Posts by Todd Pruitt

  1. Posts by
  2. Posts by

Posts by

A Beautiful Bride

Todd Pruitt
Mar 30, 2008
For all her flaws the church is the bride of Christ. What a beautiful metaphor. Every time I criticize the church I cannot help but be reminded of how much the Lord His bride. I think it's easy to love the idea of church but when it comes to the specific people who make up the congregation to which...

Oprah the Theologian

Todd Pruitt
Mar 30, 2008
Oprah wants to change the world. Her pagan spirituality is often embraced by undiscerning Christians who drink up what she says. Make no mistake. Oprah's promotion of pagan writers and teachers like Wayne Dyer, Marrianne Williamson, and Eckhart Tolle has served to advance eastern mysticism among...

The Old Atheism

Todd Pruitt
Mar 30, 2008
Check out this great article in the latest issue of Modern Reformation .

Jesus the Rock Star

Todd Pruitt
Mar 30, 2008
This is an interesting article about the preaching of Tadd Grandstaff pastor of Pine Ridge Church . I think a lot about preaching, corporate worship, and the church. I hope we can agree that it matters what we say about Jesus. Any thoughts about the rock star stuff?

Talking back to my inner Nimrod

Todd Pruitt
Mar 29, 2008
Tomorrow I am preaching from Genesis 11:1-9. It’s the account of Nimrod, the people of Shinar, and their quest to build a great city with a tower reaching into heaven. They were building, we are told, in order to make a name for themselves. They were seeking to bridge the gap between man and God by...

Jeremiah Wright and The Good Life

Todd Pruitt
Mar 28, 2008
For an advocate of liberation theology Jeremiah Wright knows how to live in high style. As one who regularly decried the materialism of "rich white folks" Reverend Wright has certainly cashed in. Timmy Brister posts this report on the recently retired pastor's new digs. As Timmy points out, this...

Redmond on Wright

Todd Pruitt
Mar 28, 2008
Recently Al Mohler aired an interview he did with Eric Redmond, pastor of Hillcrest Baptist Church . The topic is black liberation theology and the state of theology among African American Christians. It is worth listening to.

One of my favorite writers

Todd Pruitt
Mar 28, 2008
Sinclair Ferguson writes for the academy, the laity, and even children. He is also one of my favorite preachers .

Easter at Granger

Todd Pruitt
Mar 28, 2008
http://youtube.com/v/Rb6N9_lKL4Y This scene from Easter Sunday at Granger Community Church raises some interesting questions about the purpose of our corporate gatherings. Any thoughts?

Jesus and History

Todd Pruitt
Mar 28, 2008
Craig Blomberg, one of our most important New Testament scholars, has written an excellent article entitled "Jesus of Nazareth: How Historians Can Know Him and Why It Matters." The article was posted by The Gospel Coalition . If you would like to read more by Dr. Blomberg, here are just a few of...

Measuring Up

Todd Pruitt
Mar 27, 2008
This was posted over at Pure Church. I so identify with these words that I had to post them. This is an excerpt are from Don Carson's excellent book Memoirs of an Ordinary Pastor (pp. 92-93). "So many aspects of ministry demand excellence, and there are not enough hours in the day to be excellent...

T4G Highlights

Todd Pruitt
Mar 26, 2008
God willing, in a few weeks the MEBC pastoral staff will pack up and go to Together For The Gospel . Here are some highlights from the 2006 conference. What a blessed time that was!

Soul Winning for Dummies

Todd Pruitt
Mar 25, 2008
I found this posted over at Paleoevangelical. Mark Dever read this same passage at the Gospel Growth conference in October. It’s from C.S. Lovett’s little book “Soul Winning Made Easy.” It represents so much of what was wrong in evangelism training in the past. It also raises some important...

Eldredge and The Voice of God

Todd Pruitt
Mar 25, 2008
Tim Challies offers this helpful review of John Eldredge's new book. If you would like to learn more about the biblical teachings regarding God's guidance check out: Discovering God's Will by Sinclair Ferguson Finding The Will of God by Bruce Waltke

Ordination

Todd Pruitt
Mar 25, 2008
The ordination service for Kris McGee was a blessed time. It was great to hear more about the church plant in Kansas City. I was also moved by the words of Kris' brother John. Thanks to all those who made it a special time for the McGees.

Confusing Christianity with Politics

Todd Pruitt
Mar 24, 2008
Russell Moore has written a helpful article on the Jeremiah Wright (Obama's pastor) hubub.

Take and Read

Todd Pruitt
Mar 22, 2008
Excellent introductions to Christian theology and living: I love these books because of their biblical faithfulness and readability. You do not need a seminary degree to fully appreciate and benefit from these wonderful books. I would encourage you to add them to your personal library. A Faith To...

Jesus' Tomb?

Todd Pruitt
Mar 22, 2008
Thomas Madden wrote a terrific response on National Review Online to last year's outrageous and now almost fully discredited "documentary" which aired on The Discovery Channel. If you recall there was much buzz about the supposed discovery of Jesus' ossuary (bone box).

Scientific Ethics?

Todd Pruitt
Mar 22, 2008
In a field where the notion of God has been completely removed there is little room left for questions of right and wrong. Ethics become entirely utilitarian: if it can be done then it is good. Check out this story from Reuters.

Victory Achieved

Todd Pruitt
Mar 22, 2008
"And you, who were dead in your trespasses and the uncircumcision of your flesh, God made alive together with Him, having forgiven us all our trespasses, by cancelling the record of debt that stood against us with its legal demands. This He set aside, nailing it to the cross. He disarmed the rulers...

Between Friday and Sunday

Todd Pruitt
Mar 22, 2008
John Piper offers some helpful insights about the oft repeated legend that Jesus went to hell for a time after He died.

Easter and Commercialism

Todd Pruitt
Mar 21, 2008
This is a fascinating article from Slate on why Easter is more resistent to commercialism than Christmas.

Kansas City Church Plant

Todd Pruitt
Mar 20, 2008
Check out the temporary website for Redeemer Fellowship in Kansas City. Redeemer Fellowship is the church that Kris McGee is planting with Kevin Cawley. We are excited about Kris' new ministry. What a privilege it was to ordain Kris into the gospel ministry on Sunday evening. I will post pictures...

Man's Inability

Todd Pruitt
Mar 20, 2008
The great Puritan Thomas Boston on the doctrine of man's inability . This is worth reading.

Our Modern Aversion to "Sin"

Todd Pruitt
Mar 20, 2008
USA Today on whether or not we have lost the notion of sin.

Gloriously Ordinary

Todd Pruitt
Mar 20, 2008
In the latest issue of Touchstone an article by Michael Horton levels a critical eye on the contemporary fad for churches to have extraordinary pastors. As an extraordinarily ordinary pastor I feel that pressure regularly. Many of the conferences marketed to pastors today are led by sparkling,...

The Reason For God

Todd Pruitt
Mar 19, 2008
Check out this website . "The Reason For God" is currently on the NY Times bestseller list. I recommend it not only as a means to equip believers for the work of evangelism but also as a tool to pass along to skeptical friends and family members.

Bob Dylan and Jesus

Todd Pruitt
Mar 18, 2008
http://youtube.com/v/3FcWL6YM2XU This is Dylan from 1980. Okay, so his voice is an aquired taste but the man wrote some amazing gospel songs back in the day.

Goldsworthy at Southern

Todd Pruitt
Mar 18, 2008
Take time to listen to this important lecture by Graeme Goldsworthy from his time at Southern Seminary this week. Goldsworthy is one of the church's most important writers and teachers. His work on the centrality of the Gospel in biblical interpretation and preaching is desperately needed in the...

My Boys

Todd Pruitt
Mar 18, 2008
These are from a year and a half ago when we spent some time at Lake of the Ozarks. My boys are pretty serious about their water sports.

Why I Preach Expositionally (6)

Todd Pruitt
Mar 17, 2008
Biblical exposition teaches proper biblical interpretation. So many theological errors today are the result of poor skills in biblical interpretation. Expositional preaching and teaching is a means not only to teach the content of the Bible but how to interpret it properly. Some of the best lessons...

Alone In The Garden

Todd Pruitt
Mar 17, 2008
Take time to listen to this excellent discussion on The White Horse Inn. My experience in pastoral ministry for 20 years only confirms the observations of the panel. The American church is awash in neo-gnosticism. We have become as subjective in our approach to truth as non-believers. I know what...

Increase Your Carbon Footprint

Todd Pruitt
Mar 17, 2008
I thought this was hilarious! Is there anyone who could send this to Al Gore?

Protecting Children From The Gospel

Todd Pruitt
Mar 17, 2008
Russell Moore has written a disturbing post on a decision made by a Christian children's curriculum publisher to leave out the crucifixion and resurrection of Christ because it is too scary for pre-schoolers. This actually should come as no surprise. The sermons and lessons that people are...

Instructing a Child's Heart

Todd Pruitt
Mar 16, 2008
Tedd Tripp's new book looks great. It is the follow up to Shepherding a Child's Heart .

Moralism vs. Christ-Centered Exposition

Todd Pruitt
Mar 15, 2008
This article by Tim Keller explains much about why I preach the way I do. I fear that most evangelicals hear therapeutic moralism on Sundays rather than a faithful Christ-centered exposition of Scripture. The difference is radical. In typical contemporary evangelicalism the gospel is something...

Tim Keller at UC Berkeley

Todd Pruitt
Mar 15, 2008
http://youtube.com/v/C9fmKSwuoDE Also, Keller's newest book "The Reason for God" is now on the New York Times bestseller list. That's a good thing!

Paul Tripp

Todd Pruitt
Mar 15, 2008
Paul Tripp answers questions about his new book "A Quest for More." I also highly recommend his books "Instruments in the Redeemer's Hands" and "How People Change" co-authored with Tim Lane. Metro East is looking forward to hosting Paul Tripp on April 4th and 5th for his conference, "Marriage,...

How To Complain To God

Todd Pruitt
Mar 15, 2008
I am preaching from Psalm 22 tomorrow. The Psalm provides profound insights into Jesus' sufferings on the cross. It is also a Psalm of complaint. David does more than cry out to God for help. He questions, even complains about God's seeming absence and slowness to respond. Ultimately the Psalmist...

Doctrinal Prioritizing

Todd Pruitt
Mar 15, 2008
Al Mohler suggests a structure for "Theological Triage." This article from the latest edition of the 9 Marks Journal offers important insight on knowing how to distinguish between first order and second order doctrines.

Christians and the Old Testament

Todd Pruitt
Mar 14, 2008
An excellent article by Graeme Goldsworthy on the Old Testament. Goldsworthy's book According to Plan is essential reading for a better understanding of the Bible. Take and Read!

Obama's "Sounding Board"

Todd Pruitt
Mar 14, 2008
Ronald Kessler at The Wall Street Journal has written an interesting article on Barack Obama's controversial pastor. I wonder if a Republican candidate would be advancing toward the White House if his pastor spewed forth such racist venom?

Preaching To The Choir

Todd Pruitt
Mar 14, 2008
Trevin Wax offers this good reminder in the pages of Christianity Today.

Why I Preach Expositionally (5)

Todd Pruitt
Mar 14, 2008
Biblical exposition protects the church from error. It is always tempting for the preacher to tell people what they want to hear. Popularity has its advantages. Because of this, preaching is often more a reflection of popular fads than it is an exposition of Scripture. In his penetrating critique...

Wagner Vs. The Facts

Todd Pruitt
Mar 13, 2008
Timmy Brister posts an effective rejoinder to Bill Wagner's assertions about Calvinists and evangelism.

Makes Me Wanna Scream!

Todd Pruitt
Mar 13, 2008
Okay, so maybe I’m not having the best day. Maybe I’m a little sensitive to these kinds of issues today but reading Michael Horton’s article in this month’s issue of Modern Reformation makes we want to scream. Horton writes: "Based on numerous studies conducted by his research group, evangelical...

God's Stern Love

Todd Pruitt
Mar 12, 2008
"God's love is stern, for it expresses holiness in the lover and seeks holiness for the beloved. Scripture does not allow us to suppose that because God is love we may look to him to confer happiness on people who will not seek holiness or to shield his loved ones from trouble when he knows that...

Burning Bridges

Todd Pruitt
Mar 12, 2008
Tom Ascol has posted these observations concerning an upcoming conferece at FBC Woodstock.

More on Southern Baptists and Climate Change

Todd Pruitt
Mar 12, 2008
This is a pretty fair reflection of my thinking on the issue.

Southern Baptists Seeking to Control the Climate

Todd Pruitt
Mar 12, 2008
Funny Stuff from Timmy Brister.