Kinism does not align with the nature of the Church, and it also rejects the proper government of the Church. Ministers are gifts given to the Visible Church as a whole, not just a particular group or society …There is no idea of one race being more fit for ministry than another race, nor to... Continue Reading

Paul wanted the Thessalonian congregation to have a healthy community. Accordingly, Paul told them to give tailored help. Notice that the medicine fits the disease. They warn the unruly. They comfort the fainthearted. They uphold the weak. They don’t uphold or comfort the unruly. That would feed and make their rebellion strong. They don’t warn... Continue Reading

In a world which demands that leaders pour themselves out for worldly success, leading might be costly. You will probably disappoint a lot of people. You may not be as well-liked. You might even lose the wrong ministry until you find the right one.   How would you respond if someone told you today, “Listen,... Continue Reading

To ancient believers, the notion that they should read the Scriptures silently while at home alone would have seemed absurd because so few people had access to manuscripts and most of them couldn’t read. Instead, manuscripts of the Scriptures should be read aloud for all to hear.   Until I come, devote yourself to the... Continue Reading

Bring the tithe. Not because He needs it. Because you do. This is not about keeping a church budget afloat. This is about a soul returning to its first love. This is about worship with weight.   Malachi 3:8–10 The plate moves slowly, like a river of quiet guilt, from hand to hand down the... Continue Reading

Many evangelicals were not lulled by ecumenism; but if they could be convinced that their catholicity required them to read past figures like Aquinas, then perhaps they could also be gradually lulled into reading contemporary authors who claim to follow in Aquinas’s stead. That subtle, history-emphasizing approach has worked. Credo’s book awards include a whole... Continue Reading

We don’t need the Son of God leaving heaven for earth in order for the incarnation to be worth singing about. Instead, we can exclaim with Calvin: “Here is something marvelous: the Son of God descended from heaven in such a way that, without leaving heaven, he willed to be borne in the virgin’s womb,... Continue Reading

If freedom to innovate is more important to some sessions than following the rules—one of the bonds of unity and trust—they would do well to lead their congregations to greener, broader pastures in one of the many denominations that more nearly align with their desires and preferences.   I don’t like writing about this, but... Continue Reading

The early Protestants did not reject the ancient creeds of the church.…It was only heretics like the Socinians (the liberals of the sixteenth century) who rejected the ancient Christian creeds.   Most Christians have heard of things like the Nicene Creed or the Apostles’ Creed, but many Christians also have a number of misconceptions about... Continue Reading

Christian formation is impossible apart from Christian faith. It’s faith that leads us toward formation to begin with, and it’s faith that keeps us on the path….Even when everything in us wants to quit and settle for less. We press on, in faith, by faith, and for faith.   “I don’t see any change taking... Continue Reading