5 Characteristics of Weak Leaders (and How Not to Be One)
We can learn from both positive role models as well as from negative ones
General McClellan had significant character flaws that I believe serve as warning signs to anyone in leadership. Ultimately, these cost him dearly: He lost Lincoln’s confidence, his job, and a run for the White House (against Lincoln). Worse, they prolonged the Civil War and cost the lives of tens of thousands of soldiers on both... Continue Reading
Attempt To Encourage Unity and Bring Clarity in the Sanctification Debate
Concerned about the tone coming from both sides of the argument and that they may be talking past each other
I conclude that there is really not a substantive difference among most of us in both camps. It is a difference of emphasis. The truth will be distorted to some degree, but that happens from both sides. We are all sinners. I would hope that our mutual love for the Gospel would bring us together... Continue Reading
Against Proposed SJC Overtures at PCA General Assembly
Some concerns about proposed overtures on the SJC being considered at the PCA General Assembly
There would be an eight-month delay on all cases decided at the SJC’s fall stated meeting each October. In its report to the Houston GA this year, the SJC is reporting decisions in 10 cases and all were unanimous except one (and that one was 18-1). Despite that unanimity, each of those cases would be... Continue Reading
Hawaiian Churches Win Partial Victory in Fight Over School Rentals
A judge in Hawaii gutted a new lawsuit filed by two atheists against churches that rent space from public schools
Alliance Defending Freedom, which represents two of the churches—One Love Ministries and Calvary Chapel Central Oahu—asked the court to dismiss their clients from the case, declaring it had no merit because Kahle and Huber’s information came from public records and not from the plaintiffs personal knowledge. Because the False Claims Act forbids people from filing... Continue Reading
“We Love Him For the Enemies He Has Made”
Clarence Macartney's pulpit comments upon Machen's suspension from the ministry, made at the morning service at the First Presbyterian Church, Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania, on Sunday, June 7, 1936
….here we have a man suspended from the Ministry of the Presbyterian Church who is known throughout the world as a fearless and able defender of the Faith of the Gospel. The suspension of Dr. Machen from the Ministry of our Church will do him no injury; it will only increase his influence and add... Continue Reading
Did Adam Already Know Good from Evil Before Eating from the Tree?
Is the real issue "how well" Adam knew good and evil, rather than "whether" Adam knew good and evil?
“God spoke a specific command to Adam. It seems kind of arbitrary, although we know that it isn’t. But this command to not eat of the tree of the knowledge of good and evil is what God shares in his special revelation to Adam. This leads to my next question: “Did Adam believe God?” Did... Continue Reading
Orthodox Presbyterian Church 2014 General Assembly Report 3
The 81st General Assembly of the Orthodox Presbyterian Church is meeting at Kuyper College in Grand Rapids, Michigan, from June 4–10, 2014
The OPC is in its 39th year of partnership with the Presbyterian Church in America (PCA) through Great Commission Publications (GCP). Recently, GCP appointed Mr. Marvin Padgett its executive director. Mr. Padgett addressed the assembly and outlined some of the changes happening at GCP, particularly its website redesign and a new curriculum based on John... Continue Reading
You Went To A Funeral And Then You Went Home
After a funeral, life goes back to normal. You pray, you follow the updates. You did what you could.
“Once the funeral was over and the day was done, you went home. Back to life, back to love, back to those who make your world complete. You went to a funeral, and then you went home. We all lose, but someone that day, went to a funeral and didn’t want to go home. Someone... Continue Reading
Are Good Works Efficacious Unto Salvation?
Works are, in a sense that must be carefully defined and circumscribed, efficacious unto salvation
“The relationship between faith and obedience is a two-way street. On the one hand, a true and living faith will issue in good works, as both Paul and James agree. On the other hand, good works are also essential to a true and living faith. This latter truth seems to be what James was driving... Continue Reading
A Practical Help for Bible Study
Paul warned Timothy that if he neglected the study of God’s Word, his life would be incomplete
“The Bible is also profitable for reproof and correction, which we as Christians continually need. It is fashionable in some academic circles to exercise scholarly criticism of the Bible. In so doing, scholars place themselves above the Bible and seek to correct it. If indeed the Bible is the Word of God, nothing could be... Continue Reading