The New Testament is not unaware of the problem of pastors who are overly critical and harsh with their sheep. In the long list of qualifications, Paul is keen to mention it: “Therefore an overseer must be . . . not violent but gentle” (1 Tim 3:3; cf. Titus 1:7)…Paul believes gentleness matters very much. No... Continue Reading

Notice that for Frankl, the abused can become abusers and the oppressed become oppressors because they can fall prey to a “danger (in the sense of psychological hygiene) [that] is the psychological counterpart of the bends.”7 For him, it’s not that external factors in such cases bring out what is already in people (i.e., their... Continue Reading

Spreading power around, and pushing it out, is very different than giving into grabs. Power, like money, can be acquired justly or unjustly. It can be earned or seized. It can be given or taken, whether outright or through manipulation. Mature pastors, and congregants, know this. Healthy churches give their pastors space to take proactive... Continue Reading

 I became schizophrenic in my preaching.  One Sunday, I’d preach on the sovereign holiness of God, because that’s what the text said. The next I would try to entertain with a skit or other ‘clever’ innovation.  But the Word of God would not let go.  I didn’t know it at the time, but God was... Continue Reading

That cultural Christianity in Middletown, Ohio, however poorly practiced and (likely) heterodox, influenced Vance (decades later) to take his faith more seriously is a good outcome, and one that contradicts the mood and narrative of Ortlundism. Among other things, Vance’s testimony discusses how his newfound Catholicism is spurring him on to be a committed, loving... Continue Reading

In partnership with the Alliance of Confessing Evangelicals, the 2021 Pensacola Theological Institute Conference will examine the controversial ‘Revoice’ LGBTQ movement within the Presbyterian Church in America (PCA) June 16-18 at McIlwain Presbyterian Church in Pensacola, Fla. The speakers will be PCA ministers Dr. Jon Payne and Dr. Richard Phillips.   Pensacola, Fla. –  In... Continue Reading

Even the great Earl of Shaftesbury, a leader in the evangelical branch of the Church of England and an eminent social reformer, announced that after much study he was convinced the Salvation Army was clearly antichrist. One of the Earl’s admirers then revealed that in his own studies he had learned that the “number” of... Continue Reading

The convictions of the Baptist Faith & Message — all of them — describe the doctrinal basis for our Convention and for our cooperation together. Any use of the term “pastor” for women in church leadership is, at best, unwise and confusing. In an increasing number of cases, it is now clear that some churches,... Continue Reading

Christianity could be defined as mankind’s proper response to the revelation of God’s holy righteousness and the demonstration of his grace as seen and experienced in the person of Jesus Christ. The defining attribute of my Christianity is not my ability to behave and act like a Christian, but that I am a sinner saved... Continue Reading

The news of their loving response headlined newspapers all over India—and then all over the world. It was a major story in the West. Gladys and Esther drew attention again when they chose to stay in India—even though some tribal people hid Dara Singh for a year before he was caught by police. Even though... Continue Reading