Southern Baptists are our own best cheerleaders. The ubiquitous, distinguished sound of back-slapping can be heard long after the annual convention is held. Regardless of whatever stereotypical posturing-reboot the leadership masterminds (this year it was providing yet another chest-thumping denunciation of racism), we’re all sure it was ground-breaking, history-making and brave. Whatever dead horse we decide to beat, … Read more
The setting might not be all that unrecognizable from the typical hipster, prosperity gospel, mega-church anywhere on the planet. A darkened room. A state of the art sound system. A big screen. A room full of fans eager for a show. But this one actually is a theater as Hillsong: Let Hope Rise is due … Read more
When a Calvinistic church in Arizona chose to raise funds through booze and tattoos and then chose to post about it in a video online while talking about its “coolness,” news sites covered the story as sensationally as the videographer meant it to be. Many Christians expressed disgust at the church’s flaunting of what some call … Read more
The naked cowboy has apparently caused Brian Houston some saddle sores. Yesterday, June 1, he issued a mea culpa that defended his wife Bobbie, the “convener” of the conference where the pants-free cowpoke appeared, as well as clearing Carl Lentz, pastor of Hillsong NYC and his wife, Laura, from responsibility for the vulgar show. … Read more
My wife told me about it last week. I knew nothing about it, honestly (and pretty much, still don’t). I just don’t watch television very much at all. I always fall back to my standby argument against television that I heard years and years ago. I adopted it and made it my own. Television, you … Read more
Obviously, I am renowned for my religious toleration and ecumenical spirit. I’m also well known for my affinity for Lutheranism and Lutherans, with whom I’ve never had arguments or doctrinal disagreements of any kind. On top of all this, a certain tatted-up Lutheran and I have been long-time friends and cherished confidants. Sometimes, we like to … Read more
“But when Paul had gathered a bundle of sticks and laid them on the fire, a viper came out because of the heat and fastened itself on his hand…he shook the creature off into the fire and suffered no harm.” Acts 28:3-5 This post is the seventh in a series that addresses a list of “40 harmful … Read more
On Making the Lord’s Day Holy from Puritan, Thomas Watson… The sixth duty wherein we must offer violence to ourselves, is the religious sanctifying of the Lord’s day. That there should be a day of holy rest dedicated to God appears from its institution. ‘Remember to keep holy the Sabbath.’ Our Christian Sabbath comes in the … Read more
[Editor’s Note: Some P&P Contributors hold to the 1689 Confession, some are Calvinistic dispensationalists that do not, and one rowdy contributor isn’t even a Calvinist – the horror. We may not all agree on the sabbatarian nature of the Lord’s Day, but we would all like you to enjoy this day of rest and worship … Read more
[Editor’s Note: Some P&P Contributors hold to the 1689 Confession, some are Calvinistic dispensationalists that do not, and one rowdy contributor isn’t even a Calvinist – the horror. We may not all agree on the sabbatarian nature of the Lord’s Day, but we would all like you to enjoy this day of rest and worship … Read more
The other day, the P&P contributors were chatting in our “convo bunker” about who was the most sychophantic follower of Southern Baptist celebrity leaders. There were a few names mentioned, but Brent Hobbs came to the very top. I know the Southern Baptist blogosphere frontwards, backwards and sideways. Hobbs is, far and beyond, the greatest sycophant … Read more
In every election season, American Christians are pulled in many directions, struggling between pragmatism and principle. As the next presidential election approaches, some wrestle deeply with their voting choices, caught between a desire for godly influence and frustration with the candidates on offer. Others may take comfort in the belief that, no matter who holds … Read more
I’m 65 pages into Megan Basham’s controversial new book Shepherd’s for Sale and I can’t help but notice all the familiar names I’m seeing from the last decade of work we’ve done at Protestia, the DISNTR, and right here at Pulpit & Pen. The evangelical actors being exposed to the light of day by Basham’s … Read more
This is part 2 of a multipart series on the pastoral career of Stevie Flockhart of 901 Church in Memphis, Tennessee. Part 1 can be found here. In 2016, SonCoast Church in Boca Raton, Florida was looking for a new pastor, a younger one. As an aging church, Soncoast hoped hiring a young pastor would … Read more
