Pulpit Magazine

(by Jesse Johnson)

Last week, a group of evangelical leaders released “An Evangelical Manifesto: The Washington Declaration of Evangelical Identity and Public Commitment.” The most prominent names to sign it have been Max Lucado, Jack Hayford, Os Guinness, and Mark Noll. The document is 20 pages long, and is worth the read (click here to read the manifesto, or a summary can be found here).

I must confess that my initial response to manifestos and public declarations is usually one of skepticism followed by indifference. However, I enjoyed reading this one, was challenged by it, and found myself agreeing with much of it. It contains a description of what it means to be an evangelical, and a seven-part statement of faith that I would consider a good summary of what I believe.

There is much in this self-described manifesto that is excellent. Mostly it is a call to allow Christians into the public square—the market place of ideas, politics and culture—on the same terms as that of the secular world. There is a very thoughtful and helpful description of religion’s roll in shaping politics and culture. The manifesto warns that the public square is being dominated by liberal elitists who try and drive religion out, and thus alienate most real cultural and political conversation, while capitulating to a militant form of atheism. Continue Reading »

(By John MacArthur)

Is it enough to “believe in Jesus” in some amorphous sense that divorces “faith” from any particular doctrine about Him, or is doctrine—and the content of our faith—really important after all?

Scripture plainly teaches that we must be sound in the faith—which is to say that doctrine does matter (1 Tim. 4:6; 2 Tim. 4:2-3; Tit. 1:9; 2:1). It matters a lot.

“If anyone advocates a different doctrine, and does not agree with sound words, those of our Lord Jesus Christ, and with the doctrine conforming to godliness, he is conceited and understands nothing” (1 Tim. 6:3-4, emphasis added).

Sound, biblical doctrine is a necessary aspect of true wisdom and authentic faith. The attitude that scorns doctrine while elevating feelings or blind trust cannot legitimately be called faith at all, even if it masquerades as Christianity. It is actually an irrational form of unbelief. Continue Reading »

(By John MacArthur)

When Martin Luther was summoned to the Diet of Worms in 1521 and asked to recant his teaching, he replied, “Unless I am convinced by Scripture and plain reason, my conscience is captive to the Word of God. I cannot and I will not recant anything, for to go against conscience would be neither right nor safe. God help me. Here I stand, I can do no other.”

Luther’s well-known formulation, “Scripture and plain reason,” is the only basis on which we can properly ground true spiritual discernment.

Scripture isn’t antithetical to sound, rational wisdom, though many today imagine otherwise. Reason is no substitute for Scripture, of course, but when good reason and sound logic are kept subject to the authority of Scripture, they are in no way a threat to the truth. On the contrary, the application of sound, logical thinking to the truth of Scripture is a key aspect of the formula for discernment. Continue Reading »

How can Christians make God-honoring decisions?

Decision-making can be a daunting task for anyone, but Christians have the unique advantage of making decisions that are informed by God’s Word. To do so, there are at least three factors to consider.

First, you must obey the moral will of God as it is revealed in Scripture. If Scripture prohibits the action in question, your decision is easy: don’t do it.

Likewise, if one of the options in your choice causes you to neglect something God specifically commands you to do, you are required to make the choice that will allow you to fulfill your biblical obligation. For example, if God requires you to be an active part of a local church — Hebrews 10:25 indicates that He does — any decision that prohibits you from that is against God’s revealed will. In order to uphold God’s moral will in your decision making, ask yourself, “What does God’s Word say about it?” If it says anything, obey that (1 John 5:3). If it says nothing, you have freedom and do not need to fear missing God’s will or sinning against Him (Romans 14:2-6, 22). Continue Reading »

(By John MacArthur)

I’m convinced the opening chapters of Genesis are not optional. They establish the vital foundation for everything we believe as Christians.

Sadly, it is a foundation that is being systematically undermined by the very institutions that should be most vigorously defending it. More and more Christian educational institutions, apologists, and theologians are abandoning faith in the literal truth of Genesis 1-3.

I recall reading a survey a few years ago which revealed that in one of America’s leading evangelical accrediting associations, whose membership boasted scores of evangelical Bible colleges and universities, only five or six college-level schools remain solidly opposed to the old-earth view of creation. The rest are open to a reinterpretation of Genesis 1-3 that accommodates evolutionary theories. Continue Reading »