American Paganism

The fine idea of separation of church and state (the U.S. government shall not establish a religion) does not equal public atheism - the rejection of the God of Scripture in our courts or schools or any other government entity. There are other options.

Commending Carl

Carl Trueman:
Professor at Westminster Theological Seminary in Philadelphia, PA;
Pastor of Cornerstone Presbyterian Church in Ambler, PA

Carl Trueman is hilarious. I know "hilarious" is a subjective term. So perhaps I should say that to me, he is hilarious. His intelligent whit mingled with dry sarcasm, good-natured jesting, and British disposition make him a delight for me to hear. And he has many helpful thoughts for the followers of Jesus Christ. Below are a few links to some of my experiences with him.

Mortification of Spin - In combination with Aimee Byrd and Todd Pruitt, Trueman dialogues on topics crucial for the Christian Church. The link will take you to the ministry web page where you can find useful resources including their podcast which has been, for a while now, my favorite audio option. I truly look forward to tuning in to this threesome and am regularly disappointed when a broadcast ends. I wish they were longer. But they are indeed quite abbreviated.

The Creedal Imperative Explanation Video - Here's a short presentation on why creeds, confessions, and catechisms are so important and so useful to modern day Christians and their churches.

The Cornerstone Lecture Series - A five-part video series on the realities of the Christian life. The link here is to video #4 entitled "The Normal Christian Life." I think all five parts are worth your time but if you must choose only one I would go with #4. I say this due to my subjective but nevertheless experientially educated guess at what might be most beneficial to modern day American Christians. If you're not American and will hear only one presentation, then I suggest you begin at the beginning, with video #1 entitled Foundations. 

Related to these YouTube resources are the many other videos to be found on the same website. There you can find many brief Trueman contributions relevant and critical to Christian understanding. This includes his thoughts on many common questions posed by believers. It also includes lectures on a variety of topics including Church History. For example, go here to watch him speak on Reformation catalyst Martin Luther, whom he calls a "troubled prophet." Weren't they all?

Republocrat: Confessions of a Liberal Conservative - Since the American political bullshit is beginning to spin up as we enter the presidential campaign season, I commend Trueman's book addressing such things. Along with being unusually insightful, again, Trueman is wonderfully entertaining.

Enjoy.

What Will We Say?

"If I was a liar, I'd have a few more friends." 

Kasey Chambers, from her song More Than Ordinary, from her album Wayward Angel

Destructive "Success"

"If  you can be great without prayer, 
your greatness will be your ruin."

Charles Spurgeon, from Praying Successfully, page 20

Think Below the Surface

"It's possible to be completely biblical and still less than helpful. . ."  Kevin Deyoung, The Hole In Our Holiness, page 80

Carrying Our Bibles to Church Gatherings - A Counter Argument

As follow-up to a recent post (from Aug 14), and as a consideration I had not considered, I rush to mention that in a recent hearing of Alistair Begg preach, he urges us to carry our Bibles with us to church gatherings so that we may follow along in the text to be certain that what the preacher and/or teacher claims the Bible says is in fact what it says.

Martin Luther on Serving God

". . .that is upright serving of God, when a man does that which in his Word God has commanded to be done, every one in his own vocation, not that which he thinks good of his own judgment." - Martin Luther, from Tabletalk #112