By Some Means…
Few have set out, in summary form, the variations of the use of the phrase "ordinary means of grace" in the history of the Church.
While references to the means of grace have been far from uncommon in the history of the church, appeal to the ordinary means holds a unique place in the Reformed and Presbyterian tradition on account of the repetitious use of it in the Westminster Standards. For instance, in the Westminster Shorter Catechism, we find references to “the outward means,” “the... Continue Reading
Have We Finally Hit Peak Attractional?
The attractional church is, according to Jared Wilson, a “ministry paradigm that has embraced consumerism, pragmatism, and moralism as its operational values.”
This series may represent “peak attractional,” which is to say, it may mark the moment the attractional church model finally hit rock bottom (though you could probably make the case Young already achieved that the day he got into bed with his wife on the church roof). I’m almost afraid to ask: Can the model possibly... Continue Reading
Discerning Between Mountains and Molehills
When it comes to a defense of the gospel, two things are necessary—courage and discernment.
We are living in times where confusing doctrines and trendy ideas infiltrate the church on a daily basis. The information superhighway of the Internet runs at light speed. Such a modern reformation is not possible when men remain silent and hunker down in the safety of their own personal castles. We are living in... Continue Reading
Is Pornography Your Therapy?
But while porn is always a problem, the problem is not always porn.
Porn, for many, is a comfort sin, a type of therapy. Have a stressful day? Sit down and relax. Angry with your spouse or anxious about an upcoming test? Bring your concerns to the computer screen. Are you lonely? Sad? Bitter, bored, or busy? The door is always open. We bring our problems to porn,... Continue Reading
Separationism
The great need of the hour is convicted Christians who are willing to stand together for the truth of the gospel.
Paul’s answer is very instructive for us. He explained that the call to be separate does not mean that they were to have no contact with sinners in the world. They were not called to leave the world the way the monks tried to leave the world. Separation is not achieved by avoidance of sinners... Continue Reading
Where Have all the Godly Men Gone?
The church is in great need of awakening and renewal; and, in the spirit of Richard Baxter, its greatest need might well be godly men.
The “peer pressure” of ministry is oriented toward events, products, conferences, and materials. It is as though the paraphernalia and garnishes of ministry have displaced the more biblical and eternal aspects, like godliness. Perhaps this is why Matthew Henry lamented some preachers who, “when in the pulpit, preaching so well that it is a pity... Continue Reading
Have You Considered Working in a Qualification?
Part of the problem is rhetoric
“My sense is that the hosts at Truth’s Table (and Pass the Mic) have a lot of allies in the church and secular society. That reality suggests that racism and misogyny are not as pronounced as they allege, especially since their views are readily available in the mainstream press, universities, and Hollywood.” I haven’t... Continue Reading
Sunday Morning Starts Saturday Night
Preparing for Sunday morning is imperative for our Christian walk
“The most important reason to be alert on Sunday morning is because the Lord of the universe deserves your very best. Of course, we worship God all week, but Sunday mornings are a unique and special way to do so unlike any other. It has been specially organized by our leaders and set aside as... Continue Reading
Resolution on the Doctrine of Justification Adopted by the Bible Presbyterian Church
A resolution of Justification adopted by the Bible Presbyterian Church
Meeting in Lakeland, Florida on August 2-6, 2018, the General Synod of the Bible Presbyterian Church unanimously adopted the following statement on the doctrine of justification. This statement aims to clarify the clear and consistent doctrine of justification by faith as provided in the Westminster Standards over against the recent teaching of non-confessional evangelicals such... Continue Reading
The Church that Lives by the State Shall Die by the State
The Orthodox Church continues to suffer from the Czech government’s “pro-Orthodox” policy to this day.
When it came to the Byzantine Catholic Church, the Communists sought “only liquidation,” the then-archbishop said in 2011. “We Orthodox know that such force is never a victory. That the Czechoslovakian party members supposedly helped the Orthodox Church in Czechoslovakia was only their cunning maneuver,” he said. “In fact, the Communists only injured the work... Continue Reading
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