The Treason of Sin

When people violate the laws of men in a serious way, we speak of their actions not merely as misdemeanors but, in the final analysis, as crimes. In the same regard, our actions of rebellion and transgression of the law of God are not seen by Him as mere misdemeanors; rather, they are felonious. They are criminal in their impact. If we take the reality of sin seriously in our lives, we see that we commit crimes against a holy God and against His kingdom. Our crimes are not virtues; they are vices, and any transgression of a holy God is vicious by definition. It is not until we understand who God is that we gain any real understanding of the seriousness of our sin. Because we live in the midst of sinful people where the standards of human behavior are set by the patterns of the culture around us, we are not moved by the seriousness of our transgressions. We are indeed at ease in Zion. But when God’s character is made clear to us and we are able to measure our actions not in relative terms with respect to other humans but in absolute terms with respect to God, His character, and His law, then we begin to be awakened to the egregious character of our rebellion.

Right Now Counts Forever by R.C. Sproul

May 2008 Tabletalk Magazine

Phil Johnson on Why We’re Not Emergent

Phil Johnson:

I’m really stoked about this book. It’s the best, most even-handed, most interesting, most insightful, most well-written analysis of Emerging trends yet. DeYoung is a thirty-something pastor in a college community, and Kluck is an engaging sportswriter who has written for several publications, including ESPN Magazine, The Door, and Cigar Magazine. Their writing styles are markedly different, but both men are superb writers with a stunning knack for making points powerfully and succinctly.

I’m especially proud that Moody published this book. I began my career in 1976 with Moody Press (now Moody Publishers), and Moody has been involved in one way or another in every major turning point in my ministry. This book is edgier, meatier, more serious, and more significant than you might expect from Moody on a subject such as this. In fact, Moody sometimes seems to avoid controversial topics altogether. But this is a rousingly bold book produced with impressive flair and a suitable style for the subject matter. I’m fairly certain this is the first Moody book ever to include the word “poo” in a century and a half since D. L. first started the Colportage Association. I’ll let you read the book to find the context for that. It didn’t offend me; but it left me saying, “Wow.”

In fact, I think I said wow at least once in every chapter of this book. No matter how little or how much you know about postmodernism and the emerging church, you will find this book informative and thought-provoking. I’m pretty sure I have read more material on both sides of this issue and spent more hours thinking critically about it than the average evangelical lay person. But I found myself repeatedly being challenged with new facts, fresh ideas, and arguments I hadn’t considered before. I gained a clearer perspective even on some of the very aspects of Emergent thought that are most familiar to me.

New Blog That I Will be Contributing to and the ReThink Conference

Mike Hall recently contacted me and has graciously offered me an opportunity to be a contributor of the Two Institutions site at the recommendation of my friend Josh Brown. Below is TI’s purpose statement:

Two Institutions.Org exists to call attention to the need for reform of family and church culture so that these two institutions work together, within a Biblical framework, to build God’s kingdom.

My first post will be up on May 16. I am delighted and humbled at this opportunity.

On another note Two Institutions will be sponsoring a conference coming up based on Steve Wright’s book reThink. Tony Kummer of Said at Southern has recently written a review of the book. If you would like to see his thoughts on the book click here. If you were at the Band of Bloggers in Louisville, KY this year you should have received a copy of this book. Randy Stinson of Southern Seminary will be one of the keynote speakers at this event along with some local Pastors. From what Mike told me if I can remember correctly he is going to try and make the audio available. Don’t hold me to that though. The conference is going to be in Raleigh, NC so if you are going to be around the area it might be worth your time to stop by. One great thing about it is that it is FREE! Below is some information about the conference. Clear here to be directed to the actual site.

The reThink Conference is for youth pastors, pastors, education pastors, parents and youth leaders who desire a greater biblical understanding of how the two primary institutions that God has established in the Bible, the family and the church, work together in the context of youth ministry.

Please Note: There is NO CHARGE for this conference.

What some are saying about the reThink conference…

“reThink will revolutionize our ministry on the West Coast with Students and their parents. This is the biblical wave of effective Student Ministries of the future. See you in May!!!”
- RJ Holt
Pastor of Student Life
Grace Baptist Church
Santa Clarita, California

“After reading reThink, I was hoping a conference would follow. Steve Wright is about reclaiming a theology of family and wants to equip and empower Church leadership to be difference makers. I jumped at the opportunity to sign up! Do not make excuses for making this a priority!”
- Ron Brenning
Denver, Colorado