In recent weeks, there has been renewed interest in the doctrine of hell. The reason for the renewed interest is due to the comments of Kirk Cameron, a public Christian figure. Cameron is well-known because of his time in Hollywood, his work with Ray Comfort, and his outspoken faith. Recently, however, Cameron has made headlines…
This past semester, I’ve been meeting with a few students here at SBU to read and talk about a book by John MacArthur (The Gospel According to Jesus). One of the things we’ve come back to time and again in our discussion is how Christians should see all of life through the lens of the…
Not all Christian schools are the same. There are various ways Christian schools understand how the Christian part of their identity intersects with the educational part. That is, there are various models of Christian higher education. Over the last few years, I’ve had the chance to be part of two Christian schools. The two schools…
This year, I’ve had the privilege of taking over the Center for Worldview and Culture at Southwest Baptist University. The aim of the center is the same as that of the University. Our aim isn’t merely vocational training but the formation of the entire person. At SBU, we want to shape our students’ hearts and…
It wasn’t too long ago that a prominent pastor named Andy Stanley said Christians might need to “unhitch” from the Old Testament. That comment drew considerable criticism (see Albert Mohler here). Over the last few weeks at Southwest Baptist University, we’ve preached several sermons from the OT (Exodus 17, Genesis 6, 1 Sam 16, and…
This past Sunday, I had the chance to preach at a church in Georgetown, KY. My friend, Andy Waldroup, has pastored this church for a long time, and I was privileged to visit and open the Bible with his people. As he introduced me, he said all the customary things one says when introducing a…
On Monday, I had the chance to spend an hour with our President’s Leadership Fellows here at Southwest Baptist University. These students (about 20 of them) are awarded a presidential scholarship as freshmen and have the chance to spend time with our President, Dr. Rick Melson, and other leaders at SBU. They take one class…
Cal Newport has become a household name with regard to work, the digital space, and productivity. His book, Slow Productivity: The Lost Art of Accomplishment Without Burnout, was a timely read for me. I presume you’re probably like me: you need to grow in your commitment and rhythm of not idolizing work (i.e., finding your…
In Drew Dyck’s book, Just Show Up: How Small Acts of Faithfulness Change Everything (A Guide for Exhausted Christians), he writes that isolation is a liar. So true! We read in Proverbs that you can’t make good, godly, and sound decisions about life when you isolate yourself (see Proverbs 18:1). As relational and communal beings,…
Towards the end of the 20th century, John MacArthur wrote a couple of books that engaged with what is historically known as the “Lordship salvation controversy.” Reflecting on his writings more than a decade later, MacArthur offered a succinct description of what his opponents were teaching. [The non-lordship camp] insisted there is no place in…
Making sure people understand what the word gospel means is something to take seriously. I have two boys at home, and I regularly ask them to define the gospel. First, I ask them what the word gospel means. They’ll respond, “good news.” Then, I’ll follow that up with, “good news about what?” At that point,…
I had the privilege of studying under Jason DeRouchie for four years while at Bethlehem College & Seminary in Minneapolis. In addition, for a couple of years, I was blessed to serve as Jason’s teaching assistant, working through his various writings, editing some of his work, and helping with early iterations of his website. To…
“We destroy arguments and every lofty opinion raised against the knowledge of God and take every thought captive to obey Christ.” (2 Corinthians 10:5) The Corinthian church lived in a city known for its wealth, sexual immorality, religious pluralism, and philosophical diversity—not unlike our cities (and campuses) today. And as Corinthian Christians encounter various ideas…
While at the SBC annual meeting in Dallas last week, I received a free copy of What is a Reformed Baptist: An Overview of Doctrinal Distinctives by Tom Hicks. I was eager to read the book because (a) I consider myself reformed and (b) I am a convinced Baptist (in that order). Understanding what Dr.…
At the Southern Baptist Convention annual meeting in Dallas this past week, I was able to moderate a panel discussion on the SBC and Christian Higher Education. Joining me on the panel were Dr. Rick Melson (President, Southwest Baptist University), Dr. Jonathan Akin (VP at Carson-Newman University), Dr. Jason Duesing (Provost, Midwestern Seminary and Spurgeon…
Theology Along the Way 