Leaning A Little On The Side of the Reformed

Over the holidays, I have been getting good use of my iphone by listening to several good podcasts. One of my goals for this downtime was to listen and re-listen to the Building Bridges Conference Podcasts.

I was able to do this and to make some poignant observations:

1. Reformed theology and liberalism are totally incompatible.

2. The SBC, historically, has been its healthiest when our theological leadership was thoroughly Reformed

3. Some of the greatest SBC missionaries were decidedly Reformed and some of the greatest times of missionary endeavor in our convention came under their leadership.

4. We have reached an all time low in concern for the Gospel and missions by the average SBC church member.

5. The average SBC church member today has very little understanding of or appreciation for Reformed theology.

Now while these observations may betray a great coincidence in our denomination, I am skeptical. It is ironic that the theological bent that some decry as anti-missional and evangelistic may be the only hope for recovering the Gospel-centered, missional spirit that has been the lifeblood of this convention. If Ed Stetzer's research is right and young seminarians and pastors are breaking decidedly in the direction of the Reformed, then we may yet see revival.

Weekend Update: Chastity Making A Comeback

"Grant me chastity and continence, but not yet"
- Augustine of Hippo

These word were uttered by Augustine before he laid aside his sinful lifestyle to become one of the greatest theologians in church history. Now over 1600 years after his honest confession, Chastity is making a comeback in theory and in practice. This can be largely credited to a witty, agnostic turned Christian author Ms. Dawn Eden. Her eye catching missive is entitled, "The Thrill Of The Chaste" and is sparking all kinds of conversation on college campuses and coffee houses all across the country. I found out about her when she made an appearance on Dr. Al Mohler's radio show which can be found by clicking on this link: Recovering Our Vocabulary: The Language of Chastity. I haven't read her book yet but it is in my queue. I will give a full review when I finish (which will probably be a couple of weeks). In the mean-time, I will keep you posted on her success.

A Third Great Awakening

Revival is an often discussed topic among pastors, seminarians, and amateur theologians. Everybody wants revival but not many are convinced that it is likely or even possible. It is true if you look at our country today there are many things that will quickly lead you to despair. The culture that drives the marketplace in America is an amalgam of post-modern, hedonistic, narcissism.


Yet for all of the evil that exists in our land, I am convinced that there is a remnant that could unleash another great awakening. My optimism is centered around the trend among 30 and 40 something pastors, seminary professors, and denominational leaders who are not satisfied with the status quo. I equate this theological restlessness with the humanist movement that occured on the dawn of the Reformation. Like our spiritual forefathers Huss, Luther, Calvin, and others, we are seeking to go Ad Fontes or "back to the sources". More and more this younger generation of evangelicals are voicing their dissatisfaction with church tradition that is more rooted in the early days of the 20th century than in the early days of the 1st century. It never ceases to amaze me when an older pastor or denominational leader speaks "ex cathedra" about the "old fashioned" days when in fact what he is referring to, compared to our history, could be considered novel. We don't need novel we need purity and simplicity two traits found in abundance in the early church at Jerusalem and in the pulpits of 18th century New England.


I hope that this restlessness never ceases. I hope that we never shirk from asking the tough questions. I hope that we continually hold our current methodology up to the mirror of God's Word (especially passages like Acts 2) and have the courage to change what doesn't belong. I know that this sounds idealistic and maybe even a tad bit naive. Nonetheless, let me share my hope that if this type of transparency, and honesty begins to flow from the pulpits of our land, a new great awakening is sure to follow.

“I assert that nothing ever comes to pass without a cause.”

- Jonathan Edwards (1703-1758)