Extending An Olive Branch
The news is full of olive branches this week in the aftermath of a long, divisive election
The phrase “extend an olive branch” is derived from the Bible, from the well-known story of Noah and the worldwide flood. God has created humanity, but they have rebelled against God. Their rebellion has become so great that God can say, “the every intention of the thoughts of their heart was only evil continually.” ... Continue Reading
Blackhawk Presbyterians for Fidelity Launched
BPF is a para-denominational mission like many others including teaching and ruling elders maintaining credentials in the PCUSA
“It is a significant movement recognizing the inertia of a denomination increasingly and irretrievably apostate under current management and the necessity of identifying, encouraging and equipping faithful sisters and brothers for worship, work and witness.” “Blackhawk Presbyterians for Fidelity” (BPF) was launched on November 11, 2016 in Rockford, Illinois during a gathering of representatives... Continue Reading
Pronoun Privilege
When we go around the room in class, students visibly react when they hear that someone they thought looked male goes by female pronouns or vice versa
At some colleges and universities, it’s common for students to introduce themselves, whether in class or in student group meetings, by name, followed by a string of pronouns. “I’m Lizzie; she/her/hers,” for example. My fall classes started recently, and I had to face the pronoun question. It’s simple for me: My appearance matches my... Continue Reading
First Christian Governor in Indonesia Suspected of Blasphemy
Uproar over alleged 'misuse' of Qur'an creates tense situation for pluralistic country
Ahok apologized for his words, saying he “never intended to insult Islam or the Qur‘an.” But thousands of hardline Muslims marched in protest anyway, eventually clashing with police and lighting vehicles on fire. Thousands of Indonesians protested this week after police named the first Christian governor of the nation’s capital, Jakarta, as a suspect... Continue Reading
Some Vossian Thoughts on the Visible-Invisible Church Distinction
The Reformed have always taught that the distinction between the visible and invisible church is not a bifurcation of a generic concept into two species, but the description of one and the same subject
“1. There are visible and invisible aspects to the church. 2. These aspects are not separate churches, but have a large amount of overlap. 3. The visible and invisible do not entirely overlap: there are many false sons within her pale, and some true believers outside her administration.” I’m reading the 5th volume of... Continue Reading
Gasps, Tears As Group of Iraqi Christians Return to ISIS-Destroyed Parish
As the Rev. Thabet Habib recited prayers at the St. Addai church, the sound of broken glass crunched beneath worshippers’ feet
“Inside the church, Habib, the priest, and several other men banged bibles and other holy books against each other, creating puffs of dust. A 54-year-old woman, Almaz Sleiman, sobbed quietly, holding a tissue against her face as she looked around. Prayers were held under the watchful eyes of armed Assyrian Christian militiamen, known as the... Continue Reading
They Excommunicated My Dad
I had no idea what excommunication was. I blamed it for splitting my family and my church.
“The church was split over my dad’s discipline. Some members argued it was right, some argued it was wrong, and others ranged between these two. Disunity struck my family, too. Some of us were confused, others angry.” One Sunday after our church service, the senior pastor extended his hand to greet my dad, one... Continue Reading
Another Tale of Squirrel Nut’s Kins
This is the true story of Squirrel Nut and his kins, and the cruel plot he and his cronies unleashed on the saints at the Sycamore church that came close to rivaling some of the lesser plagues on Egypt.
One cold, gray winter afternoon the pastor was in his office studying the finer points of the offering of the red heifer when he heard a strange banging noise coming from somewhere inside the building. He arose from his studies and traced the noise into the sanctuary, where he looked up and was amazed to... Continue Reading
The Hidden Power in Every Idol
It’s not just idols that are empty and powerless. It’s also the people who worship them.
In the Western world we are far too sophisticated for carved idols, of course, but we have idols of our own, respectable idols suited to twenty-first century sensibilities. If we worship the idol of the perfect body, the sweeping curves or the chiseled abs, we will become as vain and self-focused as the models in... Continue Reading
Giving Thanks Is Better Together
I hope we recognize that this shared thanksgiving is one of our great privileges as the people of God.
In a secular society, Thanksgiving is widely perceived as an interfaith or even faith-optional holiday. But the Christian knows that gratitude is not merely contented mindfulness. True gratitude is directed at our God, the giver of every good and perfect gift (James 1:17). In expressions of thankfulness, we exalt him, proclaim his faithfulness, and confess... Continue Reading