John Frame’s widely circulated article “Machen’s Warrior Children,” examines the history of theological conflict in conservative American Presbyterianism.  As Frame puts it, “Machen’s children were theological battlers, and, when the battle against liberalism in the PCUSA appeared to be over, they found other theological battles to fight. Up to the present time, these and other battles have... Continue Reading

This is how we know it is faith at work; amid the trial and temptation it does not look within but without. Faith never looks within but always looks away. Faith has eyes to look for God; it has hands to cling to God, it has feet to run to God; faith latches onto her... Continue Reading

The book of Job teaches us, in an unparalleled way, about God’s sovereignty over all things, the reality of spiritual warfare, the hope of the consummation, the rationale for the suffering of the godly, the mysterious wisdom of God in creation and providence, the need to be careful about how we counsel friends who are... Continue Reading

Calvinism is inconsistent, for example, with the emotionally manipulative methods created by revivalists such as Charles Finney. But these manipulative methods are themselves inconsistent with Scripture, so it is no fault to reject them. In order for evangelism to be pleasing to God, it must be consistent with the whole system of biblical teaching. But... Continue Reading

Despite a slight decline in the last 30 years, two-thirds of U.S. parents in 2016 still agreed with the statement, “It is sometimes necessary to discipline a child with a good, hard spanking,” according to the federally funded General Social Study. Spanking is legal in all 50 states. Some states have restrictions on how parents... Continue Reading

When given choices we often tend towards that which is going to be the most comfortable and most personally rewarding. But what if our compass is defective? What if the right sense of direction would tell us to do the hard thing that requires humility? I believe that personal comfort is a deadly compass.  ... Continue Reading

Let’s try this thought experiment: can we assume that the churches of the New Testament were real Christian churches, lacking nothing essential? If so, what could we ‘lop off’ our current practice of church life and still have a genuine Christian assembly (or ‘church’)?   Some years ago, an elderly relative visited our church. She... Continue Reading

In an article published on the website Babe, a woman called Grace accused actor Aziz Ansari of sexual assault, citing a rushed and uncomfortable sexual encounter that ended with her leaving in disappointment. By all accounts except hers, the story was not one of definitive sexual assault, so many commentators have since defended Ansari saying he is guilty... Continue Reading

We’re not that unique. There are plenty of churches worldwide full of people who want to throw in the towel and check out of the Bride of Christ at some point in life. Or, maybe during many points in life. But what keeps us coming back to one another over and over and over is the connectedness... Continue Reading

The Islamic worldview is all-encompassing, especially when living in an Islamic culture. Consider a pie cut into eight pieces and imagine that each slice represents part of a person’s life. One slice is their career, another is their family, another is their religion, another is their friends, another is their culture, etc. For many Westerners,... Continue Reading