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When Does Error Become Heresy? On Kirk Cameron and Annihilationism

In a recent article , Rosaria Butterfield and Jared Moore suggested that “annihilationism and celibate gay theology are twin heresies and should be denounced as such.” I have great respect for Rosaria, and I believe I understand that concern that lies behind her comments. In an age where many are abandoning the old paths, I am grateful for her faithfulness and her willingness to contend earnestly for the faith. But is annihilationism, like celibate gay theology, heresy? I do not believe it is. The article by Butterfield and Moore raises a question that extends beyond annihilationism itself. When does error become heresy? At what point does a mistaken interpretation of Scripture place a person—a pastor, leader, or layperson—outside the bounds of Christian orthodoxy? It seems to me that these are critically important questions. Though I am not an annihilationist, I know believers who are. They live near to the Lord, they love His Word, and they are determined to keep their consciences c...
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What is Love?

I often hear Christian leaders define love as if it were little more than a decision. We are reminded that Jesus said, “If ye love me, keep my commandments” (John 14:15), and so we are told that love is obedience. Love, in other words, is keeping His commandments. It is what we do, not how we feel. These days we are often reminded that love is not niceness. On the contrary, it is said that genuine love doesn’t care what people think. It cares only about upholding God’s standard. I can understand the impulse to say such things, especially in an age that often appears marked by soft sentimentalism and virtue signalling. But this is not how the Bible defines love, nor is it how our forefathers understood it. Biblically speaking, love is what constrains us to obey. It is not merely what we do ; it is why we do it. Consider the Pharisees. They were doers. They were often exact in their obedience. Yet Jesus said our righteousness must exceed theirs (Matthew 5:20). Why? Because for all the...
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What Mary Found

  We often have this idea that we should be making a difference. We want to have some impact on the world—or at least the Church. But sometimes God providentially hems us in. We are neither able to serve in a more visible way, nor are we able to do much in the background. Those who deal with illness understand this. I sometimes hear of men who have a hard time adapting to retirement. Without a sense of calling and purpose, they do not know what to do with themselves, and some sink into depression. But there is something we may do even on a sick bed. Yes, we may take up a ministry of intercession, but I have something else in mind—something in some ways higher and richer and more wonderful. The work of an intercessor is never to be underestimated, but it is not the only thing we can do. And when through weakness even intercession proves difficult, there is still this one other thing we can do— and yesterday I was struck by the wonder of it: that if this one thing is all we can do,...
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Have You Left Your First Love?

Do you remember when you were—as John Flavel put it— “restless and impatient… in His absence”? You could bear anything but that. Sickness you could bear. Pain and temporal losses you could endure. But His absence was unbearable . You could not stand to go on without the sense of His dear smile. You longed to walk and live and breathe in the light of His countenance (Psalm 4:6–7; Psalm 89:15). Do you remember when “Divine withdrawments were to you as the hell of hell (Flavel)” ? Those seasons when God seemed to hide His face from you—when He was distant, and there was not that familiar communion and fellowship in the prayer closet—were to you as hell. You wept and you groaned and you cried for His return. You stirred yourself to take hold of God (Isaiah 64:7), and you wrestled with Him as you told Him you would not let Him go (Genesis 32:26). Do you remember when the world was a burden to you? Do you remember a time when, if it were not for your sense of duty, you would have gladly...
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Closest to the Bible?

Paul Washer has said, “Do not look for the church nearest to your house. Look for the church closest to the Bible.” By "closest to the Bible," people tend to think doctrine, and for years that was largely my approach. But when I began attending our current church about two years ago—and later joined it—it was not because of some major doctrinal shift. I was there, and remain there, for other reasons entirely. Over the years we have been part of some good churches, including churches that were especially strong doctrinally. When I began looking for a local church, I knew we would be giving some things up. But could I find a place where my family could serve and grow? And what did it really mean to be “closest to the Bible”? I am not sure exactly what Paul Washer meant, but I came to conclude that it means much more than doctrine alone. As I thought and prayed about it, these were some of the things that mattered most to me: Christ-centered preaching . I was looking for preac...
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Doctrinal Triage and Human Sexuality

  I’ve listened with appreciation to Gavin Ortlund’s discussions surrounding doctrinal triage. Like him, I think it is important to distinguish between primary, secondary, and tertiary differences. But I was surprised when I heard him say that human sexuality is a secondary issue . In fact, he clarified by saying that whether a person affirms the traditional view of marriage as between one man and one woman is not a primary issue but a secondary one—important, but not essential.* I understand the impulse to limit the list of essentials to things like the doctrine of the Trinity, the virgin birth, the atonement, and salvation by grace alone through faith alone in Christ alone, for example. But—assuming I have understood him— is he right? If human sexuality is a secondary issue, then it is a difference we can live with , something like baptism. Think about that for a moment. We have Baptist and Presbyterian denominations because the differences between us on baptism—as on other issue...
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What Actually Disqualifies a Pastor?

Yesterday I learned of another pastor who has been disqualified for moral failure of some kind. I won’t name him or the particulars because I don’t think it is the business of believers to be spreading such stories. This is not to say there is no place for public disagreement or critique. I have, at times, responded publicly to other pastors where I believed they were in error, but that is different from spreading details of personal sin. If announcements need to be made, I believe they should be carefully worded so as to lovingly cover sin and to avoid bringing further reproach upon the name of Jesus—except in cases involving predatory and/or criminal behaviour. But I bring it up because I believe the evangelical Church is often getting this wrong. We say that a pastor is disqualified, and sometimes we add that he is permanently disqualified. But what kinds of sin actually disqualify a pastor? And is there a difference between temporary disqualification and permanent disqualification...
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