Blog - Page 143 of 318 - John H Armstrong

Digital Books, the Internet and the Future

By John Armstrong|2021-07-02T06:18:27-05:00August 29th, 2010|Categories: Books, Personal|

I am both a reader and a writer. I once had an immense library but I have sold about 60% of it in the last four years. I sold some of my best books earlier this year, removing about 35-40% of my theology section. I confess that this was not easy to do but it became increasingly obvious that it was the right thing to do.

I routinely bump into someone who says, “I just bought a book on the Internet and your name was in it. Are you selling all your books for some reason?” The answer is a qualified yes. I still have a larger than average library but it is shrinking. Why?

The first reason is driven by the market and the space limitations in my home. My dear wife does not want books in our living space so I am limited to a very large basement and a nice study, which is more than enough room. But even with this space […]

The Uncertainty Principle

By John Armstrong|2021-07-02T06:18:27-05:00August 28th, 2010|Categories: Economy/Economics, Wealth|

There is a theory, or model, in economics called “the uncertainty principle.” Such a cycle comes about when companies and small businesses are not convinced that it is a good time to invest and grow a business. Now I am not an economist. I read some economics and I know just enough to be aware but not overly anxious. I do know what I feel sure that you know quite well. The last 26 months have been difficult for millions of people. This recession has hit me personally in several ways creating income loss and a fairly significant lifestyle change with it. This is not all bad as this change has taught me new faith and has proven to be very good if the truth is known.

This uncertainty principle says that so long as people are unsure about the future they will put off investment and hiring. This means that the unemployment rate is connected to the confidence investors and leaders have about […]

Reforming the Home Church

By John Armstrong|2021-07-02T06:18:27-05:00August 27th, 2010|Categories: American Evangelicalism, Missional Church, The Church|

Yesterday I reported on the growing home church movement and gave some reasons why this development is happening. I have to say that I see this movement in a more positive light than some I know but I believe the impulse of true reformation is needed here as everywhere else. Toward this end I ask some questions about the home church movement.

1. Can such a movement genuinely thrive if there is not more emphasis on teaching and preaching the Word?

I think the answer is a qualified no. Regardless of how teachers are chosen and equipped they will always be needed in the church. A church without gifted teachers proclaiming “the whole counsel of God” will not be healthy if the New Testament is really our model. This does not mean we need "clergy" or a hierarchical arrangement, simply that we need gifted teachers. It also doesn't mean that such teachers must be in a special class of "ministers" in order to be genuinely […]

A Parody That Rocks

By John Armstrong|2010-08-26T09:58:57-05:00August 26th, 2010|Categories: American Evangelicalism, Emergent Church, Humor|

North Point Church in Atlanta is one of the better known mega-churches in America. Led by Andy Stanley the church is known for taking the gospel seriously. It is also a church that is not afraid to look at a lot that is being done today with a biblically critical eye. This video will make you laugh and it just might make you cry too. It is not a blanket condemnation of modern music but rather a biting critique that should make you pause and ask important questions, especially if you are leading such a congregation.

The Home Church Movement

By John Armstrong|2021-07-02T06:18:27-05:00August 26th, 2010|Categories: American Evangelicalism, Missional Church, The Church|

There seems to be little doubt that the “home church,” or the informal church that meets in the houses of participants, is growing across America. The Barna Group estimates that between 6 and 12 million people now attend a home church in America. The reliable Pew Forum discovered that 9 percent of American Protestants attend home church exclusively. Any movement that attracts 10 percent of the total of Protestant worshipers is likely to have a growing and considerable impact on the church at-large. While I do not think traditional churches will just go away anytime soon I expect the home church movement will grow in the years ahead. Why?

1. The home church is simple. Ed Stetzer, the president of Lifeway Research and a specialist in missiology, notes that the appeal here is to a “simpler expression of the church.” He adds, “For many, church has become too much (like a) business while they just want to live like the Bible.”

2. People […]

How Does Changing the Law Impact Marriage?

By John Armstrong|2021-07-02T06:18:27-05:00August 25th, 2010|Categories: Homosexuality, Marriage & Family|

Does changing the law about marriage, to include gay marriage as a legal norm, have any bearing on the culture in general, and one man/one woman marriage in particular? I argued yesterday that it does and I believe many of the advocates of gay marriage admit the same if we bother to listen to them. I gave evidence of these opinions yesterday. Today I want to explore this question with an actual historical illustration that provides clear evidence that changing how the law deals with marriage will have a decided consequence on the strength and longevity of both marriage and the well-being of families.

Consider the changes in divorce laws that allowed for what we call “no fault divorce.” This change did not begin to gather support and then become law until the 1970s. This time period gives us one generation to study what has actually happened. This change not only made it easier, and less costly, to get a divorce but it changed […]

Will Same-Sex Marriage Undermine Your Marriage and Family?

By John Armstrong|2021-07-02T06:18:28-05:00August 24th, 2010|Categories: Homosexuality, Marriage & Family|

Would the legalization of gay marriage affect traditional marriage in America? Note carefully the question I’ve actually posed here. Mine is not a moral question, in and of itself, but a pragmatic and philosophical question. “What would happen to the institution of marriage in our society if we embrace gay marriage?”

It might surprise you to find out that changing the law to place gay marriage on par with heterosexual marriage would actually have a decidedly negative impact on marriage. On what basis do I make this sweeping statement? Well, on the basis that many advocates of gay marriage admit this point openly.

Earlier this year the New York Times ran a piece by reporter Scott James, himself gay, saying that new studies of gay couples in San Francisco show that half of gay partners consent to each other having sex with other people. The Times article went on to say that the prevalence of such relationships could “rewrite the traditional rules of matrimony” by […]

The Value and Importance of the Apostles Creed

By John Armstrong|2021-07-02T06:18:28-05:00August 23rd, 2010|Categories: Missional-Ecumenism|

The most commonly asked question I have received about missional-ecumenism, at least from many conservative Christians, is this: “How can we work together with other Christians if we do not agree on essential Christian doctrine?” Added to this is the concern that somehow I am asking Christians to give up something important to the faith.

I believe the answer to this question is not fully provided by my response on this week’s video but I do believe the best place to begin a response is with the two great creeds of Christianity: the Apostles Creed and the Nicene Creed. For centuries Christians had these two great standards as a guide to what they personally confessed. This was what the one, great, catholic and apostolic church likewise confessed; i.e. the Christian faith.

There is more taught in Scripture than what we have in the creed but there is never less. There is more to be given if people […]

A Visit to the Clinton Library

By John Armstrong|2021-07-02T06:18:28-05:00August 22nd, 2010|Categories: America and Americanism, History, Personal|

I admit that I like presidential libraries and museums. There are twelve of them in all and I have now visited nine. The only ones I have not visited are those of Lyndon B. Johnson, John F. Kennedy and George H. W. Bush. Someday I hope to take in these three remaining historical sites since they remain places to see on my personal “bucket list.”

The newest presidential library to open is situated near the Arkansas River in downtown Little Rock. I was there in July to attend a family reunion. Since I was only five minutes from the Clinton Library I decided to take in this very interesting place on a warm Saturday afternoon. It was well worth my time. I will explain why.

First, you must understand (if you have or have not been to visit any of these museums) that the storyline told in such places is consistently positive. These places are meant to celebrate the life and accomplishments of […]

Christ Together: A Movement That Deeply Encourages Me

By John Armstrong|2021-07-02T06:18:28-05:00August 21st, 2010|Categories: Evangelism, Missional Church, Missional-Ecumenism, Unity of the Church|

Since the release of my book, Your Church Is Too Small, I have encountered a number of movements seeking to promote what I call missional-ecumenism. One of these movements is a ministry called Christ Together. I recently met the national director of Christ Together, Scott Gifford, and the founder and president, Pastor Scott Chapman (photo at right). A month ago I met the Chicago director, Pastor Bill Yaccino. I am excited about what these guys are doing to promote a church network that leads to relationships that will foster a missional vision of the church in a city or area.

Pastor Scott Chapman’s story is much like that of my own son. After planting a church (with a partner from seminar days in 1994) he realized exactly what my son did when he planted New Hope Community in Streamwood (IL). When God looks at a city he does not see many churches but one church meeting in many places. This is […]