Album Review: Sun Kil Moon Tackle Death on ‘Benji’
Woody Allen once commented that he was not afraid of death – it’s just that he doesn’t want to be there when it happens. It’s a witty remark that captures the way many of us deal with death: we laugh at it. We make jokes. Because, let’s face it: there is nothing more certain in this life than the fact that it will all end in death. The obituary section of the local newspaper will one day include your name, with your place of birth, calling hours and an address where the grieving can send flowers.
Movie Review: ‘Short Term 12’
I am a pastor in the PCA. I am also a fan of independent films. Never did I think these two worlds would cross, but they did this summer, and the topic they had in common was child abuse.
Why Bother With Annual Denominational Meetings?
You will be reading news reports this week, if you haven’t already, explaining that “Presbyterians” have decided in their annual General Assembly meeting to allow gay marriage.
Are Fathers Necessary?
This Sunday is Father’s Day. Millions of people will buy gifts, make phone calls, secure dinner reservations, and devote considerable time and thought to making sure their fathers know how much they are valued and appreciated.
10 Recommended Documentaries
As The Economist seems to concur, there has been a rise recently in the popularity of documentary films. It is true that documentaries can suffer when they fall prey to the temptation to misrepresent facts, to be voyeuristic, or sometimes to be just plain boring, but a well-crafted documentary can be fascinating, educational and inspiring. They tend to confirm the cliche that truth is stranger than fiction, and they often expose the very real and visceral effects of life in a broken and fallen world.
The Value and Importance of Personal Spiritual Retreats
A few years ago, I decided to start working into my schedule a personal spiritual retreat, where I withdraw for a few days, away from the church and away from the family, to devote myself to reading, prayer and planning. I have found these retreats so helpful that I now recommend them to everyone engaged in full-time vocational ministry.
4 Misconceptions About Calvinism
While reading John Piper’s excellent new book, Five Points, it occurred to me how many misconceptions there are about the five points of Calvinism. My guess is that the main reason many people reject the five points, otherwise known as the “doctrines of grace,” is because they assume something that Calvinists actually don’t believe. Here are some common misconceptions:
3 Reasons a Congregation Should Have Its Own Building
As a pastor of a church that is getting close to opening a new sanctuary, I’ve had to do some thinking about whether a congregation should even seek to have its own building. Maybe that sounds like a silly question, because you’ve assumed that it is the goal of all churches to own their own facility. But that would not be true. Many churches, especially new church plants, do not have their own buildings, and some have no intention of getting one.
Should a Christian Feel Obligated to Listen to Contemporary Christian Music?
It was revealed recently that Dan Haseltine, lead singer for band Jars of Clay, has voiced support for same-sex marriage. Jars of Clay is generally included in the category of Contemporary Christian Music, otherwise known as CCM. The news about Haseltine has raised some questions about the man’s views, but it also raises questions about CCM in general.
5 Reasons to Believe in the Resurrection
Sometimes Christians are accused of having a “blind faith” – that we believe the unbelievable even though the facts are contrary to the evidence. Certainly it requires faith to believe in the resurrection of Jesus, for instance, but this faith is not a blind faith – it is an informed faith. It is a faith based on plausible reasons. As we approach Easter, below are five good reasons for you to believe in the resurrection of Jesus:
4 Reasons You Should Consider Buying Vinyl Records
Next Saturday (April 19, not tomorrow) is Record Store Day. This annual celebration of independent record stores has been taking place since 2007, and gives special attention to the vinyl record, which happens to be the main reason independent records stores are still in business. As music consumption moves away from CDs and increasingly toward MP3 downloads or direct streaming, there has been a movement back toward buying records the old fashioned way. Vinyl sales have been on the increase for the last few years, and show no signs of slowing down.
4 Excellent Web Resources You Might Not Know About
Years ago, before the Internet, I came across a reformed tape library catalog that allowed a person to order cassette tapes of sermons and lectures given by reformed pastors and theologians. I would rummage through the catalog, looking for interesting topics and favorite speakers. Then I would complete the order form at the back of the catalog, put it in an envelope with my payment, drop it in the mail box and wait patiently for my tapes to arrive weeks later.
3 Things That Are Good About ‘Breaking Bad’
A lot has been written about “Breaking Bad,” the popular AMC TV show, since its last episode was airedback in September. The last eight episodes recently arrived on Netflix, so that’s why this analysis comes a little late in the game. Yes, be forewarned — there are spoilers to follow.
How Can Christian Supporters of Gay Rights Be More Biblical?
A church in Alexandria, just about 20 minutes west of Yorktown, has recently been thrown into the national spotlight because of a situation regarding its former choir director. According to an article in the Ball State Daily News, the director, Adam Fraley, was forced out of his position at First United Methodist Church. The reason? Fraley is gay.
4 Things to Remember If You Are Discouraged by the Moral Deterioration of Our Nation
Ross Douthat has written an article in the New York Times in which he says same-sex marriage will inevitably be legalized in all 50 states, and that all that is left for proponents of traditional marriage now is to “find out what settlement the victors will impose.”