Many evangelicals, in order to avoid the clear teachings of these confessions (which are based on the supernatural claims of the Bible) and not offend the reigning relativism of our culture (which, at the end of the day, is anti-supernatural), employ a sort of “nominalistic” interpretation of the standards. A “nominalistic” interpretation means avoiding the... Continue Reading

The defeated proposal would only have added a clarification to the BCO for those who felt the language of the book was not clear that intinction should not be practiced. Many who voted against the proposed BCO change did so because they felt there was no need for clarification; the book is already clear.  ... Continue Reading

This means, first, that it recognizes that there are only the two sacraments—baptism and the Lord’s Supper—and that it therefore rejects the five other sacraments of the Roman Catholic Church as false sacraments (Heidelberg Catechism, Q&A 68). Second, this means that it administers the sacraments without the unbiblical ceremonies and elements that have been added... Continue Reading

Church leaders have said or stated that the PCUSA no longer clearly communicates why and how Jesus matters to a world that needs to know him, citing a denomination-level rejection of the statement “Jesus is the singular saving Lord.” They also cited a change in the PCUSA’s understanding and application of biblical authority from the... Continue Reading

As for the free floating Christian leader with his own independent ‘ministry:’ well, surely the same strictures apply to him as to any other member of the church. Are there not six days of the week when he can do his thing? He ought to be back in his home church most Sundays. And if... Continue Reading

I’ve said it many times but we all need people who can get in our face and say no. The longer a man is in a pastorate the harder that is going to be. The need for us all to realise we are accountable men, to God and to others is absolutely vital. We must... Continue Reading

If you ask most people why they don’t go to church, or why they don’t want to become Christians, one of the most common answers is, “Christians are a bunch of hypocrites!” Those who have left the church often give the same answer. Both groups have encountered Christians, experienced their inconsistencies, and decided, “If that’s... Continue Reading

In response to a civil lawsuit alleging that it covered up numerous cases of child sexual abuse, Sovereign Grace Ministries (SGM) has pledged to “carefully review” each accusation. However, the lawsuit—which claims the association of Reformed church plants discouraged victims’ parents from reporting abuse to authorities and had victims forgive their abusers in person—has also... Continue Reading

The very fact, however, that our own Directory of Worship (DOW) could never hope to be approved by a majority of our Presbyteries and thus gain constitutional authority, and the fact that the DOW actually adds to rather than takes away from the elements of worship considered acceptable under the Regulative Principle, should indicate that... Continue Reading

It’s practically an obligation for younger pastors in the PCA to question the motives of the founders of our denomination. For many it’s self-attesting in the same way Nickelback’s music is considered unlistenable. I’m certainly not young but I share the uneasiness about much of what is constituent in our short institutional history. There is,... Continue Reading