Category: Uncategorized
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Religious Pluralism in Church History (The Challenge of Preaching in an Age of Religious Pluralism: Part 2)
Today I continue discussing the task of preaching in a time of religious pluralism by examing the history of the church in apologetics. You can view the first post in this series by clicking the link below. Part 1: The Nature of Religious Pluralism Religious Pluralism in Church History The spiritual world that embryonic Christianity…
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Book Review: God's Battalion's – The Case for the Crusades
In this week’s post, I review Rodney Stark’s book God’s Battalions: The Case for the Crusades. I found this book to be greatly enjoyable and highly recommend it for any who are interested in the topic or who have heard the contemporary culture’s accusations of unnecessary Christian brutality in the Crusades. About the Author…
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Examine Yourself: An Argument for Closed Communion
Christ gave two ordinances to the church. The first is the ordinance of baptism. According to Baptist belief, baptism should only occur once a person has accepted Jesus Christ as Savior and submitted to His lordship. The act of baptism is not salvific but symbolizes the salvation the recipient has already experienced. It identifies the…
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Book Review: Text-Driven Preaching and Power in the Pulpit
In this week’s post, I review two books on preaching. This first is Text-Driven Preaching, edited by Danny Akin, David Allen, and Ned Mathews. The second is Power in the Pulpit by Jerry Vines and Jim Shaddix. About the Authors Dr. Jerry Vines is the retired pastor of First Baptist Church of Jacksonville, Florida. He…
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Interpreting Jeremiah 31
Jeremiah 31:31-34 is a vastly important passage. Many commentators consider it the theological high point of Jeremiah and perhaps even the whole Old Testament.[1] In fact, this passage is likely partly responsible for the division of the English Bible into the Old and New Testaments.[2] It speaks a promise from God to the nation of…
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Reflections on Reading: Jeremiah 4:19-31
19 My anguish, my anguish! I writhe in agony! Oh, the pain in my heart! My heart pounds; I cannot be silent. For you, my soul, have heard the sound of the ram’s horn— the shout of battle. 20 Disaster after disaster is reported because the whole land is destroyed. Suddenly my tents are destroyed, my tent…
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Reflections on Reading: Jeremiah 4:5-18
Declare in Judah, proclaim in Jerusalem, and say, Blow the ram’s horn throughout the land. Cry out loudly and say, “Assemble yourselves, and let’s flee to the fortified cities.” Lift up a signal flag toward Zion. Run for cover! Don’t stand still! For I am bringing disaster from the north— a crushing blow. A…
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Reflections on Reading: Jeremiah 4:1-4
If you return, Israel—this is the Lord’s declaration—you will return to me,if you remove your abhorrent idolsfrom my presenceand do not waver,then you can swear, “As the Lord lives,”in truth, justice, and righteousness,and then the nations will be blessed<sup data-fn="#fen-CSB-19030b" data-link="[b]”>by himand will boast in him. For this is what the Lord says to…
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Recent Sermons
You can listen to my most recent sermons by selecting one of them below. Subscribe to my podcast through your favorite provider:
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Reflections on Reading: The Book of Malachi
Malachi is a prophet nearly one hundred years after the return from exile. The temple had been rebuilt, but things were not going as they should have been. Instead of the hope of the New Jerusalem and the Messianic king of the previous prophets, Malachi finds that the post-exilic nation of Israel looks much like…
Joel McReynolds 