Posts by Todd Pruitt

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If you have been hoping for a new reality show highlighting the life of a rich preacher in Texas then good news is on the way! However, if you are like me and dread the idea of yet another sad side show under evangelicalism's big top then we have Ed Young Jr. to thank, or better, blame. Actually, I...
If you have been hoping for a new reality show highlighting the big life of a rich preacher in Texas then good news is on the way! Ed Young Jr., pastor of Fellowship Church in Grapevine, TX is negotiating terms for a new reality show based on himself. However, if you are like me and dread the idea...
For any of you unaware, the Alliance recently launched another website entitled "A Place For Truth." It's definitely worth reading. If you get a chance, check out David Wells' excellent series of posts on "Why we (still) need reform." And, if you have absolutely nothing better to do, check out my...
Desiring God has published an article by Nick Roen entitled "Is It Sin to Experience Same-Sex Attraction?" Roen believes there is a distinction between experiencing temptation and engaging in sin. I believe this is a helpful and, most importantly, biblical distinction. Our Lord was tempted in every...
So said Woody Allen as he sought to justify his sexual relationship with his step-daughter. In one sense it is easy to dismiss Allen's behavior as isolated albeit disgusting. Recently, however, David Espstein, a political scientist from Columbia University, has been charged with incest for carrying...
Is there a difference between being tempted and lusting? Is it sin to be tempted to commit gluttony? Is it a sin to be tempted to not be generous? Is it a sin to be tempted to disobey your parents? You get the picture.
Now I'm getting pegged as being too unclear on sin for drawing a distinction between same sex attraction and homosexual acts. How about that! I'm too nuanced, too sensitive to the spirit of the age. This is truly a first. Someone is calling me out for being too nice, too vague, too liberal. So, for...
Martin Luther identified a theologian of the cross as one who calls a thing what it is. That sort of clarity seems to be in short supply in the church today. Love for God's truth seems to have been replaced by love for a certain aesthetic of niceness. Indeed, speaking with clarity is downright mean...
In the most recent edition of Mortification of Spin , Carl and I discuss the role and importance of elders in the local church. It is clear in Scripture that the church is to be led by a plurality of godly men who meet a very specific list of requirements. The requirements themselves (found in 1...
I've written a post over at Ref21 concerning the Phil Robertson flap. Specifically I seek to distinguish between our reactions to same sex attraction and homosexual acts. I also seek to defend the "yuck factor" as a legitimate response to homosexual acts. As I have read the many commentaries...
Okay, so that's an exaggeration. But as I have read the many commentaries offered by various evangelicals on the Phil Robertson flap I cannot help but wonder if some of the discussion confuses categories. Some, while in sympathy with Robertson's view that homosexuality is sin, are scandalized by...
As the most recent meeting of the Evangelical Theological Society made clear, the battle over the trustworthiness of the Bible is far from over. I recently posted some resources that have been helpful to me in my ministry as a pastor in helping those I serve to understand and embrace the doctrine...
On January 19 I will begin preaching a series through Acts. The series will begin with a few sermons focusing on the identity and mission of the church. I'm still in the midst of outlining Acts so I'm not sure yet how long the series will be. However, it looks like Acts is going to be one of those...
The following are some excellent resources addressing the doctrine of the Scripture's inerrancy: Articles/Audio: The Chicago Statement on Biblical Inerrancy The Chicago Statement on Biblical Hermeneutics The Inerrancy of Scripture part 1 (audio) - Wayne Grudem The Inerrancy of Scripture part 2 (...
Eric Metaxas recently interviewed Dr. Stephen Meyer on his Socrates In The City . Dr. Meyer is the author of the excellent Darwin's Doubts . //player.vimeo.com/video/81215936
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Check out the latest edition of Mortification of Spin: Bully Pulpit . Carl Trueman, Todd Pruitt, and Aimee Byrd are back at it, and doing what they do best: tear down your preconceived notions and build up Gospel truths in their place. This time they take on Christmas, and discuss the utter amazing...
For decades, Ligonier Ministries has been producing excellent resources for that space between Seminary and Sunday School. Their latest is an upgrade to their RefNet site. It's called RefNet 2.0 and functions as a "24 hour Christian internet radio."
Over at Ref21 I have posted my favorite books from this year.
Carl Trueman and Scott McKnight agree on something! Actually, I was not surprised. Dr. McKnight has written an excellent piece on Christian publishing and recent peculiar events concerning a certain evangelebrity.
Admittedly, the "My Favorite Books Of The Year" posts are a bit self-indulgent. But personally, I like to read people's favorite books lists. So, with the expectation that at least my parents and in-laws will be mildly interested I offer the following list of my favorite books from this year. One...
Mark Jones, author if the recently published Antinomianism , has written a helpful article entitled "Why You Should Be a Presbyterian." If you are a Presbyterian you ought to read it to be reminded of the distinctives of Presbyterianism. If you are not a Presbyterian, then read with care. Your mind...
From J.I. Packer's introduction to Antinomianism by Mark Jones: Antinomians among the Reformed have always seen themselves as reacting in the name of free grace against a hangover of legalistic, works-based bondage in personal discipleship. Characteristically, they have affirmed, not that the...
On Sunday I preached from John 1:1-14. The message is entitled "The Word Became Flesh" and can be listened to HERE .
Reformed University Fellowship (RUF) is coming to James Madison University. For years, many have prayed for RUF to come to JMU, Virginia's second largest university. Now it appears that the Lord is answering those prayers. In 2014 Reformed University Fellowship will be coming to JMU. At Covenant...
If I am a good boy, I am counting on Santa bringing me the following two books for Christmas: From Heaven He Came And Sought Her “This book is formidable and persuasive. Those familiar with the terrain will recognize that the editors know exactly the key issues and figures in this debate. And none...
In light of recent events , Neil Cole has offered some helpful thoughts on an evangelical culture that values celebrity. He writes: We have a church celebrity culture that actually encourages plagiarism and often refuses to admit it. Entire books are written by ghostwriters who are never mentioned...
On the latest edition of Mortification of Spin: Bully Pulpit (our 15 minute bi-weekly podcast) Carl Trueman, Aimee Byrd, and yours truly weigh in on some current goings on in the evangelical sub-culture. Specifically we discuss the possibility that the neo-Reformed movement has failed to uphold...
On Sunday I wrapped up our series through Ruth with part five. It is entitled "There Is A Redeemer" and may be listened to HERE .
The evangelical circus may be making an addition to their increasingly grotesque sideshow. Apparently, the world needs another reality show. Ed Young Jr. of Fellowship Church in Grapevine, TX is in talks with a major network to bring his big life to the small screen. While Ed Young Jr. is a grown...
The latest Mortification of Spin is now online and it may get a bit bumpy. Carl and I talk to Frank and Dan of Pyromaniacs about such things as cessationism and the sufficiency of God's Word. How sufficient is God's Word? Do the charismatic gifts have a place in the church today? Carl Trueman and...
From the end of 2008 to 2013 I was the lead teaching pastor of a large non-denominational church in the northeast. During my time there I was told by various elders to lead the church in a more “broadly evangelical” direction. By others I was encouraged to lead the church to become more narrowly...
On Sunday I preached part 5 in our series through Ruth. It is entitled "The Purposes of God and the Plans of Man" and can be listened to HERE .
Carl Trueman offers some necessary food for thought related to a recent dustup on the Janet Mefford show. For those of you who do not know, Janet Mefford recently interviewed Mark Driscoll on her syndicated radio program and it got a bit heated. Miss Mefford took Driscoll to task over large...
From Doug Wilson : Last night I recorded a discussion with Adrian Warnock on cessationism. It will be available this coming Saturday — Premier Christian radio site will stream live on Saturday at 9:30am ET or 2:30pm UK. As I hope the discussion will make clear, I know and understand that...
The latest edition of Mortification of Spin: Bully Pulpit is now online. Carl and I discuss the continuing relevance of men such as Athanasius and Augustine.
On Sunday I preached part 3 of our series through Ruth. It is entitled "There Is A Redeemer" and can be listened to HERE .
From the end of 2008 to 2013 I was the lead teaching pastor of a large non-denominational church in the northeast. During my time there I was told by various elders to lead the church in a more “broadly evangelical” direction. By others I was encouraged to lead the church to become more narrowly...
On my Christmas list this year is From Heaven He Came And Sought Her . The book even has its own website! One of the most beautiful doctrines in Scripture is that of Christ's substitutionary and definite atonement (You cannot have one without the other!). When Christ died he did more than make...
Over at Credo (one of my favorite online resources) Fred Zaspel offers a deeply moving reflection on the life and recent death of his beloved daughter. Please take time to read it and pass it along.
On this week's edition of Mortification of Spin , Carl and I interview Dr. Denny Burk about his new book What Is The Meaning of Sex? Check it out HERE .
A few of my thoughts on Sarah Young's mega-seller Jesus Calling have been posted at Ref21 .
On Sunday I preached part 2 in our series through Ruth. It is entitled "Grace In The Dark Places" and can be listened to HERE .
Check out the newest addition to the online presence of the Alliance of Confessing Evangelicals. It is called Place For Truth and is well worth checking in on regularly. As you may already know the Alliance sponsors Mortification of Spin and the excellent Christward Collective and Reformation21 .
Gloria Furman has written a terrific piece over at the Gospel Coalition on the importance of attending the church's corporate worship. This is a timely correction to the hyper-individualism characterizing much of evangelicalism and the "I like Jesus but not religion" mantra. Miss Furman offers ten...
I keep hoping that the fascination with Sarah Young's bestseller Jesus Calling will fade away. If you are not familiar with Jesus Calling , it is a book of 365 daily devotions that the author claims are messages from Jesus spoken directly to her. In fact the book is written in the first person from...
Gloria Furman has written a wonderful piece over at the Gospel Coalition on the importance of attending public worship. If you are a pastor, Gloria's words would serve as a great encouragement to your congregation as to why we must not forsake the assembling together of the church. Watch for a...
It has become clear that the university is no longer a place to think much less dissent from the wisdom of our cultural and academic betters. Do so and you may find yourself investigated by the BIRT (that's the Bias Incident Response Team for the uninitiated). The next scene of our story occurred...
Recently Westminster Seminary in Philadelphia hosted their annual preaching conference . The guest speaker was Harry Reeder of Briarwood Presbyterian Church. The following are two of the addresses delivered; one from Dr. Reeder and the other from Carl Trueman. //player.vimeo.com/video/78173183?...
The latest Mortification of Spin: Bully Pulpit is now online. Aimee Byrd and I talk about rich pastors of their great big houses. Specifically we talk about the dangers of pastors being treated as rock stars and elders unaccountable to the congregations they serve.