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)

Weekend Update: Christianity In The Cartoons

I ran across an article on the Lawrence Journal-World website entitled The Gospel According To The "Simpsons". The focus of the article was a book by the same title written by Jewish author, Mark Pinsky. In his book, Mr. Pinsky dissects the popular cartoon to see exactly what message is being delivered by its state of the art, computer animated, raucous characters. What Mr. Pinsky says might just surprise you.

I have in the past been very dismissive of the Simpsons for a number of different reasons not the least of which is its irreverence and innuendo. After reading this article and an excerpt from Mr. Pinsky's book, however, I am inclined to be a bit more observant. Don't get me wrong, I won't go out and buy the DVD box set, or have a Simpsons party for my students (heaven forbid!). What I will do is be more careful before I assist the enemies of the church by becoming a stereotype. If anything this article and Mr. Pinsky's book should serve as a means for understanding the people to which we are called to make disciples. And making disciples is something that even Ned Flanders knows is no easy task.

Sex May Sell, But The Church Shouldn't Be A Market!

I confess that my perspective on modesty may be a bit strict. I am a recovering pharisee. When I was growing up girls and guys weren't even allowed to swim together because that was considered mixed bathing. (Funny I never saw any soap in the pool. Hmmm?) Having been since converted to the ranks of the reformed, however, I am happy to view all things through the lens of grace.


More and more, I find that some of the guidelines I used to follow in an attempt to win God's favor I am returning to because of God's favor. One of these guidelines is that women should dress modestly. I'm sure at this point many of you may be rolling your eyes and thinking: Here it comes, another tirade on short-shorts and bikini's. Actually I would like to examine this issue from a two institutions perspective and see if we can in an environment of grace find a way to encourage one another. So let me direct this post to two separate parties...

To Husbands, Fathers, Pastors, and Men in general - You have a spiritual responsibility to protect and preserve the purity of the women that God has placed in your care.

1.Make sure that your own heart and mind remains pure. Do whatever it takes!!! If you need any encouragement in this consult two sources 1. The Bible - Philippians 4:8,1 Corinthians 6:12; 2 Peter 2:19, Proverbs 6:25-28; Ezekiel 20:30; Ephesians 4:19, and 2. My post on Saturday July 14. 2007.

2. Be the man and share the truth in love when you daughter, wife, etc. is wearing something that is inappropriate.

3. Encourage our ladies when they set a good example and always love them and protect their emotional tenderness.

To Wives, Mothers, Daughters, Youth Leaders, Teachers, and Ladies in general - You have a spiritual responsibility to protect your brothers in Christ from stumbling.

1. Have a healthy view of your own femininity like that found in Proverbs 31. (No you don't have to be perfect, you just need to be godly)

2. Dress modestly. Let your apparel not distract us guys from your true beauty which is internal not external. - 1 Timothy 2:9

3. Help steer us guys away from situations that might cause us to stumble. In case you haven't figured it out ladies, we men are a little clueless sometimes. We need you to "have our backs" occasionally.

Okay, let me close by saying that despite the over sexualized culture in which we live, there are some things about which we can be encouraged. One good example of this is the article that inspired me to write this post. It was entitled Girls Gone Mild? and was posted on the ABC News website on July 20th. Go by and check it out. There are also some helpful websites and other resources listed at the end of the article.

Lets do everything we can to make the church a safe haven for both men and women to escape the pervading promiscuity in the world around us.

A truly sad commentary...

A good buddy of mine brought something to my attention the other day. One of the bastion churches of the SBC is severely under attack right now, and all of it is from within. A pastor has made some poor decisions and some members have made some poorer ones, and there is an outright war going on right now. We at Two Institutions have a policy about not spreading gossip and lies, and therefore, unlike some others, I will not reveal any names.

When news like this hits me, it breaks my heart. I know some men who serve on staff at this church and it breaks my heart for their families. What breaks my heart the most though is that depraved human beings, who may very well have been set free from the curse of their depravity, choose to glory in its shame.

Two things I see killing the church today; 1. Egomaniacal pastors who feel that the church they work at is THEIR church, and 2. Egomaniacal members who feel that they have some life bond claim and that the church is THEIR church. When you combine these two, wow have you got a mess. It kills me that hopefully well intentioned people allow Satan to use them as pawns in a chess game to bring shame and disgrace to the name of Christ. These people become so obsessed with a battle that shouldn't be fought, that they risk losing ground in the only war that matters. It absolutely breaks my heart.

I was about to type that Christ's blood wasn't shed so that egomaniacs could claim that they hold a special right to it. But that is exactly what it was shed for. It was shed for sin and that is what these people are allowing themselves to be caught in. How mind blowing that the destruction that is being wreaked on the church today from within, is part of the very reason that Christ had to die.

The picture above is one from the Civil War. I normally refer to it as the War of Northern Aggression, being a true southern man. However, there was nothing civil about that war. Brother versus brother, father against son. It wasn't right, it was heart breaking. When I look at the church today I see the same thing. If we do not stand up and change we will see the same worthless wars continuing to be fought and over time the casualties will be more severe. It makes me sick and it breaks my heart.

Weekend Update: Harry Potter Party Mania

One thing I like about blogging is that by nature it is very organic. It is not static like a newspaper or a magazine and it can be updated almost instantaneously. With that in mind, I felt inclined to do a weekend update. Chalk it up to having a lot on my mind or having too much free time. I'll let you be the judge...



Last night I happened to stop by my local bookstore. It was about 8:45pm and the place was packed. As I struggled to find a parking space I realized what was going on. They were having a Harry Potter book release party. At midnight dozens of parents and sleepy kids would be lined up to purchase the latest missive in the Potter saga.

I have no desire to launch into a tirade about Harry Potter. To be quite honest, I have seen all of the films except for this latest one, which I will probably wait for it to come out on video. There is some entertainment and even some positive values that they posses. I think that there are also some troubling elements in the Potter books especially as it relates to children. My concern over this spectacle, however, goes a bit deeper.

While I was at this potter party last night, I observed the many parents and children who were roaming around the store talking, playing games, and parading costumes. Suddenly, it struck me that as a people; we are bereft of a Biblical sense of the magical. In other words we have lost the proper mystical reverence of God and have traded it for a man created, celluloid, hardback bestseller version. Those people last night from young to old were all created by God for His pleasure, but instead of seeing the wonderful, and even magical mystery that exists in the goodness of the trinity they have sought it elsewhere. What is even more telling is that many times, I find myself right there with them. I guess it reminds me so poignantly of what C.S. Lewis said about desire in his book, The Weight of Glory

Our Lord finds our desires not too strong, but too weak. We are half-hearted creatures, fooling about with drink and sex and ambition when infinite joy is offered us, like an ignorant child who wants to go on making mud pies in a slum because he cannot imagine what is meant by the offer of a holiday at the sea. We are far too easily pleased.

If I were not so easily pleased, and if I could reflect the glory and mystery of the creator of the universe and if many of my brothers and sisters in Christ could do the same thing, then I suspect that we could have parents and kids running around church like they were that bookstore.

"Who is like you, O LORD, among the gods? Who is like you, majestic in holiness, awesome in glorious deeds, doing wonders?" - Exodus 15:11 (ESV)