Dr Paul Allen

Dr David E. Briones One of the things I love most about Paul is the way he frequently brings out a particularly simple truth in his writings: because the gospel is countercultural, Christians ought to be countercultural people. After all, the gospel is not just something that we think about. It’s something we live out. We are conformed to the message of the gospel. More specifically, we are conformed to the person of Jesus Christ in the gospel (Rom. 8:29).  This gospel message is at odds with the messages of the world. The way of the cross diametrically opposes the way of this world. Why? Because the very content of the gospel of the cross goes against the grain of culture. But this raises a question: The message of the gospel may be countercultural, but are God’s people? The answer to this question must be, “Yes, but not always.” By virtue of believing in and confessing the glorious truth of our crucified and risen Savior, the church is innately countercultural.  It is contra...

BY BRAD VAUGH Few verses are as controversial as 1 Peter 3:7. Some people flatly ignore it, regarding it as plainly ridiculous. Here is what Peter writes: “You husbands in the same way, live with your wives in an understanding way, as with someone weaker, since she is a woman; and show her honuor as a fellow heir of the grace of life, so that your prayers will not be hindered.” (1 Peter 3:7, NASB) What exactly does he mean by calling women “weaker” compared to men? Countless people argue that Peter refers to women’s physical strength. Perhaps, some seemingly suggest they are not as tough as men (i.e., they are more “delicate” to use an old English expression). Whatever the case, this verse has often been used as yet another reason to subtly affirm the inferiority of women to men. Peter Achtemeier offers a more nuanced view (though it needs improvement). He writes, “While in Hellenistic culture such weakness was taken as a description of a woman’s nature, moral and intellectual as well ...

I’ll never forget sitting across from a dear friend who tried to communicate what life was like for Muslim women. She held up two fingers and said, “You don’t understand. Women are number two—we’re number two!” She recognized that in my youth and naïveté, I simply didn’t understand some of the things she experienced. She felt my confusion, so she tried to communicate more gently, “This is just how things will be here.” Our family had moved to a country with a 99 per cent Muslim population. I was trying to learn a new language, adapt to a different culture, and somehow show these beautiful women that they were certainly not number two by God’s design. Yet I realized their greatest need wasn’t for me or anyone else to convince them—they needed to see Jesus. They needed to see the Messiah who loved them unconditionally and offered them the abundant life they were created for. Over the next decade of walking through life with these women, I learned that they longed to hear four important t...

Moses with the tablets of the Ten Commandments, painting by Rembrandt (1659) (Photo credit: Wikipedia ) "Honour thy father and thy mother: that thy days may be long upon the land which the LORD thy God giveth thee." ( Exodus 20:12 ) This familiar command was the fifth in God's list of Ten Commandments, the law of God, and it has never been abrogated. It was quoted by Christ as His own command, when He said: "If thou wilt enter into life, keep the commandments. . . . Honour thy father and thy mother" ( Matthew19:17 , 19). The apostle Paul also cited it as of special significance: "Honour thy father and mother; which is the first commandment with promise" ( Ephesians 6:2 ). This all indicates that God considers the honoring of parents by their children to be of great significance. Since the father has been charged with the primary spiritual responsibility for his family, it is of supreme importance that fathers lead their children properly and ...

I see a trend in churches that I think is unhealthy . Honestly, I believe it’s also unbiblical. There are a number of churches today that are trying to teach a culture of honor . The concept of honor is biblical. In fact, Romans 12:10 tells us to: “Love one another with brotherly affection. Outdo one another in showing honor.” ( ESV ) We should show honor to our leaders, but God designed it to go both directions. If it’s one-way, it’s unhealthy and unbiblical. Let me explain further how God designed honor to work in church leadership. First of all, we are supposed to submit to our leaders. Hebrews 13:17 says: “Obey your leaders and submit to them, for they are keeping watch over your souls, as those who will have to give an account. Let them do this with joy and not with groaning, for that would be of no advantage to you.” One of the ways we show honor to our leaders is by submitting to their authority. At the same time, though, leaders are instructed to show hono...

Image via Wikipedia At the risk of not showing honour to peers in ministry, I want to tackle the topic of honour today. I’m concerned. I see a trend in churches that I think is unhealthy . Honestly, I believe it’s also unbiblical. There are a number of churches today that are trying to teach a culture of honour. The concept of honour is biblical. In fact, Romans 12:10 tells us to: “Love one another with brotherly affection. Outdo one another in showing honour.” ( ESV ) We should show honour to our leaders, but God designed it to go both directions. If it’s one-way, it’s unhealthy and unbiblical. Let me explain further how God designed honor to work in church leadership. First of all, we are supposed to submit to our leaders. Hebrews 13:17 says: “Obey your leaders and submit to them, for they are keeping watch over your souls, as those who will have to give an account. Let them do this with joy and not with groaning, for that would be of no advantage to you.” One of the wa...