The court wrote in Monday’s 4-3 decision Monday that a lower court was within its discretion when it earlier dismissed the request. In that earlier decision, a Helena district court judge dismissed the six couples’ case last year after state prosecutors argued that spousal benefits are limited by definition to married couples. A voter-approved amendment... Continue Reading

Any properly functioning society needs justice. Knowing when to temper it with mercy can be a challenge for societies and individuals. The proper balance helps make civilizations civilized. Which world would you rather inhabit: one tilting toward Valjean’s mercy or Javert’s legalism?     Could receiving a healthy dose of kindness and mercy help transform... Continue Reading

The angel decreed that Christ’s work of redemption was a sure thing, not a probability; Jesus would not only be able to accomplish salvation for the elect, but it is certain that He would.  This can be said because redemption was predestined by God’s eternal decree.   “She will bear a son, and you shall... Continue Reading

Simeon did not see this Child from heaven as simply a means to an end, but as the end and object of all faith. That explains the joy and satisfaction that he expressed when cradling Jesus. At Christmas we have an opportunity to be just as joyful and satisfied as Simeon was; just like him,... Continue Reading

According to e-mails and other communications from President David Norman, the items cited by SACS are rather insignificant and easily corrected by the September 2013 deadline.   Below is the evaluation of Erskine College and Seminary by SACS (December 10, 2012): The Commission denied reaffirmation, continued accreditation, and placed . . . on Warning: Erskine... Continue Reading

A New York Times article on this event more interestingly quoted NAE President Leith Anderson saying NAE has no official stance on gun control but might now “take a harder look.” He cited King Herod’s slaughter of the innocents.   The National Cathedral is making gun control its new big focus and is hosting an... Continue Reading

In short, the depravity evident at Columbine, and Aurora, and Newtown is of a particular sort involving distorted masculinity and the misuse of power.  There is tremendous truth in St. Augustine’s contention that evil is not a thing in itself but rather the distortion and misdirection of God’s good creation.    The tragic shootings and... Continue Reading

However, I wonder whether (Tchividjian) can affirm (WCF) 13.1 insofar as it speaks of our lusts growing weaker, the believer being strengthened in saving grace, and this to the practice of holiness. The Confession appears to speak of the Christian growing stronger and more competent, while this competence is never divorced from the power of... Continue Reading

Blogs that monitor Sovereign Grace have posted a transcript of a November talk by Covenant Life pastor Joshua Harris in which he said denominational leaders viewed challenges as signs of disloyalty, made major decisions without consulting churches and had a pattern of “minimizing the seriousness of the issues of the past” rather than repenting and... Continue Reading

The article “seems to” falsely concludes that because there are many Christians in the world, perceived attacks on Christians in the American public square are of no concern for Christians. Of course, there could be many Christians in the world, and many Christians in North America, and many Christians in the United States and there... Continue Reading