My Books for Free

Over the past decade, one of my chief pursuits has been to write beautifully written, thought-provoking books. To what degree I have accomplished this remains something of an unanswered question in my mind. Having recently gone back over my earlier volumes, I cannot help but marvel at how awkward and unpolished they were at times. [...]

Change My Mind: As A Conservative Christian I Should Not Vote For President Trump

When it comes to voting in favor of President Trump, the Christian's rationale often goes something like this: since there is no such thing as a perfect candidate, voters will inevitably have to wrestle with a lesser of two evils scenario. President Trump certainly exhibits failures of character and competency at times, yet for all [...]

My Favorite Works of Fiction

With the reading of books there is no end.  But with the reading of great books there most certainly is an end... and sometimes it feels like I have long ago reached that end. Search as I might, digging here and there for the next literary treasure, I haven't found a gem in quite some [...]

The KJV Only Controversy: A Reasonable Conclusion

Suppose a person claims that the Nestle-Aland Greek manuscript is best, while another claims the Majority Text is best, while yet another upholds the Textus Receptus. Or maybe something else? Or some peculiar variation among them? For the average Christian who weighs these competing claims and wants to discern the truth of the matter, he [...]

In Defense Of Film: 60 Or So Movies You Might Want To See

I am sometimes reminded by the comments of Christians that tastes in movies vary wildly.  This isn't too surprising- though one might wonder how it could be that some actually enjoy what they do in fact enjoy.  Here one need only peruse the myriad of Christian productions of the past decade or two.  Most seem [...]

Thought of the Day

Chief among those sins that are today not thought of as especially sinful- given the near ubiquitous assumption that there exists a hidden clause behind every verbalized commitment that it will be most assuredly done if nothing else more interesting or trivially pressing comes along- is unreliability. Or untrustworthiness. Or unfaithfulness. Or whatever other word [...]

The Down-To-Earth Duty of Radically Normal Hospitality

Hospitality is the fertile soil in which relationships grow. This is true for friendships both new and unexpected as well as old and established. Show me a gathering of believers where there is warmth and love expressed through hospitality, and I will point and say, “Look there! On that hill! Shining brightly, as if a [...]

Character and Civil Leadership: Ruminating Further

[This is a followup to my previous article] Point One: If we agree that sin is inherently destabilizing, misery inducing, and corrosive, and that a man's character is the benchmark for assessing how likely a person is to indulge the sinful nature, then it follows that an evaluation of character is crucial for determining the [...]

Is The Character of a Civil Leader Crucially Important to His Task?

When it comes to the world of mixed martial arts, you'll hit someone in one of two ways. The first occurs in the gym while sparring. Here the idea is to sharpen each others' skills without intentionally crippling the other. The second happens in the ring. Here the intent is to take your opponent's head [...]

Sensus Divinipodcastis

Everyone has an innate awareness that there exists a gloriously sublime podcast.  And I am here to point you to it 🙂 Allow me to introduce Sensus Divinipodcastis; a new podcast by yours truly. I've always wanted to theologize about movies, other podcasts, and books; to use these mediums as springboards to discuss ethics, philosophy, [...]

A Long Time Dream Has Come True

Yesterday I received news that my transfer request to Pensacola, Florida was approved. It came in the form of a call from my Postmaster declaring, “You got Pensacola!” Immediately after that conversation, I called my wife and shed tears of joy, crying like a baby in a parking lot off of south 3rd street. That [...]

A Christian Psychology Of And Response To Homosexuality – Sam Williams

Not long ago, Justin Taylor highlighted a lecture by Sam Williams, saying, “This is the best one-hour introduction [to the psychology of homosexuality] you can find.” I agree. Here are some of the questions raised and addressed (as aptly outlined by Taylor) in this presentation. What causes homosexuality? Can we be responsible for that which [...]

Generous Justice – Tim Keller

While reading the twentieth chapter of Acts, meditating again on Paul’s farewell address to the elders at Ephesus, I was struck by Paul’s emphasis in verses 33-35.  Listen again to him, “I coveted no one’s silver or gold or apparel. You yourselves know that these hands ministered to my necessities and to those who were [...]

Generational Conflict in Ministry

D.A. Carson has written a timely article entitled “Generational Conflict in Ministry.”  See if the first paragraph catches your attention: “About five years after the Berlin wall came down and the communist regimes of Central and Eastern Europe had mostly fallen or been transmuted into something rather different, I had the privilege of speaking at [...]

Two Weeks of Listening. Some Snapshot Thoughts

Apologetics 315 Interview with David Wood Excellent interview exploring the subject of Islam.  Instead of looking at the historical evidence, which is rarely what Muslims care to explore, David Wood very helpfully shows how one can and should use the Koran itself as a foil to the Muslim’s most common objections against Christianity.  Good stuff. [...]

Business for the Glory of God (Clarus Conference) – Wayne Grudem

How might you answer these questions? Is God pleased with our owning things? Is God pleased when we take materials from the earth and produce things? Is God pleased when men employ others for work? Is God pleased with commercial transaction? Is God pleased with men making a profit? Is God pleased with the idea [...]

Is Anything Worth Believing? – John Lennox

The latest issue of Scientific America headlines: The Physics of Intelligence Evolution has packed 100-billion neurons into our three-pound brain Can we get any smarter? If we believe that chance exquisitely laced these neurons together, then I sure hope so. -------- Speaking of science, it’s popular these days to talk about the incompatibility of science [...]

John Piper Interviews Rick Warren on Doctrine

I am not a Rick Warren aficionado.  I don’t have the foggiest idea what he does on Thursday afternoon, nor do I listen to his sermons (I’ve heard one).  I’ve never read any of his books.  And I don’t follow his tweets. This means that what I’m about to say concerning John Piper’s interview is [...]

The Tide of Culture (It Gets Better, by Google)

----- I recently saw this commercial while watching the NBA playoffs.  The thought that entered my mind, after watching this powerful commercial, was, "It's going to get tougher... for us." Let us speak clearly, yet lovingly, brothers in the days to come. You might check out James White's recent interview with Dr. Mike Brown.  They discuss his latest book [...]

Two Reviews (Not Peace… Sorry, Dr. Volf)

Allah: A Christian Response – Dr. Miroslav Volf After listening to Dr. Miroslav Volf’s recent lecture at Wheaton, “Allah:  A Christian Response,” I must say that I’m still waiting for the Christian part of the response. What can I say?  This was real head slapper.  In a nutshell, he argues that Muslims worship the same [...]

Are We Really Just a Blank Slate? A Conversation with Steven Pinker – Al Mohler

In one of his more recent and fascinating podcasts, Dr. Mohler discusses the subject of man’s nature with well known evolutionary psychologist, Steven Pinker. In this interview, two things are worth noting.  First, Dr. Mohler proves yet again that he is a gentleman.  He allows Dr. Pinker to present his view without interruption.  He doesn’t [...]

Rambling Reviews of an Audio Scavenger

I love a full MP3 player.  And last week, my MP3 player was pretty darn full.  Ah, yes, the simple pleasures in life! So, yeah, I’ve listened to quite a few messages lately.  It’s been a strange mixture.  A little bit of everything.  Nothing life changing, exactly, but no downright duds either.  It’s for this [...]

Roe v. Wade… A Poignant Reminder

Desiring God Interview with Tim Keller

While situated in a black leather chair in the comfort of his living room, Pastor Tim Keller answers a host of questions about his life and latest book.  It’s an interesting hour and a half.  Everything from his conversion to his early ministry to the beginnings of Redeemer is discussed.  His mild manner and approachability [...]

Check Out The New Blog: Gentle Reformation

I’d like to draw your attention to a new, snazzy, Reformed, gentle, but not too gentle (like pansy gentle or girl pushup gentle) blog where yours truly is a fellow contributor.  In a nutshell, we share our musings about theology, culture, history, books and pretty much anything and everything that strikes our fancy.  Since Calvinists, [...]

Should Abortion Be Illegal? – Alan Shlemon vs. Cicili Chadwick

I never cease to be amazed at what I hear from the mouths of pro-choice advocates.  Never wavering from calling the unborn baby a fetus, Professor Chadwick, the pro-choicer, nevertheless concedes that the fetus is human life.  This is chilling.  For here you have an educated woman advancing, nay, trumpeting the belief that a woman [...]

The Future of Atheism: Beyond the Question of God – Point of Inquiry

I’m drawing attention to this particular podcast for one simple reason: It provides a glimpse into the ambitions and aspirations of contemporary atheism.   Basically what you have are three atheists- three noted individuals- discussing the future of atheism in America.  They explore the disadvantages and advantages of militant, that is, “loud and proud” atheism, as [...]

Modern Roman Catholicism – Reformed Forum

For those of you who might be interested in a hearty analysis of modern Roman Catholicism, I would encourage you to give this episode of “Christ the Center” a listen.  The discussion is supported by a robust panel of OPC pastors who know their stuff.  Difficulty: Advanced.  There are a lot of theological categories thrown [...]

My New Book Is Available!

--- Think Neil Armstrong, Shackleton, Lewis and Clark... The Mailman! --- For what is the mailman, if not a dashing adventurer wrapped in blue?  Does he not daily brave the sidewalks of America, that place where the average citizen roams wild, unhindered and real?  Does he not tackle blizzards, endure tempests, wrestle frothy-mouthed dogs, overcome [...]

Homosexuality – Matt Chandler

Today I heard an advertisement on a radio station challenging people to think about their choice of words.  Well, actually, not words so much, but one word in particular.  And what was that one word?  Gay.  The commercial begins with a couple teenage girls using the word “gay” in a flippant manner.  “Oh, that’s like [...]