The Most Exasperating and Least Rewarding

Tim Challies is absolutely right about the reality of bundled packages in this short and pithy one.

What if the Tide-of-Faith doesn’t come back in?

‘It is a truly Western assumption that we are somehow owed a return to faith culturally, in a way that other parts of the world are somehow not. For example, where is the church in Turkey these days, given so much of the Bible is written to churches in that region? The vast majority of secularists propping up and propagating the post Christian human rights framework of the West are not watching the cloud on the horizon and going, ‘You know what? Maybe these rights we have all come to assume DO come from Christianity after all? Let’s return to the faith.” Nope, it’s a sprinkle here and a dusting there. And there is zero evidence that the ruling powers of the culture, including the legislative framework – at least in its longterm direction – is anything but hostile to the Christian ethos or ethical foundation.’

Charlie Kirk is dead. And I am Sad (Sad and Angry)

I am well to the left of both Charlie Kirk and seemingly Steve Mcalpine (just take a look at my ‘about page’). But I think the core point is right. Whilst there is just as much hate on the right as the left (we happen to see it in our opponents more easily) the wider point he makes about anger and hate are right. My main takeaway: whatever we thought about Charlie Kirk’s political positions, there is a serious problem when we cannot discuss arguments and instead bring only vitriol and invective. It should be taken as read – but it seems we are less able to take this for read these days – political violence is never justified wherever it is coming from and no matter how dangerous we might deem an opponents views. For another perspective, you can read this one here which is closer to my personal view.

Respectable Sins in Christian Ministry

This one looks at some sins of ministry that have become largely acceptable. We know they’re not acceptable and yet we sort of accept them.

Real biblical literacy

I have been making the case Al Gooderham does in this one for many years now. I think we have misunderstood what biblical literacy really means and in so doing have made it very hard for sections of society of become biblically literate.

How to Approach Couples in Your Church Who Are Cohabitating

‘“How do you deal with couples who’re living together and think it is fine?” A Tanzanian pastor recently asked me this question when I was visiting him. But it obviously isn’t an issue that’s specific to East Africa. Back in South Africa, where our church is, we are experiencing the same issue; and many people are reporting a similar trend around the world. Countless Christian couples the world around are cohabitating and see no problem with it. Cohabitation before marriage has become so normalised in many cultures that professing believers are surprised when they receive pushback about their living arrangements.’

From the archive: If God is sovereign, why bother praying?

‘If God is sovereign over everything, and nothing happens that isn’t ordained by him, why do we bother praying? Why even ask him for anything? Some just want to know whether our asking for anything is worthwhile because God will do what he wants anyway. Others push it back to whether it’s even worth asking for salvation at all because God will do as he wills, right?’