Moses Raising and Lowering His Hands
How a mountain scene of victory in Exodus 17 points to Christ.
As we zoom out from this story and behold the canonical trajectory of types and shadows, we can say that Moses typifies Christ, the one who would ascend the mountain and lift his hands to a cross to accomplish victory. Though wearied and weakened physically, the Lord Jesus prevailed because he acted with divine authority.... Continue Reading
Church Leaders: June Is Not the Time to be Silent
The month of June has been usurped by the “father of lies” (John 8: 44) who “deceives the whole world” (Revelation 12: 9).
The month of June has been usurped by the “father of lies,” (John 8: 44) who “deceives the whole world,” (Revelation 12: 9), and who disguises himself as “an angel of light” (2 Corinthians 11: 14). In other words, many churches and our nation have readily turned over an entire month to serious evil—serious, yet... Continue Reading
On the Virtues of “Intemperate” Speech
If strong men using strong words to convey strong convictions comprises “intemperate” speech, then I pray that more men in the PCA begin to speak intemperately.
Direct, passionate, forthright speech need not include spite, anger, or character assassination. Even Robert’s Rules of Order understands this, allowing good men to differ strongly, and to speak strongly about their differences, so long as they address the measure and not the man. Introduction The past few years have witnessed an increasing number of... Continue Reading
Acts 29 and the Big Sort
On Seeking Faithful Institutions and Alliances
Today if you visit an Acts 29 church, you can’t be sure what you will experience. You might experience the promotion of trans ideology, a woman preaching in the pulpit during worship services, the teaching of critical race theory…that America was founded on lies and racism which has set up a system of white dominance. Or, you may... Continue Reading
The Purpose of Worship
Creatures are made to worship their Creator. When anyone, be they human or angel, turns to think about who God is and what he’s done, the right response is worship.
The self-sufficiency of God has huge implications for our understanding of worship. When we gather on a Sunday, who is gaining? Not God, but us. We don’t come because he needs us but because we need him. We come ultimately not to give but to gain. How else could needy, dependent sinners approach the God... Continue Reading
A Plea to Keep Lawyers in Ecclesiastical Proceedings: Against PCA Overtures 10 and 14
Urging the PCA General Assembly not to approve Overtures 10 and 14 seeking to limit lawyers from representing parties in ecclesiastical proceedings.
These overtures have the outrageous practical effect of chilling the participation in ecclesiastical proceedings of PCA officers who happen to be lawyers, serving the very courts in which they are members and in the very type of matters for which they are specially gifted and trained. This proposal is not only prejudicial to such brothers,... Continue Reading
Contextualization
Contextualization, as it is commonly practiced, is a trojan horse for worldly propaganda that threatens the future vitality of the church; the sheep are starved in order to reach the goats.
Some might raise the objection that contextualization is unavoidable. They’d argue that everyone is a product of his or her own culture. They’d say that no one is unaffected by their own culture, and it is arrogant to think anyone can “transcend” his own culture. To a degree, I’ll concede this point. It is true... Continue Reading
Read This First: Motivation For Shepherds
If your motivation for ministry has faded and shepherding seems like just something else to do, let me encourage you to take steps to renew your first love.
Shepherding is challenging and rewarding—but it won’t bring you the rewards that are often coveted in this world. This is why proper motivation for ministry is so important. Its reward in this life is the joy of serving the One who died for you when you serve those he has entrusted to your care. Jesus’s... Continue Reading
COVID-19 Reflection
Enough time has passed that the church can calmly, methodically evaluate her COVID-19 decisions, actions that were of historical significance with profound consequences for the spiritual health of the church.
Actions of massive significance call for significant accountability. Self-reflection is a good spiritual discipline, also for church leaders. Did we engage in spiritual abuse when we turned away faithful worshipers? Were we condescending toward mask-wearers seeking to protect vulnerable family members? Did we demand submission to civil government on matters better left to individual conscience?... Continue Reading
New Releases from the Alliance of Confessing Evangelicals
Releases include a new book on worship, “Trembling Joy,” by Rev. Ryan Speck and a new podcast, “Hear the Word of God,” featuring Rev. Eric Alexander.
In “Trembling Joy,” Pastor Ryan Speck answers the question, “What if worship style were more than a matter of personal taste?” by showing how the Bible’s own definition and description of worshiping God should impact the church… Presenting the teaching ministry of Rev. Eric Alexander, “Hear the Word of God” has joined the Alliance’s Podcast... Continue Reading
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