Come Down, Lord!

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...

Dear brothers and sisters, greetings in the name of King Jesus.  I am writing to you (as I have written to my own Session) because I believe that we - the Church in North America - have let the Lord down.  Like Peter we have made big promises, but in a moment of trial we have in this way denied Him.  We have compromised and we have sinned.  I don't say that lightly.   Many better men than me hold an entirely different position. Still, I believe our decision to submit to the government is wrong.  I believe it’s seriously wrong.  I believe one day we will look back on this with sorrow at how easily we gave in to the pressures of government and society.   I know it’s well intended but still wrong.   As you know churches almost everywhere (including our own) have closed.  Gathering together for worship has been replaced almost everywhere by live-streaming, so that there is no more ‘meaningful’ gathering of believers for the preaching...

I would have liked my first post to have been about the subject of revival itself.  The trouble is we cannot have revival without repentance.  We are living in a time of compromise and spiritual declension.  Before the pandemic many pastors were comparing the Church of North America to the lukewarm Laodicean church.   Instead of responding with humility, sorrow and repentance, the Church has remained proud and unmoved.  But what is particularly troubling is how the Church has recently responded to God's hand of judgment.  This pandemic is should be serving as a wake up call to God's people.  Instead we have retreated.   Instead of ashes, sackloth, and days of joint fasting and prayer we have closed our churches.  We say they aren't closed because we are livestreaming, but our doors are actually locked, people aren't gathering anymore for worship and the communion of saints now only exists virtually.   The following is a ...