Below are a collection of posts for help on the Christian walk. I hope you find the source materials therein useful.
Apologetics Corner
Archbishop Cranmer on the importance of biblical literacy
Sola Scriptura or solo Scriptura? There is a difference
Zwingli and Felix Manz (the drowning incident had nothing to do with Calvin)
‘Hate the sin, love the sinner’? Unbiblical!
The use of Greek in Palestine in Jesus’s time
James, James, James and the Epistle of James — who wrote it?
The Epistle of James — themes and justification
James 4:1-6 — faith versus the world
Doubting Thomas: John 20:19-31
John: from ‘son of thunder’ to ‘apostle of love’
The true story of Onan (not what you might have thought)
Donna Summer — a Prodigal Daughter (useful for those seeking relief from a guilty conscience)
A case against universal Communion
Christians and animals (includes the story of the Gadarene Swine)
On publicised fasting and charity
We ARE adopted sons of God — accept no imitations (good for evangelising amongst Muslims)
Sexual continence and marital fidelity
Religious and societal condemnation of abortion is nothing new (the Didache)
A Calvinist reflects on the Pill, marriage and family life
On idle talk and mobile phones
Acedia — the forgotten Deadly Sin
Seven everyday sins which the Lord loathes
St Augustine on the importance of the Lord’s Prayer
The Anglican Prayer of Humble Access
Subjective assurance and the worry of temporary faith
Putting on new clothes and working out (Colossians 3:12-14)
The Devil speaks, or the temptation to wallow in doubt (on repentance and God’s forgiveness)
The perceived dichotomy between unbelievers and Christians
Jonathan Edwards: Sinners in the hands of an angry God
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Resurrection theology
Remembering the reality of the risen Christ
Are we bypassing the risen Christ?
A call for Resurrection theology
Christianity IS the Risen Christ
Unlocking the meaning of the Gospel
The extension of the risen Christ
A Lutheran application of Resurrection theology
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Truth versus error
Charles Porterfield Krauth (19th c. Lutheran)
Beware of apologists and useful idiots (21st century clergy)
Barna Group’s biblical literacy survey: we have work to do
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Which denomination?
This quiz can help you find the right denomination
Finding a good Reformed church
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Women
Matthew Henry: an 18th century perspective on women (encouraging words)
The Epistles on women in the Church and society
Philip B Payne on hair, headship and gender equality
Women, ‘federal headship’ and ordination
Christian Domestic Discipline — when life imitates art? (Warning against spousal abuse!)
Subtle spousal abuse: a Catholic story
Conservative clergy’s responses to spousal abuse
Quotes throughout history on the treatment of children and women
Jacobean England: Women, Christian fasting and marriage
Helpful resources for Christian women suffering domestic abuse
Clothes: Are we attracting or repelling potential converts?
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Children
Christian child abuse: more works-based carnality
Quotes throughout history on the treatment of children and women
Carnality: Children historically seen as ‘poison containers’
Study of a 17th Dutch family portrait
Our treatment of children determines our future
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The Church Year
Advent
Advent resources for Catholics and Protestants
Christmas
The Christmas story in Matthew’s Gospel (hermeneutics)
The Christmas story according to St Luke
The Christmas story in Luke’s Gospel (hermeneutics)
Happy Christmas, one and all! (John 1:1-17)
December 26 – Feast of St Stephen, Boxing Day
New Year’s Day
January 1 – Feast of the Circumcision of Christ
Solemnity of Mary the Mother of God
Epiphany
A Lutheran pastor reflects on the Epiphany
More Lutheran reflections on the Epiphany
Remembering the Epiphany in chalk
Lent
The Sundays before Lent — an explanation
On publicised fasting and charity
Why not read the Bible this Lent?
Laetare Sunday, Mother’s Day and the Golden Rose
Laetare Sunday is Mothering Sunday
Holy Week
Holy Week begins tomorrow – today is Lazarus Saturday
Palm Sunday
The greatest reality story of all time begins on Palm Sunday
Palm Sunday and the Jesus watchers
If this is the first time you have received palms
Monday of Holy Week
Tuesday of Holy Week
The High Priests plot against Jesus
Spy Wednesday
Maundy Thursday
Passover, the Last Supper and the New Covenant
Maundy Thursday and the Last Supper: Jesus’s words of comfort (John 14, mentions Holy Trinity)
Good Friday
The greatest reality show ends with a popular vote
Barabbas: an inspiration for liberation theology?
Reflections on the Crucifixion
Good Friday: in whom can we trust? (John 18:12-27)
Holy Saturday
What happens on Holy Saturday?
Holy Saturday and food traditions
Easter and Eastertide
Easter: the greatest feast in the Church year
Easter Sunday: Thoughts on this greatest of days
Easter poems from an inspired Anglican, the Revd George Herbert
Doubting Thomas — John 20:19-31
Doubting Thomas: When seeing is believing
Pentecost Sunday
Pentecost — the Church’s birthday, with gifts from the Holy Spirit
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Churches
Why are the doors on Episcopal churches painted red?
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Martin Luther
Martin Luther’s thoughts on the Lord’s Supper
A Reformed perspective on Luther’s esteem for leisure time
Martin Luther’s marks of a good preacher
Religious and societal condemnation of abortion is nothing new (the Didache)
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What is Reformed?
A Calvinist explains the word ‘Reformed’
Michael Horton on the principle called semper reformanda
Culture shock: moving from an Evangelical to a Reformed church
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John Gresham Machen (20th c. Presbyterian)
Christianity and Liberalism (1923) – chapter by chapter. If you read only one book on Christianity (outside of the Bible, of course), please make this THE one:
Introducing Christianity and Liberalism
Societal decline and the State
The modern aversion to doctrine
Jesus and the Sermon on the Mount
The Modernist view of the Bible
Jesus and the first Christians
Jesus, miracles and modern thought
What to do about the modern Church?
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John MacArthur
John MacArthur warns about trends in the Church
John MacArthur on the role of a pastor
John MacArthur on biblically-anaemic preaching
Introducing John MacArthur’s Sermon Builder
John MacArthur on Mariolatry – Part 1
John MacArthur on Mariolatry – Part 2
John MacArthur warns us about globalisation and peace
Don’t be duped by Today’s New International Version (TNIV)
John MacArthur: Be an overcomer
MacArthur on the Modern Church
John MacArthur on discernment — Parts 1 – 3
John MacArthur on discernment — Parts 4 – 6
John MacArthur on confronting the culture
John MacArthur on compromising Scripture
Rick Warren’s Purpose-Driven Life — is it about Man or Christ?
Easy-believism and the watered-down sermon
John MacArthur on postmodernism
Apostate says, ‘I’m happy I now live in the real world’
The Devil speaks, or the temptation to wallow in doubt
John MacArthur on learning the Bible by heart
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Bible versions and biblical literacy
Don’t be duped by Today’s New International Version (TNIV)
The King James Version celebrates its 400th anniversary this year
BBC shows on the King James Version
BBC’s Story of the King James Bible — The Commission
BBC’s Story of the King James Bible — The Translation
BBC’s Story of the King James Bible — The Legacy
The timeline of a Bible for the British Isles
Barna Group’s biblical literacy survey: we have work to do
John MacArthur on learning the Bible by heart
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The Anglican Communion
Archbishop of Canterbury: selection process (2012)
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Ideas for children
Teaching children the Lord’s Prayer
The Ten Commandments and a catechism
Learning the Bible one verse at a time
Here’s what happens when Dad doesn’t attend church
On biblical literacy, teens and ‘Christian’ books
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Grant Horner Bible Reading System
You, too, can read the Bible with the Grant Horner system
Update on the Grant Horner Bible Reading System
The Grant Horner Bible Reading System is a success
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The Lectionary (yes, we do need to read the Bible in full)
Three-year Lectionary — a good idea?
A Lutheran perspective on the Lectionary
More on the three-year Lectionary
The Lectionary: when the ellipsis is not your friend
Critiques on the Lectionary — read the fine print
Concluding on the Lectionary — once more, with feeling
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Hermeneutics with Dr Craig S Keener
Reading Scripture as ‘basic research’
Reading the Bible is all about ‘context, context, context’
Biblical hermeneutics involves learning context
Biblical hermeneutics and whole-book context
Biblical hermeneutics and whole-book context — continued
Biblical hermeneutics — more context principles
Biblical hermeneutics and understanding Bible background
Understanding biblical background — selected examples
Understanding biblical background — more examples
Biblical hermeneutics and the context of genre: narrative
Biblical hermeneutics: more on genre
Biblical hermeneutics: genre in the New Testament
Biblical hermeneutics: prophecy and the Book of Revelation
Biblical hermeneutics: beware of misinterpreting Revelation
Biblical hermeneutics: knowing how to read Revelation
Conclusions on hermeneutics with a word on ‘social location’ (good for evangelising amongst those who want to become Muslim)
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Calvinism is not antinomian
Leading Calvinists refute antinomian (heresy of lawlessness) accusation:
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More on Calvinism
Michael Horton on the principle called semper reformanda
Weakened Calvinism is no Calvinism: Arminius, Amyraut and the Marrowmen
Why Calvinists refute Amyraldism and Universalism
Why Calvinists refute Arminianism and free will
The Calvinist view of salvation
Culture shock: moving from an Evangelical to a Reformed church
A Calvinist reflects on the Pill, marriage and family life
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Seminary curriculum
Virginia Theological Seminary (Episcopal)
Wisconsin Lutheran Seminary (WELS)
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England
Subtle Puritan allegiances in the English Civil War
The impact of the Glorious Revolution on the Church of England
Jacobean England: Women, Christian fasting and marriage
World events at the time of the First Great Awakening
George Whitefield, a great preacher in the First Great Awakening
Robert Raikes and his Sunday Schools educated the poor
Famous Methodists: J Arthur Rank of British film fame
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American settlers, statesmen, military men and politicians on God
The Thanksgiving story seasoned with Calvinism
Happy birthday, America! (Founding Fathers’ religious denominations)
George Washington and the first Thanksgiving proclamation
Remembering Benjamin Franklin’s call to prayer
Abraham Lincoln’s Proclamation of Thanksgiving
General Patton’s belief in prayer
President Truman on the importance of morality and education
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Creation
Notes on American fundamentalism — pre-1920
Fundamentalism in America after 1920
N T ‘Tom’ Wright on ancient texts, the Enlightenment and Darwin
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Heresy (and error — see categories below!)
The heresy of Modernism explained simply
Modernist thought and rhetoric influence our world
The heresy of Modernism — seriously
Pelagianism is still around and, no, we are not divine
Pelagianism and Semi-Pelagianism throughout history to the present day
Popular Pelagianism in Oprah Winfrey’s Lifeclass
Semi-Pelagianism in the Anglican Church and Frank Weston
Semi-Pelagianism in The Episcopal Church
Dr Michael Horton on Pelagianism
Spiritual warfare for the faith and against false teachers
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Church of Gaia
The Church of Gaia saves the Earth
Church of Gaia prayers seem to be working
The Calvinist church of Gaia in Cannes
Christianity and you: eugenics, sex, Gaia — and a new currency
The Church of Gaia in the Diocese of Linz
The Church of Gaia WILL ‘motivate’ you into being eco-warriors
Will the Church of Gaia EVER close?
The British reaction to the Church of Gaia and Harold Lewis
Western social conditioning, Gaia and the perils of secular sin
More madness from the Church of Gaia
Where Pachamama and industry meet
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Liberation theology
Barabbas: an inspiration for liberation theology?
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Moralistic Therapeutic Deism
Moralistic Therapeutic Deism, or comfy Christianity
Fading ‘memory’ of Christianity, the Divine Butler and false teaching
Forbidden Bible Verses: John 6:16-23
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Pietism and Small Groups (semi-Pelagianism)
Later Wesleyan and pietist movements: holiness and temperance
Pietism, Holiness and Pentecostalism
Church history: the many small Pentecostal and Holiness denominations
A history of pietism elsewhere in Europe: Moravians, Anabaptists and Mennonites (see chart)
Clothes: Are we attracting or repelling potential converts?
Early pietism: Moravian history and Jan Hus
Early pietism: Count von Zinzendorf and the spread of Moravian teachings
An introduction to Swedish pietism
Swedish pietism: Carl Olof Rosenius and George Scott
Dwight Moody and the Swedish pietists
Pietism in America today: the Emergents and the Purpose Driven Church
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Evangelicalism and Enthusiasm (not such a good thing!)
Americana: Michael Horton on ‘the politics of enthusiasm’
The dangers of dramatic conversion stories
The origins of snake handlers in the Holiness Church
Dwight Moody: the evangelist who nearly wasn’t
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Charismatics / Pentecostals
A cautionary note about experiencing divine gifts
Experience and ‘gifts’ – Part 1: Gnosticism and the roots of Pentecostalism
Experience and ‘gifts’ – Part 2: Gnosticism and the roots of Pentecostalism
Pietism, Holiness and Pentecostalism
Church history: the many small Pentecostal and Holiness denominations
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Jehovah’s Witnesses
What you should know about Jehovah’s Witnesses
What Jehovah’s Witnesses really believe
When Jehovah’s Witnesses come to call
What it’s like being a Jehovah’s Witness
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Alpha Course
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Rick Warren / Purpose-Driven Church / Church Growth
Oprah Winfrey and Rick Warren – vital tools in globalisation
The influence of the UN, New Age and management theory on us and our churches
Beware of apologists and useful idiots
Rick Warren, John Piper and the Desiring God 2010 Conference
Rick Warren’s talk at the Desiring God 2010 Conference
Church Growth and our true ‘purpose’
Rick Warren’s Purpose-Driven Church and management theory
The errors of Rick Warren’s Purpose-Driven Church
Rick Warren’s Purpose-Driven Life — is it about Man or Christ?
Summary of reasons to avoid Rick Warren’s Purpose-Driven Broad Way Christianity
Rick Warren, the Church Growth Movement and ‘dissenters’
Pietism in America today: the Emergents and the Purpose Driven Church
Rick Warren reaches out to Muslims
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Rob Bell
Fuller Theological Seminary alums: Rob Bell
If Rob Bell is right, then God, Jesus and the Bible are wrong
Love Wins: a case of ‘Robbellion’?
Rob Bell versus shocked Christians: When two Gods collide
Rob Bell’s coming to the UK – April 2011
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Fuller Theological Seminary and alums
Seminary Curriculum: Fuller Theological Seminary
Fuller Theological Seminary blogs support emergents, church ‘n’ change
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Mark Driscoll
A cautionary note about receiving divine gifts
On Mark Driscoll and ‘cool’ pastors
Rick Warren, John Piper and the Desiring God 2010 Conference
An example of a controlling church environment
Mark Driscoll on the Song of Solomon
Mark Driscoll’s Real Marriage — where’s the sanctity?
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N T Wright and the New Perspective(s) on Paul (justification is NOT akin to church membership — presenting your card and you’re in)
A British Evangelical explains the error of N T Wright’s New Perspectives on Paul
Cornelis Venema on the error of N T Wright’s New Perspectives on Paul
Michael Horton on the error of N T Wright’s New Perspectives on Paul
J V Fesko on the error of N T Wright’s New Perspectives on Paul — Parts 1 and 2
Sinclair Ferguson on the error of N T Wright’s New Perspectives on Paul
Three more clergymen point out the errors of N T Wright’s New Perspectives on Paul (includes Ligon Duncan’s link)
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Crystal Cathedral
Robert Schuller — from Reformed to the Crystal Cathedral
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Oprah Winfrey
Oprah Winfrey and Rick Warren – vital tools in globalisation
Eckhart Tolle and New Agers: The paradigm shift in faith
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New Age
Eckhart Tolle and New Agers: The paradigm shift in faith
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Mariolatry
The Mariology Dossier — complete set of links
Ordinariate article turns into bunfight over the Bible and Mary
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Eastern Orthodoxy
A Lutheran warning about Eastern Orthodoxy
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Globalisation
John MacArthur warns us about globalisation and peace
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Harold ‘the end is nigh’ Camping
Harold Camping, or the temptation of prophecy
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Toxic churches and their influence on marriage and family life
A word of advice on joining and leaving a church
Pastor Reb Bradley on the homeschooling ‘crisis’
Pastor Reb Bradley’s advice for homeschooling parents
Pastor Reb Bradley on ‘formulaic parenting’ and ‘relationship’
Baptist pastor decries today’s authoritarianism
‘Force and cruelty’ from pastors scatters the faithful
An example of a controlling church environment
Churches that Abuse — Ronald Enroth’s 1992 book still timely
Toxic churches: quizzes determine if you could be under the influence
Conservative clergy’s responses to spousal abuse
Christian child abuse: more works-based carnality
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