@RTSCharlotte Welcomes Kevin DeYoung: A Roundtable Discussion with Ligon Duncan, Kevin DeYoung and Myself

It is well known by now that one of RTS Charlotte’s newest faculty members is Kevin DeYoung. He is the new Assistant Professor of Systematic Theology and will be teaching three classes a year for us here.
In addition, Kevin is the Senior Pastor of Christ Covenant Church here in Charlotte, chairman of the board for The Gospel Coalition, author of numerous books, a popular blogger, in-demand speaker, and more.
Since his appointment, people have been asking about the backstory to Kevin’s transition. How did it all happen? And what is Kevin’s vision for his new role?
Well, the videos below answer those questions. The first is a round … Continue reading...
Would You Take the Red Pill or the Blue Pill? Steven Spielberg’s “Ready Player One” and the Triumph of Postmodernity

Over the recent holiday break I found myself in the movie theater to watch The Last Jedi. Given how profoundly disappointing and unimaginative the movie was (something I may explore in another post), I left the theater thinking about an entirely different movie.
In fact, I began to think of this other movie before The Last Jedi even started. One of the movie trailers at the beginning was from Steven Spielberg’s forthcoming Ready Player One. And it looked genuinely innovative and culturally fascinating.
During the many moments of boredom during the main attraction, I began to reflect upon what this new movie says about the world we live … Continue reading...
Here are Some Great Videos on the Five Solas from the Faculty of Reformed Theological Seminary

Last month RTS Charlotte and Christ Covenant Church came together to host a Reformation conference entitled, The Gospel of Grace and Glory: The Reformation at 500 and Counting.
The five plenary sessions of this conference were on the five solas of the Reformation: Kevin DeYoung (Sola Fide), James Anderson (Sola Gratia), Blair Smith (Solus Christus), Derek Thomas (Soli Deo Gloria), and myself (Sola Scriptura).
I might add that all these speakers (except myself!) are Systematic Theology profs at Reformed Theological Seminary.
And Keith and Kristyn Getty capped off the weekend with a concert that Sunday night.
Over the years … Continue reading...
What is Sola Scriptura Protecting Us Against? More Than You Think

Well, Oct 31st, 2017 is finally here. All year long, churches and organizations around the world have (rightly) been celebrating this amazing thing we call the Protestant Reformation.
One of the foundational convictions of the Reformers was, of course, this doctrine we call Sola Scriptura (Scripture alone). Simply put, this is the belief that the Scriptures are the highest and most ultimate authority in the life of the Christian.
Contrary to popular misunderstandings, it is not the belief that the Scriptures are the only authority. Christians have other legitimate authorities in their life (their elders, classical creeds, etc.), but only Scripture is an infallible authority. For more on this point, … Continue reading...
Here’s What Christians Should Be Busy Protesting

There’s a lot of protesting going on in our culture today. Seems like everyone is upset about something. And they are quite willing to let the world know about it. Indeed, even in the evangelical Christian world, it seems like protesting has become the thing to do.
The key question, however, will always be, “Against what things should Christians offer a protest?”
I suppose there are many answers to that question. But, as we near the 500th anniversary of Luther’s nailing of the 95 theses to the Wittenberg door (Oct 31st), we should at least consider what the Reformers were busy protesting.
After all, that is what the Reformers were. … Continue reading...