Category Archives: Shock and Awe

Send This to Members of Praise Bands Before It is Too Late!!!

praiseBand

If only James K. A. Smith had been the editor with whom John Frame worked on his worship books, the world of conservative Presbyterianism might be a lot more liturgically coherent than it is. I (all about me) don’t usually agree entirely with Smith, though I admire his provocations within the world of neo-Calvinism. But… Read More→

Posted in Shock and Awe | Tagged , , , | 25 Comments

Frame, Escondido, and Worship

Fram

One of Frame’s objections to “Escondido Theology” pertains to worship. Here are the bullet points from his book: WORSHIP/PIETY • It is wrong to try to make the gospel relevant to its hearers. • Worship should be very traditional, without any influence of contemporary culture. • The Sabbath pertains only to worship, not to daily… Read More→

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Playing with Fire

fire eater

Martin Luther complained about the radicals of the Reformation who invoked the fullness of the Spirit that they had “swallowed the Holy Ghost, feathers and all.” Justin Taylor’s recent quote from John Piper about worship makes me wonder if fire-eater would occur to Luther as the name to describe the oldest of the Young, Restless,… Read More→

Posted in Shock and Awe | Tagged , , , , | 47 Comments

Contemporary Cosmic Christology and Contemporary Christian Music

normanupr

In his endless and zealous quest to see Abraham Kuyper prevail as the vice-regent of all things, Dr. K. (Nelson Kloosterman) keeps translating and quoting Kuyper as if such invocations will settle debates over 2k. Somehow, Kloosterman believes that 2kers deny Christ’s kingship over all things. When I respond that Jesus was Lord even over… Read More→

Also posted in Lordship of Christ, Neo-Calvinism | Tagged , , , , , | 14 Comments

Sometimes the Prayer Book Just Makes Sense (sorry for having the word “just” so close to the thought of praying)

For those who resist watching videos like the one posted earlier today from “King of the Hill,” here is the text of Bobby’s prayer, which is a brilliant illustration of the enormity that happens when trying to put sober truths into vulgar words. I want to give a shout out to the man that makes… Read More→

Also posted in Piety without Exuberance | Tagged , , | 63 Comments

Is Hank Hill Wiser than David and Tim Bayly?

The Brothers Bayly have stirred up the pot again by arguing that Tim Keller is a greater threat than Doug Wilson and the Federal Vision to the PCA. Calculating the heinousness of error is indeed a judgment call, but the Shorter Catechism does indicate that some sins are more grievous than others. As folks who… Read More→

Posted in Shock and Awe | Tagged , , , , , | 305 Comments

Faking It

A few more thoughts on the Duncan, Nevin, Helm, Edwards discussion. The proponents of Edwards and the First Pretty Good Awakening (hereafter FPGA) are worried about nominal Christianity – that is, people who go through the motions of worship or Christian practice. Although this is an understandable concern – who would ever commend hypocrisy unless… Read More→

Also posted in Piety without Exuberance | Tagged , , , | 173 Comments

The Etiquette and Manners of Worship

Bill Evans, one of the new bloggers on the block at Baptists and Presbyterians Together (also known as the Alliance of Confessing Evangelicals), seems to have an issue with a point I made some time ago when I contrasted the arguments of John Frame and Hughes Oliphant Old on worship. Here is how Evans describes… Read More→

Posted in Shock and Awe | Tagged , , , , , | 81 Comments

Mark Dever Needs to Start His Own Gospel Coalition

This frank and open conversation about multi-site churches among Mark Driscoll, James MacDonald, and Mark Dever is, from this Old Schooler’s perspective, down right scary. (Thanks to one of our readers.) It shows how words like “missional” and “video-campus” have undermined any clear understanding of ecclesiology at the Gospel Coalition. For instance, if I were… Read More→

Posted in Shock and Awe | Tagged , , , , , | 39 Comments

Can Drinkers of Bad Beer Read Roman Numerals (even when sober)?

One of the blessings of being a sabbatarian is the removal of the temptation to watch the Super Bowl. Yes, if the home team happens to be there I may revert to the Jewish conception of the sabbath day ending at sundown. But the NFL has become so bloated (and mediocre along the way thanks… Read More→

Also posted in Miscellany, Wilderness Wanderings | Tagged , , , | 17 Comments