Cremation or Burial: Why I’m Not Convinced It Matters Nearly as Much as Some Think
The Old Covenant people were specifically concerned with being buried in the land. They were buried in Israel just as we are buried into Christ, the true Israel.
In the end, the bottom line here is this: if the Lord was especially concerned about this I am confident he would have given us a clear and definite instruction somewhere in his Word. That he hasn’t tells me we are likely to be making a bigger deal out of the means than God does,... Continue Reading
Matthew Henry, Presbyterian Minister and Bible Commentator
On May 9, 1687, Matthew Henry was examined for ordination having made a full “confession of his faith,” which was a statement of what he believed. As he expressed who God is in his confession he showed the influence of the Westminster Standards on his thinking by quoting from, without attribution, the Shorter Catechism, question 11, concerning providence.
Matthew Henry is known primarily because of his commentary on the Bible. The massive work shows his dedication to the systematic exposition of Scripture which he learned from the Puritans as taught to him by his father. It was his practice to systematically preach through Scripture which then provided exegetical information for his commentary series.... Continue Reading
A Dangerous Calling (pt. 2): Five Steps to Self-Promotion
When kingdom-seekers exalt themselves, their ambition follows a discernible pattern.
Those who promote themselves without God’s authorization (i.e., recognition granted to them by the church – see Acts 13:1–3), gain position by giving it to themselves or taking it from others. Instead of waiting on the Lord to receive a ministry at the right time in the right way, those who are committed to making... Continue Reading
Cremation or Burial: Does Our Choice Matter?
Christians have almost universally practiced burial until recently.
My goal isn’t to condemn or shame anyone who has chosen cremation for others (much less those who’ve simply carried out their departed loved ones’ directives). My desire is forward-looking, to give us something to think about as we make decisions about our funerals and as we discuss plans with our friends and loved ones,... Continue Reading
Consider Your Attitude to the Local Church
Are you disappointed with the other people at church?
Local churches are made up of sinners. There are those whose lifestyles do not match your standards. You will see obvious sin and hypocrisy in the lives of others. Yet, as has been often said, church is a hospital for sinners rather than a museum for saints. We are all sinner with deep problems. We... Continue Reading
Will Christ Ever Spew Lukewarm Christians Out of His Mouth (Revelation 3:16)?
Since many sincere Christians fear this very thing, we do well to think deeply about these questions. Three closely related points may be made.
Whatever the Lord had in mind, we now hear him speaking both sternly and lovingly to all: to the faithful, the backslidden, and the nominal. And since most of the Christians in Laodicea fell into the latter two categories, we find him outside of the church, standing at the door, knocking, seeking entry, and warmly inviting... Continue Reading
Middle Schoolers are Now Using AI to Create ‘Deepfake’ Pornography of Their Classmates
A quick scan of recent headlines will give you a sense of where this is headed.
The pornography crisis is being exacerbated further by AI, once again highlighting the unfortunate truth of a joke in tech circles: first we create new technology, then we figure out how to watch porn on it. The porn industry has ruined an untold number of lives. AI porn is taking that to the next level. We... Continue Reading
Charles Hodge, Protestant Nationalist
Christianity and the State in America
We could with justice call Hodge a Protestant Nationalist. Hodge explains the way in which God’s moral law must be the foundation of American political life like this: The people of this country being rational, moral, and religious beings, the government must be administered on the principles of reason, morality, and religion. By a like... Continue Reading
Is Sunday Still the First Day of the Week?
When you notice the shift on your electronic device away from Sunday as the first day of the week, resist going along.
We’re Christians. We follow King Jesus. We mark out one day a week—the first, not the last—to worship the risen Lord. We sing of his goodness and grace and trust his promise to return and blast away death forever. Sunday is his day. And he comes first. Maybe you’ve noticed it too. On various... Continue Reading
Pandering to Sacred Cows
The danger of seeking the righteousness of man.
As Christians, we need to learn to identify cultural idols when we see them, and unequivocally refuse to bend the knee. We must refuse the temptation to use them as occasions to polish our reputations or to appear respectable in the eyes of our families and peers. Instead, we should remember that Babylon is a... Continue Reading
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