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Paul T. McCain
First Thoughts Articles
A Betrayal of the Gospel: The Joint Declaration on the Doctrine of Justification
Ten years after it appeared, we still continue to hear that the Joint Declaration on the Doctrine of Justification was a “breakthrough” between the Roman Catholic Church and the Lutheran Church. The media loves to perpetuate this myth. In fact, the Joint Declaration on the Doctrine of . . . . Continue Reading »
The Problem with the Seeker-Sensitive/Purpose-Driven Definition of a “Christ Follower”
From the Extreme Theology blog: I’ve been hosting my radio program for almost 2 years. One of the daily features of my program are the sermon reviews. Each week I review 3 to 4 sermons from seeker-driven / purpose-driven churches. I review them in their entirety and am generally mortified and . . . . Continue Reading »
Oculi: The Third Sunday in Lent
The Scripture ReadingsExodus 8:1624Ephesians 5:19Luke 11:1428Summary: Jesus Overcomes the Strong ManJeremiah was charged with speaking evil when he spoke the Word of the Lord (Jer. 26:115). So also, Jesus is accused of doing evil when in fact He is doing good. He casts out a . . . . Continue Reading »
Commemoration of Sts. Perpetua and Felicitas, Martyrs
At the beginning of the third century, the Roman emperor Septimus Severus forbade conversions to Christianity. Among those disobeying that edict were Perpetua, a young noblewoman, and her maidservant Felicitas. Both were jailed at Carthage in North Africa along with three fellow Christians. During . . . . Continue Reading »
Free Digital Church Year Calendar
Did you know that there is a free digital calendar for the Christian Church Year, along with the secular calendar, available here? There are a variety of formats: Microsoft Outlook, Entourage, iCal and Google Calendar. Courtesy of Concordia Publishing House. It includes every Sunday in the Church . . . . Continue Reading »
No Middle Ground: Satan or Christ
An excellent presentation by Pastor Mason Beecroft. Well worth our careful reading and attention.Last year I was invited to give a lecture in the Wiseman Series at First Presbyterian in Tulsa. Oswald Hoffman was a regular presenter. Well, for whatever reason, they asked me to return this year. Here . . . . Continue Reading »
Behold the Wonder of God’s Creation
NASA has released new images of earth. Stunning. Absolutely. . . . . Continue Reading »
Holy Ghost Hokey Pokey
File under: Bringing Disgrace on Christ and His Church/Dumb Things Christians . . . . Continue Reading »
The Bishop Resigns: Better Late than Never?
A guest post by Rev. Dr. Holger Sonntag. Since Dr. Sonntag is from Germany and very familiar with the ecclesiastical situation, I asked if he would have any thoughts on the resignation of Dr. Margot Käßmann, who was the head of the EKiD and the bishop of the largest territorial Lutheran . . . . Continue Reading »
Six Things to Do When You Feel Your Faith is Weak
When we are feeling that our faith in Christ is weak, we should, as God’s Word itself teaches us, do the following things:1. Recognize that faith is God’s work and his gift, 1 Thess. 3.; John 6.2. Inquire and examine ourselves if we gladly want to believe, and if we wish that our faith . . . . Continue Reading »
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