Sabbath Is Not a Means To More Productive Work
It's time to stop optimizing the Lord's Day
“Today, the zeitgeist has shifted. What was once prohibition might now be heard as permission: to stop, take a breath, and remember that we are more than what we produce, more than our job title or bank balance. Sabbath, in this light, does indeed represent resistance to the dominating paradigm of more more more, an... Continue Reading
A Word To The Introverted Pastor: Be Extroverted on Sunday
My introversion can keep me from interacting even with people I love
“The pastor that inspired me most in my spiritual walk when I was a 20-something year old trying to figure out my life direction emailed me recently. He had read one of my introversion posts and wanted to echo the sentiments in it. He said he has always marveled at how many introverted pastors he... Continue Reading
“The Greatest Failing Of The American Church Today”
Greg Forster says it’s “the failure of the American church to affirm the goodness of civilizational life”
“I don’t agree with Greg that “the failure of the American church to affirm the goodness of civilizational life is our greatest failing today.” That’s overstating a good case. I do agree with him that it’s a great failure, even a very great failure. And I also agree with him on the need to prioritize... Continue Reading
USCCB Chairmen Respond To ‘Unprecedented and Extreme’ Executive Order
Response to Obama’s executive order prohibiting federal government contractors from “sexual orientation” and “gender identity” discrimination and forbidding “gender identity” discrimination in the employment of federal employees
The executive order prohibits “gender identity” discrimination, a prohibition that is previously unknown at the federal level, and that is predicated on the false idea that “gender” is nothing more than a social construct or psychological reality that can be chosen at variance from one’s biological sex. This is a problem not only of principle... Continue Reading
The Death Of Archie… And Innocence
Archie, the flagship character in the comic book franchise of the same name, died this week
“I know kids are growing up fast nowadays, but isn’t this stuff a little heavy for eight and nine year olds? Archie Bunker pushed the envelope 40 years ago, but that Archie was designed for an adult audience. Until recently, the biggest controversy Archie Andrews ever found himself in was making dates with two girls... Continue Reading
The Foundation of Christian Joy
If God were not sovereign, I could never come to that comforting conclusion — I would be constantly subjected to fear and anxiety without any significant relief.
“Romans 8:28, which is a favorite for many of us, states that “all things work together for good to those who love God, to those who are the called according to His purpose” (NKJV). There’s no other text that demonstrates so clearly and magnificently the beauty of God’s sovereign providence than that one. The text... Continue Reading
8 Ways To Beat Temptation
We all face temptations of many kinds. God wants us to beat them. We don’t have to sin, as powerful as temptations feel. Here are 8 ways to gain the victory.
“Quote Scripture. That’s how Jesus overcame the tempter. When you feel like grumbling remind yourself to “Rejoice always.” When tempted to give a harsh reply think, “A gentle answer turns away wrath.” When rankling against correction remind yourself, “God resists the proud but gives grace to the humble.” Of course to quote Scripture when tempted... Continue Reading
Marriage And Millennials
There’s something about this “death ’til we part” business that’s worth hanging in for
“This marriage thing is hard.We know everything about each other, can anticipate each other’s next sentence, and not only know exactly where the dirty socks will be thrown but when. We repeat the same fights, stick to the same guns, rebut with the same rebuttals, face the same bedheads in the morning. If monogamy equals monotonous... Continue Reading
The Federal Vision, Ten Questions, and the Westminster Standards
Ten questions that are relevant to the Federal Vision controversy
The Holy Spirit works in the visible church in accordance with the decree of election. Therefore, the elect in the visible church receive some benefits which the non-elect in the visible church do not. All the elect and only the elect are effectually called. The Holy Spirit works faith in their hearts and thereby unites... Continue Reading
Can Christians Lose Their Salvation?
We should distinguish a serious and radical fall from a total and final fall.
The question is, are these people who are guilty of a real fall irretrievably fallen and eternally lost, or is this fall a temporary condition that will, in the final analysis, be remedied by their restoration? In the case of a person such as Peter, we see that his fall was remedied by his repentance.... Continue Reading