To some observers, McLean’s conflict seems like a replay of other recent episodes from American evangelicalism, where leaders who appeal to Scripture to address social issues are accused of theological liberalism or secular influence even if they continue to hold traditional Christian views. The level of suspicion around such leaders appears to have grown during... Continue Reading

Ultimately, our conflict is about accepting, holding to, and defending the Moral Law of God, or “The declaration of the will of God to mankind” (Westminster Larger Catechism, Question 93). When others seek to change or diminish God’s law, we must stand firm in upholding and safeguarding it.   There was a sweet, but momentary,... Continue Reading

Through fund-raising, he was able to purchase some land to build a church and a cemetery in Kingston, Jamaica. Unlike other ministers who had constant problems with land-owners, he only allowed in his congregations slaves who had obtained permission by their masters. In fact, he used a church bell to signal when the services started... Continue Reading

True praise that God loves comes out of a whole heart, in the gathered assembly, as all the voices of the people together are raised, because the marvelous works of the Lord have been sought out, comprehended, and believed. People who have delighted themselves in Christ and his steadfast love shown to them in his... Continue Reading

It’s a mystery, but in God’s wise plan, He has made it so that through simple words His saving work is made known. In the famous words of the Second Helvetic Confession, “The preaching of the Word of God is the Word of God.” If we recaptured this high view of preaching, we would engage in... Continue Reading

If our goal is to present Jesus Christ authentically as the savior of our sins, the presentation must be just as authentic in the life of the one who is delivering the message. A sincere preacher, who is genuinely taken in his heart by the gospel, will, from that heart, deliver messages blessed by the... Continue Reading

At the moment the Roman Catholic Church condemned the biblical doctrine of justification by faith alone, she denied the gospel and ceased to be a legitimate church, regardless of all the rest of her affirmations of Christian orthodoxy. To embrace her as an authentic church while she continues to repudiate the biblical doctrine of salvation... Continue Reading

In our desire to win the lost we must never surrender this basic premise and presupposition of the Gospel: Christ died for the elect who, sooner or later, inevitably and inescapably, will listen to His voice – that principle is decreed and fixed by God. If, as we are convinced, the Saviour speaks through His... Continue Reading

Be careful what drives your emotion and in which direction! In pop-Christianity, people claim they are elevating God; they just functionally believe that is done by emoting passionately during the service to “give everything to Him.” Me-centered Christianity is very expressive, but we must take great care as to the content of the worship.  ... Continue Reading

In contrast to Berger’s aphorism, the elites of the Southern Baptist Convention do not rule Southern Baptist churches. But they do run the institutions and enjoy the handsome salaries paid for rank-and-file Baptists. As trusting, instinctual conservatives, it’s not easy to rouse the Southern Baptist masses to activism that targets the SBC. But if history... Continue Reading