Features
Sojourners and Exiles
It’s hard to look into the eyes of Justin Welby, even across the cyber waves of my small phone screen, and believe that he has tasted the goodness of the Lord. If you really taste God’s goodness and know him for who he is, are you able to capitulate over the Word he has given to the church? And go on doing it?
#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.
Podcast
#83: Revenge of the Nerds? Credentialism, Expertise, and the Pastor’s Lane
Matt, Jady, and Nick discuss the tendency to defer to qualifications in a debate, what getting a doctorate really means, and what a pastor’s “lane” really is.
#82: The 2021 Year-End Awards
On this episode of the Stand Firm podcast, Matt, Jady, and Nick discuss 2021 and hand out some awards: issue of the year, most surprising development, and more.
#81: The Once and Future King: Advent, The End Times, and the Arrival of God
Matt, Jady, and Nick discuss the importance and meaning of Advent, talk about what true repentance is, and review some of the different theories about the second coming of Christ.
#80: Handmaid’s Tales: SCOTUS, Mayberry, and Theonomy
Matt, Jady, and Nick talk about the current state of the abortion debate in America, the role of one’s faith in the political sphere, and whether or not God’s law should be the law of the land.
#79: A Stand Firm Conversation: Denny Burk
Anne, Jady, and Nick talk to Denny Burke (seminary professor, Baptist pastor, and President of the CBMW) about his recent Twitter conversation with Kristin Du Mez, the difference between sheep and wolves, why LGBTQ issues are “Gospel” issues, and more.
#78: Into the Kiddie Pool: Why We Baptize Babies
Matt, Jady and Nick discuss infant baptism, talk about the biblical, historical, and theological reasoning behind the practice, and then tackle what actually happens in the sacrament.
#77: Revisionist History? Slavery, Race, and Reckoning with America’s Past
Matt, Anne, Jady and Liza react to a recent New York Times piece, share memories of learning about America’s racial history, discuss repentance, and talk about writing for a secular audience.
#76: Queer Eye for the Millennial? Sexual Identity and the Future of the Church
Matt, Jady, and Nick discuss the results of a recent Arizona Christian University survey, wonder about the exploding number of young people identifying as LGBTQ, and think about ways the church can proclaim Good News to this Brave New World.
#75: The Bible (Still) Tells Me So
Matt and Jady talk about the Bible, discuss its purpose, and consider how the church can and should use it, both in preaching and in ministry.
#74: Protestant Word Games: A Reformation Day Glossary
Matt, Jady, and Nick discuss some of the terms associated with the Reformation. They talk about “Protestant,” “Calvinist,” “reformed,” and review some of the differences between Luther and Calvin.
#73: Home Sweet Rome? Why We (and You) Should Still Protest
Matt, Jady, and Nick discuss Michael Nazir-Ali’s defection to Roman Catholicism, consider the Protestant distinctives, and talk about how crucial it is to stand up for the truth.
#72: Courting the Cultured Despisers: Elites, Evangelicals, and the Struggle for Status
Jady and Nick discuss several recent articles on the so-called “evangelical elites,” consider their attempt to appeal to the broader culture, and talk about what kind of culture a Gospel Christianity would produce.
#71: Unrest Down Under? COVID, Government, and Church in Australia
Matt and Nick are joined by David Ould to discuss the situation on the ground in Australia. They talk about the lockdowns, how churches are dealing with them, and the Christian way to submit to authority.
#70: Salvation Issues? Bishops, Discipline, and Unity
Matt, Jady, and Nick continue to talk about what makes an Anglican an Anglican. They discuss what keeps us together, what’s worth splitting over, and consider what “salvation issues” might be.
#69: A Gentleman’s Agreement: Kenya, GAFCON, and the Tenuous Compromise
Matt, Jady, and Nick talk about the recent consecration of a woman to the episcopate in Kenya, wonder about its affect on the ACNA’s global relationships, and discuss GAFCON’s middle ground on women’s ordination.
#68: This Bishop was Wrong: John Shelby Spong and Cultural Christianity
Matt, Jady, and Nick reflect on the life and ministry of Bishop John Spong, his efforts to make the church relevant, and the Good News of culturally discordant Christianity.
#67: Expert Witness: Dr. Gillis Harp
Friend of the show Ethan Magness interviews historian Dr. Gillis Harp about the “three streams” of Anglicanism.
#66: The River Wild: Three Streams, Evangelicalism, and Anglican Identity
Matt, Jady, and Nick talk about what everyone’s talking about: evangelicalism. They discuss what it really means, its place in Anglicanism, and why preserving such an identity is crucial to the proclamation of the Good News.
#65: Same Old Lies: Neo-Pelagianism, Original Sin, and Being Right with God
Matt, Jady, and Nick talk about new forms of an old heresy: Pelagianism. They also discuss the importance of the doctrine of original sin and explain why Good News can only come from a God who justifies on his own.
#64: Afghanistan, Mission, and the Sovereignty of God
Matt, Jady, and Nick talk about the Taliban’s retaking of major Afghan cities from a Christian perspective, the longstanding friction between Christianity and Islam, and how God is at work even in the midst of such profound suffering.