accountability

Biblical Manhood & Womanhood Q&A 3 – Part 1

What does holding our spouse accountable look like in the helper role? There are two areas to consider when answering this question. First is the ATTITUDE in which we approach one another. Second we ought to consider the ACTIONS we take as we engage relationally. This blog is going to address the first, tomorrow I [...]

By Matt Warren|2016-10-21T15:11:41-05:00May 7th, 2014|Categories: Biblical Manhood & Womanhood|Tags: accountability, attitude, goals, marriage, submission|0 Comments

I am still working through Holiness by Grace by Bryan Chapell. He was talking about mercy in the chapter I am in, and interjected a unique experience that reminded me of the values of relationships in the church, especially personal relationships that may know the intimate details of our lives. He writes (referring to a conversation [...]

By Matt Warren|2016-10-21T15:11:44-05:00January 30th, 2012|Categories: Uncategorized|Tags: accountability, church, commitment, maturity|0 Comments

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Zwingli: Zealous Reformer, Faithful Pastor.

While Zwingli might be a complex and controversial reformer, ‘Zwingli the Pastor’ shows us there’s wisdom to be found in his triumphs and tragedies. [...]

Study the Bible in 5, 15, or 30 Minutes

Many of us have good intentions when it comes to reading our Bibles. How can busy people with full lives make those intentions a reality? [...]

Abraham Lincoln and Today’s Trials for Democracy

Collin Hansen and Allen Guelzo discuss Abraham Lincoln’s leadership during the Civil War and its relevance to understanding and preserving democratic values today. [...]

When Intrusive Thoughts Come

Dealing with intrusive thoughts? Here are four questions to help you be proactive when they arise. [...]

On My Shelf: Life and Books with Philip Ryken

Philip Ryken talks about what’s on his bedside table, favorite fiction, favorite books for leaders, and more. [...]

A Quick-Start Guide for Church Revitalization

How do you shepherd a flock to healthier pastures when the sheep aren’t yet convinced that the grass is greener on the other side? The post A Quick-Start Guide for Church Revitalization appeared first on 9Marks. [...]

Book Review: The Church, by Erin Wheeler

Erin Wheeler does a wonderful job of both defending the doctrine of the church and describing its beauty. The post Book Review: The Church, by Erin Wheeler appeared first on 9Marks. [...]

Four Reasons to Preach the Psalms as a Book

The intentional ordering of the 150 psalms may have been rediscovered in academia, but it has very practical benefits for the Christian in the pew. The post Four Reasons to Preach the Psalms as a Book appeared first on 9Marks. [...]

Give Them Time: How to Protect the Assuring Nature of a Child’s Baptism

How do we know if we’re looking at a good kid or a regenerate kid? The one thing we know for sure is that time will tell. The post Give Them Time: How to Protect the Assuring Nature of a Child’s Baptism appeared first on 9Marks. [...]

Four Ways God Used a Church Fire for Good

On November 1, 2022, our church building burned down. Not one part was salvageable. The fire swept through the attic at astonishing speed. Not a single notepad or paper clip … keep reading… The post Four Ways God Used a Church Fire for Good appeared first on 9Marks. [...]

Spurgeon on the Marks of a Missionary

One of The Pastors’ College’s proudest achievements was the increasing number of missionaries sent out internationally. However, Spurgeon did not forget that there was much work still to be done at home. Speaking to the Baptist British and Irish Home Missionary Society in 1870, Spurgeon sought to encourage all Christians to engage in the work of home missions. But what are the qualities of an ideal missionary? Spurgeon listed five qualities: ability to teach, willingness to toil, prayerfulness, compassion, and sacrifice. To the missionary of any rank, aspiring, current, or retired, these are encouragements from Spurgeon to lift you up [...]

Making the Ordinances Meaningful: Spurgeon on Baptism and the Lord’s Supper

As Spurgeon pastored the largest evangelical congregation in the 19th century, he understood the importance of baptism and the Lord’s Supper for their identity as a church. Rather than downplaying or individualizing them, he elevated their importance and incorporated them into their life as a church. What might Spurgeon have to say to church leaders today about making the ordinances more meaningful in the life of the church? [...]

Susannah Spurgeon: A Faithful Wife

Susannah Spurgeon experienced both tremendous joys and agonizing suffering throughout her life, but the legacy she left behind testifies to her ultimate hope in the Lord and her undying faithfulness to her husband. She lived a life of service and devotion to God and her husband, and was ever his constant encourager and source of both incredible joy and comfort. Thought she was often incredibly ill and spent many years as an invalid, she remained steadfast in trusting the Lord and His sovereign plan in all things and sought to serve both in her own home and church body. Mrs. [...]

Keep Up the Prayer Meeting Pt. 1

The congregational prayer meeting was a key component of Spurgeon’s ministry. He believed that prayer meetings were “at the very secret source of power with God and with men.” Apart from earnest, consistent prayer, a congregation should have little hope that God would use and bless their ministry. Spurgeon always gave thought and planning to the prayer meetings at the Tabernacle. He once said to his students, “Do not go walking into the prayer-meeting, as so many do, to say anything or nothing that may occur to you at the moment; but do your best to make the meeting interesting [...]

Building a Culture of Evangelism

How did Spurgeon mobilize his church for evangelism? How can we build a culture of evangelism in our churches? In one of his lectures to his pastoral students, entitled “How to Induce our People to Win Souls,” Spurgeon gives three basic principles for building a culture of evangelism: Patience, Pastoring, and Prayer. [...]

Mortification of Spin Releases Its 500th Episode

Back in 2013, Carl Trueman and Todd Pruitt launched Mortification of Spin, sharing a microphone in a small underground bunker, shooting the breeze as the British like to say. Their first episode, "Rock Star Pastors in Las Vegas," aired February 8, 2013, and received 502 plays. Some of their early guests included Steve Nichols, Derek Thomas, and author Simonetta Carr, the force behind another Alliance podcast Kids Talk Church History. All these years later, Carl and Todd no longer share a mic, but they're still going strong, celebrating their 500th first-run episode and over 2.8 million plays! Joining them for [...]

Listen to the podcasts on the Alliance YouTube Channel

Did you know the Alliance Podcast Network is now available on YouTube? You can listen to any of the Alliance podcasts on any device, including your Smart TV, media player, game console, phone, tablet, or computer. Additionally, you will find Alliance events, interviews, updates, and more on the channel. To subscribe, please visit youtube.com/@Alliance-Video and be sure to turn on notifications. On April 10 we will sharing a special video episode of Mortification of Spin—you won’t want to miss it! Continue reading The Alliance of Confessing Evangelicals is member supported and operates only by your faithful support. Thank you. [...]

The Holy Spirit with Robert Letham

Join us for the first Gap Bible Seminar of the spring semester, April 12-13, in Gap, PA. Robert Letham will teach four sessions on the Holy Spirit and His work in the Bible and today. Robert is a Presbyterian minister with twenty-five years of pastoral experience. He was formerly a professor of Systematic and Historical Theology and now serves as a senior research fellow at the Union School of Theology in the UK. He is also an associate professor at the Vrije Universiteit Amsterdam and a fellow in History and Theology at Greystone Theological Institute. He has written many books, [...]

Do you enjoy listening to sermons by solid, Reformed preachers?

The Alliance of Confessing Evangelicals has a rich treasury of sermons from throughout our 75-year history. We want these messages to have maximum impact on the Church. One of our key goals is to construct a reliable and searchable database that is easily accessible to our supporters and listeners. To that end, we are looking for volunteers to help us accomplish this project. Alliance Allies will listen to sermons, complete a simple review form, and return the form digitally or in a postage-paid envelope. That’s all there is to it! You get to listen to excellent messages from James Boice, [...]

Walking in the Old Paths

Jeremiah 6:16 says, “Stand at the crossroads and look; ask for the ancient paths, ask where the good way is, and walk in it." The messages from the 1993 Philadelphia Conference on Reformed Theology look at the “old paths” – what they must mean to us now and with a concern for our present responsibilities. Re-released with eight newly discovered messages from the pre-conference and conference workshops—this special 30th-anniversary set will surely bless your time as you listen. The PCRT 1993 Anthology includes 15 messages from John Armstrong, James Boice, John Gerstner, Phillip Jensen, Roger Nicole, and J.I. Packer—see the [...]

Door of Hope (Hosea Study #7)

(To read these posts in order from the beginning, start here.)Read Hosea 2:15-23 Last time, we stepped into the wilderness to discover that in the Bible, the wilderness is often a harsh and dangerous place God uses to test and refine his people. It is also a place where he provides sanctuary and allows his people to encounter him in powerful ways. Today, were going to go back in time a bit to when Joshua fought the battle of Jericho. Remember the scene? [...]

I Will Allure Her and Bring Her Into the Wilderness (Hosea Study #6)

(To read these posts in order from the beginning, start here.)Read Hosea 2:14Long before God asked Abraham to sacrifice his son Isaac, he had another son, Ishmael. God had promised Abram and Sarai a son, and when he didn’t move fast enough for them, they took matters into their own hands. Sarai gave her handmaid Hagar to Abram as a wife and things didn’t turn out so well. Sarai became jealous of Hagar and dealt harshly with her. So, Hagar escaped into the wi [...]

Hedge My Way With Thorns (Hosea Study #5)

(To read these posts in order from the beginning, start here.)Read Hosea 2:1-13In America, committed Christians are now a “worldview minority” in an increasingly anti-Christian culture. Israel was not just a worldview minority in their surrounding culture but was a tiny speck on the map of a rapidly expanding and violent Assyrian Empire. They were also surrounded by the polytheism and Baalism of the Canaanite culture. But they were called to worship and depend on Y [...]

No, Martin Luther Was Not a Deconstructionist

This article is in response to this piece from The Gospel Coalition. As a past TGC contributor, as an act of good faith, I did express my concerns directly to TGC before posting my article here. **Update** The Gospel Coalition was gracious to publish a condensed version of my article on their site. No, Martin Luther Was Not a Deconstructionist. And neither was Jesus. Many years ago, my Christian beliefs were challenged intellectually by a progressive Christian pastor. It t [...]

Mercy Me... (Hosea Study #4)

(To read these posts in order from the beginning, start here.)Read Hosea 1:8-11More than a thousand years before Hosea, there lived a nomadic farmer who was out in the middle of nowhere minding his own business when God started speaking to him. And what God said wasn’t easy. God put Abraham through a grueling test of faith by asking him to slaughter his only son on an altar of wood. This was set to take place at a location that would eventually become the site of the first Israelite te [...]

You Are Built Up In Christ

Paul’s letter to the Colossians, along with Paul’s letters to the Ephesians and Philemon, was apparently written during Paul’s first imprisonment. If this is the case, the most likely date is around 60-62 A.D. Moreover, Paul’s letter to the Colossians covers much of the same material and uses many of the same themes as his letter to the Ephesians. [...]

Relationship To Jesus Christ & His Body

Paul's letter to the Colossians, along with Paul's letters to the Ephesians and Philemon, was apparently written during Paul's first imprisonment. If this is the case, the most likely date is around 60-62 A.D. Moreover, Paul's letter to the Colossians covers much of the same material and uses many of the same themes as his letter to the Ephesians. [...]

Christian or American

On a wintry day in 1618 Rene Descartes rejected tradition, the church, and the Bible as the source for authority. In his famous conclusion “I think, therefore I am,” he revolutionized the quest for authority. Following Descartes declaration, a new day was sprung. It was called “the enlightenment.”Deeply influenced by enlightenment thought, John Lock provided the world as well as the American colon [...]

Divisions In The Church

Divisions in the church are nothing new; they are as old as the church itself. Unfortunately, we “protestants” are the worst! [...]

My Favorite Reformed Theologians Introduced Me to Aquinas: Credo Colloquy with James Dolezal and Matthew Barrett

Why do my favorite Puritans seem to with some frequency go back to Aquinas?” James Dolezal came to know Aquinas through the works of Reformed Scholastics (from Stephen Charnock to John Owen) who were appealing to Aquinas and commentators on Aquinas in their works. Once you read Aquinas and understand how he contemplates God and… [...]

How Classical Theism Has Shaped My Life

Isn’t it enough that we believe that God is good, that he created the world, that there is life after death, and that our actions garner for us divine punishments or rewards? C. S. Lewis wrote about mere Christianity; why isn’t mere theism enough? Why must Christians insist on those four theological distinctions—Trinity, incarnation, atonement,… [...]

New Credo Podcast! Whatever Happened to Contemplation? Zena Hitz

What is the meaning of intellectual life? In modern education, educators and students alike are often disillusioned by the attitude prevalent in educational institutions that emphasizes usefulness and practicality rather than contemplating the meaning and purpose of life. Zena Hitz shares her own disillusionment and frustrations as an educator, and how she found the true… [...]

Whatever happened to Contemplation? Zena Hitz and Matthew Barrett

Divine Simplicity and Trinitarian Action

One crucial aspect of storytelling is the concept of a “through line.” A through line connects themes and story structure throughout the story. In The Lord of The Rings, Frodo’s journey to destroy the Ring of Power in the fires of Mt. Doom serves to connect the many themes and subplots throughout the trilogy. Even… [...]

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TENNESCENE: MAY 1

LEADERS Michael Martin will begin serving as pastor of Meridian Baptist Church, Knoxville, on June 1. He previously served as senior pastor of Seventh Street Baptist Church in Cullman, Ala., where he served as senior pastor for 10 years. Martin received his master of divinity from Southern Baptist Theological Seminary, Louisville, Ky., and his undergraduate […] The post TENNESCENE: MAY 1 appeared first on Baptist & Reflector. [...]

CONFESSIONS OF A CONCERNED BAPTIST

By Randy C. DavisPresident and executive director, Tennessee Baptist Mission BoardMessengers attending this June’s Southern Baptist Convention in Indianapolis will cast votes on items of significant importance. The deciding second-year vote on the “Law Amendment” is at the top of that list. The Law Amendment, proposed initially by Virginia pastor Mike Law, passed on […] The post CONFESSIONS OF A CONCERNED BAPTIST appeared first on Baptist & Reflector. [...]

TBMB DIRECTORS APPROVE PURCHASE OF LAND NEAR BOC

By Lonnie WilkeyEditor, Baptist & ReflectorFRANKLIN — The directors of Tennessee Baptist Mission Board unanimously approved the purchase of 14 acres with two buildings with a combined 15,100 square feet of space to be used for church planting in the area near BlueOval City during their first meeting of the year April 23 in Franklin. […] The post TBMB DIRECTORS APPROVE PURCHASE OF LAND NEAR BOC appeared first on Baptist & Reflector. [...]

THREE GENERATIONS SERVE ON MISSIONS

By Carolyn TomlinBaptist and Reflector contributing writer BROWNSVILLE — It isn’t unusual for a Baptist church to plan and go on a short-term mission trip but when three generations from the same family go together—they set an example for others. Woodland Baptist Church near Brownsville, TN in Haywood County joined with other Tennessee Baptist Churches […] The post THREE GENERATIONS SERVE ON MISSIONS appeared first on Baptist & Reflector. [...]

WILKEY ANNOUNCES PLANS TO RETIRE AS B&R EDITOR IN DECEMBER

By David DawsonCommunications specialist, TBMBFRANKLIN — The start of a new year will mark the end of an era for the Baptist and Reflector. Lonnie Wilkey, who has served as editor of the B&R for 26 years, has announced his plans to retire from his position, effective Dec. 31, 2024. The Greenville, S.C., native first […] The post WILKEY ANNOUNCES PLANS TO RETIRE AS B&R EDITOR IN DECEMBER appeared first on Baptist & Reflector. [...]

Was Paul a Slave?

The surprising argument that Saul of Tarsus was born into bondage. Of the many letters the apostle Paul wrote, few survived. We have a good deal of his communication to churches as a whole—letters to groups of believers in particular cities. This makes sense. Such letters were read publicly and often; they were copied and disseminated and celebrated as Scripture soon after the ink had dried. Paul sent a number of letters to individuals as well. To read his biblical writings is to sense that you are glimpsing only a fraction of his relational network and influence. Almost all of [...]

Finding a (Real) Christian College

A professor explains why examining a school’s doctrinal statement isn’t enough. When I speak at churches around the country, the conversation after my talks often turns to the state of Christian higher education. I’m a professor at a Christian institution, and Christian parents and grandparents want to know where high school graduates can go to have their faith deepened rather than undermined. These concerns have only become more pressing given the ongoing rise in young people wandering away from the church and describing their religious convictions as “nothing in particular.” The question many Christians have for me is which colleges [...]

Particular Wrongs Need Particular Remedies

Every sin requires Christ’s atonement. But the Bible shows God punishing—and repairing—different sins differently. Christian theology consistently holds together truths that seem to want to fall apart: Jesus is fully God and fully human. People are sinners and created in the image of God. The church is local and universal. And yet, despite what we affirm, in practice, Christians are often unable to walk and chew gum at the same time. Instead of holding two truths in tension, we tend to slide to one side or the other, distorting it in the process. We treat Jesus either as an invulnerable, [...]

Holy Handouts: Venezuela’s Maduro Woos Evangelical Voters with Gifts and Cash

As the presidential election approaches, the incumbent government seeks to win support with aid to churches and pastors. In many countries, politicians try to win over religious voters by highlighting areas of shared interest between their agenda and the faithful’s priorities. In Venezuela, candidates are offering pastors cash. With less than three months until Venezuela’s presidential elections, incumbent Nicolás Maduro is expanding two initiatives specifically aimed at the evangelical community, which represents 30.9 percent of the country’s population. Bono El Buen Pastor (“The Good Shepherd Bonus”), created last year, and Plan Mi Iglesia Bien Equipada (“My Well-Equipped Church Plan”) offer [...]

Taylor Swift Can Do Whatever She Wants

But true liberty, in art and in life, is created by constraints. Taylor Swift answers to no one. Not music industry executives: Her songs returned to TikTok in the middle of a licensing dispute between the app and her label. Not mayors: When she graced their cities during her Eras tour, they declared days in her honor. Not the international community: A Singapore-exclusive stop in Southeast Asia sparked a row between the city-state and nearby Thailand and the Philippines. The Japanese embassy issued a statement about her Super Bowl travel plans. And Swift doesn’t plan on stopping anytime soon. She [...]

Ep 820 | Did Satan Tell ‘Elliot’ Page to Transition? | Guest: Lauren Chen

Listen on Apple Podcasts Watch on YouTube Watch or Listen on BlazeTV Relatable with Allie Beth Stuckey: Today we’re joined by Lauren Chen, host of BlazeTV’s “Pseudo Intellectual,” to talk movies, pop culture, and news. First, we talk about movies and TV and how the approach to censoring humor has changed since the shows like “The Office” […] The post Ep 820 | Did Satan Tell ‘Elliot’ Page to Transition? | Guest: Lauren Chen appeared first on alliebethstuckey.com. [...]

Ep 819 | Jen Hatmaker Commemorates Her Divorce from Evangelicalism

Listen on Apple Podcasts Watch on YouTube Watch or Listen on BlazeTV Relatable with Allie Beth Stuckey: Today we start with a deep dive into Rolling Stone reporter Ej Dickson, who is in the process of writing a smear piece on conservative hosts who speak out against transgender ideology and the grooming of children. Turns […] The post Ep 819 | Jen Hatmaker Commemorates Her Divorce from Evangelicalism appeared first on alliebethstuckey.com. [...]

Ep 818 | How LGBTQ Became Our State Religion | Guest: Auron MacIntyre

Listen on Apple Podcasts Watch on YouTube Watch or Listen on BlazeTV Relatable with Allie Beth Stuckey: Today we’re joined by Auron MacIntyre, BlazeTV host of “The Auron MacIntyre Show,” to discuss why the Right isn’t winning and the “Total State” takeover of the religion of LGBTQ. We discuss the rainbow brigade’s insistence on exposing […] The post Ep 818 | How LGBTQ Became Our State Religion | Guest: Auron MacIntyre appeared first on alliebethstuckey.com. [...]

Ep 817 | Parenting Influencers Go All-In on Pride Propaganda

Listen on Apple Podcasts Watch on YouTube Watch or Listen on BlazeTV Relatable with Allie Beth Stuckey: Today we’re discussing several parenting influencers who have jumped into giving advice on how to teach kids about Pride Month. We respond to some of the things they’ve said regarding Pride and give you some encouragement and advice […] The post Ep 817 | Parenting Influencers Go All-In on Pride Propaganda appeared first on alliebethstuckey.com. [...]

Ep 816 | Reliving the Trauma of Sharing a Locker Room with ‘Lia’ Thomas | Guest: Riley Gaines

Listen on Apple Podcasts Watch on YouTube Watch or Listen on BlazeTV Relatable with Allie Beth Stuckey: Today, we’re joined by Riley Gaines to talk about her decision to speak out against men competing in women’s sports. Her story started when she tied with Lia (Will) Thomas in the NCAA Women’s Swimming Championships and saw […] The post Ep 816 | Reliving the Trauma of Sharing a Locker Room with ‘Lia’ Thomas | Guest: Riley Gaines appeared first on alliebethstuckey.com. [...]

Ten Things You (Probably) Don’t Know About C. S. Lewis

Unusual facts and common misunderstandings that take your knowledge beyond Narnia. [...]

John Calvin: Justice Is a Form of Worship

According to the Reformer, pursuing the good of others is a way to love God. [...]

An Unsung Inspiration for the Protestant Reformation: the Ethiopian Church

For the Reformers, renewing the church was a Pentecost moment tied to the global body of Christ. [...]

Juneteenth Was an Answer to Centuries of Prayer

African Americans asked the Lord for liberation for years. They still do. [...]

The Synod of Dort Was Protestantism’s Biggest Debate

Why Arminians and Reformers squared off 400 years ago. [...]