The Emerging Church: Old, Worn and Deadly

I've been spending an usual amount of time this week researching the Emerging Church Movement, and I'm always fascinated when I run across any of their blogs that want to claim ownership of John Piper for their movement. I've found a similar pattern in the Church Growth Movement, whose pastors often link to John Piper. Everybody wants to own a piece of Piper it seems. In this post, I'm not going to try and answer who actually does "own him", nor am I going to stake any ownership claims of my own. What I will do however, is provide some evidence to the two aforementioned movements, which should suggest that some reevaluation is needed if they're assuming that they've found a backer in this popular preacher. In the case of the Emerging Church, they may be surprised to hear the title of this post being used by him to describe some of their foundational thought. ... [Read More!]

The Church is a Soul Expert, Not a Social Agency   Martyn Lloyd-Jones

Some think the church's task is purely a matter of social work and relief work, but that is not the business of the church. I am not saying that this does not come into the matter, but I am saying it is not primary. And that is what Peter put so clearly, once and forever, in this resounding, memorable phrase: "Silver and gold have I none." In other words, "Do not look to me for that. That is not what we are here to provide." Are you looking to the church for the right thing? What do you expect from the Christian church in this troubled state of the world? . . . The church is not here to talk politics, to play music, to give philosophical discourses, to produce art, or to provide social improvement or psychological treatment. ... [Read More!]

Christianity is Fleeing The West

Here's a sobering thought to ponder as American churches gather to celebrate God's blessing upon our country. Could it be that God's favor is on it's way out of our country? Not just our land, but also that of the West in general. David Wells, who authored the excellent book No Place For Truth makes the case that it is already happening. Rome didn't fall overnight, and it is likewise not necessarily the case that God's light will stop shining here in an abrupt or cataclysmic way. Let's talk about that inside of an even greater framework, relating to how and whether God chooses to give Gospel-favor to some nations over others. ... [Read More!]

"I Believe in Jesus, Not Doctrine"   Martyn Lloyd-Jones

You cannot separate what a man believes from what he is. For this reason doctrine is vitally important. Certain people say ignorantly, "I do not believe in doctrine; I believe in the Lord Jesus Christ; I am saved, I am a Christian, and nothing else matters". To speak in that way is to court disaster, and for this reason, the New Testament itself warns us against this very danger. We are to guard ourselves against being "tossed to and fro and carried about with every wind of doctrine", for if your doctrine goes astray your life will soon suffer as well. ... [Read More!]

Make Your Heart Conform To The Truth   William Gurnall

Likeness is the ground of love. A carnal heart cannot like truth because it does not resemble truth. How is it possible then, for an earthly heart to love pure heavenly truth? It's sad when men's understanding clash with their affections, when judgment and will are so unequally yoked. Truth in the conscience scolding lust in the heart. Like a quarreling couple they may live together for a while but the discontent will soon expel truth as Ahasuerus did Vashti, and espouse principles which will not cross his heart in it's bent for sin. This has parted many men from truth in these licentious days... [Read More!]

No Desire For Truth? = You've Already Rejected It   William Gurnall

Since Satan comes as a serpent concealed in false teachers and tries to deceive us with error posing as truth, every Christian needs an established judgment in the truths of Christ. The Bereans studied Scripture to satisfy their judgments concerning the doctrine Paul preached. They refused to believe anything he had said before they "searched the scriptures daily, whether those things were so" (Acts 17:11). They took the preacher's doctrine straight to the written word and compared it to that; and the result was "therefore many of them believed" (v. 12). As the Bereans dared not believe before, they could not help but believe now. ... [Read More!]

Is "Sin Assisted Evangelism" Culturally Justifiable?

"I frankly wonder how any Christian who takes the Bible at face value could ever think that in order to be culturally relevant Christians should participate in society's growing infatuation with vulgarity. Didn't vulgarity and culture used to be considered polar opposites?" That's the way John MacArthur ended a recent article in which he, amongst other things, calls-out a popular church leader who was labeled "the cussing pastor" in a book by one of his peers. Never mind centuries ago, just a few decades ago, there would have been no Christian who would have disagreed with MacArthur on this point, but that's not the case today. We are seeing a fine example of this underway on one blog that seems to prioritize cultural relevance above right and wrong. ... [Read More!]

Bob DeWaay Review: Rob Bell's Abstract 'Elvis'

For the past two years I have researched the theology of the Emergent Church in preparation for a book I am writing. During that time I ignored Rob Bell's Velvet Elvis because I was concentrating on other works of postmodern theology. Then someone loaned me Bell's video in which he uses subatomic physics to try to prove that, "everything is spiritual." After viewing it, I saw how seriously he is leading people astray. On a recent trip I finally read Velvet Elvis. ... [Read More!]

Are We More Interested in Seeing them 'Helped', or Saved?    Link

We hear the voices of so many contemporary church leaders telling Christians that our biggest concerns should relate to fixing various social ills. We are told we ought to be more concerned with the material and physical well-being of our fellow man. But Jesus didn't come to preach social welfare. He came preaching, REPENT & BELIEVE, yet in our current climate - that is the last thing you often hear coming from the lips of preachers. In this article on The Kingdom Come blog, Roderick explains how the New Testament pattern for charity from Christians was NOT from Christians to non-Christians but was mutual help among the brethren. They were helping widows in the church, not pagan widows, etc. ... [Read Link]

Don't Speak Today's Taboo "W-Words"

Regardless of what you think of George W. Bush, you must admit that he got in a funny one at Al Gore's expense when in his first campaign he asked, "If Al Gore really invented the internet, why does every website start with a 'dubya'? (www)". In this post we are going to look at some recent comments that object to our use of some words that are out of bounds in postmodernism; I'm speaking of some other "W-words", one of which shows up in taboo sentences like this: "You are Wrong about that belief". We'll also take a look at two additional bonus W-words that if spoken, are sure to cause postmodern chafing.

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Truth is The Most Glorious Thing!   Thomas Watson

[The violence meant in Matthew 11:12 is a holy violence]. We must be violent for the truth. Here Pilate's question will be cited, "What is truth?" Truth is either the blessed Word of God which is called the Word of truth, or those doctrines which are deduced from the Word, and agree with it, just as the dial with the Sun or the transcript with the original. These include the doctrine of the trinity, the doctrine of creation, the doctrine of free grace, justification by the blood of Christ, [the resurrection] of the dead, and the life of glory. These truths we must be violent for, which is either by being advocates for them or martyrs. ... [Read More!]

Bill Hybels Aims For Experience, But Truth?   Bill Hybels

Thirty years ago, we argued about what was true. Was there physical evidence for the resurrection of Christ? Or whether or not there was reason to believe the Bible is a valid truth source -- there was arguing about what is true. These days people seem to be asking, what's real? What's powerful in my life? What will work? ... [Read More!]

Is "Deeds Without Creeds" on The Ballot? - Part 4

Are we not often traitors to the truth under the pretext of cautioning men against head knowledge? That's the question Horatius Bonar asked in the 19th century, and could well ask again in referencing these statements from The Purpose Driven Life bestseller: "God won't ask you about your religious background or doctrinal views" (p.34) "The last thing many believers need today is to go to another Bible study. They already know far more than they are putting into practice" (p. 231) "Jesus said our love for each other-not our doctrinal beliefs-is our greatest witness to the world" (p. 124) This modern doctrinal-downplay sets the stage for our ongoing look at the "deeds not creeds" mentality that was likewise present in Horatius Bonar's time. ... [Read More!]

Is "Deeds Without Creeds" on The Ballot? - Part 3

Brian McLaren believes that "Christians should present Christianity through loving attitudes rather than logical arguments". Furthermore, "the gospel is made credible not by how we argue and make truth claims. But it's made credible by the love and the good deeds that flow from our lives and our community". Rather than deeds flowing from creeds (doctrine), postmodern thinkers would have you separate the two, and cast your vote for one or the other. Helping to demonstrate how this misguided thinking is really nothing new, the 19th century Scottish preacher Horatius Bonar continues his thoughts from part 2 in this series of posts: ... [Read More!]