In this message delivered at Southern Baptist Theological Seminary in November of this past year Dr. John MacArthur rightly states that America has been abandoned by God. I can’t help but wonder if the increasingly man-centered “missional” SBC is also about to find itself in the same position. For those who might be interested the links to two other sermons also delivered at [...]

In the last several posts we have looked at the mortification of sin, the difference between walking according to the spirit and walking according the flesh, and the dynamics of becoming Spirit-led. In this post we will take a closer look at a vital aspect of walking the walk by faith. When Jesus rebuked Peter [...]

At More Books And Things we read, “It’s funny how the Lord speaks to you while you are doing the most menial tasks… We noticed that the fish appeared to be in distress and acting rather oxygen starved. Since the rocks were covered in green algae and slime, and the filter was clogged by mineral [...]

Practices of the Roman Catholic monastic traditions are quickly finding their way into the “Protestant” evangelical community. The intro to this clip tells us it is, “Taken from the DVD Documentary on the monastery in Norcia, Italy. Three monks talk about lectio divina–its purpose, importance and relevance in the Church today.”
Note the third monk who speaks of drawing [...]

Steve Rothaus of Miami Herald.com writes, “Nan Van Den Bergh grew up in a religious household: born Baptist, raised Protestant, baptized at 12.” And then comes what you will hear more and more of the longer the Lord tarries as Rothaus tells us about a familiar mantra:
Then, in the 1970s on the beach of San [...]

Several folks responded to my last article on Rob Bell, particularly with regard to some statements I made concerning the Talliyt, the Jewish prayer shawl.
I had planned on writing an article about it later, but I believe it would be best not to wait and present it now, before continuing on in the initial project.
You [...]

John Piper has put together a biblical answer to those doubting that Jesus Christ did indeed rise from the dead. Click Here to read it.

Yesterday I mentioned Ed Stetzer of the SBC and “humble orthodoxy”. In an article by Ed in The Christian Index, 10-13-2005, titled A Missional Church, he addresses the issue of being “culturally relevant” and how foreign missionaries adopt local customs to be part of the “community”. The verses cited for this argument are I Corinthians [...]

At Thinkerup we read, “After running into one situation after another while speaking to people of the dangers of the Emergent Church movement I’ve decided to create a list of philosophies and characteristics of the Emergent Church as well as authors, speakers, and historic figures which have had and continue to have a major influence [...]

Once there were some people who decided that they would build a house together. So first they read some of a book on how it was to be done. But just make sure they also decided to consult various other manuals on building houses. And so they began. As time went on they added more [...]

In this short but filling post Martin Downes brings to our attention that Satan’s false teaching initially appeals to an actual need:
This is the reason why error gains entry. Part of the process is the appeal that it makes. It is plausible and attractive, not necessarily obviously wrong and harmful. With a spoon full of sugar [...]

“Being filled with the fullness of God is like a bottle in the ocean. You take the cork out of the bottle and sink it in the ocean, and you have the bottle completely full of ocean. The bottle is in the ocean, and the ocean is in the bottle. The ocean contains the bottle, [...]

Leonard Ravenhill knew what he was talking about when he said, “In revival God is not concerned about filling empty churches, He is concerned about filling empty hearts.” And here in this sermon Ravenhill goes on to say, “There has never been revival, that I can trace, that has not been preceded by agonizing prayer… If [...]

This is a very accessible article from Dr. Henry C. Thiessen which straightens out common misconceptions about how we received the New Testament from God. He rightly states:
It is remarkable fact that no early Church Council selected the books that should constitute the New Testament Canon. The books that we now have crushed out all rivals, not by [...]

In this video report concerning Emerging buffet-style  spirituality you’ll hear from Brian McLaren as well as listen while Emergent Pastor John Musick speaks what’s at the heart of this seeker sensitive movement for the spiritually rebellious, “We did everything except shoot Jesus out of a cannon, you know, in order to be hip and cool, right.” No, very, very wrong…  

“The first openly gay Episcopal bishop, whose consecration has brought the world’s Anglicans to the brink of schism, said Tuesday that the Episcopal Church in the U.S. should not give in to demands that it roll back its acceptance of gays.” The Christian Post fills us in.

Many people feel that the Masonic Lodge is simply a kind of harmless enough “Boy’s Club” for men. But in this piece from Apprising Ministries you will see that despite the claims of Masonry officials that Freemasonry is not a religion, what you will read is actually the very definition of a religious creed.

12 But above all things, my brethren, swear not, neither by heaven, neither by the earth, neither by any other oath: but let your yea be yea; and your nay, nay; lest ye fall into condemnation.
13 Is any among you afflicted? let him pray. Is any merry? let him sing psalms.
14 Is any sick [...]

The following is not presented as anything other than a news item that the Body of Christ should be aware of. L.A. Times.com is reporting today that, “Amid accusations over sex, money and control, Pastor Chuck Smith is about to surrender much of the evangelical radio empire to a man he calls morally unfit for [...]

In this short article article Dr. John MacArthur answers some questions about the subject of Heaven. He says, “Most people understand that doing evil can keep us out of heaven. But few realize the Bible also teaches that doing good cannot get us in. None of us could ever gain enough merit to deserve heaven.”

As one gets more involved in the study of contemplative spirituality and the Emerging Church you will run into the Jewish mystic tradition of Kabbalah. This piece from CARM will provide background for understanding it as you begin to see aspects of it creeping into the evengelical camp.

CNN.com reports, ”Today’s college students are more narcissistic and self-centered than their predecessors, according to a comprehensive new study by five psychologists who worry that the trend could be harmful to personal relationships and American society.” 
But understand this, that in the last days there will come times of difficulty. For people will be lovers of self, [...]

Are you tracking with this? People might not get saved but at least they’ll have a bigger vocabulary.

In the blurb from Willow Creek for this 2002 video sermon by lead pastor and cultural architect of Mosaic Erwin Raphael McManus we are told, “every moment is an invitation from God to experience a divine life.” There’s plenty of attempts at humor and exciting personal adventure stories awash with a few pithy slogans picked up at various [...]

When God saves His people their hearts are regenerated. This means that they now have the faith that is required for salvation. It means that they are now able to obey God because they have everything in place that enables it. However, many of us can testify to many years of bondage to besetting sins [...]