Megachurch Pastor in Florida Goes After Mark Sanford in Sermon
First Baptist Church, Jacksonville, senior pastor Mac Brunson warned Sunday against electing former South Carolina Gov. Mark Sanford back into office
“Now, the bright people of my home state have made him the GOP person for Congress,” Brunson went on. “If he dealt treacherously with his wife before, and the state, and the people who worked for him, do you think [his] character has changed that much? That he’s not gonna deal treacherously at some point... Continue Reading
Calvin Theological Seminary Launches New Digital Research Center for Reformation Studies
Academic research has been revolutionized by the recent progress of digital tools and methods
The institute is conceived as a forum to promote research into the Reformation and post-Reformation periods, covering the 16th to the 18th centuries, through the use of digital tools, skills, and resources. The Junius Institute will house the Post-Reformation Digital Library, an electronic database covering thousands of authors and primary source documents on the development... Continue Reading
Why Men Have Stopped Singing in Church
We've forgotten the history of congregational singing
Years ago, worship leaders used to prepare their flocks when introducing a new song. “We’re going to do a new song for you now. We’ll go through it twice, and then we invite you to join in.” That kind of coaching is rare today. Songs get switched out so frequently today that it’s impossible to... Continue Reading
Church of Scotland faces exodus over gay clergy
Church of Scotland leaders are set to make a decision over the appointment of openly gay ministers
The Rev Paul Gibson, minister of Perth Free Church, who joined the Free Kirk last October, said: “I think evangelicals will feel the report simply demonstrates what has been known for a long time – namely that within the Kirk are not two Christian perspectives but, in fact, two distinct religions, both of which are... Continue Reading
California ‘Bathroom Bill’ Approved By Assembly
Bill requires schools to allow boys in girls’ restrooms and vice versa
He explained that the bill would not only pertain to school restrooms, but would also entitle students who wished to identify with the opposite sex to be allowed to play on sports teams of that gender. Girls who identified as boys could play on male football teams, and boys who identified as girls could play... Continue Reading
Lessons from the Life of Eric Liddell #4
Truth is More Important than Popularity
Liddell’s willingness to stand for truth is a much-needed lesson in our modern day. Just as Liddell’s beliefs were mocked as narrow and dogmatic and traditionalistic, so today Christian beliefs about marriage or sexuality are mocked as narrow and dogmatic and traditionalistic. If we stand up for what God has to say about marriage, we... Continue Reading
Should being a Christian have a visible effect on our lives?
Thoughts on sanctification
I have heard at least one pastor in the PCA say that cussing (to use the Southern word) isn’t a sin. I’m not so sure he’s right. It seems to me that Arends makes a good point. I think that the Scripture gives plenty of warning to us on the need to control our tongues.... Continue Reading
Joseph in Potiphar’s House (Genesis 39) and its Egyptian Literary Parallels?!
Is an Egyptian story the source material for Genesis 39?
After finishing the text, frankly I was floored that anyone would mention it in connection with Genesis 39! My conclusion is that biblical scholars who mention “The Story of Two Brothers” when writing about Joseph in Potiphar’s house are giving into the overwhelming desire to tell someone, ANYONE! about this interesting literature they are reading,... Continue Reading
The Boston Bombers Were Outside Their House
An interview with Stephen McAlpin, pastor of Hope Fellowship Church in Cambridge
Under the table, after I told my wife that I loved her, my prayer was basically: “God, thank you for the life you’ve given us together. Thank you for your grace. Oh God, protect us. Jesus, save us! We need you, save us! You’re our only hope. God, please show us grace by giving us... Continue Reading
Planned Parenthood Knew of Kermit Gosnell’s Abortion Horrors
“We would always encourage them to report it to the Department of Health"
The advent of “safe, legal abortion” didn’t interfere with Gosnell’s back-alley career. The grand jury’s account suggests that other abortionists treated him less as an outlaw than as a niche player in the abortion market. He earned a bad reputation in Philadelphia but received referrals from across the Eastern Seaboard. Many of the women dispatched... Continue Reading