Features
#149: Law Mixed Up: Obedience, Holiness, and Legislating Morality
Matt, Jady, and Nick discuss a Ugandan law about homosexuality, talk about ordering societies according to biblical principles, and distinguish between the three different kinds of law in the Scriptures.
Going to Kigali to Hear the Shepherd’s Voice
We came together to point out some of these thieves. Some of these false shepherds. Even, tragically, some who are inside the fold with the sheep, actively leading some astray.
For You Were Straying Like Sheep
I suppose I should feel sorry for Justin Welby. It must be terrible to be presiding over such a time as this. I wonder if he was able to hear any of the biblical texts read out in the divine liturgy for Sunday morning or if he was running around like a crazy person, trying to make sure all the vestments were mended and pressed and that everyone had their proper hats and their shoes shined. It’s a big deal to bless and coronate the next king, even if it’s basically a spiritual vacuous exercise.
#148: A Vicar Near Dibley: The View from a British Parish
Jady and Nick talk to Tim Vasby-Burnie, vicar at St George’s Church, Shrewsbury, UK, about the recent goings-on in the Church of England and what life is like on the ground in a “normal” parish church in Great Britain.
#147: On Location at GAFCON23 (Day 5)
Matt, Jady, and Nick are joined by David Ould, Anne Kennedy, and Liza Koch to discuss the final day (and Commitment) of the GAFCON23 meeting in Kigali, Rwanda.
One Early Response to the Kigali Commitment
An excellent statement, but I will nitpick it anyway.
#146: On Location at GAFCON23 (Day 4)
Matt, Jady, and Nick are joined by Anne Kennedy to discuss the fourth day of the 2023 GAFCON Conference from Kigali, Rwanda.
#145: On Location at GAFCON23 (Day 3)
Matt, Jady, and Nick are joined by David Ould to discuss the third day of the 2023 GAFCON Conference from Kigali, Rwanda.
#144: On Location at GAFCON23 (Day 2)
Matt, Jady, and Nick discuss the second day of the 2023 GAFCON Conference from Kigali, Rwanda.
#143: On Location at GAFCON23 (Day 1)
Matt and Jady discuss the first day of the GAFCON conference from Kigali, Rwanda.
Stand Firm in Kigali
We’ve committed ourselves to churning out at least a half-hour Stand Firm Podcast each day of the conference
What Did the Risen Jesus Do?
“He explained to them the things concerning Himself in all the Scriptures.”
Alleluia, He Is Risen
Is it any wonder, then, that as soon as you get to the edge of the Sea and stare out over the vast expanse of deep water, you easily join your neighbor’s querulous bitter question– ”Is it because there are no graves in Egypt that you have brought us out into the wilderness?”
#142: What Dreams May Come: GAFCON23 and the Worldwide Anglican Communion
Jady and Nick have a conversation about their upcoming trip to Rwanda, their hopes and dreams for the GAFCON gathering, and how encouraging it is to be in a communion so committed to the Gospel of Jesus Christ
What Do You Have To Lose?
What is a person? Someone who was made by a good and merciful God to be satisfied and happy by—something. Not anything, but something, or someone, in particular.
On Palm Sunday
A jarring Sunday
#141: “Liberal” Education and Hillsdale College with Dr. Jonathan Mumme
Matt, Jady, and Nick talk to Dr. Jonathan Mumme about the current educational climate, discuss what Christian parents can do in the face of it, and highlight the things that Hillsdale is getting right.
Genesis, Joseph and the Passion of Christ
The Gospel of Christ’s death and resurrection to defeat sin and death for us is not the invention of man; it is the loving act of God Almighty that He foretold for centuries before.
Can This Church Live?
The first is that this blog—Stand Firm—came into being almost twenty years ago during a time when a once grand and faithful church was formally and institutionally committing its way to apostasy. For—and let me be very plain about this—to become “affirming” of that which the scriptures, which are understandable and clear on this issue, condemn is to reject the faith once delivered to the faith. It is to cease to be within the bounds of the visible church. True believers may not any longer call you “Christian.” You, as an “affirming” person, may be angry about this, but that doesn’t change the reality that what God has said in the scriptures is the basis upon which our faith rests.
#140: It’s Reigning Men: Rick Warren, Women in Ministry, and the SBC
Matt, Jady, and Nick talk about the upcoming debate in the Southern Baptist Convention about the ministry of women, consider the stance and state of the ACNA, and hope that all such discussions will be based on Scripture.
Podcast
#149: Law Mixed Up: Obedience, Holiness, and Legislating Morality
Matt, Jady, and Nick discuss a Ugandan law about homosexuality, talk about ordering societies according to biblical principles, and distinguish between the three different kinds of law in the Scriptures.
#148: A Vicar Near Dibley: The View from a British Parish
Jady and Nick talk to Tim Vasby-Burnie, vicar at St George’s Church, Shrewsbury, UK, about the recent goings-on in the Church of England and what life is like on the ground in a “normal” parish church in Great Britain.
#147: On Location at GAFCON23 (Day 5)
Matt, Jady, and Nick are joined by David Ould, Anne Kennedy, and Liza Koch to discuss the final day (and Commitment) of the GAFCON23 meeting in Kigali, Rwanda.
#146: On Location at GAFCON23 (Day 4)
Matt, Jady, and Nick are joined by Anne Kennedy to discuss the fourth day of the 2023 GAFCON Conference from Kigali, Rwanda.
#145: On Location at GAFCON23 (Day 3)
Matt, Jady, and Nick are joined by David Ould to discuss the third day of the 2023 GAFCON Conference from Kigali, Rwanda.
#144: On Location at GAFCON23 (Day 2)
Matt, Jady, and Nick discuss the second day of the 2023 GAFCON Conference from Kigali, Rwanda.
#143: On Location at GAFCON23 (Day 1)
Matt and Jady discuss the first day of the GAFCON conference from Kigali, Rwanda.
Stand Firm in Kigali
We’ve committed ourselves to churning out at least a half-hour Stand Firm Podcast each day of the conference
#142: What Dreams May Come: GAFCON23 and the Worldwide Anglican Communion
Jady and Nick have a conversation about their upcoming trip to Rwanda, their hopes and dreams for the GAFCON gathering, and how encouraging it is to be in a communion so committed to the Gospel of Jesus Christ
#141: “Liberal” Education and Hillsdale College with Dr. Jonathan Mumme
Matt, Jady, and Nick talk to Dr. Jonathan Mumme about the current educational climate, discuss what Christian parents can do in the face of it, and highlight the things that Hillsdale is getting right.
#140: It’s Reigning Men: Rick Warren, Women in Ministry, and the SBC
Matt, Jady, and Nick talk about the upcoming debate in the Southern Baptist Convention about the ministry of women, consider the stance and state of the ACNA, and hope that all such discussions will be based on Scripture.
#139: Heresy and Fidelity: A Conversation with Calvin Robinson
Matt, Jady, and Nick talk with the Rev. Calvin Robinson, UK TV presenter and Free Church of England deacon. They discuss the state of Anglicanism in England, how the faithful might deal with opposition, the power of the Gospel proclaimed, and more.
#138: Let’s (Not) Talk About Sex: Bridal Mysticism and the Limits of Metaphor
Matt and Jady talk about the recent uproar over Josh Butler’s book “Beautiful Union,” wonder why all the same people get upset about the same things all the time, and discuss the value of cancel-proof spaces under good bishops (and editors).
#137: On Location at Asbury: Revivals, the Holy Spirit, and the Gospel with David Brannen
Matt, Jady, and Nick talk to David Brannen about Asbury University and his experience at the revival that may (or may not) have been going on there.
#136: Pitching Christ: The Real Jesus and the He Gets Us Campaign
Matt, Jady, and Nick consider the “He Gets Us” ads, talk about bait and switch evangelism, and discuss how the Good News requires both law and gospel.
#135: Life of the Party? Satan, His Minions, and Engaging the Spiritual Realm
Matt, Jady, and Nick talk about the devil. They discuss the recent notorious Grammys performance, what “Satanism” really means, Christians dabbling in the occult, and the Good News for a lost world.
#134: This Isn’t the Heresy You’re Looking For: Lee Gatiss on the Church of England’s Jedi Mind Tricks
Matt, Jady, and Nick are joined by Dr. Lee Gatiss of The Church Society to discuss the state of the Church of England, talk about the recent goings-on in the House of Bishops, and hope for a Gospel renewal in worldwide Anglicanism.
#133: And the Son? East, West, and Why the Filioque is Important
Matt, Jady, and Nick go back to the 5th century to look at the filioque clause in the Nicene Creed. They discuss why it’s there, talk about what might be lost if it was removed, and consider the East/West divide.
#132: London Has Fallen: Apostate Bishops, Marriage, and the Church of England
Matt, Jady, and Nick discuss a recent open letter from an English bishop to his diocese. They look at his (weak) arguments for the acceptance of same-sex “marriage,” marvel at his abuse of scripture, and consider a churchman’s responsibilities.
#131: Topic? We Don’t Need No Stinking Topic: A (Meandering) Stand Firm Conversation
Matt, Jady, and Nick turn on the mics with no plan. They end up talking about the Church of England, why people might stay in liberal churches, and the modern strangeness of biblical Christianity, among other things.