Merit and Moses (Part 1)
Was the covenant of works republished in the Mosaic covenant? ‘The Law is Not of Faith’ says Yes. ‘Moses and Merit’ says No.
What’s foundational to the covenants? Law or grace? John Murray’s answer: The succession of covenants in the Bible was a sovereign administration of grace and promise (this includes the Mosaic covenant). Meredith Kline’s answer: Law rather than grace was foundational (including a works principle in the Mosaic covenant). I want to outline and assess... Continue Reading
Is It Ok To Attend A “Gay Wedding”?
Paul’s counsel regarding whether it is permissible for Christians to visit pagan temples where idols are worshipped: No.
“Jesus reached out to sexual sinners” he did not at any time “attend a ritual that celebrated immorality.” He doesn’t believe Jesus would ever have attended such an event “unless the purpose in attending was to call people to repentance.”… “What good would I be at a ‘gay wedding’ anyway since I would be visibly... Continue Reading
The Look and the Hot-Seat—Spanking Is Not Always the Best Option
To spank or not to spank—there is more to the question and other options
Other methods may be appropriate at times such as mere diversion of attention or counting to four. The look and the hot-seat should be a part of your arsenal in child-rearing. The look is invaluable in public places. I was far from being a perfect father, and maybe even far from being a good father,... Continue Reading
A Birdseye View of the Gospel in One Big Sentence
One of the clearest and most comprehensive statements on justification by the imputed righteousness of Christ
One of the clearest and most comprehensive statements of John Witherspoon’s theology can be found in his Essay on Justification(1756) where he sets out to defend justification by the imputed righteousness of Christ and ends up giving this big, broad, glorious summary of the gospel. One of the clearest and most comprehensive statements of John... Continue Reading
They Won’t Tell You This in Church
I don’t know the how or the why of Cowper’s life and despair. Nor do you. Here is a comment that makes sense from the perspective of Christian faith and points to the real difference between the depression of Robin Williams and William Cowper is to be found essentially in Christ now and experientially only... Continue Reading
Evangelism: On Our Radar
“On my radar” says that something is a target of my attention
We can bring the Great Commission to our radar not by seeing it as a project but by seeing it as people. Who are five people in your neighborhood who need Jesus Christ? These can range from militant atheists, to the religiously disinterested, to those vaguely spiritual, to the seekers who seem not far from... Continue Reading
Minnesota Church Must Pay PCUSA Over $1.2 Million to Leave Denomination, Other Church Reports
Hope Presbyterian Church of Minneapolis voted to leave Presbyterian Church (USA); will be joining the Evangelical Covenant of Presbyterians (ECO)
“When a denomination lacks a coherent theological center, mission gets sidelined. When a denomination lacks trust, relationships are difficult. When a denomination has a bureaucratic mindset, innovative ministry is hampered,” read the statement adopted by the Session. “When a denomination asserts control over a congregation’s property and assets, facility and asset development is compromised. We... Continue Reading
Why You Should Try a New Church This Sunday
The diversity of Christian expression indicates a real tension that emerges from dramatic theological differences.
There are Christians who believe we should come to God on our knees as a supplicant. Others stretch their arms aloft like a child, as if begging for their heavenly Father to lift them up. Imagine an average Presbyterian going into a Charismatic service where speaking in tongues is common. The mainline Protestant might wonder... Continue Reading
In Historic Week, South Korea Adds Missionary Descendant, David Linton, to Citizenry
The Linton family traces its roots in Korea to Eugene Bell, an American who arrived in Korea as a Southern Presbyterian missionary in 1895
David Linton, a 42-year-old lawyer, joined a small handful of foreigners who have won Korean citizenship — in this case, in gratitude for the contributions of his late great-grandfather William A. Linton. David Linton’s Korean-born uncle John Linton is a medical doctor who became a Korean citizen two years ago. Call it Christian history... Continue Reading
Same-Sex Marriage Ban Survives Challenge in Tennessee
First such prohibition to withstand a constitutional challenge since June 2013
“The Supreme Court does not go the final step and find that a state that defines marriage as a union of one man and one woman is unconstitutional,” Simmons wrote. “Further, the Supreme Court does not find that one state’s refusal to accept another state’s valid same-sex marriage to be in violation of the U.S.... Continue Reading