You know one of my best friends – for 55+ years – Linda Strickland! She asked me to log on to your site. I live in Nashville…small world!
McCabe’ burger is good, Rotier’s and Brown’s also…and Fat Moe’s. Ever tried Sportsman’s? Love to hear from you!

Raleigh

I just now noticed your comment from October — that you found my article after googling “restricted pietism.” The only reason I can imagine why you would have googled that phrase is that you are good friends with a McGary. (My theory was confirmed when I saw John’s blog on your blogroll. ) If you’re anything like me, you have come away from your McGary friendships with new thoughts and new questions. As for book recommendations, I am not sure there is such a resource that specifically uses that phrase. Even my own thoughts are a combination of Ross McGary’s influence, lack of sleep, and an early-morning stream of consciousness encounter with Matthew 15. I would recommend Nancy Pearcy’s Total Truth (or various Schaeffer texts) as the best intro to Sacred/Secular dichotomy, which is the philosophical step-father of restricted pietism. As for Sphere Sovereignty, there is a Wikipedia definition which is nice for historical background, but sadly, there does not appear to be many evangelicals teaching about this very biblical concept. Ross always mentions Eph 5 and Col 3 as the foundational texts, and he is also quick to mention specific examples of how many sins of the Church are caused by a misunderstanding of these spheres – how they are distinct, and how they are meant to relate to one another (the confusions of Church and State are popularly discussed, but the confusions of Church and family are often ignored, like when pastors take on a role of authority over husbands, etc). I’d love to know more of your thoughts on the subject. Perhaps our generation will write the definitions to these concepts and bring some clearer thinking to the Body in years to come.

Merry Christmas
Jason