Blog - Page 177 of 318 - John H Armstrong

Pope Benedict XVI: A Love Affair with the Truth

By John Armstrong|2021-07-02T06:19:45-05:00October 8th, 2009|Categories: Roman Catholicism|

The story of Pope Benedict XVI is one that all Christians should know better. This humble man, so misunderstood by the world at large, is described in a recent film documentary (Ignatius Press) as a man who has a "love affair with the truth." This is an apt description of a man who deeply loves Christ and the truth of the gospel.

From his childhood in Bavaria to his service as a parish priest Joseph Ratzinger always loved the truth. He resisted Hitler as a young teen and in time walked away from the German army when his actions could have brought about his death. His passion has always been for the life of the mind and his goal to be a writing/teaching professor of theology. Whereas John Paul II was a philosopher Benedict XVI is a biblical theologian. His teaching was widely praised by his students and his written work shows a profound clarity. But the academic Ratzinger eventually became a […]

What Can We Learn from the Conflict at the Crystal Cathedral?

By John Armstrong|2021-07-02T06:19:45-05:00October 7th, 2009|Categories: American Evangelicalism|

While it is easy to cast stones at the Schuller family, especially when we are safely removed from the day-to-day decision making that goes into an international ministry like the Crystal Cathedral and the Hour of Power, there are some general lessons that are worth our consideration when we read a story like the one I told yesterday.

1. The governing structure of the Crystal Cathedral is not one that clearly resembles the standard polity of the Reformed Church. Instead of "shared" governance and real accountability to the classis, the Crystal Cathedral stands out as unique in so many ways. Some of this is understandable given the unusual nature, and remarkable size, of this church. But sharing the leadership with the elders and deacons, as well as with the classis and synod, would have gone a long way toward preventing the tragic division that took place in Garden Grove over the last ten months.

2. While it is […]

The Sad Conflict at the Crystal Cathedral

By John Armstrong|2021-07-02T06:19:45-05:00October 6th, 2009|Categories: American Evangelicalism|

Dr. Robert H. Schuller is clearly one of the most visible ministers in the world, like him or not. Since Schuller began his drive-in church in Garden Grove, California, in the 1950s, his possibility-thinking has established not only a well known mega-church but a world-wide television ministry. Schuller, now 82, retired from day-to-day leadership in 2006. He was succeeded by his son, Robert A. Schuller. Now the entire Schuller ministry and legacy has undergone a profound upheaval. The story is very, very sad.

Robert Anthony Schuller, 54, succeeded his famous father in January 2006. The hope was that a younger audience would become loyal to the broadcast that has billed itself as “America’s Television Church.” But in July, 2008, the father reversed course and formed a three-person Office of the President which removed the younger Schuller from the leadership of The Hour of Power. Then in October of 2008 the father announced that the son would remain the senior pastor […]

The Problem of Teen Suicide

By John Armstrong|2021-07-02T06:19:45-05:00October 5th, 2009|Categories: Counseling|

Boy Interrupted is an HBO documentary film that raises powerful and troubling questions. It asks how a boy can threaten to end his life at 6 and 7 years of age and then actually do it at the age of 15. This documentary, produced by parents who are gifted film artists themselves, struggles to find answers about what kind of family this troubled boy really had. By its very nature, it is a raw and revealing display of personal life at its most disturbing level. How can a mother, we may ask, make a film about the death of her own son? What defines this film as a remarkably unique and truth-telling achievement is the way it explores how filmmaking can create closure for its creators as well as its audience.

Dana Perry gathered home movies, photographs, and a variety of different documents to tell the story of her son, Evan. Dana deals with Evan’s bipolar illness, his short and extremely troubled […]

The Protestant Mainline Churches and the Homosexual Debate

By John Armstrong|2021-07-02T06:19:46-05:00October 4th, 2009|Categories: Homosexuality|

I have referred to the debates in the mainline churches over homosexual marriage in recent posts. I had in mind the Presbyterian Church USA (PCUSA) when I did. I could apply the same thoughts to Methodists, Lutherans and others who are pursuing this same course in the present political debates over same-sex marriage and ordination.

I must confess this whole debate underscores the politicization of the church in general and the PCUSA in particular. I do not follow the Methodist and Lutheran debates as closely as that of the PCUSA but I have to believe there are clear parallels when the stories are compared.

In the PCUSA this debate began about thirty years ago. At first it was a friendly debate among thoughtful people. Before long it went to the General Assembly which made a recommendation to the presbyteries to adopt a change in the sexual conduct statements of the church. The presbyteries have voted several times and always rejected […]

Another Great Day with the Crimson Tide

By John Armstrong|2021-07-02T06:19:46-05:00October 3rd, 2009|Categories: College Football|

I gladly admit that I love college football. And this year I am enjoying the early season success of my favorite team, the Crimson Tide of Alabama, with immense pleasure. Some months ago I looked at the schedule and saw that the Tide played a game in Lexington, Kentucky, on October 3. I have a number of friends in the area around Lexington and decided that I just might try to make a visit to the beautiful Bluegrass State this weekend. After getting a single ticket, and arranging to stay with some friends who faithfully support ACT 3, I made my plans three weeks ago. Then I arranged for two other ministry stops. Yesterday, I visited with faculty at Asbury Seminary in Wilmore, Kentucky. I love Asbury and I deeply appreciate their excellent faculty. My friend Jim Heidinger, the former director of Good News, hosted me. Tomorrow evening I will speak in Richmond, Kentucky, for a Friends of ACT 3 evening. Information is available on our […]

The Illusion of Knowledge

By John Armstrong|2021-07-02T06:19:46-05:00October 2nd, 2009|Categories: Personal|

The late historian Daniel Boorstin once said, “The greatest obstacle to discovery is not ignorance but the illusion of knowledge.” I have found that Christians are not immune from this obstacle to real discovery. When it comes to teaching from the Scripture and the Christian tradition the real obstacle in people is not ignorance. In fact, a person who knows there is a lot that they don’t know is often very teachable. The issue is really whether or not they want to discover something they do not know. But a person who thinks that already know a great deal has the illusion of knowledge.

When I am asked what the greatest value of a theological education is I always answer, “It shows you just how much you don’t know and how much more there is to learn.” I am prepared to argue that a person can be a great learner, and a great teacher, who has little or no formal training. […]

Don't Be Fooled About Health Care and Abortion

By John Armstrong|2021-07-02T06:19:46-05:00October 1st, 2009|Categories: Abortion|

I have listened to a great deal of the debate about National
Health Care over the last few months. I may write more about this
debate in the coming weeks. I have previously expressed my concern that
independent studies have revealed that we cannot afford this legislation. If
we are serious about health care reform we can make several much needed
changes in the system without accumulating massive new debt and adopting
budget breaking expenditures. This being said I have tried to remain
open to arguments from both sides on this debate. I am convinced that
advocates and opponents have both misrepresented the facts, at least in
some instances. And I am growing very weary of the way this debate has
been conducted.

What
I know for certain is that every piece of health care legislation that
has been put forward, at least to this point, is extremely favorable to
abortion and provides taxpayer support for abortions that presently are
not supported by federal […]

What's Wrong with the New Churches?

By John Armstrong|2021-07-02T06:19:46-05:00September 30th, 2009|Categories: The Church|

I’ve been thinking a lot recently about the various new styles of evangelical church life that I see growing across America. While the church in general is declining some churches are still growing. Megachurches continue to spring up and the total number of such churches appears to be growing every year. Some of these churches have created their own brand of (independent) denomination. On the one hand I am very glad for every such church that reaches people who are outside the Christian faith. On the other I am perplexed and dismayed by a great deal of what I see. Let me explain.

America has always led the world in starting new brands and styles of Christianity. We have the most money, the most ingenuity and the most freedom to make and market new forms of Christianity. The pastor can become a CEO in a heart beat if he is very gifted as a preacher and has a great desire to spread the […]

The Homosexual Debate in the Church, Part 2

By John Armstrong|2021-07-02T06:19:46-05:00September 29th, 2009|Categories: Homosexuality|

Polyamorous relationships involve three or more sexual partners. These partners may be heterosexual, homosexual or bisexual. Polyamorists follow the LGBT community in promoting civil rights for themselves and acceptance of their practice as a normal alternative lifestyle. As we saw yesterday this is already legally practiced in the Netherlands.

The point that must be made here is simple—if the marriage debate is about civil rights then the gender of the partner is, at the end of the day, irrelevant! And if this is true then the number of people involved, as well as their age and kinship, should not be restricted since this would violate the rights of the individuals involved. If the issue is “rights” then were do we stop? Can a man marry his mother, a niece her uncle, a brother marry his sister? Should all such restrictions be removed? Some will admit this problem but many want to keep the debate focused on gays and lesbians and not answer this question. The reason seems quite obvious to me.

Question: Could our […]