‘Things which Become Sound Doctrine’
Associate Reformed Presbyterian Confessional and Theological Identity in the 20th Century (Part 2)
These posts will be of interest not only to ARPs but also to those who seek a better understanding of how the ARPC differs from other American Presbyterian groups. … In the first installment of this three-part series we looked at the 19th-century theological identity of the ARP Church (then known as the Associate Reformed Church).... Continue Reading
Is Your Church Ready for the Marriage Revolution?
The Supreme Court of the United States is set to hand down a set of decisions this summer that could advance a cultural and political shift in the way marriage is defined in this country. Is your church ready for this?
We’ve surrendered on marriage in too many ways: on its permanence, on fidelity, and even too many times on its nature rooted in sexual complementarity. Just because we’re not marrying two grooms or two brides, yet, doesn’t mean we’re standing firm on marriage. We’ll talk about how to disciple people toward Ephesians 5, not toward... Continue Reading
Houston Presbyterian Megachurch Considers Leaving Denomination
Cites 'Drifting' Theology
One of the largest Presbyterian Church (USA) congregations in the United States is presently weighing the possibility of leaving the denomination due to theological differences. First Presbyterian Church of Houston, founded in the early nineteenth century and with an estimated 3,600 members, voted earlier this year to enter a discernment process over the possibility of... Continue Reading
Christians Who Tithe Have Healthier Finances
The finances of Christians who tithe are generally healthier than the finances of those who do not, according to a new study.
According to the Christian Post, researchers compared tithers to non-tithers using nine financial health indicators, and found that tithers were better off in every category. “The weird thing is, a tither looks at that and says to himself, ‘Well I’m better off because I give.’ A non-tither looks at that and says, ‘Oh, they give... Continue Reading
Believing and Perceiving the Sovereignty of God
When God’s sovereignty is believed by somebody it is perceived by everybody
When God’s sovereignty is believed by somebody it is perceived by everybody. There are several immediate areas where I was able to see that this man truly believed in God’s sovereignty. The first is, he prayed. It sounds simple, doesn’t it? … You don’t do this if you don’t believe that God is sovereign. Prayerlessness is... Continue Reading
The Blessed Cursed Tree
The civil law as a redemptive-historical guide is one that has often been neglected--and yet it is one of the richest in all the Scriptures
The typological nature of the civil law given to OT Israel finds it’s fullest expression in the execution of Christ at Calvary. The application of these laws from the national to the spiritual realm can only be accounted for by the “spiritualizing” and “eternalizing” of the preparatory nature of the Old Testament in the finished... Continue Reading
Elderly Christian Florist Files Countersuit over Refusing to Participate in Gay ‘Wedding’
An elderly florist in Washington state has filed a countersuit against the state Attorney General after being sued for refusing to sell flowers for a same-sex "wedding"
Although she provides referrals to other florists who will provide services for same-sex “marriage” ceremonies, lawsuits allege that Stutzman is unlawfully discriminating against customers based on sexual orientation. The state is seeking $2,000 per offense and a permanent injunction that would require the shop to violate its conscience or stop selling flowers for wedding ceremonies... Continue Reading
What Does the Bible Say About the Reasons for Disasters like the Tornado in Moore, Oklahoma?
Are disasters and tragedies a direct consequence of the sins of the people they affect? Not necessarily
It seems that most people instinctively want to pair up Good Events with Good Behavior and Bad Events with Sinful Behavior in a flat one to one relationship. I sin, I am punished with some bad event. I am good, I am rewarded with some nice occurrence. Now while that may be true for puppies... Continue Reading
Fathers, Mothers, and “Radical” Christianity
Fixation on big, dramatic acts as the way to “really” follow God disqualifies most Christian mothers from a meaningful Christian life
“By New Radical standards, we moms aren’t Christian enough unless we’re serving at a soup kitchen in the inner city or adopting orphans from Ethiopia.” That is a stark, but accurate assessment of the implications of New Radical thought for Christian mothers. I would add that marriage and family precludes most Christian fathers from “radical”... Continue Reading
To the Boy Scouts and Others – Warning: Reality is Not Politically Correct
The problem is that reality is not quite so politically correct
All teens need to be taught by their parents, teachers, pastors and mentors that their sexual desires are not their identity, nor do they need to be controlled by them. Who we are is so much greater than our appetites, sexual or otherwise. And all of us can learn, by God’s grace, to master and... Continue Reading