In many contexts, “system subscription” has functioned as a kind of theological minimalism. It has been an appeal to broad doctrinal agreement while allowing quiet divergence on particulars. It can, at times, shift the point of authority from the church to the individual. But the PCA’s approach resists that move. The “system” is not self-defined... Continue Reading

The stronger man is not the one who keeps that fact out of his mind. The wiser man is the one who lets it drive him straight to Christ. Not to borrowed language about faith. To Christ crucified for sinners. A Christ who fulfilled all righteousness. To Christ who took away sin and who will... Continue Reading

People can often make a good guess about what close family members or long-time friends are thinking. Similarly, the devil watches patterns, notes habits, and listens to what we say. He sees how we respond under pressure. And over time, he learns. He doesn’t need to read minds to recognize familiar weaknesses—how pride follows praise,... Continue Reading

Color-blind justice—treating every citizen as an image-bearer of God, equal before the law—best honors Scripture and the Constitution. It also equips and encourages the church to carry out Christ’s ministry of reconciliation (2 Corinthians 5:18-19) rather than spending time and energy seeking out often imaginary hidden racial sins or lecturing congregations about the bitter fruit... Continue Reading

We must wage war against the bitterness and unforgiveness growing in the crevices of our broken hearts. There is also the battle to love difficult people, and the battle to surrender something good that God has asked you to release.  In every battle we win through God’s power, we must battle against pride. Victorious people... Continue Reading

Just as Abraham’s faith was counted to him as righteousness (Gen. 15:6), so also every believer is saved through faith, which is the gift of God (Eph. 2:8-9). Abraham wasn’t saved by his own obedience, but instead by the obedience of the Savior, Christ Jesus, who would be the perfect once-for-all sacrifice for sin.  ... Continue Reading

What does change is that we do the same thing with creativity and energy. I picked up this nuance from a Paul Graham post called “The Right Kind of Stubborn.” He isn’t a church leader and isn’t writing for church leaders, but he explores the difference between stubbornness and persistence.     Someone asked me... Continue Reading

When trying to understand 1 John 5:16-17, imagine someone coming to their pastor for assurance of salvation. Hopefully, that’s a conversation we will treat with seriousness and care, lest we grant assurance of salvation to someone who is unconverted. Praying for someone who has committed “sin that leads to death” would be giving them a... Continue Reading

Do you ever just stop and say, “God, thank you for all that you have given me”? No, better yet, get specific: “God, thank you so much for this toaster and the bread that is in it. Thank you for the chair that I get to sit in. Thank you for a measure of health.... Continue Reading

Maybe you’re wondering how you got here—unemployed, disabled, unhappily married, overwhelmed by an unexpected child, trapped in a frustrating job. You never imagined this path. You’ve prayed every prayer, read every book, made every attempt—yet nothing changes. Here is a truth worth repeating: your path is his choice. Fences and all. When God fences our... Continue Reading