Category: Rachel Held Evans

The Followers Of Rachel Held Evans Need Compassion And Truth

DebbieLynne KespertLeave a comment

Untitled-1For a short while in the late 1980s, I participated in an AIDS ministry. I remember my friend Bob Winter (who began the ministry in response to his own battle with AIDS) teaching us that it’s easy to be right and yet be very wrong. In other words, we can present truth, but in a manner that rides roughshod over the feelings of hurting people.

I’ve been thinking about Bob’s remark today as I’ve thought about the followers of Rachel Held Evans. These people have indeed been deceived by her liberal approach to Christianity — particularly her rejection of Scripture’s authority. They need Read More »

Now That Rachel Held Evans Has Died,Should We Stop Calling Her A False Teacher?

DebbieLynne Kespert11 Comments

Flourishes02

Because I spent all day Saturday enjoying our church’s women’s conference and most of yesterday at church (we had a coffee fellowship after the service), I didn’t see  Elizabeth Prata’s announcement that Rachel Held Evans had died until late yesterday afternoon. My heart sank. RHE leaves behind a young husband and two small children. Having lost my father mere days before my tenth birthday, I feel sad for her children — it’s a hole in childhood that never gets filled.

I also understand the cultural notion that we should “never speak ill of the dead.” That’s generally a good policy, I guess. Especially when the death is fresh and the wounds of grief are raw. Consequently, we face a huge temptation to fold away our theological differences with RHE in favor of showing respect for her family. I get that.

Along those lines, I quite agree that any pronouncements about her eternal state are inappropriate. Her theology definitely veered south, causing grave concern, but we have no idea what transpired between her and the Lord during those weeks she was in the coma. It would be highly arrogant to presume she went to hell…and Read More »

Saturday Sampler: November 25 — December 1

DebbieLynne Kespert1 Comment

Pointilized Heart Sampler

Maybe Mike Ratliff doesn’t say anything remarkably novel in his blog post, Why do you call Me, ‘Lord, Lord,’ and do not do what I say? for Possessing the Treasure, but his point really can’t be overstated. Current trends in evangelicalism must never eclipse the authority of the Bible.

Be honest: reading the Bible every day can get tiring. Thankfully, Ryan Higginbottom of  Knowable Word thinks of several ways that Reading the Bible for the Ten Thousandth Time can regain its freshness.

In response to the latest ridiculous Twitter pronouncement by Rachel Held Evans, Nick Batzig posts Jesus and Racial Bias in Reformation 21. I like the way Nick appeals to normative hermeneutics in order to demonstrate proper understanding of a Scriptural text.

A friend whom I highly respect has raised legitimate questions about the methods John Chau used in his evangelistic efforts to minister to an unreached tribe off the coast of India. Although I don’t wish to dismiss her concerns, Jordan Standridge’s 10 Lessons From The Death of John Chau makes extremely important points that all Christians absolutely must consider. You’ll find his article in The Cripplegate.

Check out Parking Space 23 for John Chester’s Reprise: So You Think You Are a Red Letter Christian? Even those of us who claim to believe the entire Bible has uniform authority might find his article to be a little convicting.

I appreciate the thoughtfully written John Allen Chau’s death stuns, angers, and perplexes the world, which Elizabeth Prata posts on The End Time. She evaluates the situation honestly, doing her best to cover all angles of the story. I especially love the hope she expresses as she closes this essay.

Leslie A insists that There’s More to Christianity Than Doing Good Works in an article for Growing 4 Life. Beginning with her brother’s interesting observation on the inoffensive nature of social justice, she discusses the mission we have as Christians — including the ramifications of carrying out that mission.

Think Catholicism has more in common with Protestant denominations than differences? Pope Francis would have you think so! Leonardo De Chirico of The Vatican Files chronicles the pope’s life-long devotion to Mary in 156. She is My Mamá — Pope Francis and Mary to show that the pontiff refuses to separate Christ from Mary.

Follow my blog with Bloglovin

Saturday Sampler: July 16 — July 22

DebbieLynne Kespert1 Comment

Critter Sampler 01Too bad Summer White’s Peterson and the Ghosts in the Machine (appearing in Sheologians) didn’t reach my in-box until after I published last week’s Saturday Sample, because Summer raises some extremely interesting angles to the controversy.

Examining one of the more prevalent false dichotomies among evangelicals, Mark McIntyre of Attempts at Honesty presents External versus Internal Focus to remind us that the Great Commission involves more than just evangelism and more than just discipleship.

Speaking of good reminders, Elizabeth Prata cautions us against Lucky Dipping by her post in The End Time. Her warning isn’t particularly novel, but it can’t be repeated too often.

Interestingly, Nikki Campbell of Unified in Truth also directs us toward proper Bible study techniques in the article Rightly Handling the Word of Truth (part 2). The principles laid out can help us in our own understanding of Scripture, and they can also assist us in discerning false teaching. Therefore this post deserves our careful attention.

Regular readers of Saturday Sampler know that One Hired Late In The Day is a blog I love to feature. This week’s article, The narrow gate, looks at the Lord’s claim that salvation excludes many people — including professing Christians who show no fruit of genuine conversion. Jennifer substantiates her points with a good variety of Scripture, making this an essay well  worth your time and attention.

Those of you following the Eugene Peterson fiasco might appreciate Amy Spreeman’s  Eugene Peterson’s error isn’t about gay weddings in Berean Research. I think she gets to the heart of the matter quite effectively.

Michelle Lesley weighs in with The Peterson Predicament and LifeWay’s Peculiar Policies. She raises excellent questions that this Southern Baptist Convention publishing company should have answered years ago.

As women, none of us should serve as the pastors that John Chester directly addresses in his Parking Space 23 article, Church 101. That doesn’t mean we can’t learn from the principles he puts forth, however. I especially appreciate his thoughts on the purpose of the church.

Am I including Elizabeth Prata’s The Approachableness of Jesus (Reprise) because she mentions John Adams? Maybe a little (I live near Quincy, MA). But seriously, she uses Adams’ struggle with royal protocol to highlight the graciousness of the Lord Jesus Christ to receive us into His presence without  condition. Her post fills me with adoration for the King of kings!

Yes friends, it’s true. I’m really giving you two posts by Michelle Lesley on top of two by Elizabeth Prata this week. Michelle’s Throwback Thursday ~ Persecution in the Pew brings back an article Michelle wrote nearly two years ago about a sad form of persecution that I’ve personally experienced. As we stand for Biblical truth, we should expect pushback — even from professing Christians.

I’m new to Lara d’Entremont’s blog, Renewed in Truth Discipleship, so I can’t yet fully endorse it (I have a sneaking suspicion that I eventually will). Her post, 7 Mistakes You Might Be Making When Studying the Bible, certainly indicates that  she’s worth reading. See if you agree.

Tom at excatholic4christ writes Papal allies accuse American right-wing Catholics and evangelicals of joining together in “ecumenism of hate” to remind us that the Gospel is not about American politics. It’s an interesting read for many reasons.

Follow my blog with Bloglovin

Saturday Sampler: September 25 — October 1

DebbieLynne Kespert4 Comments

48a60-fourjoyfulladiesContinuing her new series in Beautiful Thing, Jessica Pickowicz gives us Portraits of Superstition: The Pagan Prayer Warrior as an encouragement to pray in ways that honor God.

As my readers know, I am no Beth Moore fan. But when I saw that Elizabeth Prata had written an essay called Jude’s dreamers and Beth Moore’s necromancy for The End Time, I wondered whether or not Elizabeth might have gone too far. Um…no. But click her link to  the YouTube video, and you’ll see that her critique of Moore is chilling in its accuracy. Ladies, Beth Moore is a very dangerous false teacher.

Fred Butler of Hip and Thigh has been doing a series on Christian liberty based on the apostle Paul’s teachings on the subject in 1 Corinthians. His forth installment, How Idolatry Ruined Israel, helps explain the difference between liberty and compromise.

The Biblical Woman blog, for this week’s Theology Thursday column, features Is It Greek to You? Interpreting Romans 16:7. Besides making a strong case for the complimentarian perspective on this controversial verse, Candi Finch demonstrates responsible Bible Study practices. I recommend her article for both reasons.

In  a blog post written for Parking Space 23, James Street lists 5 Things I Want You To Do For Me When I’m On My Death Bed. I question his understanding of Philippians 1:21 (though I recognize that his seminary degree makes him more knowledgeable in Bible interpretation than I), but I find his list very intriguing and practical. It challenges me in contemplating my own death.

John Ellis, writing for PJ Media, boldly names people that he considers The 5 Most Dangerous Wolves Preying On Christians today.  While I’d have a slightly different list, he definitely brings up people who are serious threats.

The author of One Hired Late In The Day answers the question What Is The Gospel? Yes, it’s basic Christian doctrine,  but we all need reminding of these foundational truths more of than we think.

 

 
Follow my blog with Bloglovin

Saturday Sampler: July 3 Through July 9

DebbieLynne KespertLeave a comment

Square Face LadiesI must heartily recommend that you go to The Watchman’s Bagpipes to read Glenn Chatfield’s assessment of Rachel Held Evans and Homosexuality. Whatever you think of his tone, please consider his actual points.  All in all, this article provides an excellent rebuttal to Evans’ emotional and unbiblical response to the shooting in Orlando.

Rachel, who blogs at danielthree18, gives an impassioned and well-reasoned account of her ministry in her piece, Why I Contend. Those of us who have lost friends because we dared to speak against the teachings of Beth Moore will find encouragement through Rachel’s words.

Writing for Ligonier, Albert Mohler discusses The Sexual Revolution and the Witness of the Church. Homosexuality may be nothing new, but the militancy of the LBGTQ community certainly is.

I just love A Beautiful Thing, the blog for women that Jessica Pickowicz started this past May! Please make time to read her post entitled Devotional Theology: God’s Authoritative Word. Her message can’t be emphasized enough!

In Assisted Suicide: A Quadriplegic’s Perspective, Joni Eareckson Tada reviews the new hit movie, Me Before You, for Revive Our Hearts’ True Woman blog. I’ll most likely pass on the movie myself, since John and I already demonstrate that disabled people can live joyful lives,  but I appreciate Joni for bringing it to my attention. (Note: I’m not endorsing Revive Our Hearts by linking to this particular article.)

Stand to Reason’s Tim Barnett tackles the worn out red herring,  Jesus Said You Shouldn’t Judge, that non-Christians love to throw at us. I appreciate his skill at turning that accusation around by demonstrating how they violate that very passage.

I could have easily written Why I Am Not Continualist, but Tim Challies writes it for me. He offers Biblical reasons for rejecting Charismatic theology, supplementing them with practical observations.  I wish more Continualists would consider his points and examine Scripture to see for themselves.

Carl Trueman, in his commentary, Trouble in Bakersfield for the magazine called First Things, tells about Reformed pastor Chad Vegas resigning from the local school board rather than support transgender bathroom policies.  I admire pastor Vegas for standing on Biblical convictions,  but I grieve at our nation’s growing intolerance of those convictions.

I close with this open letter that Pastor Don Green of Truth Community Church in Cincinnati,  OH posted on his Facebook page. His boldness to stand for Biblical values in a society that now openly rejects the Lord and His Word reminds me of my reasons for starting this blog almost a year ago.
Follow my blog with Bloglovin