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Our culture is changing rapidly, and many Christians aren’t keeping up. The old formulas that have worked for decades won’t work with the emerging generation. If there’s one lesson that the modern, successful evangelical church needs to learn it is this. We need a fresh perspective on what our world is like today from someone who has escaped the Christian subculture and ventured into the heart and hearts of non-Christians.

Enter Dan Kimball. His book, They Like Jesus, but not the Church, gives the perspective that is badly needed. Continue Reading »

First Things is brought to you live on Connection Gate

Join us as we discuss five related mistakes that we can make when we are defending the faith. We are joined toward the end of this blogcast by the IMONK, Michael Spencer. (Sorry about the poor sound quality for the IMONK.)

  

    

[audio:http://www.reclaimingthemind.org/content/files/TTP/IT/session5/IT5a.mp3,http://www.reclaimingthemind.org/content/files/TTP/IT/session5/IT5b.mp3,http://www.reclaimingthemind.org/content/files/TTP/IT/session5/IT5c.mp3,http://www.reclaimingthemind.org/content/files/TTP/IT/session5/IT5d.mp3,http://www.reclaimingthemind.org/content/files/TTP/IT/session5/IT5e.mp3,http://www.reclaimingthemind.org/content/files/TTP/IT/session5/IT5f.mp3]
Note: there are multiple sessions that will play back to back. Total time is just over 1 hour.

(what is this all about?)

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I live with the fear that Chuck Swindoll will call me into his office. Wait, I am getting ahead of myself . . . 

January 2000. I have just been hired as an intern at Stonebriar Community Church. I still have a year left at Dallas Theological Seminary, but my excitement is far beyond I could have ever imagined six years ago when I began to think about ministry. My life had not been one of a minister in preparation by any means. At least not what I would think. The constant adrenaline that the idea of full-time service for the Lord was enough to keep my mind off my past failures. Watching Braveheart in 1995 seventeen times at the theater fueled my motivation. I thought to myself If I could just give my life for something bigger than myself like William Wallace did then contentment would be found in sacrifice. This was the road I was on. Excited, motivated, hopeful, and ready to change lives, I was now working for Chuck Swindoll, my hero. Continue Reading »

Plugs and prayers:

• Check out the Conservative Reformed Mafia. Looks like a promising new blog.
• Bob Pratico, a friend of the ministry and elder at Sojourn Church, will be having heart surgry next month. Please pray for him. 

Ministry Announcements:

• Online courses start soon. Enroll in The Theology Program today. Continue Reading »

Defining Inerrancy
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Provided by
 
D.A. LaGue

On August 7th, 1768, a ship from Glasgow, Scotland sailed up the Delaware River bound for Philadelphia. On board was a 46 year old Scotsman who would be one of the leading figures tying a strong Christian conviction with political freedom. Continue Reading »

To REFLECT: “To think, ponder, or meditate; to think seriously.”

You are either 100% correct in doctrine or you are not correct at all. (I believed this for a long time. A pastor I loved and admired once told me this. But if this is the case, we are all up creek skubalon –pardon my French . . . I mean Greek) 

If you smoke, you must not be a good Christian. (Really? Is it the addiction or health problems that cause us to say this? If it is the addiction, are we ready to give up coffee? If it is the health, are we ready to exercise daily and stop eating fast food? Otherwise, I think we need to calm down.)  Continue Reading »

First Things is brought to you live on Connection Gate

Join us today as week seek to understand why Paul and James seem to be at odds concerning justification.

All Christians have a credo. That is, all Christians believe something. Some think theology is bad, without realizing that that position is a theological statement. Others say, “The Bible is my creed” without grasping that the Bible needs to be interpreted; after all, not all interpretations are created equal. Those who have more training recognize that a number of beliefs need to be articulated for one’s credo. It’s this last group that I wish to address in this blog. Continue Reading »