Blog - Page 198 of 318 - John H Armstrong

Remembering the Life of Keith Green

By John Armstrong|2021-07-02T06:20:36-05:00March 19th, 2009|Categories: American Evangelicalism|

Keith Gordon Green (1953-1982) was a popular gospel singer in the 1970s. He was also one of the most engaging and passionate Christians that you would ever want to meet. Converted during the waning days of the “The Jesus Movement” Keith could draw crowds and influence young people like very few musicians in his time. His marriage to Melody was remarkable and inspiring. Some of Keith’s songs, a few co-written with Melody, include "Your Love Broke Through," "You Put This Love In My Heart," and "Asleep In The Light." He also wrote and sung the hugely popular praise and worship songs: "O Lord, You're Beautiful" and "There Is A Redeemer." These are still sung in thousands of churches all over the world.

I followed Keith Green during his lifetime. I was often inspired to serve the Lord by his strong example. At that time I knew little about his theology and practice, simply that he had a strong word from God […]

The Christlike Example of Benedict XVI

By John Armstrong|2021-07-02T06:20:47-05:00March 18th, 2009|Categories: Roman Catholicism|

Readers know that I am a Reformed Church (RCA) minister and an evangelical Protestant. I do not always care for these labels, since labels are used to "brand" people and thereby end conversations and the obligation to love. But these brands are useful now and then since they genuinely express my Christian tradition and ecclesiastical stance. Some readers think that all Reformed thinkers and writers must be like the "leading voices" of small, but still growing, very conservative Reformed movements. These popular writers and preachers are NOT the sole voice of Reformed Christianity. Indeed, it would improve our present Christian context a great deal if a growing number of people were awakened to these facts. Many younger Christians are increasingly aware of this fact (I am delighted to meet these via this blog and in person) but my generation seems to think that only the most popular authors speak for "true" Reformed Christianity in America. A little knowledge of church history would go a long way, in this case. […]

It Is Not Enough to Believe

By John Armstrong|2021-07-02T06:20:47-05:00March 17th, 2009|Categories: American Evangelicalism|

A settled perspective developed in the Post-Reformation era, and then carried over into modern America, that the most important thing in Christianity is to believe correctly. Like all errors there is a serious grain of truth in this one. If "belief" refers to real faith, the kind of faith that "gives up one's own agenda" to follow Jesus and to depend on God's grace alone to save, both now and in the age to come, then this is all well and good. But we all know that this is simply not generally the case. In fact, it seems increasingly evident that the case is this—millions of Christians (?) in America believe something, who knows what, but understand little or nothing about vital, orthodox Christianity.

So I have to say this again and again: It is not enough to believe something, even the right things. You must understand and you must obey! Some of my postmodern friends embrace a type of progressive response to this "belief" […]

A Matter of the Heart: Reflections on Rev. Paul (David) Yonggi Cho and the Role of Prayer

By John Armstrong|2021-07-02T06:20:47-05:00March 16th, 2009|Categories: Prayer|

A friend, Emmanuel Viray, who reads my work and sometimes writes to me, sent the following reflection on a sermon preached at the recent Moody Founder's Week just a few days ago. I think it is so good that I want to share it more widely. He writes:

I was listening to Rev. Billy Kim at this recent Founder’s week and have found one of his statements troubling. Rev. Kim mentioned Paul (David) Yonggi Cho (photo at right)
whose church boasts 700,000 members and he only has 20,000 members. The speaker was exhorting Christians to have a great prayer life. He said he asked Rev. Cho how he got a church that big and Rev. Cho answered that he prayed many hours of the day. Basically the message is, if you pray more you will get more results.

First I thank God for the things he has done in his life, bringing him to Christ and giving him his ministry. […]

Newt Gingrich to Become a Roman Catholic

By John Armstrong|2021-07-02T06:20:48-05:00March 15th, 2009|Categories: Roman Catholicism|

The New York Times Magazine recently ran a profile of Newt Gingrich. Buried in this story was some interesting information that missed many readers I feel sure: A Baptist since graduate school, Gingrich said he will soon convert to Catholicism, his wife’s faith.

Religion reporter Sarah Pulliam writes: "At a moment when the role of religious fundamentalism in the party is a central question for reformers, Gingrich, rather than making any kind of case for a new enlightenment, has in fact gone to great lengths to placate Christian conservatives. The family-values crowd has never completely embraced Newt, probably because he has been married three times, most recently to a former Hill staff member, Callista Bisek. In 2006, though, Gingrich wrote a book called Rediscovering God in America—part of a new canon of work he has done reaffirming the role of religion in public life. The following year, he went on radio with the evangelical minister James Dobson to apologize for having been unfaithful to […]

An Evangelical/Roman Catholic Letter

By John Armstrong|2009-03-14T05:00:00-05:00March 14th, 2009|Categories: Roman Catholicism|

I have many readers who are evangelical Roman Catholics. Some evangelical readers simply do not believe there is such a thing. Some Catholics do not believe there are evangelicals who love Catholics or understand them either. But I have friends in both communions and can't deny what I know and see day-after-day. Here is how one Catholic reader wrote to me a few days ago:

I have a dear evangelical friend who lives just behind us. We have much in common, both being parents of not one but two special needs young adults (hers adopted and ours homemade.) Our older ones have severe a mental illness that makes them angry and explosive, even verbally and physically abusive. (I took 5 years of martial arts to keep myself safe.) Things are better now, but my friend and I have really connected. Anyway, I shared some of my spiritual practices with her, and she has been very blessed by the Stations of the Cross, and by Jesuit spirituality from the website Sacred Space and Pray As You Go. She actually led […]

My Story of Three Conversions: An ACT Series on Missional-Ecumenism

By John Armstrong|2009-03-13T05:00:00-05:00March 13th, 2009|Categories: ACT 3|

We invite all who would like to hear about the unique mission of ACT 3 in calling leaders and churches to embrace the mission of Christ in a Trinitarian context that seeks the unity of the catholic church to attend one of these forthcoming events. These unusual meetings are open to anyone interested in the health and renewal of the church.

Each ACT 3 breakfast begins at 8:30 a.m. and ends by 10:30 a.m. Dr. John Armstrong will make a presentation on missional-ecumenism and answer your questions. Those who want a free signed copy of John’s forthcoming book, Your Church Is Too Small (Zondervan), will be able to request one if they attend a meeting. There is no charge for the meal.

Meetings and locations planned for the Chicago area for the following dates:

April 4        Blueberry Field Restaurant; South Holland, IL
April 25        Holiday Inn; Carol Stream, IL
May 2        Village Bible Church; Sugar Grove, IL
[…]

Baseball is Back: Spring is Official

By John Armstrong|2021-07-02T06:20:48-05:00March 12th, 2009|Categories: Baseball|

Spring is official. I know, the real date is officially March 21, but for me the day Spring began is today, March 12th. I will soon be sitting in the brilliant sunshine of Walt Disney World’s Wide World of Sports in Orlando watching the Atlanta Braves play the Washington Nationals. I plan to soak in the sunshine and relax, enjoy some of the fine culinary blessings, and have good fellowship. I’ve already seen several games this week with my daughter and son-in-law but today’s game will allow me the pleasure of sharing the day with David Gordon, a good friend, and seeing the greatest game under the sun for the fourth time this week. It doesn’t get any better than this if you have endured a Chicago winter. Thanks to the generous special gifts of two very dear friends this trip was made possible when I didn’t really have the money to come here at all. My heart is filled with gratitude to God for these days […]

Taken: A Supercharged Action Movie

By John Armstrong|2021-07-02T06:20:48-05:00March 11th, 2009|Categories: Film|

Liam Neeson is a marvelous actor who plays serious, thoughtful, cerebral roles. In the new movie Taken Liam Neeson’s role is guaranteed to excite those fans who admire his skills. Neeson has rightly been called “an unstoppable force in this adrenaline-fueled thriller from director Pierre Morel.” Bryan (Liam Neeson) has taken early retirement from the CIA to live closer to his teenage daughter, Kim. Bryan's government work kept him away from Kim for much of her childhood and clearly destroyed his marriage in the process. Now that he is retired he desperately wants to make up for lost time. When Kim announces that she's taking a trip to Paris with her friend Bryan (Neeson) is extremely apprehensive about her traveling on her own. Her mother disagrees and Bryan is not a happy camper with this decision. Soon his worst fear is soon realized, as Kim and her friend are abducted upon their arrival in Paris.

When Bryan hears about the abduction he springs […]

Lincoln's Call to National Prayer

By John Armstrong|2021-07-02T06:20:48-05:00March 10th, 2009|Categories: America and Americanism|

I have a very mixed response to certain types of religious involvement in American politics. The practice of, and dangers of, civil religion are often very real. Most conservative Christians are virtually oblivious of these problems, which date more to the era following the Second World War than to an earlier time in U. S. history.

While I do not care for "political religion" I do think the culture has clearly had a long relationship with faith, and in particular, Christian faith. Sometimes reading a bit of history will give a little perspective to these things. Here is a famous declaration from President Abraham Lincoln. I wonder if anyone could conceive of such a statement being issued by any president today.

President Abraham Lincoln's Proclamation:

A Day Of National Humiliation, Fasting, and Prayer
in the The

United States Of America

[…]