What about those with a learning disability?
This is a common question when it comes to the Baptist view of who should be baptised and what constitutes a legitimate barrier to baptism. Dave Williams addresses this succinctly.
Take it on the Chin
Being a pastor necessarily includes being criticised. Whilst I think there is a case for defending oneself and there can be times when what passes as criticism is simply bullying and abusive behaviour, it is absolutely true that there are also times we will be criticised and we simply have to take it. It is an inevitable part of the job.
Are we tired of the ordinary?
‘In this current moment in our nation’s social, cultural, and religious history, debate is taking place as to whether revival is happening or not. Only time will tell as to whether a genuine revival is happening or another chapter in revivalism is being written. I am concerned though that many believe that some cultural or political moment where power is seized equals revival.’
With Autism, Don’t Focus on Causes but on God’s Purpose
‘Christ is the Lord over disability. Autism doesn’t catch him off guard, nor does he haphazardly place those with autism in random families. If you have a child with autism, God chose you for this blessed and burdensome task. Regardless of the condition’s causes, whether they be genetic or environmental, God chose your child for you, and you for her.’
Eight Purposes of the Lord’s Supper
What are we doing in the Lord’s Supper? This one highlights eight different things we are doing simultaneously.
Why Tim Keller Taught That Sin Isn’t Just “Missing the Mark”—It’s Misplaced Worship
‘I used to think years ago that Tim Keller’s focus on idolatry was a sophisticated, interesting, but maybe too clever of a way of talking about sin. In other words, I wondered if the focus on idolatry was a way of sidestepping the severity of sin in order to be palatable to late modern New Yorkers. But honestly, the more I’ve delved into what Keller actually wrote and preached, the more I’ve seen that I was the one who didn’t have a sufficient understanding of what he was trying to communicate. What he was trying to communicate is that sin is far worse than mere law-breaking.’
From the archive: Messy church
‘I thought it might be helpful to lay out some of the specific ways that messiness might be a cause for rejoicing. Here are some ways messiness is not a sign of a spiritually unhealthy church, but one seeking after the Lord as they ought.’
The article on Tim Keller’s understanding of sin as idolatry (putting something in a place only rightfully occupied by God) reminded me of a quotation from John Stott that I have recently encountered:
“The concept of substitution lies at the heart of both sin and salvation. For the essence of sin is man substituting himself for God, while the essence of salvation is God substituting himself for man.”