The Fault in Our Stars
It is very difficult to understand why so many young people are raving about it.
At one time Green had apparently intended to be a minister and vestiges of a Christian worldview can be found in the book, but only vestiges. Mostly he teaches—well, I don’t know what he teaches. It’s not nihilism, but neither is it Christian hope and optimism. In a novel about illness and death, he makes... Continue Reading
A Movie that Makes Abortion Funny
“Obvious Child” is a romantic comedy that tries to make abortion sympathetic and funny
Melling goes on to opine on the continuing stigma attached to abortion. Melling seems perplexed that after decades of feminist propaganda, people continue to feel an inexplicable moral repugnance towards abortion. Melling thinks that this is a sad state of affairs—given our post-modern enlightenment—and that movies like “Obvious Child” help folks to see that abortion really... Continue Reading
Fire At Downtown Columbia, SC Church Causes $250k In Damage
The Columbia Fire Department responded to a fire at Centennial Associate Reformed Presbyterian Church
“All church personnel had safely evacuated the building prior to the arrival of fire crews, and no injuries were reported,” Helms said. Helms said there were 38 firefighters and five additional Richland County EMS on the scene. Damage estimates are $250,000, and the cause was due to an overheated fluorescent light ballast, according to Helms.... Continue Reading
On The Necessity And Efficacy Of Good Works In Salvation
As important and necessary as good works are, they are not confessed by the Reformed churches to be “efficacious unto salvation.”
Recently two related claims have been made about the role of works in salvation. One writer claims “a proper understanding of the necessity of works demands the recognition that works are, in a sense that must be carefully defined and circumscribed, efficacious unto salvation.” This is, to say the least, an arresting expression. Should we... Continue Reading
How Do You Know Christ Loves You?
If you're a Christian struggling with assurance, here, then, are three blessed reasons to be assured: the Father, Son, and Holy Spirit.
Jesus loves me, this I know, for the Bible tells me … that 1) Jesus must love sinners in obedience to his Father’s command; 2) Jesus will be patient and merciful towards me because of the effect of the Holy Spirit upon him in Heaven; and 3) Jesus will love me because he is a... Continue Reading
Mixed Motives and the Purity of Christ
If you have ever preached, you have experienced the reality of mixed motives in your own heart.
If you have ever written anything or taught anything, you know it is as easy to rejoice in the praise of people as it is to rejoice in the truth. It is as easy to preach, teach, write or lead for the affirmation and applause of an audience as it is to do so for... Continue Reading
Think Before You Post
Ten things to think about before you hit “publish” on your next blog post, status update, comment, or tweet.
Something is wrong if your blog seems to be caught up in the perpetual celebration of Festivus. Do people get more from your posting and tweeting than the daily airing of grievances? Doesn’t James say we are supposed to beslooowwww to get angry? (James 1:19). Then why are you so ticked off all the time? Have... Continue Reading
Is the Insider Movement Really That Bad? Answers From Carl Medearis
Yes, the Insider Movement really is that bad
To answer the larger question the article poses, yes, the Insider Movement really is that bad. IM undermines the Christian faith at a number of crucial points, and it should be denounced by orthodox denominations in the most unambiguous terms possible. I would therefore urge my fellow PCA commissioners to vote for the committee’s report... Continue Reading
Forgotten Songs: Reclaiming the Psalms for Christian Worship (Book Review)
The book could have been subtitled: Modern Baptists Discover Psalmody
“Overall, I was quite pleased with the book, though, as with any such collection, the essays vary, not so much in quality, but as in how they affected me. I found C. John Collins’ essay thin and unconvincing. The most helpful is Leland Ryken’s essay “Reclaiming the Psalms for Private Worship.” The essays by Craig... Continue Reading
Orthodox Presbyterian Church 2014 General Assembly Report 5
The 81st General Assembly of the Orthodox Presbyterian Church is meeting at Kuyper College in Grand Rapids, Michigan, from June 4–10, 2014
An overture was brought to the assembly by the Presbytery of the Northwest (PNW) asking the assembly to establish a study committee to examine and give its advice as to whether and in which particular sense the concept of the Mosaic Covenant as a republication of the Adamic Covenant is consistent with the doctrinal system... Continue Reading