Last week, the well-known evangelical author Eugene Peterson appeared to embrace so-called same-sex “marriage,” and then, he backtracked. There’s a lot to talk about. Last week Eugene Peterson, the author of “The Message” as well as several other pastoral books, said in an interview with Jonathan Merritt of Religion News Service that he didn’t consider homosexuality wrong and would, if asked, officiate a same-sex “marriage.” “I know a lot of people who are gay and lesbian,” Peterson … [Read more...]
Summer reports indicate you are making a difference
Our state missionary staff has been all over the state this summer with a variety of powerful ministries that you enable by your church’s giving through the Cooperative Program and the Missouri Missions Offering. Last week the reports of MBC summer ministries started coming in. The St. Louis Mission Project included our state staff and our collegiate summer missionaries, collaborating with Global Encounter to reach pockets of lostness in a part of our state. Matt Kearns, catalyst … [Read more...]
Solar eclipses inspire awe, declare the Divine Designer’s glory
JEFFERSON CITY – On October 22, 2134 B.C., two Chinese astrologers failed to foretell the coming of a solar eclipse, and it sealed their fates. As legend tells, the astrologers Hsi and Ho were soon executed. For, in ancient China, an eclipse could bode ill for the emperor, especially if it hadn’t been predicted. This earliest of recorded eclipses shows the awe and terror that the sun’s darkening has inspired among people both everywhere and always in human history. Even today, in China, … [Read more...]
Despite glazing over the Almighty’s providence, ‘Dunkirk’ a must-see
JEFFERSON CITY – Who knew the story of a colossal military failure could turn into such an inspiration? And yet that is what you get with the wonderfully tense movie directed by Christopher Nolan, “Dunkirk.” It’s a very straightforward – and true – story. In the opening days of World War II (and long before the U.S. entered the fray), more than 400,000 British soldiers were trapped at Dunkirk, a small city on the French side of the English Channel. Though only 35 miles of water separated … [Read more...]
Offering praise when government leaders do good
Put me at the head of the class when it comes to criticizing public officials when I think they have made a poor decision. I strive not to let my temper get the best of me when doing so, avoiding personal attacks at all cost. After all, I have a personal testimony on display and I want Christ lifted up. I try to focus my criticism at the consequences of their actions. For example, if they pass laws that threaten our freedom or are contrary to God’s Word, they are going to hear from me. … [Read more...]
Strange bedfellows of the English Reformation
EDITOR’S NOTE: This is the 17th column in a year-long series leading up to the 500th anniversary of the 16th-century Reformation on Oct. 31, 2017. The story of the English Reformation begins with the stuff of legend. For, in 1485, the Welshman Henry Tudor landed with his armies on the English coast, defeated King Richard III in battle at Bosworth Field, and was proclaimed King Henry VII. Through his marriage with the daughter of an earlier king, he guaranteed his security on the throne … [Read more...]
Pressing the ‘Reset’ button in life
Murray, David. Reset. Wheaton, IL: Crossway, 2017. 206 pages. $14.99. When I ask people how they are doing, they are just as likely to respond with some variation of “Staying busy,” as the typical “Fine.” Digging deeper into those conversations often results in an admission of stress, anxiety, or exhaustion. So many of us live life at an unrealistic pace. We go faster and work harder until life becomes a blur of obligations and responsibilities, with little to no joy or peace. Living … [Read more...]
Love: off the shelf, by the book
My favorite part of dusting the bookshelves in my office is the part where I never really do it. At all. And actually, it’s my personal belief that if there’s dust on a bookshelf, that means there aren’t enough books on it. Incidentally, I’m always on the lookout for more books. And for more reasons to buy more books. Okay yes, I may have a bit of a book problem. Some may think me “shelf-ish” (I know, I can’t believe I said it either). I think I’d rather call it a dust problem, but … [Read more...]
The prophecy of Enoch in Jude
EDITOR’S NOTE: This is the ninth in a series of excerpts from the new MBC resource, “The Last Apologist: A Commentary on Jude for Defenders of the Christian Faith,” available at mobaptist.org/apologetics. Near the end of Jude’s epistle, he quotes a prophecy from Enoch: “Look! The Lord comes with thousands of His holy ones to execute judgment on all ...” Nowhere in Scripture does Enoch’s prophecy appear, leading some to dispute the inspiration of Jude. After all, it is argued, if a … [Read more...]
‘A Practical Guide to Culture’ helps next generation navigate the world
You know what would be great? If there were a practical guide to help the next generation navigate the culture… oh wait, here it is! John Stonestreet and I talk about culture all the time. And we talk about it, we hope, in a way that’s challenging but still easy to understand. Because in these days of cultural upheaval, Christians need to be able to think clearly about what’s happening in the world, how it influences us, and how we are to live in it. I know Chuck Colson sought to … [Read more...]
An appeal to rightly apply 2 Chronicles 7:14
As we approach July 4th, many pastors preach about Christians in America repenting of sin and turning back to the Lord so that He will bless His churches. One text they often use is 2 Chronicles 7:14 (NASB): “[If] My people who are called by My name humble themselves and pray and seek My face and turn from their wicked ways, then I will hear from heaven, will forgive their sin and will heal their land.” Is that an appropriate application of this text? To be clear, these are God’s … [Read more...]
John Yeats: Handling snakes by the tail
Following the presentation of a comprehensive report to a Christian organization, the presiding officer asked me to lead in prayer. My mind was flooded with how to digest the enormous report we just heard in a board setting, and how do we make a faith response. I knew that the organization’s response to the report would make a change in the trajectory of the organization for generations to come. I also knew that parts of the report were simply unhealthy for those we served. I do not … [Read more...]
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