Interesting Article and Reviews in Themelios

Last updated on: April 22, 2021 at 6:15 am By Brad Vaughn

The most recent issue of Themelios (April 2021) contains an article and several book reviews that I think will interest readers of this site. Read more

Separating for the Sake of Church Unity

Last updated on: April 1, 2021 at 6:43 am By Brad Vaughn

Winsome Conviction opens with a provocative statement: “there are times when the best way to preserve Christian unity is by parting ways.” This requires an explanation. Read more

Argument Culture, Not Conviction, Threatens the Church

Last updated on: April 1, 2021 at 6:44 am By Brad Vaughn

Without understanding how to disagree well, the church will never have unity, just mere conformity. Without civility amid differing convictions, the church need not worry about “the world” because it will become its own worst enemy. When it comes to ministry, we will struggle to find solutions to ongoing problems because we remain unteachable. Read more

Is biblical womanhood an example of syncretism?

Last updated on: April 7, 2021 at 11:18 am By Brad Vaughn

When I first heard about Barr’s The Making of Biblical Womanhood, I wasn’t interested in reading it. I was so wrongheaded. This book is all about biblical interpretation. Read more

“Confucian Shame in Christian Thinking” webinar video now posted

Last updated on: March 26, 2021 at 11:47 pm By Brad Vaughn

This week, I led a webinar with China Source where I explain distinctive features of Confucian shame and its appearance in Christian thinking. Read more

Applying Honor and Shame for Christian Living

Last updated on: March 23, 2021 at 11:02 pm By Brad Vaughn

Te-li Lai says “In essence, the goal of Paul’s shaming refutation is Christic formation.” This claim raises several questions concerning the interconnection between honor, shame, and Christian character. Today, I simply offer a few practical applications stemming from what’s been said. Read more

Why I Left the SBC and IMB

Last updated on: March 16, 2021 at 2:49 am By Brad Vaughn

After 30 years, I no longer belong to an SBC church. I worked with the International Mission Board for over a decade. But I left the IMB too. Here's why. Read more

How do honor and shame motivate moral decisions?

Last updated on: February 17, 2021 at 11:39 pm By Brad Vaughn

In order to apply and respond to shame or honor in constructive ways, we need to understand how honor and shame motivate us, especially our moral decisions. I’ll note 4 levels of motivation, not all of them having equal value. Read more

Register for my “Confucian Shame in Christian Thinking” webinar

Last updated on: March 1, 2021 at 11:35 pm By Brad Vaughn

Here is the ChinaSource March Lecture: “Confucian Shame in Christian Thinking” (by Jackson Wu) Read more

4 ways we seek honor and avoid shame

Last updated on: February 17, 2021 at 11:42 pm By Brad Vaughn

Everyone wants to gain honor and avoid shame. Although honor and shame play such a significant role in our lives, we often misunderstand them. Here are four ways that we seek honor and recognition while also trying to avoid shame. Read more