Pyromaniacs
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by Dan PhillipsSeveral good sibs-in-Christ have asked what I/we think about the Florida Revival. I'll not speak for my bros-in-blog. But here's what I think about it.Oh, first, just one disclosure before I begin: I don't know anything about it specifically. Not one thing. Haven't read an article, haven't listened to an anecdote, haven't heard a podcast or sermon or phone-in commenter. I think a friend said something in an email... but I've forgotten it.All I know is that there is supposed to be one, it's the latest buzz, and people as far away as England are wondering about it.Otherwise, do... [read more]
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by Phil Johnsonxactly a year ago, I was in precisely the same position I am in right now: burdened with deadlines and commitments, unsure of how I would ever get everything done, and generally over-stressed. One of several Swords of Damocles hanging over my head last year was an overdue chapter I had agreed to contribute to a book on evangelical postmodernism edited by Ron Gleason and Gary Johnson. I had worked on that chapter almost every spare minute during my teaching time in Italy but had not finished it, so it was the first thing I had to do after returning to the States. Almost a year... [read more]
add to discussionYour weekly dose of Spurgeonposted by Phil JohnsonThe PyroManiacs devote some space each weekend to highlights from The Spurgeon Archive. The following excerpt is from "Good Cause for Great Zeal," a sermon preached at the Metropolitan Tabernacle, first published in 1873.ourtesies are thrown away upon antagonists whose cause is treason. Nor are we the men who should practice reserve; for if we are maintained from the king's palace, we are cravens if we do not stand up for our king.There have been attacks made in modern times upon the doctrine of substitution. If the doctrine of substitution ... [read more]
add to discussionby Dan PhillipsThe purpose of godly transparency. In the previous post I quoted Spurgeon as saying, "I am the subject of depressions of spirit so fearful that I hope none of you ever get to such extremes of wretchedness as I go to." This quotation is justly well-known and oft-quoted (though seldom-sourced).However, I'm not sure I've ever seen the thought reproduced in full:I am the subject of depressions of spirit so fearful that I hope none of you ever get to such extremes of wretchedness as I go to, but I always get back again by this-I know I trust Christ. I have no reliance but in him, ... [read more]
add to discussionby Dan PhillipsIn the Transparency: the good... (part 1 of 3) we saw that God entrusted the proclamation of Jesus Christ as Lord to actual human beings and not to steel automata. He did this for a reason. The Biblical writers were equally candid about their wayward weaknesses and their Godward zeal.Though we focused on Paul, we could easily do a lengthy series on the humanity of Moses, of Elijah, of Elisha; of Mark, of Peter, of Timothy. But I trust the premise is sufficiently laid to do a little building.Such candor did not cease with "tongues." We see it in Augustine's Confessions among ... [read more]
add to discussionby Frank TurkLast week, Phil gave a raving review of a book I had already reviewed at the blog, and of course this is technically his house and he can do whatever it is he sees fit to do. I'm mostly glad that I get to ride on his coat tails and occationally get a word in edgewise, as I did last week on Paul Edwards' radio show. Thanks to Paul, btw, for being extremely gracious and treating me like I had something more to say than "ohh Ee ooh ah ah! Ting! Tang! Wallawalla Bing Bang!"Anyway, since Phil re-reviewed the "Why We're Not Emergent" book, I thought I'd coat-tail him again and sort... [read more]
add to discussionby Dan PhillipsPaul said, forcefully and well, "what we proclaim is not ourselves, but Jesus Christ as Lord, with ourselves as your servants for Jesus' sake" (2 Corinthians 4:5). Insofar as we — preachers or "lay" witnesses — are faithful ambassadors, we want to hold out Jesus Christ. Not ourselves. We want to point people to Jesus, want them to believe and love and cling to Him. Not us.Having said that, do you identify with Paul in any way? Does he read like a writing mannequin to you? Or does what Paul says resonate with you, does it have credibility to you? Is his call to "press on t... [read more]
add to discussionPart 1 of a series on Matthew 5:16by Phil Johnson"Let your light so shine before men, that they may see your good works, and glorify your Father which is in heaven" (Matthew 5:16).hat's a familiar verse that practically interprets itself, with a command ("Let your light so shine before men"); an explanation of what the command entails ("[Let your light shine so] that [people can] see your good works"); and a reason for the command ("[So that people will] glorify your Father . . . in heaven.")Despite the simplicity of that verse, there's a lot of misunderstanding nowadays about what it means... [read more]
add to discussionYour weekly dose of Spurgeonposted by Phil JohnsonThe PyroManiacs devote some space each weekend to highlights from The Spurgeon Archive. The following excerpt is from "The Evils of the Present Time," a chapter in the book An All-Round Ministry.n reference to ministers, many church-members are indifferent as to the personal piety of the preacher; what they want is talent or cleverness. What the man preaches does not matter now; he must draw a crowd, or please the elite, and that is enough. Cleverness is the main thing. One would think they were looking for a conjurer rather than a pastor. W... [read more]
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