Part two of our response to the philosophical analysis section seeks to apply the famous Genesis 50 text to Walls’ range of options for understanding the nature of human freedom and God’s control. Our conclusion, again, is that the biblical data cannot support anything but the idea that God ordains and directs the free actions of His creatures.

Otherwise helpful, descriptive philosophical categories regarding the nature of human freedom must not become the ultimate boundaries of how we may systematize and confess the Bible’s teaching about the extent of God’s control and its relationship to human responsibility.

That election is “in Christ” does not in any way overthrow the idea that the Father’s election of His people is sovereign, personal, fixed, definite, and individual.

So John chapter six is about Christ’s unity with the Father. Yes, but that does not set aside His clear statements regarding the way in which the Father and the Son save their elect people. The Father drags His previously unwilling people straight to His Son, Who never loses them.

If you were wondering how an educated Arminian would read Romans chapter nine in a way contrary to how we have, here’s your answer (at least the first part of it). The authors make spotty references to this or that phrase in this or that verse and essentially ignore the immediate context of Paul’s argument.

Everyone agrees that the words “predestination” and “election” are in the Bible.  Everyone also agrees that Romans 9-11 is a central passage in understanding what those words mean.  Here, we work verse-by-verse through Romans 9:1-24, in order to show that the straightforward reading of this text indisputably teaches what we today call “Calvinism.”

We present a new series discussing the Calvinism/Arminianism debate by reviewing the new book titled “Why I Am Not A Calvinist.” Today, we alert the discerning reader to some less than helpful analyses and introductions to the topic by the book’s authors.

Note: This showâ€s content was re-edited and replaces the original posted in July 2006.

One sacred cow of many church growth gurus, including those of the “Presbyterian” or “Reformed” ilk, is the idea that every member of the church should be involved in “ministry.” Ministry, however, is committed by Christ in His Word only to the officers of His church. When we assign the duties of the officers to every member, we compromise the ministry and hinder every member from giving themselves entirely to the service Christ has called them to in the first place.

Dawkins’ worldview lacks foundation for his outlandish claim that instructing children in the Christian faith is worse than sexually molesting them. His telling extreme stories of religious abuse is a cheap tactic to try and give credibility to this obviously ridiculous claim, and to hide its sinister implications.

Dawkins’ critique of typical God-proofs simply avoids the main one: the transcendental argument for the existence of God. Last time, we introduced this argument as an answer to the “ultimate Boeing 747 gambit”; this week, we present the transcendental argument to bolster the other more traditional proofs which Dawkins attempts to refute.

Note: This show’s content was re-edited and replaces the original.

Dawkins’ central argument against God’s existence–the “ultimate Boeing 747 gambit”–fails for at least two reasons. First, the gambit needs Darwinian evolution by natural selection to be true in spite of its glaring logical and factual flaws. Second, the gambit’s conclusions cannot account for the principles it used to draw its conclusions.

As if his simplistic attack against the Scripture’s moral fabric wasn’t enough, Dawkins marches forward to assault the Bible’s factual credibility. But evidence, common sense, and the modern scholarly consensus (even of the Bible’s detractors) are major obstacles to the credibility of his argument.

Unable to plug the gaping hole left by his inability to account for absolute standards of morality, Dawkins resorts in chapter seven to try and discredit the Bible as that plug. Of course, he again proceeds to critique something without any foundation for objectivity; also, he analyzes the Scripture in such a simplistic manner that you are forced to wonder if such a learned man ever actually read this Bible he attacks.

The title of Dawkins’ sixth chapter, “The Roots of Morality: Why Are We Good?,” betrays his inability as an atheist to account for the absolute standards of morality which he so readily embraces and applies throughout the book and his own life. His speculations about humanity’s moral consensus are merely descriptive, and when he finally (though half-heartedly) acknowledges this problem, the chapter ends with but a whimper.

In part one, we urged people to see the necessity of actually believing that the Christian religious claims are true. This time, we affirm Dawkins’ assertion that most religion, even much of what is said and done in the name of Christ, is untrue, and superstitious, and devised and promoted for selfish, bad reasons. Professing Christians open up the name of Christ to be slandered when they pervert and trivialize the truth or tolerate those who do the same.

Here we begin an eight-part series discussing this best-selling book by acknowledging that professing Christians are much to blame for the kinds of critiques Dawkins levies against theism. If we forsake orthodoxy, or if we keep it but trivialize it; if we say we believe something that we don’t think is true, or if we suppress our doubts, then Dawkins is right–our faith is deluded.

Have you been pierced or inked? Are you artistic or are you simply defacing your body? Does God have anything to say about it? Lots of questions with some at least mildly interesting debate about the answers on this recut of a show on body piercing and tattoos.

61% of kids active in youth groups–that’s right, SIXTY-ONE PERCENT–are not found in church as adults. Questions like, “What is a better model for youth ministry, how can we improve it and make it more substantial?” or “What is a Reformed youth ministry model?” are trumped by the right question, “Where in the world did we come up with the idea that God is pleased by the whole idea of youth ministry in the first place?”

How should we react to the fall of Ted Haggard? In this second show of two, we ask if a true Christian can struggle with sin, especially the sin of homosexuality. We also think about how the church should face the “homosexual issue” in our culture.

How should we react to the fall of Ted Haggard? In this first show of two, we look inside at our own hearts and outside at the evangelical cult complex to learn some sobering lessons. We also think about a wife’s obligations to an adulterous husband and a church’s obligations to an adulterous pastor.

Every thankful Christian should be in church this coming Thursday morning, right? The Bible calls every world culture to set aside a national Thanksgiving Day, right? Tape your ankles for the Turkey Bowl, lick your lips for the feast, and dive in to the Sinners & Saints chat about good ol’ Thanksgiving.

Have you caught on yet? Have you claimed your promises? The good news is that Christ saved you, but the really good news is that He wants you to be rich. So say some of the most visible leaders in the “Christian” church today.

The sales numbers don’t lie: “Got Jesus” coffee mugs, “Huggy-Jesus” teddy bears, and “O.C.” t-shirts (“only in Christ”) have become the preferred piety of many professing Christian people. Underlying this triviliazation of Christ and culture are life-denying, idolatrous beliefs that are just as much a threat to the Reformed churches as they are to the broader evangelical world.

Yes, politics again. This is part two of a very brief, whet-your-appetite-for-further-study series on how to begin answering political questions from the biblical, Reformed perspective. Here, we introduce our approach to defining government and addressing a Christian’s political responsibilities.

Yes, politics. This is part one of a very brief, whet-your-appetite-for-further-study series on how to begin answering political questions from the biblical, Reformed perspective. Here, we critique “theonomy” in order to lay the foundation for answering political questions from Scripture.

In an unexpected, un-planned Calvary Chapel series post-mortem, we take our cue from a recent Los Angeles Times article about Chuck Smith, Sr. and his son, Chuck Smith, Jr. The article solidified earlier critiques of the Chuck Smith/Calvary Chapel movement as market-driven and more concerned about reflecting happy cultural moods than the biblical faith.

Part three of three in a series evaluating the Chuck Smith/Calvary Chapel movement addresses the Calvary Chapel position on the Arminian/Calvinist debate. The Calvary Chapels are decidedly “Arminian,” but the historic Protestant church is “Calvinist.” These labels are important because they describe how different people understand the basic biblical answers to life’s most important questions.

Part two of three in a series evaluating the Chuck Smith/Calvary Chapel movement addresses Smith’s self-understanding as an authority like unto Old Testament Moses. Also, the Calvary Chapel “Statement of Faith” is analyzed.

Find out what all the controversy was about. Listen to the shows that made babies cry, women scream, and slick-speaking “pastors” with Hawaiian shirts, cargo shorts, and flip-flops run scared. Okay, not really, but at least we shook up the chicken coup a little bit. Part one of three in a series evaluating the Chuck Smith/Calvary Chapel movement addresses its roots in marketing strategy and unbiblical anti-authoritarianism.

You probably have seen the recent Christianity Today cover story titled “Young, Restless, Reformed: Calvinism is Making a Comeback–and Shaking Up the Church.” It misdefines “Reformed,” “Calvinism,” and “church;” and it rehashes bad, old objections to Calvinism. Its chief value, however, is that it should cause you (if you happen to be one of these young and restless “Calvinists”) to finally realize you have to junk the martyr complex and get into a true church

Many people are uneasy with the charasmatic/pentecostal practice of tongue-speaking, but are also hesitant to condemn it as unbiblical and a scam. We are more sickened by that stuff than uneasy, and are NOT hesitant to say that whatever is going on in those circles, it is NOT the tongues and prophecy the Bible talks about.

Let’s face it–Christian churches seem to attract more than their share of people who lack basic social graces. We must give more effort to cultivate our social skills in obedience to Christ’s command “Love your neighbor as yourself.”

You’d be shocked to hear “Christians” say it, but given their ignorance of and apathy about the sacrament of the Lord’s Supper, they may as well shout it from the rooftops.

The common right is as bad as the common left as it worships the State and its leaders.

The Bible does not teach that the United States’ military is Yahweh’s prophetic sword, an idea that has swept conservative Christian circles and denominations.

Beware of shallow nationalism and also of blind obedience to the government in the name of Christ.

Beautiful, historic church buildings all across the United States and the world are homes to “liberal” Christianity. We’ll tell you why those buildings are really spiritual graveyards, and why what is believed and taught by the people in them is really not Christianity at all.

From the “Christian” newswire comes the bizzare story of a man with a heart for porn stars; he thinks God has called him to set up a booth and pass out pink leather Bibles at porn conventions. Is his “ministry” the modern day application of Jesus seeking and saving prostitutes, or just another good old-fashioned deviancy?

Now what? What should the Christian do with the Law?

What is it to “covet”? Is capitalism based on coveting?

What is it to lie? Are there “white” lies; do we always need to “tell the truth”? What about hairpieces and deodorant?

Are we liers? An “honest” discussion.

Does God permit Christians to pursue “riches”; does He encourage it?

What is “ownership” and “private property”?

What are the practical applications of God’s commands about sex?

What does God say about sex?

Can Christians support the death penalty and war?

Abortion, euthanasia and suicide: what does prohibition from murder have to say about the value of human life?

What does the command prohibiting murder have to do with our modern culture of death?

What are the political ramifications of honoring our fathers and mothers?

How does God tell us to live as family members?

What are the practical applications of the Sabbath for Christians in our era?

What does the Sabbath have to do with Sunday?

What does the “name” of God have to do with how we think about Him?

What is the “name” of God and why does He care about its use?

Are pictures of Jesus and crucifixes “idolatrous”?

Does God care enough about how His worship to tell us exactly how He wants it?

Idolatry and worship: what distinguishes one from the other?

What does it mean to have no other gods before Yahweh?

Who has to keep the Law and what “law” are they bound to keep?

What is the “Law of God” and why is it important?

The secular media says that many “Christian” prophets and preachers sound crazy when they talk about the timing and circumstances of the end of the world. The secular media is right–many false prophets and preachers are crazy and misguided, and should not be distinguished from contemporary crazies in other religious traditions.

If you don’t have the church as a mother, you don’t have God as your father.  The Bible does not know any Christian who is not a member of a church.  What is a “true church”?  Why is it important?  Why do you need to join one?

Who are the Nazarenes; what is a “sect”? How to evaluate “communities of believers.”

The Christian life is marked by sin.  How does a Holy God deal with Christians who continue to sin? 

What is “true” ministry? What should the church be doing and what should it not?

We can’t figure out why people who know their leaders and churches are adding to the law tolerate that nonsense (case in point: the Southern Baptist convention’s ruling on consumption of alcohol). The roots of legalism are easy enough to trace and evil enough to ruin souls.

Are Protestants “Catholic”? What it means to be a “Catholic” and why it’s important.

Evangelical organizations frequently put on large events, shows that are supposed to bring pagans to Christ and Christians back to him. What could possibly be wrong with such modern revivals?

The purpose of life? The discussion continues.

Rick Warren’s “Purpose-Driven Life” is a loved and cherished; what could possibly be wrong with it?

What does it mean to be driven by purpose? Does the particular purpose make a difference?

What is the purpose-driven church? What is the purpose-driven life?

If the Bible is God’s Word and clear enough to present the Gospel, why are there so many different intrpretations? Isn’t it all the same?

The Bible is a complex collection of material from diffrent cultures written over the course of thousands of years; but also simple enough for anyone to read and understand the Gospel.

The Bible is the foundation of the faith. So how do we go about reading it?

Perseverance – total comfort for the believer

Do any of God’s people slip through his grasp?

Can God save who he chooses?

Christ goes to the cross knowing your name

Did Christ’s death accomplish what he intended?

Does Christ’s death save everyone?

Election – a wonderful mystery

Election – the doctrine of happiness