Freshen up your Psalm Singing
If you need some extra convincing and motivation to get started on Psalm singing, why not have a read of 150 Questions About the Psalter.
Recently, in my devotions, I’ve been using the Book of Psalms for Worship, published by the RPCNA (Reformed Presbyterian Church of North America). Many of the arrangements are refreshing and, in some cases, better and closer translations of the original Hebrew text of the Psalms than either the Scottish or Dutch Psalters. I love the... Continue Reading
Where Were The Church And The Truth Between The Fathers And The Reformation?
The pre-Reformation church was not “Roman Catholic.”
The Reformation did not drop out of the sky. It was a tapestry the threads and fabric of which was drawn from the entire pre-Reformation tradition. We inherited vocabulary from Lombard and distinctions and categories from Thomas. We revised Anselm’s account of the atonement. If you know the first 12 questions of the Heidelberg Catechism,... Continue Reading
Your Testimony Is Not the Gospel
The gospel is not about me. The gospel is about Jesus.
But we shouldn’t confuse our personal testimonies with the gospel. Sharing our personal testimonies is not evangelism. It’s merely pre-evangelism, sort of a warm-up for evangelism. Our testimonies may or may not be significant or meaningful to those with whom we are speaking. There are lots of folks who can relate to my story; they... Continue Reading
#ChurchToo: Andy Savage Resigns from Megachurch over Past Abuse
Memphis pastor who faced backlash after standing ovation: “Apologies are important, but more is required.”
Woodson’s story reignited the conversation over how church leaders can better address abuse allegations by alerting the police and/or allowing outside firms to investigate. “When people see churches trying to handle investigations of their own leaders internally, it leads many to doubt whether the church really desires to bring the truth to light,” wrote researcher... Continue Reading
How True is the Bible? – Inerrancy
How accurate is the inspired revelation of the 66 books in the Bible? How do we know?
The God of the Bible is a God of unwavering truth. He is upright and trustworthy in nature and deed. At no time in history has God affirmed something contrary to fact or failed to follow through with his promises. The remaining history will prove likewise. Motivated by his own glory and love for sinners,... Continue Reading
Is Numbers 5 Good for Women?
Apart from its context in the long story of Scripture, Numbers 5 is troubling and confusing.
While this odd procedure can easily become the focus of the passage, drawing our attention to other trials by ordeal throughout history, it is the mediation of the priest that is a better focus, pointing to the long story of Scripture ultimately fulfilled by Christ. John Calvin notes in his commentary on Numbers 5 that “many are... Continue Reading
When Motherhood is Lonely
The seasons of motherhood are long and short at the same time.
But that feeling of loneliness isn’t something to be ignored or minimized. I have those feelings because I was made to be in community; God didn’t create me to live life on my own. I need my sisters in Christ to pour into me out of the overflow of the Spirit at work in them.... Continue Reading
There Is Nothing Trite About It!
As Christians, we believe in the power of prayer.
News we can do nothing about. There is always one thing we can do: We can pray. Recently, prayer has been maligned as an insignificant, wasteful, or even cruel practice as a response to another person’s pain or trial or difficulty. Some of those who pray have been “prayer shamed” into silence, having been told “I’ll pray... Continue Reading
Multi-Ethnic Churches Are Not Enough!
Multi-ethnic churches are not the same as cross-cultural churches, and are in some measure set up for ethnic misunderstanding and conflict.
There is a Biblical model, and it is built on such Biblical values as honesty, love, and sacrifice. It is built on a deep and rich appreciation of the Image of God in each human being. It is built on the Biblical appreciation of the reality of human cultures and the necessity of becoming a... Continue Reading
Allies vs. Cobelligerents: Don’t Mix Them Up!
The danger is in mistaking co-belligerents for allies.
The danger is in mistaking co-belligerents for allies. When we side with a group like feminists, we have to keep in mind that the relationship between co-belligerents is not that of friendship, but utility – they are with us only so long as we can further their ends. But Paul’s warning against being “unequally yoked”... Continue Reading