Yes, it’s Reformation Day. To celebrate, let me point to three posts. On why the church always need to be reformed by returning to its catholic roots, read the CT article about Thomas Oden’s journey from liberalism to orthodoxy. And note why you need more than your ESV and a concordance to do good theology! Steve Harmon blogs on Remembering the Reformation Rightly. Scot McKnight refers to a post on how charismatic churches desperately need reforming. Post Tenebras Lux to... Read more

In John 13 Jesus washes the disciples’ feet. Commentators agree that, at the very least, this story makes the point of Mark 10:45 in narrative (see comments by Michaels, p. 725): For even the Son of Man did not come to be served but to serve, and to give his life a ransom for many. Jesus commands the disciples to follow his example: “Now that I, your Lord and Teacher, have washed your feet, you also should wash one another’s... Read more

I’ve been analyzing the biblical and theological arguments in Kevin DeYoung and Greg Gilbert’s new book on the mission of the church What Is the Mission of the Church?: Making Sense of Social Justice, Shalom, and the Great Commission. Their thesis is the church’s mission is singularly proclamation and worship. As they stated: The mission of the church is to go into the world and make disciples by declaring the gospel of Jesus Christ in the power of the Spirit... Read more

When I preach on Romans 14, which is quite often to be truthful, I give two examples of how I am both the weaker and stronger brother on some issues. For example, my theology of Christian freedom means that I have no problem with Christians drinking alcohol in moderation. While drunkenness is censured, a leisurely drink is not, since wine “gladdens” the heart (Ps 104.15) and it is good for the stomach (1 Tim 5.23). In fact, I’m drinking a... Read more

Check out this performance of Hebrews. Rather kuhl! HT: Michael Viney Read more

Derek Oullette has an interesting post on the similarities and differences between Tom Wright and Scot McKnight on the gospel  (surely their must be a limerick possible with their last names rhyming!). Quite intertesting. Though I would point out that Scot does deal with the still-in-exile theme in his book A New Vision for Israel and Scot is dealing with the theme of Empire more globally in a forthcoming book that he’s editing with Joe Modica. Read more

Over at Credo, Tom Schreiner reviews Justification: Five Views, for which I contributed the “progressive reformed view”. Schreiner’s review is very positive, he sides in the end with Michael Horton, but his remarks affirm that I had achieved my goal in occupying a half-way position between both Michael Horton and James Dunn. That aside, I still think I’m right! Strangely enough, I’ve now seen a review of the book before I’ve even received a copy myself, and I’m one of... Read more

Now maybe its me, perhaps I’m a far right wing whacko, but I get the feeling that in the USA, The Episcopal Church seems to be filled with more fruitcakes than a Christmas party and more nuts than Brazil. As proof of this, what I call exhibit ‘Z’, is the recent intention of the Rev. Benno D. Pattison to reinstate Pelagius at the next Diocese of Atlanta meeting. Read about it here. Seriously, you can’t make this stuff up! There... Read more

Our department at North Park hosted its annual Kermit Zarley Lectureship recently. This year we had the honor of hosting Cardinal Francis George, the Cardinal of Chicago. I was fortunate to have been seated next to him for dinner. We talked about Gospels scholarship and Brant Pitre’s book on the Eucharist. Of which he said, and I quote, “He tried a little to hard”. Sorry Brant, the Cardinal wasn’t enamored by the book. Cardinal George, who has a Ph.D. in... Read more

I’m not a social ethicist or law-maker, but I’ve got much to say about the need for Pokies reform in Australia. Over at The Punch is my article called The Gambling Beast is Greedy and Shows No Mercy. For those in the USA, in Australia right now gambling reform is a big issue as one independent MP is holding the minority Labour Govt. hostage over this. I also come from a family where gambling addiction was seen at its worst.... Read more