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I’m a member of a Christian forum where someone cited an online article, claiming that the “revival” of c. 1907 was dead, because it became institutionalized.

As one who grew up within Pentecostal revivalism, I know these matters from the inside out: My father was as anti-institutional as nearly anyone of his generation of Pentecostals. He was usually suspicious of local churches, and downright hostile to denominations.

But the problem runs even deeper than anti-institutionalism; the theology of revivalism (insofar as it has unique theology) is fundamentally problematic. Here is what I wrote in response to the forum post. (more…)

We had a sermon today on Achan (Joshua 7), and during the process I began reflecting on the connections between Achan and Jericho.

Of course, the connection is immediate: Achan’s transgression was to take “the devoted things” from Jericho for himself. But there is more to it than that.

(more…)