CultureWatch

Bill Muehlenberg's commentary on issues of the day...

George MacDonald, “The Light Princess,” and Redemption

Apr 4, 2018

There is a convoluted history to this article and it requires a number of prefatory remarks. First, who is George McDonald? He was a Scottish writer and minister (1824-1905). While he wrote on theology and related matters, he is perhaps

“I Hope I am Good Enough”

Feb 28, 2018

When it comes to our eternal destiny, we want to try to make sure we have things right. We want to have some assurance that we are right with God in this life so we can live together with him

Wright and the New Perspective

Jan 8, 2018

N. T. Wright is arguably one of the most important New Testament scholars of our day. Whether you agree with everything he writes or not, you cannot ignore him. Theology, biblical studies, New Testament studies, and Pauline studies are all

Spiritual Formation: Sanctification as Deconstructionism

Jan 3, 2018

Becoming a Christian and growing as a Christian has absolutely nothing to do with picking yourself up by your own bootstraps, attempting self-reformation, trying harder, or seeking to turn over a new leaf. What it is really all about is

Why Did Jesus Come? The Reason for Christmas

Dec 23, 2017

What is Christmas all about? Obviously it has to do with the arrival of Jesus Christ on planet earth. But why did he actually come? Just why was he born? What led him to leave the comforts of heaven to

Just What is the Gospel?

Nov 5, 2017

Theology matters. Having wrong theology can result in people heading to a lost eternity. That is why we must get what we believe right. That is why we must get the gospel right. And that is why we must regularly

Luther, the Cross, and Divine Love

Nov 4, 2017

With it being just a few days past the 500th anniversary of Luther’s posting of the 95 theses, it is worth looking at a particular aspect of Luther’s theology. Just six months after his famous theses were posted, he took

Christians, Sin and Repentance

Oct 26, 2017

It must always be the case that core Christian truths and basic biblical beliefs must be restated and reaffirmed on a regular basis. Even though they may be basic or elementary biblical truths, that does not mean we can just

On Christian Assurance

Jul 13, 2017

In writing about theological issues one must bear in mind that biblical truths are bound together and must be understood together. As D. A. Carson puts it, “every part of Christian doctrine is tied, one way or another, to every

“Once Saved, Always Saved”

Jul 11, 2017

The question as to whether a Christian can lose his salvation is another one of those hard-core theological debates that gets thrashed around ad infinitum, ad nauseam. Positions are usually entrenched, the opposition view is often misrepresented, and heat rather

The 5 Solas Series

Jun 20, 2017

With this year being the 500th anniversary of the Protestant Reformation (October 31, 1517 was when Martin Luther posted his 95 theses), plenty of new books have recently appeared to commemorate the event. One such work is a very helpful

Our Wounded God

Apr 21, 2017

There is only one religion in the world in which it makes sense to speak of a wounded God. And even more unique, this was a case of self-wounding. What religion would ever dare to speak this way? Just one:

William Paul Young is a Heretic, Part One

Apr 20, 2017

Let me say at the outset that there are two things I quite dislike. I very much dislike having to shell out my hard-earned money on really lousy books. And I also dislike the habit of some who accuse everyone

William Paul Young is a Heretic, Part Two

Apr 20, 2017

In Part One of this review of Young’s new book, I mentioned the general theological and ideological space he is in. It is part of the broader recent trendy fad known as the emergent church movement. I have written dozens

Security and Falling Away: On Being in the “Book of Life”

Apr 17, 2017

The debate over the eternal security of the believer has raged for centuries, and there is nothing new I can add to the debate. Those who have their mind made up theologically speaking will know where they stand on this:

Why the Cross?

Apr 15, 2017

The Easter event is the most important event in human history. Without the death and resurrection of Jesus Christ we would all be lost – forever. The love relationship God desired with his creatures was marred by sin and rebellion,

Salvation, Cooperation with God, and the Christian Life

Feb 25, 2017

The process of salvation, and how it occurs, is at the heart of the Christian faith. While it is such a basic part of our faith, I find myself needing to keep writing on this, seeking to clarify things, deal

On Recovering the Reality of Sin

Jan 9, 2017

There was a time when everyone pretty much knew they were dirty rotten scoundrels. Of course back then most people had at least a vague belief in God as well. Today in the West we tend not to believe in

Are You Rejoicing Yet?

Dec 18, 2016

This is a follow-up article to a piece I wrote yesterday: “Are You trembling Yet?” It is a supplement to that article, not a corrective. In that essay I spoke about the God with whom we have to do, and

C. S. Lewis and Theories of the Atonement

Nov 25, 2016

There is a richness both in Scripture and in church history when it comes to trying to understand what transpired at Calvary for our behalf. That Christ died for our sins is a basic theological given accepted by all true

About CultureWatch

We live in an age where we see evidence of cultural decline, the erosion of values, the decline of civility, the denial of truth and the elevation of unreason. Many people are asking, “Where is our culture heading?” This website is devoted to exploring the major cultural, social and political issues of the day. It offers reflection and commentary drawing upon the wealth of wisdom found in the Judeo-Christian tradition. It offers reflective and incisive commentary on a wide range of issues, helping to sort through the maze of competing opinions, worldviews, ideologies and value systems. It will discuss critically and soberly where our culture is heading. Happy reading!

Bill Muehlenberg

CultureWatch

Bill Muehlenberg's commentary on issues of the day...

George MacDonald, “The Light Princess,” and Redemption

“I Hope I am Good Enough”

Wright and the New Perspective

Spiritual Formation: Sanctification as Deconstructionism

Why Did Jesus Come? The Reason for Christmas

Just What is the Gospel?

Luther, the Cross, and Divine Love

Christians, Sin and Repentance

On Christian Assurance

“Once Saved, Always Saved”

The 5 Solas Series

Our Wounded God

William Paul Young is a Heretic, Part One

William Paul Young is a Heretic, Part Two

Security and Falling Away: On Being in the “Book of Life”

Why the Cross?

Salvation, Cooperation with God, and the Christian Life

On Recovering the Reality of Sin

Are You Rejoicing Yet?

C. S. Lewis and Theories of the Atonement

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