Contrary to what you might think or even unwittingly believe - Christian Spiritual formation is not reserved for only the ’super’ spiritual. There is a sort of adage among retailers regarding people who write or call with concerns about a product. If you get a letter it probably speaks for many, many more who just won’t take the time. That is why it takes very little in the way of complaints for a company to respond (they know it is a representative sample). I think the following ought to be understood as a ‘representative’ sample.
One of the most theologically solid educational institutions in the U.S. is a school called Covenant College and Seminary in Georgia (Lookout Mountain). Recently the president of the Seminary told this story: Covenant Seminary gives an entrance examine in order to place its incoming students in the track of study which takes into consideration what they already know. 20 years ago (1988) 2/3rds of the students passed the Bible knowledge placement examine and 1/3rd failed. Today (2008) that number is reversed. 2/3 failed and only 1/3 passed. (more…)
Posted by Scott on November 27th, 2008 in Church life, Lamb of God, Movies, Revival, Spiritual Formation, cultural relevance | 3 Comments »
The election is now history. The people have decided and the victory of Barack Obama is decisive. Yet scripture declares a truth even more decisive: The LORD sits enthroned over the flood; the LORD sits enthroned as king forever. (Ps. 29:10)
However you may feel about the outcome of the election we know that God is working his eternal purposes and that He has not turned a deaf ear toward His people. The growing voice of united prayer emerging all across this nation will be answered by our God. The cries for Him to have mercy on the nation, and in particular to come to the aid of the most vulnerable will not be ignored by our compassionate heavenly Father. I am undaunted in pressing in to prayer for awakening among the people of God, and I hope that you will see how critical it is for us to never give up (Luke 18: 1 And he told them a parable to the effect that they ought always to pray and not lose heart).
Our hope is in God alone. However, our strategy to see righteousness established is not simply a matter of praying and waiting. We are compelled by the Word to marry our prayers to wise action which puts our ‘money’, so to speak where our mouth is. We are not ideologues, but as James exhorts us: What good is it, my brothers, if someone says he has faith but does not have works? Can that faith save him? (James 2:14) (more…)
Posted by Scott on November 6th, 2008 in Lamb of God, cultural relevance | 9 Comments »
