Creating Wiggle Room for Calvinists (Deviant Calvinism Book Review)

The anti-Calvinist blogs will never stop spinning the same message – Calvinism as a system is cruel, it creates a monster God, its fatalistic, and it is pessimistic (just to name a few “characteristics” of Calvinism). Roger Olson, a proponent of anti-Calvinism (who sort of reminds me of hard-nosed pro-Calvinist fundamentalists) has said that IfContinue reading “Creating Wiggle Room for Calvinists (Deviant Calvinism Book Review)”

The Righteousness of God

What does Paul mean when he says, “But now the righteousness of God has been manifested apart from the law” (Romans 3:21a)? Romans 3:21-26 21 But now, apart from law, the righteousness of God has been disclosed, and is attested by the law and the prophets, 22 the righteousness of God through faith in Jesus Christ forContinue reading “The Righteousness of God”

Music Monday – “Child” by Washa

Unlike some of the stuff I have posted recently, i.e. Hip Hop, today I present to you a song that is fairly ambient, places an emphasis on tone and atmosphere, and makes use of complex instrumentation in order to create a mood that is both melancholic yet hopeful. Enjoy! (HT: The Good Christian Music Blog)

Limited Atonement vs. “Unlimited” Atonement

Most people tend to think that if one is reformed one is required to hold to the doctrine of limited atonement, the doctrine which says that the cope of Christ’s atoning work is accomplished on behalf of and applied only to the elect. In a recent article on “hypothetical universalism” (hear unlimited or universal atonement,Continue reading “Limited Atonement vs. “Unlimited” Atonement”

Jason Sexton’s Advice to Students – Serve the Church!

Jason Sexton, a Systematic Theologian who holds positions at USC and Cal State Fullerton and heads up the Theological Engagement with California’s Culture Project, advises those pursuing theological and biblical studies to serve the church consistently and faithfully in order to flourish during their education

New Books from Baker

I remember the days of “book fairs” at elementary schools. A few weeks before the fair we would get a catalog of all the books we could order. There were Goosebumps, Clifford, Bernstein Bears, and Animorphs books galore. Now that I have grown up I am still getting those catalogs, except now adays its publishersContinue reading “New Books from Baker”

The Holy Spirit in Romans

Romans has often been called Paul’s “systematic theology,” I would beg to differ, but if we are going to insist that Paul is writing a “theology” it would be best to call it “biblical theology” or “narrative theology” because Paul takes the entire storyline of scripture – creation through restoration – and rereads this JewishContinue reading “The Holy Spirit in Romans”

Music Monday – “Hood Cries” by Bizzle

When Bizzle addresses the situation in Ferguson and Christians’ response to racial injustice he simply doesn’t care if people are going to like what he is says. He is going to speak truth regardless if it offends some people’s sensibilities. He especially kills it in his 2nd bar (1:38 – 2:26).

Book Review – New Testament Essentials: Father, Son, Spirit and Kingdom by Robbie Fox Castleman

As the person who oversees college Life Groups at my church I know how hard it is to find, write, or develop good small group/bible study curriculum. Over the years I have perused tons of Bible studies and small group materials, only to be fairly disappointed every time. However, Robbie Castleman’s New Testament Essentials aContinue reading “Book Review – New Testament Essentials: Father, Son, Spirit and Kingdom by Robbie Fox Castleman”

What Does a Successful College Ministry Look Like?

Many college ministers are about to enter into a brand new season. For those of us who are starting new things on local college campuses there will definitely be a ton of pressure to provide “results” to the people back home at our churches. “Recruit new students, get people to make decisions for Christ, putContinue reading “What Does a Successful College Ministry Look Like?”