Religious Freedom vs. LGBT Rights? It’s More Complicated
The legal context for what's happening at Gordon College, and how Christians can respond despite intense cultural backlash.
The argument for pluralism and the aspirations of tolerance, humility, and patience are fully consistent with a faithful Christian witness. And in this age, they are also far likelier to resonate than arguments for religious exceptionalism. The claim of religious exceptionalism is that only believers should benefit from special protections, and often at the cost... Continue Reading
Child Evangelism or Covenant Theology?
The Reformed Church has failed to teach its members the implications of covenant theology for their children
Parents do indeed expect with joyful anticipation to see their children love the Lord Jesus as much as they do. Presbyterian parents look forward to the day when their children will be admitted to the Lord’s Supper by the Session of the Church. It is a joyful expectation. It is an attitude that begins at... Continue Reading
Use the Voice God Gave You
God gives each of us a unique voice that speaks to a particular person or audience
I may never learn how to speak louder than I do. My writing voice may be fixed as well. I don’t know. But I do know that God has called each one of us to spread his glory and gospel to the world. First in our homes, then in our communities, and as far beyond... Continue Reading
Why Christology Matters: A Dialogue With Anselmus Modernus and Boso Brown
With apologies to Anselm, Archbishop of Canterbury, 1093-1109
“Christology—understanding and describing the Savior biblically—is a matter of love as well as faith. That is why the early Christian Fathers wanted to describe Him in a way that was faithful to Scripture. Ignatius of Antioch put it movingly when he wrote: “My Love is crucified.” You see, it was love that drove the best theologians... Continue Reading
Government Survey: Gay Population Smaller Than Previously Thought
Less than 4 percent of the U.S. population identifies as gay, lesbian, or bisexual
Based on 2013 data collected by the government in The National Health Interview Survey, 1.6 percent of adults identify as gay or lesbian and 0.7 percent identify as bisexual. The numbers were lower than earlier approximations, which placed gay and lesbians at closer to 3 percent of the population. (WNS)–Less than 4 percent of... Continue Reading
Meet the Failed Pastor Who Ministers to Other Failed Pastors
J. R. Briggs sympathizes with church leaders who don't live up to expectations
“It started with attending pastors’ conferences. They featured well-known pastors of large churches, but average pastors were never invited to share their experiences. These events were all about success and getting results. I was in the middle of a painful season of ministry. I needed something that wouldn’t discourage me or add to my spiritual... Continue Reading
Election Keeps No One Out Of Heaven
Election keeps no one out of heaven who would otherwise have been there, but it keeps a whole multitude of sinners out of hell who otherwise would have been there
“Election keeps no one out of heaven, but guarantees that those God has chosen will be there. Election is meant to be a comfort and encouragement to believers. Never are unbelievers encouraged to try do discover if they are elect. The message for unbelievers is you are all are invited. Come one, come all. Everyone... Continue Reading
No Other Name: Do We Need Salvation? (Part 2)
This is the tyranny of the late-modern period: the unyielding god of affirmation
“When I posted the first part of this series on Twitter, a fellow replied to the effect that the doctrine that we need salvation is arrogant and bigoted. It only seems so, if we assume the Modernist stance that there is no God who is, who has revealed himself, who has become incarnate in Jesus... Continue Reading
Dr. Doug Green Affirmed by New Life Presbyterian Church Session
The Session of the New Life Presbyterian Church in Glenside, Pennsylvania has unanimously concluded “that Doug Green’s teaching does not fall outside the Westminster Standards.”
As a result of our study and these meetings, we the Session of New Life Church, while fully respecting the right of the Board of Westminster Seminary to determine the bounds under which its faculty may operate, respectfully disagree with its judgment and are satisfied that Doug Green’s teaching does not fall outside the Westminster... Continue Reading
Two PCUSA Congregations Pay To Be Dismissed to ECO
Changes in the PCUSA's polity over the years have led these two congregations to leave
“Hope Presbyterian, a congregation in Minneapolis with nearly 1,200 members, is paying more than a million dollars and losing one of its campuses but finds hope for the future with the move to a new denomination…. New Covenant Presbytery voted to release Grace Presbyterian Church of Houston on July 19. The church of more than... Continue Reading