You Are What You Love by James K.A. Smith (Or, how do you grow in love?)

James K.A. Smith in his book You Are What You Love. According to Smith, love is “a baseline inclination” of the heart (16). All people love something at the core of their being. Not only is love at the core of who people are; love is a virtue. And “virtues, quite simply, are good moral habits” (16). We … Continue reading You Are What You Love by James K.A. Smith (Or, how do you grow in love?)

Blogging the Institutes–1.12.1–One God; No Idols

"Blogging the Institutes" is my on-going attempt to paraphrase John Calvin's work, the Institutes of the Christian Religion. You can find out more about the series in the Introduction. For all the posts in this series, check out the Master List.  One God; No Idols At the beginning of my work I made the claim that knowledge … Continue reading Blogging the Institutes–1.12.1–One God; No Idols

Blogging the Institutes–1.11.16–The Extreme Blasphemy of Idolaters

"Blogging the Institutes" is my on-going attempt to paraphrase John Calvin's work, the Institutes of the Christian Religion. You can find out more about the series in the Introduction. For all the posts in this series, check out the Master List.  The Extreme Blasphemy of Idolaters  I'll now turn my attention to the worst expressions of idolatry. … Continue reading Blogging the Institutes–1.11.16–The Extreme Blasphemy of Idolaters

Blogging the Institutes–1.11.15–Scripture Doesn’t Actually Support Images

"Blogging the Institutes" is my on-going attempt to paraphrase John Calvin's work, the Institutes of the Christian Religion. You can find out more about the series in the Introduction. For all the posts in this series, check out the Master List.  Scripture Doesn't Actually Support Images When idolaters speak on the issue of worship, they make a … Continue reading Blogging the Institutes–1.11.15–Scripture Doesn’t Actually Support Images

Blogging the Institutes–1.11.14–Second Council of Nicea Proves Nothing

"Blogging the Institutes" is my on-going attempt to paraphrase John Calvin's work, the Institutes of the Christian Religion. You can find out more about the series in the Introduction. For all the posts in this series, check out the Master List.  Second Council of Nicea Proves Nothing I would wrap my discussion of images if were not … Continue reading Blogging the Institutes–1.11.14–Second Council of Nicea Proves Nothing

Blogging the Institutes–1.11.13–No Good Reason for Images in Churches

"Blogging the Institutes" is my on-going attempt to paraphrase John Calvin's work, the Institutes of the Christian Religion. You can find out more about the series in the Introduction. For all the posts in this series, check out the Master List.  No Good Reason for Images in Churches Let's consider for a minute the practicalities of having … Continue reading Blogging the Institutes–1.11.13–No Good Reason for Images in Churches

Don’t Do an Altar Call; Call for a Response Instead

Altar calls sit controversially in the history of the American church. Some churches practically do them every week, while other churches do not believe that altar calls are biblical. Pastors who resist altar calls still believe in calling for a response to the preaching of the gospel. What does calling for a response look like in … Continue reading Don’t Do an Altar Call; Call for a Response Instead

Blogging the Institutes–1.11.12–Works of Art, OK. But Not in Church

"Blogging the Institutes" is my on-going attempt to paraphrase John Calvin's work, the Institutes of the Christian Religion. You can find out more about the series in the Introduction. For all the posts in this series, check out the Master List.  Works of Art, Ok. But Not in Church I'm not so superstitious as to think that … Continue reading Blogging the Institutes–1.11.12–Works of Art, OK. But Not in Church