Thomas Helwys: Father of Religious Freedom
The American Church increasingly faces serious challenges concerning religious freedom. Many already see trouble on the horizon concerning homosexuality. Likely this issue will be only one of many to assault the church’s freedom to practice her beliefs unhindered by the state. Therefore, we must begin to redevelop a strong theological defense of religious freedom that will guide us in these days. Free Will Baptists have a unique...
Baptizing Our Imaginations in the Basin
As Christians, we give much time to consider how we might restructure our thoughts. This is appropriate, since God speaks to us through our understanding and calls us to use our minds to exert self-control over our fallen intuitions (Eph. 4:17-24). And in so doing, we refuse to conform to the fallen culture around us. But if we address only the intellect and neglect the imagination, we’ll redirect our thinking only to leave our...
T.S. Eliot: “I Should Be Glad of Another Death”
Several years ago I decided to start reading poetry. This was no easy endeavor. Poetry distills complex thoughts into compact sentences full of association and tone. Thus learning to read and understand it was difficult for me. As is often the case though, the reward for such hard work is very high. T.S. Eliot was the first poet to really grab me and refuse to let go. His poetry drew me into a new world I never expected to find. Since...
Thomas Monck: A Cure for the Cankering Error of the New Eutychians
As a young man, when my Sunday School teacher or pastor began talking about how God would use my spiritual gifts for His glory, I would say to myself, “I’m just an Average Joe.” After all, I was raised in a rural Tennessee community of tobacco farmers. I am descended from north Alabama and South Carolina carpenters, share croppers, and itinerant pastors. And though both of my parents are very intelligent, they’re just regular folks....
What Language Shall I Borrow?
Steve Jobs, the man who revolutionized the way we listen to music, was asked by his 2011 biographer what was on his iPod. In his answer, Jobs related a musical experience that had nothing to do with an mp3 player. Jobs had desperately wanted virtuoso cellist Yo-Yo Ma to play for his wedding. Though scheduling conflicts would not allow it, they soon developed a friendship. One day Ma visited Jobs’ home to play the J. S. Bach piece he...
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