“Unenforceable obligations are beyond the reach of the laws of society. They concern inner attitudes, genuine person-to-person relations, and expressions of compassion which law books cannot regulate and jails cannot rectify. Such obligations are met by one’s commitment to an inner law, written on the heart. Man-made laws assure justice, but a higher law produces love.”…
Read MoreOn May 31st, as tensions were highest over the killing of George Floyd while in police custody in Minneapolis, Dr. Piotrowski interviewed Dr. Charles Ware of Grace Relations. They talked about race, justice, protests, the police and the Coronavirus. We hope this video is illuminating and edifying amidst many voices at these times.…
Read MoreThe impact of the coronavirus pandemic can be seen across the globe. Many are suffering as their health, family, and finances struggle. In light of these troubles, we may find ourselves asking about the character of God. Is God in control? Is He still good? Last month, Dr. Piotrowski spoke at Castleton Community Church to address the sovereignty and goodness of God in the midst of COVID-19….
Read More“Now here’s the crucial insight for Christian formation and discipleship: not only is this learning-by-practice the way our hearts are correctly calibrated, but it is also the way our loves and longings are misdirected and miscalibrated—not because our intellect has been hijacked by bad ideas but because our desires have been captivated by rival visions of flourishing. And that happens through practices, not propaganda. Our desires are caught more than they are taught. All kinds of cultural rhythms and routines are, in fact, rituals that function as pedagogies of desire precisely because they tacitly and covertly train us to love a certain version of the kingdom, teach us to long for some rendition of the good life. These aren’t just things we do; they do something to us.” …
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“We spend most of our waking hours working. At work we fulfill many of our noblest dreams and endure many of our greatest sorrows. At work we do things for people and we do things to people, and they return the favor. Through work we feed our families and serve our neighbors. Through work we hone skills and make friends. When we work, we face our sin and the world’s brokenness, and yet we discover grounds for hope. Mindless work crushes the soul; yet even in the midst of tedious work, we may find ourselves and our place in society.” …
Read MoreIn the American Civil War, what was the most lethal cause of death among soldiers? It wasn’t the rifle, the pistol, or artillery—it was disease. Before modern germ theory, sickness prowled battlefields and base camps to weaken and kill hundreds of thousands. What critical need does every army face in wartime? Not merely more soldiers, but more healthy soldiers.
And so it is with churches.
The critical need to fulfill the Great Commission is not merely more churches, but more healthy churches. …
Read More“Let them at least understand the religion which they oppose before they oppose it.” This quote has been attributed to Blaise Pascal, a French mathematician, physicist, inventor, and believe it or not, a noted theologian. As a teenager he began to invent mechanical calculators. He made significant contributions to mathematics and physics, working with vacuums and hydraulics. A computer language was named after him—which I studied in college. His quote about thoughtfulness is great advice for us in our day. Think about it my friends! “Let them at least understand the religion which they oppose before they oppose it.” ...
Read MoreIn the July 2016 issue of Tabletalk Magazine, Al Mohler, President of THe Southern Baptist Theological Seminary, proffers a sobering assessment of the challenges facing the church in America. He writes, “The Christian church in the West now faces a set of moral challenges that exceeds anything it has experienced in the past.” Many pastors, theologians, and orthodox Christian thinkers would not disagree with Mohler. It can be sobering and somewhat alarming to conclude that indeed the church no longer occupies a central place in the public square. Are we a moral minority? Perhaps not yet. Nevertheless, the times we live in require much of us. ...
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