my book, City of Man, Kingdom of God, is now out in paperback.
Prices on Amazon:
Paperback: $14
Hardcover: $22
Audio: $6 or Audible subscription
Kindle: $10
If you want ten or more, DM me and I can get you 50% off those prices.
The executive order that takes effect tomorrow in VA makes congregational worship impossible for a church the size of Immanuel (which is why we are not following it). And it does so contrary to science, experience, and Scripture.
Q: What is one thing you admire about Piper?
MacArthur: "Everything, and I mean that."
That Q/A was such a powerful picture of grace and kindness and I'm glad I got to see it in person. I'll remember that for the rest of my life.
There is a racket in the Roy's Report approach to MacArthur:
1. She puts out a MAJOR STORY--all in the interest of truth to power, mind you.
2. the gullible pile on, call for heads to roll
3. The truth comes out, Roys was wrong, but too late
4. Repeat with a new MAJOR STORY.
I’m not a Covid denier. We have had congregants sick and one die. But we have been meeting for a full year without anyone spreading Covid at church. A full year.
I have theological concerns with Christian Nationalism.
I have exegetical concerns with Christian Nationalism.
I have practical concerns with Christian Nationalism.
But this verse expresses my devotional concerns with Christian Nationalism.
Church > chariots
For the life of me, I don’t get the appeal of Jonathan Edwards to many. After my Bible reading this morning, I read a bit out of an old book I’d pulled off my shelf. A compilation of many of the great sermons of the past. I flipped open to a page where I’d handwritten the words,
By the way, if you think MacArthur is the threat to religious freedom, you are not paying attention. The guy who opened his church when the law said NO. So I don't really know what more he could do to show where he stands on the issue.
When challenged on these restrictions the governor said “you don’t need to go to church for God to hear your prayers.” This shows he is fully aware of what his restrictions would mean (if churches followed them)
My first Waymo ride in a driverless car. Have to say the computer was more aggressive then I expected. Right on red, driving right at speed limit. I loved it. Madison wanted to know why we had to wear masks since computers can’t get Covid.
Master's has named Abner Chou as our interim president. He is a graduate of both the University and the Seminary, a powerful preacher, and I'm excited for him to lead our two schools.
Here is a partial list of OT verses that describe a future return of Israel to the Promised Land:
Leviticus 26:44-45;
Deuteronomy 30:1-10;
Isaiah 1:25-28, 4:2-6, 9:3, 10:20-23, 11:10-16, 12:1-6, 14:1-2, 19:24-25, 25:6-12, 26:15, 27:1-13, 29:22-24, 30:18-33, 32:12-18, 33:20-24,
This is hardest for people who don’t want to be political, they just want to go to church. This EO is politicizing church worship. That’s not right. People should be able to go to church in VA without making a political statement.
Many of you know this, but
@mastersuniv
has a campus in Israel, just outside of Jerusalem. Our students are safe in a neighboring country and the school is in communication with our embassy about a path forward.
@PerfInjust
@contramordor
Yes bc it gets to the core of your argument!
"There was a Christian nation our country has lost."
Ok, when?
Any pre 1960's answer is going to have to account for segregation/slavery. I'm willing to hear that accounting, but "like I'm supposed to care about that?" is not it
The temporary restraining order by Judge Walker against the mayor of Louisville will allow people to go to church this Sunday. It is one of the most significant legal decisions of our lifetime. Because…
He affirms Pauline authorship of Hebrews!!
Here is a partial list of theologians who held that to a future conversion of ethnic Israel:
Tertullian, Origen, Hillary, Ambrose, Chrysostom, Jerome, Cyril of Alexandria, Augustine, Theodoret of Cyrus, Ambrosiaster, Prosper of Aquitane, Cassiodorus, Preniasius, Gregory the
Here is a partial list of OT verses that describe a future return of Israel to the Promised Land:
Leviticus 26:44-45;
Deuteronomy 30:1-10;
Isaiah 1:25-28, 4:2-6, 9:3, 10:20-23, 11:10-16, 12:1-6, 14:1-2, 19:24-25, 25:6-12, 26:15, 27:1-13, 29:22-24, 30:18-33, 32:12-18, 33:20-24,
Christ didn't become human merely to stand in solidarity with humans, but rather to stand in the place of humans.
He doesn't stand with us, but for us.
It would require our church to do something like ten services. It requires pews to be pre-marked for seating, which is not feasible (because families come in different sizes).
I'm listening to SCOTUS argument today on vaccine mandates...it is unreal. I was not prepared for outright lying from justices. While I'm sure that there is historical precedent to "misinformation" in court, to have so much of it come from Supreme Court justices is astonishing.
The truth re: the mask mandates and size restrictions: they are world-view driven, not data driven. They come from a world-view that thinks government can save. The gov. can't, so they try their best (which is good!), and when they fail they just double down on what didn't work.
We have an orchestra. It specifically requires orchestra members to be socially distant. Which means...you can’t have an orchestra. Obviously our choir would be verboten.
I’m a day or two late to this story but I do think it’s important for American pastors to read this. It is frankly a shocking revelation:
How The Federal Government Used Evangelical Leaders To Spread Covid Propaganda To Churches
I'm excited today to start a 3-month sabbatical today. I plan on spending that time working on a commentary on Proverbs for
@KregelBooks
. I also plan on not spending that time on Twitter... so this account will go radio silent till July. See you then!
People are passing around the MacArthur segment about women losing their jewelry and what not, and calling it poor exegesis. They don't note that he was preaching from Isaiah 3:18-26. He was practically just reading that passage.
I shared this earlier but deleted it when he deleted his tweet (X?). But honestly this is a pattern in that movement that people need to be aware of, so reposting.
Excited to announce the release of my first book: City of Man, Kingdom of God: Why Christians Respect, Obey, and Resist Government.
Hard-cover is in pre-order, Kindle and Audible are live now:
I'm surprised how many Haitian Baptist pastors have a MacArthur Study Bible. Around half that I've met. Here's a photo from a pastors office. He gives them away.
Republicans have controlled Congress since 2011, and voted to fund Planned Parenthood every year, while using abortion as an issue to gain Pro-life votes.
2011-14 excuse--Senate is D
2015-17 excuse--President is D
The vote today shows that most Rs just don't care that much
Cessationism claims the Word lost its power? I don't know what kind of cessationists you have met, but the power of the Word is literally one of the arguments *for* cessationism.
Cessationism is a uniquely Western and white heresy. The rest of the Church affirms that the gifts never stopped, mostly because they’re still using them. Who claims that grace, the cross, or the Word have lost their power? But somehow the Holy Spirit petered out 300 years in?
Update: after getting significant pushback, the VA gov has now said the order which takes effect tonight (EO72
#7
) will expire in two weeks. Still ridiculous, and I'd encourage churches to not comply.
The executive order that takes effect tomorrow in VA makes congregational worship impossible for a church the size of Immanuel (which is why we are not following it). And it does so contrary to science, experience, and Scripture.
Just read the testimony of a small town pastor who started preaching at age 17, then died at age 72...he collapsed while preaching. He lived for a week in the hospital, sharing the gospel with 100+ people before leaving this world.
The Master's Seminary Washington DC location starts their semester tomorrow. 16 students (from Delaware, Richmond, Maryland, and all over Northern Virginia), preparing for pastoral ministry. Here are a few of the students/wives. If you think of it, pray for their semester:
Love this line from Gorsuch in the decision last night blocking NY's restrictions on churches: "Even if the Constitution has taken a holiday during this pandemic, it cannot become a sabbatical."
This weekend I got to attend
@MastersSeminary
graduation. A student from the DC location graduated and it was a joy to reflect on how the Lord prepares men for ministry. First,
@DrStevenJLawson
preached on the marks of a Masters man:
Just saw Top Gun at a sold out Imax theatre near the Pentagon w an absolutely raucous audience (mostly military). Easily the coolest movie experience I’ve ever had. They went straight wild at the end.
Got to meet Stephanie Soares today. She is a gold medal winner with the Brazil basketball team, and is now playing at
@TMUAthletics
. Her goal at Masters? “Win national championships and learn more about the Lord”
@drewdyck
We like your church and all, but we are looking for something more family friendly... you know, with multiple camera angles, better outro music, and a platform more compatible with the kid's browsers.
Jesus' "I am" statements in John:
I am the bread of life
I am the light of the world
I am the door
I am the good shepherd
I am the Son of God
I am the resurrection and the life
I am the way the truth the life
I am the true vine
And the last one was just:
I am. (John 18:6)
At the Shepherd's Conference this year I'll be presenting a session titled, "Christian Nationalism: Living Stones or Voting Blocs?" That title won out of over "Coveting Caesar's Throne"
@contramordor
@PerfInjust
Ummm, no? I didn't use that phrase either. As I've made clear, my main beef w/ CN is this idea that a country properly constituted has only one ethnicity, paired with the idea that the US was founded as such a CN. At some point one has to navigate the tension there, and
I finally read the Tim Keller post on "How Christians fit in a 2 Party System."
I agree with the words of what he says, but not with what his words are trying to do.
This tweet is ironic at like six levels. But here is another: A person touted as the country’s top teacher asks a question then turns off replies to keep people from answering it. That sums up pedagogy in public schools right now:
I’m on my way to Chad 🇹🇩 to visit one of our missionaries and teach at a conference for Bible translators. Please pray for fruit and that those who attend would be encouraged.
On a flight with a fallen Air Force service member. All I know is that what the pilot said: “he gave his all in the fight against terrorism.” Grateful for friends who risk their lives for mine.
So this is a new one for me. My flight today is delayed because the airline “can’t find the plane.” It landed last night, they just don’t know where it parked. They’ve been looking for two hours now….
A meta-narrative like this is hard to write but this is quite good from
@PerfInjust
and captures what happened with TGC. Well worth the five min read.
Oh my. Episode IV is my favorite of the MacArthur podcasts. If you are a preacher, you need to listen to this.
It compares the “style” and “coolness” of Furtick, TD Jakes, Dale Ralph Davis, and MacArthur.
Plus their shoes. Plus David and Goliath.
Ok, I get it. There is an argument that the gov can make an indefinite ban on singing in churches. I reject that argument, but I grant it can be made...
I just wish it wasn't the director of the "Ethics and Religious Liberty Commission" making it.
This is a reasonable and good decision by the Supreme Court. The decision respects the inviolable constitutional rights to religious freedom as well as the legitimate role of the government in fighting a deadly virus.
A huge case for religious liberty on college campuses was decided today out of Iowa. Recall: InterVarsity was kicked of campus for requiring leadership of its club to sign their statement of faith (which affirmed Christian sexual ethics)... (1/8)
I argue that this order (like every church related order since July) is unlawful. It violates a lower court order barring these rules. It violates the role of gov as established by God, and Christians should not have their conscience bound to such things
A HUGE Thank-You to Jesse Johnson (
@jarbitro
), our special guest for this year's Wide Awake conference and guest preacher this past Sunday! We were so encouraged by Jesse's FIVE messages this weekend and are thankful for his love for both Christ and the Word of God!
I watched the Chan communion sermon. I'm not nearly as mad at his butchering of evangelical history as I am at his description of preaching as "one guy with his Bible." When people describe preaching with minimalist language, it is an affront to how God chose to build his church
@JonathanLeeman
Jonathan--re: point 1: the gov. in California has already banned home Bible studies. So the "Summit model" would not work there.
Point 3 (the "wonky" one): abuse is a crime no matter what sphere it happens in. But here, the crime is *going to church*. That is the key difference.
My heart breaks for those who have lost loved ones from the virus. But the blame is not on 7 year-olds who didn't wear a mask, or on a church of 260 instead of 240. The blame is on (in proximate order): China, fallen world, sin.
So 9marks crew is arguing for multi -service churches now, and MacArthur is doing only one service now? Am I following this correctly? Just catching up to this debate.
Today I wrote about the killing of
#AhmaudAubrey
from the perspective of this question: What does the Bible say about vigilantism?
The sin of vigilantism
The trans movement is hostile to human flourishing.
I mean the cornerstone of their world view is a rejection of the "image of God" identity of humanity.
Here is our virtual orchestra prelude from yesterday: "This is My Father's World," w each orchestra member in isolation. In their audio, they couldn't hear each other, only Jesus (the conductor) counting the measures.
This was View the U Week for prospective students at
@mastersuniv
Chapel featured Abner Chou preaching on the fear of the Lord, which is the foundation of a Christian approach to higher ed.
@dale621
Ok, she said my father in law was arrested for covering up child abuse. That is a serious accusation. She ran a big picture of him, saying he was. IT IS NOT TRUE. She doesn't care. It's not true. Is that “deflection”?