Over at Unsettled Christianity, Joel Watts offers a fairly positive review of my essay in Justification: Five Views. He is “almost persuaded” by me. Doh, I was so close on this one! Oh, and Leslie reviews Mike Horton’s essay too. Read more

While there is certainly many ways to answer this question, Stephen Tomkins in his recent biography of John Wesley reflects eloquently on the fundamental difference between George Whitefield (a strong Calvinist) and Wesley. The fundamental difference between Wesley and Whitefield was not the theological one that so exercised them both and sadly caused conflict in proportion to its inscrutability rather than its significance. They were both saving souls and whether that meant harvesting the elect or convincing the free made... Read more

Karl Barth was a true Paulinist. Paul’s theology is the essence that runs through Barth’s veins. For years I have been fascinated with J.L. Martyn’s Galatians commentary precisely because it is so stridently Barthian and it attempts to resolutely prosecute the significance of Paul as an apocalyptic thinker. Graham Stanton heralded J.L. Martyn’s Galatians commentary as one of the greatest commentaries of the twentieth century.[1] A comment I concur with since Martyn’s approach to Galatians is a fresh, provocative, and coherent... Read more

In general support of the earlier post by Mike Bird, I offer this piece of evidence. Although not directly related to the act of crucifixion, it is widely known that the Romans portrayed their conquered in feminine ways. Consider the picture here. It depicts a conquered people under the hand of a victorious Roman emperor. The sculpture clearly presents the conquered as a female. I took this photo in Aphrodisias (which is in Turkey) this past year. So to the... Read more

Set us free, O God, from the bondage of our sins, and give us the liberty of that abundant life which you have made known to us in your Son our Savior Jesus Messiah; who lives and reigns with you, in the unity of the Holy Spirit, one God, now and for ever. Amen. Read more

Lots of stuff on the net about John Piper’s claim that Christianity has a masculine character (see whole thing here). Piper himself claims that “Theology and church and mission are marked by an overarching godly male leadership in the spirit of Christ with an ethos of tender-hearted strength, contrite courage, risk-taking decisiveness, and readiness to sacrifice for the sake of leading and protecting and providing for the community. All of which is possible only through the death and resurrection of... Read more

I’ve never been a radical feminist. I don’t believe in reading “against the grain” of the text because it is apparently oppressive to women. I don’t get artistic works that portray a crucified woman. I don’t believe that marriage is a form of legalized rape. You get the point. However, I think it important to note the relationship between the language of violence and sex. For example, if a young man sees his girlfriend walk by and tells his buddy,... Read more

Richard Dunn and Jana Sundene have written an important book about ministry among emerging adults: Shaping the Journey of Emerging Adults: Life-Giving Rhythms for Spiritual Transformation (IVP, 2012). The term Emerging Adulthood has been coined by sociologists (e.g. Jeffrey Jensen Arnett) and refers to that segment of young adults that largely mystifies most churches, the 19-35 year old crowd. I know of very few established churches that are effectively reaching and discipling adults in this life stage. If you have... Read more

Almighty and everlasting God, you govern all things both in heaven and on earth: Mercifully hear the supplications of your people, and in our time grant us peace; through Jesus Messiah our Lord, who lives and reigns with you and the Holy Spirit, one God, for ever and ever. Amen. Read more

Mark Driscoll seemed to think that the lack of mega-pastor celebrities in the UK is a litmus test of spiritual decline in the UK (I’m biting my tongue, restraining my fingers on key board, and will say no more about what a stupid criteria that is for spiritual vitality). During my time in the UK, I heard some great preaches like Vaughan Roberts from Oxford, Dominic Smart from Aberdeen, and Liam Goligher from Glasgow. One problem is that the US... Read more