: The thoughts in this article have been expanded in a recently published book, Essential Service, available as a free PDF download.] “We are living in unprecedented times.” If you’re like me, you’ve heard that phrase more than once this past month. Maybe you’ve even said it. In many ways, it is a true statement. … More Unprecedented Times Call for Precedented Measures: Coronavirus and Cancelling Church Services

Thinking Biblically About the Coronavirus, Pestilences, and the End Times

March 17, 2020

Many Christians today are prone to think that the coronavirus “pandemic” is proof-positive that Jesus is coming back soon (i.e. within this generation). They see the worldwide scale of the virus and conclude that it must be a sign that the pale horse of Revelation 6 is at work in a special way in our generation. But is this really the proper way to think about the current global situation? … More Thinking Biblically About the Coronavirus, Pestilences, and the End Times

Don’t Prune the Truth: Lessons from Spurgeon’s Preaching of the Gospel of Grace

November 25, 2019

Throughout church history, the gospel has consistently fallen under attack. Those who have boldly proclaimed the biblical gospel of grace—the depravity of man, the sovereignty of God in salvation, and the victory of Christ at the cross; in short, the doctrines of grace—have been forced to confront false gospels. One man who modeled a firm commitment to the gospel of grace was Charles Haddon Spurgeon. We do well to follow his example. … More Don’t Prune the Truth: Lessons from Spurgeon’s Preaching of the Gospel of Grace

Christian Singing: Its Necessity, History, Didactic Nature, and Teleology

November 11, 2019

The fifth chapter of Ephesians contains an important verse related to singing and music: “addressing one another in psalms and hymns and spiritual songs, singing and making melody to the Lord with you heart” (v. 19). Of all the posts I have written, one has received far more views than any other. In early 2019, … More Christian Singing: Its Necessity, History, Didactic Nature, and Teleology