Rome Sweet Home? Horton on Why Protestants Are Drawn to Rome

Michael Horton is beginning a series on why Protestants find themselves attracted to Rome.

You can find the first installment here:  Click Here

Update on Tuesday, June 12, 2012 at 12:43PM by Kim Riddlebarger

Here's the second installment:  Click Here

Update on Wednesday, June 13, 2012 at 10:33AM by Kim Riddlebarger

Here's the third installment here:  Click Here

Samples Has "Issues" Again

Ken Samples has been discussing his new book 7 Truths That Changed the World (Baker, 2012) on Issues, Etc., with Todd Wilken.

Seven Truths that Changed the World:  The Christian World View (part 3):  Click Here

Seven Truths that Changed the World:  The Christian World View (part 2):  Click Here

Seven Truths that Changed the World:  The Christian World View (part 1):  Click Here

This Week's White Horse Inn

Antinomianism (part 2)

The problem of antinomianism is not a result of taking the gospel too far, but of not taking it far enough. After treating the subject of justification, Paul anticipates the question, “Shall we then sin so that grace may abound?” His answer: “No—may it never be!” How, then, do we make those necessary strides in holiness? By adding a dose of fear or by being exposed to the wideness of the gospel? Those who are united to Christ are not only justified but are renewed and transformed. Unfortunately, many people throughout history have been falsely charged with advocating antinomianism simply for preaching the gospel of free justification and imputed righteousness.

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Antinomianism (part 1)

There is growing interest in the pure unadulterated gospel today in evangelical circles. But with all this talk about grace, are we facing a new danger of antinomianism? Maybe we’ve taken the gospel for granted, but are we now overreacting by taking holiness for grnted? At what point should a person be considered either a legalist on one side or an antinomian on the other? The hosts will take up these questions and more on this edition of White Horse Inn.

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The Genes Tell the Story

All along I thought I was a German.

A while back I decided to take a y-DNA test to see if I could figure out my European ancestry.  I know who my first ancestor in America was, Christian Redelsberger, and that he arrived in Philadelphia in September of 1733.  I also knew that Christian left Rotterdam by ship earlier that summer.  The trail goes cold at the dock.

As for where Christian was before that, I had no clue.  I had a few guesses, but nothing concrete.  That is, until I took the y-DNA test, and the results came back on Monday.  Now I know.  My guess was right.

I got a definitive y-DNA hit to someone living in Europe with whom I share a common male ancestor 12-14 generations ago.  This man contributed his sample a few years ago, and even better, has traced his family back to a Cunradt Rotlisperger, who lived in the Canton of Bern in 1540.

Now, that doesn't tell me when or how Christian's family left Bern, but we do know that a number of the Rotlispergers were Anabaptists and left Switzerland in the early 1600's and settled along the Rhine (in the Alsace), and even perhaps in the Province of Limburg (along the Meuse).  Some of these folk were also Reformed.  Somewhere among them are my ancestors.

So, I'm not a German.   I am Swiss.  The genes prove it!

Baby, I'm Back!

In the words of the immortal Frank Constanza, "I worked out with a dumbbell yesterday and I feel vigorous!"

Well, I'm not quite up to working out with a dumbbell yet, but I am at home, getting some rest.  I do feel much better than I did on Sunday, when I first arrived home.  I still have a ways to go.

The docs told me I am making a "remarkable recovery," but I am anemic (from the cause of this malady, a serious GI bleed, followed by surgery).  And for the first time in my adult life, I am indeed going to take it easy for a week or two. 

The great news is the original problem (a polyp-turned tumor) is long gone, the surgery went very well, and the prognosis is very good.  Whatever was growing in there is there no longer.  I am very, very, thankful.

It was an odd week.  I took ill Sunday, right after preaching.  I was bleeding badly, placed on a liquid diet, and grew weaker by the day.  I had two rounds with Go-Litely--anyone ever had to drink this gallon of badly misnamed sheer misery?  Then surgery on Thursday morning, before coming home. 

Nevertheless, it was a great week for the Riddlebargers.  We experienced God's mercy in very tangible ways.  We enjoyed some great family times, and talked about important things that families need to talk about.  I watched my sons deal with serious issues like solid Christian men.  And we were able to share the gospel with some of the health care people.

While I wouldn't wish this particular malady on anyone, it was wonderful to witness first-hand all things working together for good!  It was something to preach through Psalm 23, only to walk through the valley a short time later.  I am learning to fear no evil, for the good shepherd was with me every step of the way.

Thank you all so much for your prayers and well-wishes.  Greatly appreciated!

Riddleblogger Update

Just heard from the Doc that I'll need to undergo surgery tomorrow to repair what ails me.  It is routine, barring any unforessen complications.  But I'll be off-line for a bit.  I welcome your prayers, and I'll update you when I'm back on my feet.

And no, I'm not having a hair transplant!  No plugs for me!

This Week's White Horse Inn

Growing in Grace and Knowledge

Knowledge and truth have fallen on hard times in contemporary American culture. We are distracted from thinking deeply about anything because we are too busy focusing on ourselves and our own entertainment. Sadly, this problem is not merely “out there” in the world. Overnight, contemporary churches have become entertainment centers and purveyors of self-centered spirituality. Encouraged by smiling television preachers to have our best life now, modern Christians have almost lost sight of Jesus and his saving work. We desperately need to follow the advice of the apostle Peter, who encouraged believers to grow in the grace and knowledge of our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ (2 Pet 3:18). R. C. Sproul joins the panel for this special edition of White Horse Inn recorded before a live audience in Orlando, Florida.

Click Here

"When the Helper Comes" -- A Sermon for Pentecost

Here's the audio from last Sunday's sermon on Pentecost.  Click Here

If you are wondering why there is no picture associated with this post, I've got a slow internet connection here in my hospital cell room.  And just do a google search for images associated with Pentecost, and you'll quickly understand the second reason why I couldn't find a decent image to post.

The Riddleblogger Down for a Few Days

Several of you have asked about me since I haven't posted for a couple of days.

I am fine, but I took ill at church on Sunday, went to the ER, and landed in the hospital.

I will be OK-- but given what is wrong with me I am adopting the "if you ask me, I'm going to tell you policy."

Trust me, don't ask. I should be fine shortly, and would be grateful for your prayers in the meantime.

Why Do We Go to Church? Horton's Got the Answer!

We often take very basic things for granted.  Michael Horton takes a fresh look at an important question, "why go to church?"  He frames the matter this way.  "Do we come to church primarily to receive or primarily to do something? In other words, is God not only the object but the primary actor in the service, or are we?"

To read the essay, Click Here