Dallas’ Highland Park Presbyterian Church Obtains Court Protection for Church Property
Church seeks to benefit from previous state court rulings
The PC(USA) is relying on the presence of a trust clause in the congregation’s charter. However, the Church argues that such laws are not recognized under Texas law. Furthermore, the Congregation is relying on the recent Texas Court rulings that determined Congregations may split from their denominations if their incorporation by-laws allow them to do... Continue Reading
The Gospel and Godliness
Christianity should be of faith, with the fruit of works and obedience
If the gospel you believe does not include obedience as a fruit of faith then it is short-sighted and you will end up spiritually crashing into a wall. Certainly, we need to be exceedingly careful to make clear that our hope and confidence before God, and His righteous judgment, is singularly on the basis of the... Continue Reading
What Are the Essentials of the Christian Faith?
Ten Essential Christian Behaviors
I want to take a little different route and consider what are the behaviors and beliefs without which Scripture say we are not saved. These are not requirement we must meet in order to save ourselves and earn God’s favor. Rather these are the essential beliefs and behaviors that will be manifest in the true... Continue Reading
What’s the Difference Between Women Preaching and Women Blogging?
Is it okay for a woman to think and write about theology, given she will also be read by men?
Is there a difference between preaching God’s Word and reflecting on it, explaining it, writing about it, and even teaching it in a different setting? Yep. I would say that if done faithfully, we are talking about a difference between the authority of the Word of God and the word of man. This is... Continue Reading
Even the U.N. Gets It
All human beings are born with a sense of right and wrong.
Christianity has nothing unique to bring to the table in this particular area (although the Gospel brings internal transformation, which gives one a delight in God’s law and a consequent outward conformity to that law). To say that this particular aspect of justice is not the mission of the Church is not a condemnation of Christianity or of... Continue Reading
Longfield and Presbyterianism
Thoughts on Bradley Longfield's book, Presbyterians and American Culture
As a friendly outside observer of the P.C.A., it seems to me that she is so numerically large, so geographically diffuse, and has so many ministries and sub-organisations. Given the managerial complexity of such an organisation, one has to ask whether such a church can sustain a clear theological identity long term. Or is it... Continue Reading
Waiting for the Outrage Over Craig James’ Firing
Why is Fox Sports getting rid of James for a view he expressed not even on the job but in a political campaign more than a year ago?
Firing a football analyst because he’s politically incorrect regarding homosexuality, though, is an indication of how our newest crushing orthodoxy suppresses any freedom of speech, and even freedom of thought, in a manner that only the propagandists in George Orwell’s 1984 should love. Zachary Abate reported this morning on the sacking of Craig James by Fox Sports. His... Continue Reading
Thomas Jefferson Would Be Proud: Using Human Criteria to Decide the Bible’s Authority
Continued review of A.E. Harvey’s book, Is Scripture Still Holy? Coming of Age with the New Testament
It never seems to dawn on him (and probably doesn’t dawn on most readers) that setting up man-made criteria about what we will accept as God’s authoritative word simply gives you a book that is man-made Thus, regardless of what divine revelation Harvey ends up with, it will not be divine. It will simply be a human creation. ... Continue Reading
Maybe We Should Stop Encouraging People To Get Out Of Their Comfort Zones
Many activities that take place in church tend to be biased toward extroverts
We need to encourage one another to pursue God within the boundaries of our God-given personalities. Extroverts, don’t assume that someone doesn’t love Jesus because they don’t jump and down in worship or give hugs to everyone they meet. Introverts, don’t assume someone doesn’t love Jesus because they don’t like solitude or reading. We... Continue Reading
A Caricature Of Calvinism
Calvinism as a decline from the basic doctrines of the Reformation: justification by grace alone, through faith alone
We believe in the ongoing work of the Spirit in the life of the believer. We believe in the mystical (spiritual) union and communion between the believer and Christ. We say that it is but we cannot say how it is so. This quick list certain refutes the claim that Calvinism is arid, rationalist, sterile, and cold. Mark Dever... Continue Reading