What is Your Reading Level?
Can the average reader of Scripture get through a book like Hebrews?
“There are many words and concepts in Scripture that are completely foreign to the average 10th grader. And yet, I know many wonderful adults who have been raised in the church and openly say that they can’t get through a popular level book on theology. It does make me wonder if they can get through their... Continue Reading
Reformed Episcopal Church Holds 54th General Council
The Council focused on missionary activities, reconciliation, and the election of a new presiding bishop
“During the first day’s worship, the Rt. Rev. Keith Ackerman, retired Bishop of the Diocese of Quincy, preached as homilist. He and then-Presiding Bishop Leonard Riches exchanged mutual forgiveness and reconciliation between the Diocese of Quincy and the Reformed Episcopal Church. They highlighted the mistreatment and ill-will that occurred between the Episcopal Church and the... Continue Reading
Presbyterian Church (USA) Votes To Allow Gay Marriage By Whopping 3-1 Ratio
The Presbyterian Church voted June 19 to allow gay and lesbian weddings within the church
By a 76-24 percent vote, the General Assembly of the 1.8 million-member PCUSA voted to allow pastors to perform gay marriages in states where they are legal. Delegates, meeting in Detroit this week, also approved new language about marriage in the church’s Book of Order, or constitution, altering references to “a man and woman” to “two persons.”... Continue Reading
Much Needed Clarity on Sanctification
On Wednesday of General Assembly, the Gospel Reformation Network sponsored a luncheon with Derek Thomas as the featured speaker.
After briefly summarizing six points that are generally agreed upon, Dr. Thomas offered three points of clarity concerning the doctrine of sanctification. Each of those points are appropriately pastoral. That is, a proper doctrine of sanctification never finally remains theoretical but speaks to how we actually live. On Wednesday of General Assembly, the Gospel Reformation... Continue Reading
Bill Gothard Acted In An “Inappropriate Manner” But “No Criminal Activity Was Discovered”
According to a statement by the board of directors of the Institute in Basic Life Principles posted on its website
The board said based on a review conducted by outside legal counsel, it unanimously agreed that “at this time” Gothard “is not permitted to serve in any counseling, leadership or board role within the IBLP ministry.” That leaves open the question of whether the 79-year-old Gothard may be allowed to return one day as he... Continue Reading
The Goodness of Gender
The jarring “It is not good for the man to be alone” was not an “oops” moment in the creation story.
Aloneness was not good in Eden, and the same is true in the church. A genderless church is as unthinkable as a genderless Eden as we seek to obey the gospel mandate to multiply by making disciples. Titus 2 makes this commission gender-specific when older women are told to disciple younger women to be life-givers in... Continue Reading
When Callings Clash
What are we to do when our obedience to God or the betterment of his people collides with the call to submit to our husbands, churches, or governments?
An authority over us may choose a less wise course of action, but not necessarily a sinful one. Perhaps a wife truly believes that a certain schooling choice is the best option for their children or would like to attend a more biblically based church, but her husband disagrees. Perhaps a church makes what some... Continue Reading
Dear Single Dudes: It’s Time to Man Up
When did men become so afraid to make a commitment, to take the lead, to say what they want, to make long term plans, to set goals, to pursue, to talk about the future?
Here’s some brutal honesty for you: if you ‘aren’t ready for something serious,’ then you need to go get yourself ready and leave these ladies alone until you do. You can’t go out and have sex (I mean, ‘hook up,’ as the middle schoolers at the lunch table might call it) and then claim that... Continue Reading
Because There Is A Difference
Feeling righteous and being righteous are two different things
I’m afraid that we really are getting out of hand with the whole healthy food thing. Don’t get me wrong. I am a proponent of good health and I do my share of recipe tweaking, garden growing, fresh food hunting, and preservative eliminating. And every true healthy foodie knows that Capri Sun is never going... Continue Reading
Pornolescence
Pornolescence is the period where he feels the guilt of his sin, but still enjoys it too much to give it up.
I think time will prove that this is one of the gravest costs of pornography: It is stealing the best years from so many young Christians. It is stunting their spiritual growth and delaying their entrance into Christian ministry and service. These are the people who represent the future of the church—future elders, future deacons,... Continue Reading