Aaron Armstrong's Blog, page 390
February 1, 2012
The Joyless Pursuit of Being Right
If there's one thing that recent events have shown, it's that the more conservative elements of Christianity seem to have a lot of trouble getting along (especially those flying under the banner of "Reformed"). While many, I believe, genuinely seek to contend for the faith, many others seem to be content with just trying to be the rightest person in the room. The result is the proclamation of joyless "truth" that at best is, frankly, more likely to turn people away from God than draw them...
January 31, 2012
Book Review: Forever by Paul David Tripp
How often do you really think about eternity? While I hope that many of us would answer "quite regularly," the way we live would certainly suggest that whatever thought we do give to eternity doesn't really impact our lives. Why is this? Why have we forgotten this fundamental reality of the Christian faith? In his latest book, Forever: Why You Can't Live Without It, Paul David Tripp argues that we may have succumbed to what he describes as "eternity amnesia," and in this book's 14 chapters...
January 30, 2012
Baby Dramarama
Have you ever noticed how it's tempting to question God about what He's doing? I think I'd be lying if I said I never did this, but it's usually about something ridiculous or "small"—but when it comes to big issues, we tend to not freak out. I can't recall having a "why, God, why" kind of moment when something big's gone down. During Emily's miscarriage and the aftermath three years ago, neither of us spent much time questioning God's purposes, only asking Him to help us glorify Him. We...
January 29, 2012
Around the Interweb
Kevin DeYoung shares an excerpt from Turning Around the Mainline: How Renewal Movements Are Changing the Church by Thomas Oden:
Four modern ecumenical arguments in particular misfire, as shown by David Mills. They even make Christian disunity more likely. These four following arguments have prevailed in liberal ecumenism, each unintentionally eliciting disunity. Each is a mistake "if-then" correlation… All these attempts are alike in one way: they put unity ahead of truth.
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January 28, 2012
Let the Personal Conflict Cease
The will of God is supreme. Be it His secret will, or be it His revealed will, its supremacy is acknowledged. In heaven, in earth, in hell, in all places, over all beings, and in all events, the scepter of the Divine will stretches its illimitable and supreme sovereignty. It is the paramount law of the universe. Every other will is subordinate to, and is controlled by, the will of Jehovah. Let those think of this and tremble who, erecting their little sovereignties, and setting up their puny...
January 27, 2012
The Dangerous Side of Being an Encourager
People like Barnabas are always needed in the church. They are peacemakers, the go-betweens who seek no glory for themselves but only seek to bring out the best in others. But "would-be" Barnabases of today need to hear a further lesson from this outstanding biblical figure. Barnabases want everyone to be happy, but sometimes it simply is not possible to please everyone without serious compromise of one's basic convictions. Barnabas found that out later at Antioch when, in order to placate...
January 26, 2012
Creativity, Christianity, and Developing Your Personal Style
I love this advice from C.S. Lewis:
The way for a person to develop a style is (a) to know exactly what he wants to say, and (b) to be sure he is saying exactly that. The reader, we must remember, does not start by knowing what we mean. If our words are ambiguous, our meaning will escape him. I sometimes think that writing is like driving sheep down a road. If there is any gate open to the left or the right the reader will most certainly go into it.
In another writing, Lewis expands on this...
January 25, 2012
You Might Be Killing Your Ministry (And Not Even Know It)
What is the one thing that will kill your ministry faster than anything else?
Consider that question as you read. I frequently love to read Proverbs. Reading these principles of life and godliness often serves as a corrective for me as I work and pursue ministry. Something I mentioned a few weeks back was a tendency toward performancism—that is, a tendency to turn the gifts and abilities that God has given as the measure of my worth. So when I'm doing lots and being productive, then I'm great ...
January 24, 2012
Book Review: Education or Imitation by Curtis Allen
What does it take to interpret Scripture correctly? Education? A seminary degree? Learning Greek and Hebrew? These are great and helpful things, but argues Curtis (Voice) Allen, they're not the secret to becoming a good interpreter of Scripture. The secret is imitating Jesus. "Interpretation of Scripture, followed by right application, is the primary way that we are to be like God," he writes in his new book, Education or Imitation?: Bible Interpretation for Dummies Like You and Me. "This is ...
January 23, 2012
Your Work is Your Calling
photo by Piotr Bizior
What's the purpose of having a sense of calling? A sense of calling—understanding that God has put you where you are for His purposes—is important because some days, it's the only thing that will stop you from going on a rampage or quitting and going to work at Starbucks (I hear the benefits are great, incidentally). A sense of calling is important, but we have to be careful that we don't hyper-spiritualize the idea.
Even typing that seems odd, though. I mean, how can you ...
