Political Discussions in Christian Forums
Do we wish our faith to be a refuge from worldly woe? If yes, then can we agree that it is best to keep it free of non-essential things about which we can and will disagree?
Another problem with dragging politics into Christian forums is its effect on other believers. If political claim A is presented in Christian forum B, it implies that A is the Christian position. Other believers who disagree are implied to be anti- or unchristian for differing, put in the difficult position of arguing against the implied... Continue Reading
After the Dark Night of A Lost Ministry, Bring Light to Others
My life and ministry, which had been for the most part vibrant, blew up in a matter of three weeks.
During this time, as far as my presbytery was concerned, I was not seen as a brother in crisis; I was just a problem. I suspect in many other presbyteries ministers are going through rough times. These brothers are experiencing a crisis in their lives. Please do not look at them as a problem, but... Continue Reading
In the ARP: Crisis of Conscience, Not Constitution
The Associate Reformed Presbyterian Church is one of the oldest Presbyterian denominations in the U.S. At its June meeting the General Synod voted overwhelmingly to dissolve Second Presbytery, effective September 1, 2024.
We remain firmly Presbyterian in polity, with the highest court being the General Synod. What seems to be at the center of this confusion is a short phrase in the new FOG “in order to:” That phrase indicates that the synod has the authority to do those things (organize, receive, divide, dissolve, etc.). And that... Continue Reading
Second Presbytery and the ARP Constitution: A Response to Reverend Seth Yi
In his several articles, Rev. Yi has apparently misread our governing documents, leading to incorrect assessments of how ARP courts operate.
I do not believe that the current situation in the Associate Reformed Presbyterian Church should be characterized as an ongoing constitutional crisis. My belief is based on my reading of our ARP Standards, which are, of course, subordinate to the Holy Scriptures. Since reading is the art of noticing details and understanding them in context,... Continue Reading
The “Widening of God’s Mercy: Sexuality Within the Biblical Story” Fails As Serious Study
This book doesn't live up to the press build-up that it has received from "Christian" promoters of "LGBTQ+" immorality.
This is what is supposed to be the great pushback against the orthodox witness? It is extremely disappointing as a challenge. Even term papers at seminary (hey, even for an undergraduate college) have to treat the counterarguments and some of the scholarship against the position one is espousing. This doesn’t even rise to that level.... Continue Reading
The ARP Church Tightens its Grip on Congregations and Ministers
The crisis in the ARP Church continues. Officers in the denomination are now refusing to release congregations with their property after their Presbytery has already granted them the right to dismissal.
The ongoing crisis in the ARP Church has taken a new turn. Officers in the denomination are now refusing to release congregations with their property after their Presbytery has already granted them the right to dismissal. Does this recent turn in events indicate that the ARP is following the pattern of the PCUSA or the... Continue Reading
A Response to 2024 ARP General Synod’s Special Committee Report and Recommendations
The document was also placed in the minutes of the ARP’s Second Presbytery and specified for distribution.
Editor’s Note: The document below is co-authored by Drs. John Cook and R. J. Gore and was read before the meeting of Second Presbytery by Dr. Cook on August 13 at the Due West ARP Church, Due West, SC. The document was also placed in the minutes of Second Presbytery and specified for distribution. Dr.... Continue Reading
Neo-Confederates Among Us? A Cultural Misunderstanding Considered
We can condemn slavery in general, and its attendant abominations, without thereby wholly condemning those that lived in the Southern society that approved it, and without disapproving all else that they did.
As suggested by my examples above, there are many of us in the pews in the PCA who think differently than Mrs. French and who take exception to this movement of historical condemnation. We recognize that one can condemn slavery in general, and its attendant abominations like separating families in particular, without thereby wholly condemning... Continue Reading
In the ARP: Presbyterian Turf War Erupts In South Carolina
Sexual assault allegations against a Palmetto State pastor threaten to bring down a 224-year-old church body…
Over the past two years, these allegations have mushroomed into a much broader battle between warring factions within the ARP – with some accusing the denomination’s leadership of opportunistically exploiting the situation to seize control of Second Presbytery, purportedly in contravention of the ARP’s governing constitution. The Second Presbytery of the Associate Reformed Presbyterian (ARP) church... Continue Reading
Three Dynamic Winds: Le Mistral, Le Sirocco, & The Holy Spirit
We can all remember the winds in our lives that rocked our world, battered self-esteem, or pummeled us into the reality that we aren’t as self-sufficient as we thought.
Scripture refers to a dynamic wind that is ever-present and permanent for the believer. The word “spirit” in both Hebrew and Greek means “wind” or “breath.” Both breeze and breath are appropriate images of the Holy Spirit. That wind or breath of air, first revealed in the creation (Genesis 2:7), arrived again in history on... Continue Reading
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