Jesus: The Light of the World
He came to reveal how we can be right with God in a world of darkness.
Jesus has dispelled out the darkness of this world by shining upon us His light. Those of us who trust in Him will never walk in darkness but will always have the light of life. There is no other way to experience clarity, peace, and joy than to live in the light of Christ. ... Continue Reading
A Brief Review: “The Widening of God’s Mercy: Sexuality Within the Biblical Story”
Homosexual practice is an attack on the very foundation of sexual ethics at creation.
The two Hays argue that God, who is ever “changing his mind” to “broaden,” “widen,” and “expand” his “grace” and “mercy” in order to “include more and more people,” “has already gone on ahead of our debates and expanded his grace” to embrace “full inclusion of LGBTQ people in Christian communities.” Sadly, Richard Hays... Continue Reading
Intersectional or Christian – Answering the “Who are we?” Question
For the church I believe that the old adage is true that: “If you don’t know where you stand, you’ll fall for anything.”
There is always a danger that intersectionality is a temptation to culturally attuned and influence seeking churches. Yet a commitment to Reformed confessionalism and a recognition that God distinguishes the spiritual and temporal kingdoms he rules over we will have a bulwark against those who would wish to insert worldly agendas, and in particular those who seek... Continue Reading
“‘The Exodus He Accomplished at Jerusalem’: The Gospels’ Theology of Exile & Return in the Cross & Resurrection”
In Jesus’s death his people are released from exile, and in his resurrection they representatively return to God’s sacred abode.
On the cross Jesus himself serves the role of Isaiah’s end-of-exile new Passover lamb. In his resurrection and ascension Jesus has reentered the presence of God, the House of David is raised up and reenthroned, and a new temple is built that fills the world—all of which marks the dawn of the prophetically forecasted end-of-exile... Continue Reading
Why Pray?
Revisting the book, God’s Greater Glory: Prayer might be mysterious, but it is a great gift from God.
God devised prayer “as a means of enlisting us as participants in the work he has ordained, as part of the outworking of his sovereign rulership over all.” Our prayers do in fact make a difference. Yes, God is God, lacking nothing. Yet he has chosen to work through his people and their prayers. This... Continue Reading
A Stone of Stumbling and a Rock of Offense: A Response to President Trump’s New Pro-Choice, State’s Rights Position on Abortion
What is the way for forward for pastors, church members, and all traditional Americans?
We all must be well-informed, active citizens. We must remind ourselves of the founding principles of our nation, and embrace them afresh. We must proclaim to all the sanctity of human life. We must advocate for its full protection under law. More concretely, we must urge the SCOTUS to do its duty: to implement the... Continue Reading
Meditations on the Name of God
I AM.
It is fitting that the God of all being should use the simplest expression in human language to communicate: I AM. I exist. I am Reality. All that is is of Me. In fact, a thoughtful meditation on this simplest of expressions, I AM, reveals much of who this God is. We may find, that... Continue Reading
The Remarkable Story of Katharina von Bora, wife to Martin Luther
Escaping the nunnery to follow Christ led to a life full of service alongside one of the most seminal figures in Christianity.
While the marriage didn’t begin as a standard love match, a true romance of mutual respect and affection soon grew between Martin and Katharina. Martin, at times, consulted her on church matters and allowed her to deal with his publishers. Because she oversaw the household, Martin could devote his time to the church and the... Continue Reading
The Path to Wisdom
Solomon gives us four qualities of wisdom that must be mastered if we are going to walk in a manner worthy of the gospel as mature Christians.
We must begin by fearing the Lord and trusting entirely in Him. That’s the beginning of the Christian life. Proverbs 3:5 and 6 say, “Trust in the LORD with all your heart, and do not lean on your own understanding. In all your ways acknowledge him, and he will make your paths straight.” That is... Continue Reading
Three Reasons to Study Historical Theology
Recognizing Christ’s Work in His Church Throughout History
To ignore godly teachers of the past is to ignore the very means Christ has given for the edification of the church (Eph. 4:11–16). As we humbly receive the wisdom of those who carried the torch of doctrinal fidelity before us, we can live in greater understanding of the theological language we use today, becoming... Continue Reading
Suffering Leads to Glory (Psalm 22:22-31)
The resurrection means that Jesus is vindicated, you are included, and that God’s church will keep growing.
Do you ever doubt if Jesus’ death was sufficient to atone for your sins? God doesn’t, so you don’t have to either. The resurrection is proof that Jesus did the work that he set out to accomplish at the cross, and that work is sufficient for your need and mine, that God was satisfied with... Continue Reading
We Need to Support the PCA’s Agencies
Old School PCA Confessionalists have long exhibited ambivalence toward the Institutions of the PCA. It's time we embraced them with a view toward making them thoroughly Reformed.
Other than prayer, the best way Old School Confessionalists can support the agencies of the PCA at this time is by searching for more men who share a commitment to robust, Old School Presbyterianism who will be willing to serve on the permanent committees to help shape the policies and priorities of the College, the... Continue Reading
Christians Are a Last Days People
Thinking Through What Time It Is
Christians are a Last Days people and will continue to be, until Christ’s return. Let’s not get caught up in the Speculation Industry that promotes confusion, distorts biblical texts, and deceives people far and wide. The Lord Jesus will return in great glory and splendor. But his return isn’t prompted by or connected to a... Continue Reading
Psalm 136 and the Blessing of Spiritual Speed Bumps
“for his steadfast love endures forever.”
Every aspect of your life story is underscored and interwoven with God’s love. You and I never “move on” from remembering and basking in his steadfast love. We never graduate from the school of his love. It’s the spiritual air we breathe, the oxygen we need as we embrace blessings, endure hardship, and wrestle with... Continue Reading
4 Reasons Why the Bible Does Not Support Transgenderism
Our Bodies are Given to Us as a Gift
God created human beings in his image as male and female (Gen. 1:26–27). Our bodies are good gifts given to us by God that we are to use for his glory (1 Cor. 6:12–20). As a God of order and design, God opposes the confusion of man as woman and woman as man.[6] This point about... Continue Reading
Mission to Paganistan
A few important points that were reinforced from this trip to Paganicon.
Over the course of Paganicon, our little team had opportunities to have conversations. Some went deep, sharing the overlap between John 1 and Genesis 1, bringing forward Bible prophecy as a touchstone to what is authentic (and, in doing so, landing on the Gospel). Sometimes, it wasn’t about the conversation per se but about respectfully... Continue Reading
Current Paganization of Nation and Church: Shepherds, Rise to The Occasion
It is evident that America and Western civilization are strongly undergoing re-paganization in both perspective and practice.
What is important is for shepherds to take seriously their responsibility to protect their flocks. Don’t ignore issues threatening the purity of the church or moral practices of the sheep. Likewise, don’t ignore the reality of the “. . . the massive escalation in hostility toward Christianity and a biblical worldview.” A spiritual battle is definitely raging,... Continue Reading
Have the Courage to Declare Christ Is King
Christians Must Speak the Truth
“Christ is King” is merely the next linchpin for smearing Christians who misbehave politically. The point is to strip Christians of any meaningful political power by preying on their weakness for tolerance and policing their language to such an extent that more time is spent squabbling about how to assert a very true thing than... Continue Reading
In a Scrolling World, Are We Numb to the Resurrection’s Shock?
On Easter, a third of the planet’s population honors the day in history when Jesus Christ rose from the dead.
Easter is an annual remembrance of a historical event that’s still being celebrated, arguably on a greater scale than ever, nearly 2,000 years later. That’s because it’s the biggest news story of your life, or any life—even of those who shrug it off or scroll right past it. Can you remember any top world news headlines... Continue Reading
After the Resurrection
Forty Days of Appearances and Teaching
“He presented himself alive to them after his suffering by many proofs, appearing to them during forty days and speaking about the kingdom of God” (Acts 1:3). Ponder the powerful effect that these proofs and teachings would have had on the disciples. What a unique and precious period of their earthly lives to have such encounters... Continue Reading
Waiting in an Age of Instant Gratification
Media has become an integral part of life itself. Our lives have become dominated by the digital.
As Christians living in an age of instant gratification, we will no doubt succumb to the pleasures of Egypt from time to time. But more importantly, the Christian knows that nothing in this age can bring ultimate gratification. For that, we seek the city that is to come (Hebrews 13:14). Time seemed to move at... Continue Reading
Carl Trueman on Trump vs Biden
Trueman’s latest masterpiece contrasts what he calls “Trumpite ‘evangelicalism’” with “Biden’s brand of ‘devout’ Catholicism.”
My confidence is not so much that most evangelicals will make the correct choice (though I believe they will), but that they will be fully persuaded over who they believe to be the correct choice. Again, when have we been offered two more polarizing candidates with glaringly antithetical agendas? And why have so little confidence in the ability... Continue Reading
Why Do You Do What You Do (and Not Something Else)?
God is good to give human beings skills and passions and good to allow us to express them in our vocations.
When I ask others why they do what they do, I’m often blessed to hear them describe their love for things I’ve never considered lovable….He is good to allow our enthusiasm about these things to be transferable and contagious. One of my favorite questions for times of small talk is “Why do you do... Continue Reading
How Church History Helps—Part 2
Employ church history to help you fight the good fight and keep the faith.
Church history will help you live the Christian life and be faithful to Christ. It will provide you with clarity in an era of confusion. It will help you be consistent while many others waver. The faithful examples and arguments of giants from the past gives you credibility when other people doubt you. The courage... Continue Reading
Church as Blueprint
In the Old Testament, the Temple was a microcosm, a miniature copy of reality.
Getting worship right really matters. Of course I’m fully aware that plenty will agree with me but their vision of “right” will not cohere with mine. It’s a challenge we have to work through. But, even so, it does mean that if we want to reform our communities we start by reforming the worship of... Continue Reading
About “Close” Confessional Communion
Why "credible profession of faith" of penitent, baptized church members is not the biblically sufficient criterion for admission to the Lord's Supper.
Those convinced of the confessional Presbyterian & Reformed view of close/confessional communion might find themselves conscience-bound by the Word of God to abstain from participation in an improperly administered sacrament. The usual standard for admission to the Lord’s Supper in Orthodox Presbyterian Church congregations (and in congregations of other NAPARC denominations) is that the... Continue Reading
The Dangerous Logic of Hate Crimes
Scotland’s vague new hate crime law is anything but “reasonable”.
The problem here is that today “reasonable” has no real content. Indeed, the legislation uses the adjective “reasonable” again and again as the essential criterion in judging whether an act or statement is a crime, but it offers no definition. That is surely a worrying lacuna. We should remember that this is a world where... Continue Reading
Reasons to Oppose Background Checks in the PCA
The 51st PCA General Assembly, in June 2024, will consider five overtures requesting amending the Book of Church Order to require background checks for ordained church leaders.
As Martin Luther and the Reformers held (and died for), only the Word of God can bind the consciences of believers. Church councils and church decrees (including the Book of Church Order) can and do err. We do not submit to our brethren when they require us to act against our consciences as informed by... Continue Reading
The Chicago Statement on Biblical Inerrancy
Inerrancy reminds us that when the Bible speaks, God speaks and He does not fail to utter the truth.
The Bible is no longer accepted or believed as fully trustworthy by many. As one seminary professor described it, “What we are experiencing is an existential mood in the country. Many of our students come to us with a relative view of the Bible.” If the evangelical Church does not awaken to this situation, it... Continue Reading
As Christianity Declines, We Must Confront the Threat of Pagan America
I have no doubt the result will be the making of many saints.
Christians cannot simply escape into their little ghettoes. The Christian religion cannot avoid witnessing in the public square, and its adherents, whether they be doctors, lawyers, teachers, government employees, business owners, or landscapers, cannot help but have their work informed by their faith. That battle, even if it is a losing one, must be fought in... Continue Reading