The Law of the Temple
Sinners, saved by grace, were encouraged to keep the “Law of the Temple”
“No longer are we to offer sacrifices as required under the Old Covenant of Grace, but we are to keep the “Law of the Temple.” Regularly, we are to gather around Christ and recognize his free mercy and grace. In response, we are to regularly express our faith, repentance, godly sorrow, and trust in his atoning... Continue Reading
You Can’t Argue with a Dying Calvinist: Presbyterian Pastor, Perishing Parishioner
How well do we know people and their struggles? Do we know what to say and not say?
This post is a follow-up to “This Minister Lost His Faith” which you can read here. With both I am reflecting on the first chapter of John Updike’s In the Beauty of the Lilies which portrays a Princeton educated Presbyterian minister, the Rev. Clarence Arthur Wilmot. The historical setting is the early years of the 20th century. In the... Continue Reading
Why Christian Education
Training and nurturing covenant children while preparing them for ‘works of service’
The Bible clearly states that the unregenerate mind cannot please God because it places man at the center, assumes that human beings are basically good, actively suppresses the truth about God, and denies the supernatural realities of heaven and hell. The regenerate mind, from which Christian education flows, affirms the opposite: God is the creator... Continue Reading
What Jesus Didn’t Say
No one thinks more highly of the Bible than Jesus
In hindsight, this is probably not the best way to express myself. I’m sorry for anyone who was hurt by the whole “never enter the kingdom of heaven” bit. That’s just an figure of speech for “the best way to live!” And I apologize if the righteousness piece felt legalistic. When I talk about hungering... Continue Reading
The Homophobic Bogeyman
Can guys be close friends with guys without losing their "man card?"
On one hand we have completely cheapened the relationship by numbering our friends like notches on our social media belt. And on the other, our culture has become so hyper-sexualized that we cannot handle the intimacy of true friendship without suspecting scandal. The guys have it the worst. They can’t have close male friendships without... Continue Reading
An Interrupted Life
It’s these interruptions and I how I work through them that God uses in his work to change me to be more like Christ
It’s these moments where the rubber meets the road, where my faith is stretched and I look down to see whether I am standing on rock or sand. Do I really believe that God is in control of all the details of my life? Do I really believe that his grace is sufficient to get me... Continue Reading
7 Kinds of Happiness
Although this world can be a sad place, in God’s mercy there are still many different kinds of happiness in the world.
Also, there is a joy that only the Christian can experience, a joy that at times contains more pleasure and delight than the other six put together, and that’s spiritual happiness. This joy often fills and even floods a believer’s heart as he/she reads the Bible, learns about God and His grace, and communes with the... Continue Reading
6 Reasons Women Should Study Theology
Ultimately it is impossible for any Christian to ignore theology (the study of God) and grow strong in the faith.
When theology is mentioned in a circle of women I have often found the response to be less than enthusiastic. Mention books on homemaking, marriage or parenting, on the other hand, and everyone seems interested. Why is that? I have heard comments like, “I’m just not smart enough”, “I will leave the study of theology... Continue Reading
The Blessings and Curses of Being an Introverted Pastor
Insight and encouragement for pastors both introverts and extroverts
Listening is an underrated skill in pastoral ministry, and introverts are natural listeners. Whether in counseling sessions, staff meetings, or giving constructive criticism, we need to ask questions and listen before we can offer suggestions to work through an issue. Someone who is very successful in sales gave me a piece of advice several years... Continue Reading
Why the Two-Readings View of the Old Testament is Wrong
Ultimately it is incompatible with our doctrine of inspiration, and it is incompatible with our doctrine of God.
The deeper problem with the Two-Readings View (TRV) lies in the character of God. If God has written the Bible, then God has changed His message from the OT times to the NT times. That means that God changes His mind and is open to the future. The TRV cannot avoid an ultimately open theistic... Continue Reading