*NOTE: While this story is true, names, addresses, and particular details have been changed for obvious purposes. 

With respect to the common concern that is being voiced about the problems that the church is facing, let me share with you a recent experience of a friend of mine.

While on the internet my friend came across a pastor who he thought had some interesting comments. This pastor had the title of Rev. This means that he is either a self-proclaimed minister or he has been ordained in an official capacity by an organization that has the legal right to declare someone a minister.

Theoretically, an ordination gives the ordained party the approval of an established community to minister in the Church. From the standpoint of the government, this party is then recognized as a “religious worker.” Once the approval is official, the newly ordained Rev. has many benefits, among those is the tax exempt status with regards to housing allowance (whatever bills you pay with respect to your home, you don’t get taxed on). In the Christian church, they are recognized as a minister of the Gospel of Jesus Christ and can lead, pastor, or even start a church. Continue Reading »

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For those familiar with Christian apologetics you will know of the long standing arguments that are often employed to argue for the existence of God.

The Kalaam Cosmological Argument impossibility of an infinite regress of physical causes and effects.

The Teleological Argument The glaring evidence of design within the universe, the world, and the human body (not just the “appearance of design” as Richard Dawkins asserts to his embarrassment).

The Moral Argument That mankind is governed by an objective morality that with which we seem to innately identify.

The Ontological Argument This one is tough - God is the greatest conceivable being therefore because we can conceive of Him, it stands to reason He does in fact exist.

Well seeing as how the above arguments are quite convincing it is understandable that the lesser known arguments go unused and even unnoticed.

It is often said that the best way to go about the study of God is by studying man. I feel that the arguments listed below accurately reflect the human condition and subsequently point to something outside of ourselves to which we often appeal. So I think they are at least worthy of consideration.

10. The Road Rage Argument That more people not succumbing to road rage is evidence of God existence. That I don’t succumb to road rage personally is evidence of His existence. Have you ever been stuck behind a long line of soccer moms creeping along in their SUVs drinking Starbucks and talking on their cell phones in Peachtree City? Oh I have, and the fact that I haven’t climbed out of my vehicle (Dukes of Hazzard style) to pummel them is evidence that God exist. (Evidence of common grace as well but I digress…)

9. The Stop Looking at Me Argument again, this is to do with mankind’s ability to constrain their wrath. How many times a day has a mom or dad heard one of their children say to another “Stop looking at me”? It isn’t simply the words said but the sound that accompanies it. A sound which echoes throughout the house or car with such volume, that it has been know to draw blood from even the most resilient ear drum. That parents don’t lose their sanity completely from such things is evidence that God exists.

8. The Stop Touching Me Argument - this mimics the Stop Looking at Me Argument. (These two can be used interchangeably.)

7. The Post Office Argument Standing in line at the post office as apathetic postal workers shuffle back and forth at a sloth like pace can try even the most patient of souls. That we can do this and still avoid jumping on the counter and wrapping their heads with packing tape and bubble wrap whilst screaming WHY ARE YOU SO SLOW is evidence God exist. Continue Reading »

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We have been working hard on the Reclaiming the Mind Bookstore and have produced new categories that I think will be helpful.

Among the categories, we have “The Essential Christian Library.” This is a list of suggested basic study books that we think every Christian should have. They range from Bible commentaries and backgrounds to theological books. We tried to make it economical.

Remember, all purchases support our ministry, so buy two of everything

We also have the categories broken down. When you click on “Systematic Theology” you will find subcategories of every discipline. As well, we have reserved a special section for all our Converse with Scholars guests so that you can find their books easily.

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We now have a new META FEED for all of the Reclaiming the Mind Ministries Podcasts (CWS, TUP, First Things, etc) that you can subscribe to. Here are the links: Feed or ITunes.

Ed Komoszewski and Rob Bowman’s book Putting Jesus in His Place is just $7.58 right now in our store at Amazon. Grab a bunch of those. Amazon was overstocked so it won’t last long.

My friend Michael Spencer interacts with my post “The Entertainment Driven Church.” Read his post “The End of Evangelicalism.” I would like to hear your thoughts. Oh, one more thing. About Michael Spencer, he want you all to pray for him. Continue Reading »

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Sam Storms joined us last week for Converse with Scholars. He discussed the wonderful language Jonathan Edwards used to show how we as believers can see the true marks of the Holy Spirit in our own lives as well as in the lives of others. It was a great evening and if you weren’t able to join us you can listen to the audio here or subscribe to our podcast on ITunes or catch the feed.

 

 Converse with Scholars - Sam Storms - Jonathan Edwards "Religious Affections" [81:25m]: Play Now | Play in Popup | Download (1619)

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I don’t know the source, but I suspect it is from a Christian magazine article written in the last 75 years. My guess is that this idea would have found fertile soil during the Great Depression (when funds were definitely low and excuses for lack of action could be high; for a parallel, see Jas 2.1-13). There’s a myth foisted on the Christian public about the meaning of the Great Commission (Matt 28.19-20). It goes something like this: “In the Greek, the word translated ‘Go’ is really a participle and it literally means, ‘as you are going.’ But the words ‘make disciples’ are an imperative in Greek. That’s the only imperative in these two verses. Therefore, the Great Commission is not a command to go; rather, it is a command to make disciples as you are going, or make disciples along the way.” The exposition based on this understanding of the Greek text then attempts to salve the consciences of the congregation, permitting them to do nothing about the lost if it at all means going out of their way.

There are two major problems with this treatment of Matt 28.19-20. First, it is a misunderstanding of the Greek. Second, it is a misunderstanding of the historical context. This blog will deal with the first issue. Continue Reading »

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One of the many, many New Testament texts that orthodox Christians historically have regarded as testifying to the deity of Jesus Christ is John 10:30, in which Jesus famously says, “I and the Father are one” (Greek, ego kai ho pater hen esmen). But in what sense does Jesus mean that he and the Father are “one”? We may identify at least three main views: Continue Reading »

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I recently decided to follow my own oft given advice and venture out to other churches just to see what the cultural landscape looks like and to stretch myself a bit.

First, I went to an evangelical high Anglican church. I was wanting to see something a little more traditional. Plus, according to the latest news about red wine and health, I needed a shot of the real thing. It was a rewarding experience. It was also interesting to be at a church that was not to concerned about whether I was there or not. There were no greeters at the door, no one really noticed when I came in, and they did not say anything to me as I left. This is not a criticism, but just an observation. They did not let anything take them away from their reverential service in which things were done in a particular order. Because of this, it was not a primary purpose to fill the pews with guests. If a guest came in, great. They could stay and worship, but they were not going to do back flips and moonwalk for anyone but Christ.

Next, I went to a church that was just the opposite. It was a popular non-denominational Evangelical associated church. It was much more alluring in its style, having a much more amplified voice with regards to recognizing newcomers. From the moment we got in the parking lot, there were signs welcoming us along with parking lot attendants waving. These guys were so enthusiastic you would think that they had been trained at Disney World. The signs pointed to valet parking for first time guests. I would have taken them up on the offer, but pride always rules (oh . . . and then there is that awkward feeling that you are supposed to give them some money even when they say they don’t take it). We were greeted by another enthusiastic character, a very nice young man, who led us around. When we told him we were first time visitors, he said “Oh, VIPs?” We then were introduced everywhere we went under this title “VIPs” (Very Important Persons). When others would hear that we were VIPs, they would have a look of excitement mixed with anxiousness. The anxiousness seemed to come from an underlying understanding that their church was focused on bringing in newcomers. Then . . . they led us to the children’s area. Continue Reading »

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Here is the full course syllabus for The Theology Program’s Introduction to Christian Apologetics online course I am teaching. It starts Feb. 4. All course sessions will be live voice interactive sessions held on Paltalk.

The cost is $100. You can enroll here. Hurry, it starts soon.

*Note: You can take this course as an audit student and just do the works as you are able. The price is the same. Continue Reading »

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The following paper is an address given to the Evangelical Theological Society in 2003. Clinton Arnold is the author. I contacted Dr. Arnold a year ago and he was gracious enough to allow me to post it here on the Parchment and Pen Blog.

Take the time to read this paper. Although it is long, its underlying argument is extremely important for the current state of evangelicalism and our need to be more dilegent in our education of new believers. If it takes you a couple of days to get through, it will be well worth your time.

May God grant us the resolve to listen and reform our church! Continue Reading »

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 First Things 8 [31:55m]: Play Now | Play in Popup | Download (2773)

Your eyes are not deceiving you! First Things is back! (Although we may change the name.)

I invited my sister Lindsey to join us this afternoon to discuss the issues related to my sister’s death and the problems since. We discuss, in particular, God’s sovereignty in troubles and pain and how it helps us to make it through.

While were were live on Paltalk, we did not announce it as Lindsey was very nervous. We will do the same next week and I will announce it ahead of time.

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In 2005, Brian Flemming did a sort of documentary called “The God Who Wasn’t There.” It’s a short film, only about an hour long, with a killer soundtrack. Interviews follow this and add another hour to the DVD. I’ve watched it a good half a dozen times now. Very entertaining! The essential point of the movie is that Flemming went searching for the historical Jesus and what he found was…nothing. He concludes that there was no historical Jesus. His chief witnesses on behalf of a non-existent Jesus are Robert Price (member of the Jesus Seminar), Richard Carrier (non-Christian Greek scholar), and Alan Dundes (formerly folklore expert and professor at Berkeley, now deceased).

The movie combines a postmodern, post-logical approach with a modernist, empirical and logical approach. At key junctures, Flemming switches from one to the other, depending on whether he has any argument or not. When he does not, he goes into entertainment mode. There’s lot of entertainment in this film. Continue Reading »

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Visit the Converse with Scholars homepage to find out more about Sam Storms and the broadcast.

Purchase Signs of the Spirit here.

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I have been reading Sam Storms Sign’s of the Spirit in preparation for this Thursday’s Converse with Scholars. Signs of the Spirit is an interpretation of Jonathan Edwards’ Religious Affections. Considering my last post on the often devastating legacy that suicide leaves, I found it interesting to read about Edwards’ account of the first wave of the First Great Awakening, the eighteenth century revival, and its ensuing end.

While it is hard to explain exactly what, from a human standpoint, caused the revival to begin, it is just as difficult to give reasons for its demise. Edwards gives his own account. From Dr. Storms’ book:

Although the history of revival reveals that no two outpourings were precisely the same, they do share one thing in common: they all came to an end. Edwards noted that “in the latter part of May, it began to be very sensible that the Spirit of God was gradually withdrawing from us, and after this time Satan seemed to be more let loose, and raged in a dreadful manner. ” One event seemed to Edwards to hasten the demise of religion: a man, from a family prone to depression (what Edwards called “melancholy”), committed suicide by cutting his throat. “The devil took the advantage, and drove him into despairing thoughts. ” [The man was in fact Joseph Hawley, Edwards' uncle.] The impact of this on the community was devastating:

    

“After this,” Edwards tells, ”multitudes in this and other towns seemed to have it strongly suggested to them, and pressed upon them, to do as this person had done. And many who seemed to be under no melancholy, some pious persons who had no special darkness or doubts about the goodness of their state . . . had it urged upon them as if somebody had spoke to them, Cut you throat, now is a good opportunity. Now! Now!“

I found it interesting that Edwards tells that this man came from a family prone toward depression. This was Edwards’ family. Edwards himself, what most would call “the greatest theologian America has produced to date,” struggled with depression. Continue Reading »

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(I am sorry that I continue to write about this so often lately, it has just been a particularly hard week.) 

There have been few times when I feared for my life—I mean really feared for my life. I remember one time more than any other. It was the day that I found Angie, my sister, with a gun in a hotel room. It was a miracle that I found her before she had a chance to use it on herself. On the way home in my car, I drove as my sister cried. It was not a sad cry of repentance but a cry of anger and despondence. Her dejection and frantic embitterment caused me to lock the doors so that she would not jump out of the car while driving. “Why did you come?” She screamed at me. ”Don’t you understand? I have to die!” I tried to stay silent and concentrate on the road. It was not safe on I-35 that day. I imagined her reaching over and pulling the steering wheel sending us both into an overpass. I really thought that she would. I tried to fight back the tears as her pain created great empathy for her death. By this time in the story, I almost wished that I had not found her. I almost wished that I let her take her life. Continue Reading »

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