ACT3 Network Video: An Introduction to Our Mission

John ArmstrongACT 3, American Evangelicalism, Current Affairs, Education, Evangelism, Love, Missional Church, Missional-Ecumenism, My Christian Unity Story, Personal, Renewal, The Church, The Future, Unity of the ChurchLeave a Comment

Last fall (2014) a friend, who is a professional videographer with solid credentials, partnered with me to make a new video. Another friend gave ACT3 a generous gift to make this new “ACT3 Introduction” video. This has been on our home page for several months but not on the blog site. Today I am pleased to tell you that I … Read More

Westminster Theological Seminary – Can Institutions Respond to Controversy in Radical Love? (Seven)

John ArmstrongAmerican Evangelicalism, Current Affairs, Education, Love, Personal, Reformed Christianity, The Church, The Future6 Comments

In this, my final post about the culture and conflict at Westminster Theological Seminary (if you do not know what this is about then see my posts from last week) I offer some more thoughts about how a “spirituality of love” could transform the institution inside and out. I offer these points very sincerely and in hopes that some will … Read More

Westminster Theological Seminary – Can Institutions Respond to Controversy in Radical Love? (Part Six)

John ArmstrongAmerican Evangelicalism, Culture, Education, Personal, Reformed Christianity, The Church, The Future12 Comments

I began, in yesterday’s post, to offer my ideas about how a “spirituality of love” could transform the landscape of an institution such as Westminster Theological Seminary (WTS). Westminster is a school that has been known for internal controversy as much as almost any such conservative seminary that I know in the United States. WTS has had a major impact on many … Read More

Westminster Theological Seminary – Can Institutions Respond to Controversy in Radical Love? (Part Five)

John ArmstrongAmerican Evangelicalism, Biblical Theology, Church Tradition, Culture, Current Affairs, Education, Hermeneutics, Leadership, Personal, Reformed Christianity, Spirituality17 Comments

A common view, at least within many evangelical circles, is that a “culture” cannot be changed. Before I proceed to argue against this view let me define my terms just a bit. I am using the word “culture” as it has evolved in English usage through the social sciences. It came to refer, in the 20th century, to a central concept … Read More

Westminster Theological Seminary – Can Institutions Respond to Controversy in Radical Love? (Part Four)

John ArmstrongAmerican Evangelicalism, Biblical Theology, Church Tradition, Current Affairs, Education, Patristics, Personal, Protestantism, Reformed Christianity, The Church, The FutureLeave a Comment

A friend has asked me, “John, can you market a seminary today without suggesting that we are the really faithful heirs of our particular tradition?” He added, “Could a school market itself as a loving, caring, and biblical community and still succeed?” My answer is that this is the only way in which I think a school will survive, and thrive, in … Read More

Westminster Theological Seminary – Can Institutions Respond to Controversy in Radical Love (Part Three)

John ArmstrongAmerican Evangelicalism, Biblical Theology, Christ/Christology, Church History, Current Affairs, Education, Hermeneutics, History, Personal, Reformed Christianity, The Church, The Future8 Comments

There have been a number of previous controversies at Westminster Theological Seminary (PA). In the middle of the last decade there was one that many believe is linked (in some way) to the “retirement” issue of Doug Green. The Enns debate surrounded the teaching of Dr. Peter Enns, an Old Testament professor who left the faculty six years ago. It is widely believed … Read More

Bible Reading or Bible Engaging?

John ArmstrongAmerican Evangelicalism, Biblical Theology, Culture, Current Affairs, Discipleship, Education, Personal, Scripture, The Future20 Comments

My own tradition puts a lot of emphasis upon reading the Bible, even reading it each day as a part of morning devotional practice. I heard about Bible reading from as far back as I can remember. I also read the Bible at the breakfast and dinner table with my family. As soon as I was old enough to read … Read More

In Search of Deep Faith

John ArmstrongAmerican Evangelicalism, Books, Church History, Church Tradition, Current Affairs, Discipleship, Education, Emergent Church, Faith, Missional Church, Personal, The Christian Minister/Ministry, The Church10 Comments

I had the joy of meeting Dr. Jim Belcher some years ago when he pastored Redeemer Presbyterian Church in Newport Beach, California. I cultivated a growing relationship with Jim, and his family, and spoke several times to his congregation. I was loved and honored and thus retain great memories of those days where Jim and I shared ministry together. Jim … Read More

Pray for Sister Madge and the Mission of Christ in South Africa

John ArmstrongACT 3, Current Affairs, Education, Friendship, Leadership, Missional Church, Missional-Ecumenism, Personal, Roman Catholicism, Spirituality, The Church, The Future4 Comments

Sister Madge Karecki is a dear friend to me and many others. Madge knows how to make and enjoy deep friendships like few people that I have met in the last several years. Sadly, at least for her scores of friends here in Chicago, Madge was called to be the president of the only Catholic college in the nation of … Read More

Do You Want to Understand Others?

John ArmstrongBiblical Theology, Books, Current Affairs, Education, Faith9 Comments

Research released last week suggests that if you want to better equip people to understand others, and help their mental well-being, you should encourage them to put down their popular, commercial fiction and read more classic literary fiction. In a series of experiments, participants read a short passage, and then completed several tasks, including one in which they were encouraged … Read More