Reform & Revive

“An Evolving Creation: Oxymoron or Fruitful Insight?” by Keith Miller

paulburkhart — Tue, 03 Nov 2009 17:13:02 +0000

In the first in a series of posts going through the book “Perspectives on an Evolving Creation” (Keith Miller, ed.), we look at the Scientific and Theological justifications for the very idea of an “Evolving Creation”. by Paul Burkhart _______________ NOTE: Google Books includes the entire text for this book (for a limited preview) including this essay, so [...]

“Lord . . .”

michael.meulstee — Thu, 29 Oct 2009 17:05:32 +0000

artwork and article by Michael Meulstee (click for larger image) I sit down to write as a way to reflect. At this very moment in my life when there is no other thing to be certain about besides your provision and grace I cling to that and I pray that my sin will not cause me [...]

I’m Coming Out (Intro to an Evolving Creation)

paulburkhart — Mon, 19 Oct 2009 20:41:41 +0000

Can one more voice crying out from the evangelical wilderness make a difference amidst the rising and seemingly never-ending din concerning Science “versus” Faith? I guess we’re about to find out. by Paul Burkhart _______________ You ever start reading a book and can immediately tell that it is going to be a pivotal book in your life? It [...]

Decision-Making Non-Answers

Katie Olmstead — Mon, 19 Oct 2009 14:17:08 +0000

“To seminary, or not to seminary?” That’s the question for our newest Contributor, Katie Olmstead, as she navigates the ambiguities and nuances of that most frustrating of mysteries: the Will of God. by Katie Olmstead ______________ Last February, the decision was made. Everything would change come August. I would leave my home in Phoenix for Philadelphia; continue to [...]

The Infinite Beauty of Beauty

paulburkhart — Wed, 14 Oct 2009 18:43:45 +0000

A nine-month old brain child concerning Beauty and many of its components is finally done being birthed on a blog. Come see… by Paul Burkhart _______________ In about January of this past year, I received word that seven months from then, in August, I would be giving a message at Epiphany Fellowship on the topic of Beauty, of [...]

the pursuit of proverbs 31.30 (+ one who loves distance driving and semi-colons)

napoleonsays — Tue, 22 Sep 2009 04:14:05 +0000

by David Schrott It burns in my soul like few other things. And it has for as long as I can remember. In kindergarten, while all the other boys were afraid of cooties, I was tackling girls on the playground so I could kiss them despite the fact that they did not, for one second, care [...]

REVIEW: “Fearless” by Max Lucado

paulburkhart — Tue, 08 Sep 2009 17:35:35 +0000

Max Lucado, a Christian publishing powerhouse, releases his new book today to millions of struggling Evangelicals needing real theology applied to real problems. Does this book address that need? by Paul Burkhart _______________ Imagine Your Life Without Fear. That’s the subtitle of Max Lucado’s new book Fearless. A daunting call indeed – sensationalist, even (or that’s the fear, at [...]

Turning the T.U.L.I.P. On Its Side

bedsideresolve — Wed, 02 Sep 2009 06:26:45 +0000

Can the classic Five-Points of Calvinism, notorious for inspiring complacency and judgmentalism, actually cause relationships that are gracious, self-sacrificing, and long-suffering? by Stephen Hess _______________ [Editor's Note: For those unfamiliar with the historical Five-Points of Calvinism (a.k.a. "TULIP"), click here for a quick guide, or here for a full article on it] At Chapel time recently (every Tuesday and [...]

Explaining Health Care Reform & “Christian” Reflections Thereof

paulburkhart — Thu, 27 Aug 2009 14:00:37 +0000

Can the common man understand this health care debate? Is there a particularly Christian perspective on health care? Also, a curious and unexpected memorial to Ted Kennedy. Read on. by Paul Burkhart _______________ Below is a series of illustrations by Dan Roam and Dr. Tony Jones of Digital Roam explaining the current Health Care system and proposed reforms [...]

Let’s play: “Guess Who’s Doctrinal Statement?”

paulburkhart — Tue, 25 Aug 2009 14:00:58 +0000

Given just the “Core Doctrines” of a Church, can we evaluate its true Orthodoxy and faithfulness? by Paul Burkhart _______________ Okay, we’re going to a play a little game I like to call “Guess Whose Doctrinal Statement.” I’ll give you the doctrinal statement of a popular American Church and you all try and think whose it is. [...]

Is God Done with the American Church? Perhaps Not.

DWells — Mon, 17 Aug 2009 13:30:57 +0000

Does an ever increasingly secular and post-Christian America necessarily mean a smaller and weaker Evangelical Church? by Daniel F. Wells _______________ Christianity is growing numerically around the world! With books such as The Next Christendom and Theology in the Context of World Christianity we are reminded of the work of the Holy Spirit in communions in third-world countries [...]

bright as yellow

napoleonsays — Tue, 04 Aug 2009 00:42:16 +0000

by David Schrott _______________ Time has had its way with me, my broken, tired hands can’t build a thing… Coffee’s a murdering bitch, you know? It started with the arrhythmias, sometime in Oh-Three. They were added frustration on top of everything else: photo-synthesis, the commute, the roommate. Only she was my safe haven. Nothing more. The idol of my [...]

WTFWJD? | (on Christian cursing)

paulburkhart — Tue, 28 Jul 2009 14:00:30 +0000

More Christians of prominence are being “accused” of profanity from the pulpit. How do Christians navigate the increasingly clouding waters of holiness in speech? by Paul Burkhart _________________ [NOTE: no curse words are used in this article other than some mild "profanity" used in pastor Ed Young's linked video and in one of the linked movie clips] UPDATE 9/11/09: [...]

For your life – Flee!

sean.brendan — Wed, 08 Jul 2009 16:01:11 +0000

Come out from among them. Run for your life. Because this is about your life. This is not just about an opposing viewpoint or conflicting theology; this is about your life.

Independence Day?

BRGraves — Thu, 02 Jul 2009 20:52:00 +0000

Is it really the fact that “both sides are right” on the whole Sovereignty question? by B.Rayshawn Graves _______________ “There is another and worse evil which springs from this basic failure to grasp the radical difference between the natures of the two worlds. It is the habit of languidly “accepting” salvation as if it were a small matter [...]

John Piper on Obama & Abortion

paulburkhart — Sat, 27 Jun 2009 22:41:37 +0000

by Reform & Revive ______________ This is a video by John Piper of Desiring God Ministries in Minneapolis Minnesota. This is powerful. I’m still kind of really from it. The are difficult times in which to live indeed. Thanks go to Ryan Burns for the video.Random Posts: Praying for Discipline, Standing on Grace [Praying for Prayer; Pt. II] Adam Killed [...]

Appalachia to Argentina: Adultery, One of the Seemingly Unforgivable Sins.

marusekmi — Thu, 25 Jun 2009 00:49:33 +0000

by Monica Marusek __________ There are sins that, Christian or not, our culture has deemed seemingly unforgivable. The shame brought upon a woman in light of her husband’s infidelity often times ends in divorce or separation. I cannot pretend to know or understand the weight of that shame and the loss of pride that goes along with [...]

Unlimited Limited Atonement? | (a discussion)

paulburkhart — Wed, 10 Jun 2009 02:23:01 +0000

A new articulation of an old idea: a Facebook exchange on the single most controversial tenet of traditional Calvinism. by Paul Burkhart _______________ This was a facebook message/discussion between a few friends and me on the topic of “Limited Atonement” (the “L” in Calvinism’s acronomical existence). I’m thinking about letting this be the first of a new type [...]

The Scarlet Cord

sean.brendan — Fri, 29 May 2009 04:14:58 +0000

How a prostitute can both save a city in the past and teach us how our souls are saved in the present. by Sean Brendan Stewart _______________ Our dear brother Paul of Burkhart not long ago wrote a letter asking that a theme of “women in ministry” be written on. As I am in graduate school and [...]

Stephen Hess on GoingToSeminary.com

bedsideresolve — Wed, 27 May 2009 03:40:17 +0000

by Reform & Revive __________ One of our Guest Writers, Stephen Hess, recently wrote about his journey to seminary on the wonderful website, GoingToSeminary.com. Stephen is about to start his first year (of four) at Covenant Theological Seminary. Here’s the article: “God-honoring Reluctance” – GoingToSeminary.com We at Reform & Revive want to congratulate Stephen and wish him the best [...]

Passing Time

marusekmi — Thu, 21 May 2009 03:43:40 +0000

Without knowledge of our past, how are we to relate to the present/future? by Monica Marusek _______________ Your denomination (or non-denomination, or interdenomination- you get the point) tends to shape your hermeneutic [your method of interpretation], and of course- exegesis [your actual interpretation] of biblical texts. In addition to this I’ve found (and this is obviously more of [...]

red as crimson, yet . . .

bedsideresolve — Sun, 17 May 2009 04:37:15 +0000

How a winter ride home from church taught me more about the Gospel than the service itself. by Stephen Hess _______________ I was raised in a nominally Catholic family. By nominally, I mean that church was seen as an obligation, that somehow going to church meant you were a moral person. We would dutiful attend mass on Sunday [...]

Redemption’s Song

BRGraves — Wed, 06 May 2009 01:22:25 +0000

I’m mostly a listener of the older hymns, but the lyrics of this song by Israel Houghton have grown on me…it’s like my life in a verse…everything from depravity to God’s Sovereign grace…I attempted to add scriptures to the parts of the verse…may God be glorified in the Redeeming work of Jesus Christ… I was lost. (Isaiah [...]

Upon My Brow

Rachel — Mon, 04 May 2009 21:11:16 +0000

No sound is heard, heart-soul mouth makes no objection, no assertions, lips dare not move in query. Eyes form no tears for consolation, heavily I bear your indignation. Real, terribly, upon my soul weighing, not crushing. I sit, in silence I sit, in ashes this is right the offense is real, I now contrite. And when will this pass? When you are pleased to allow it, when from the [...]

death and titans/death and taxes (an ode to zwan and crassness)

napoleonsays — Sun, 26 Apr 2009 04:00:07 +0000

Everything just feels like rain… There are these days, the cold and lonely April days (this reminds me of oh-seven) when a cigarette would be really nice. Had I not been so close to one hundred days, I surely would have smoked it. Maybe even a pack; all at once. Or one after the other. Seven [...]