The Gospel is powerful enough to change lives.   I realized that programs, gimmicks, or personality does not change people and was not going to give life to this church that had been in decline for over thirty years.  For the last 10 years I have watched the gospel free people from the bondage of sin and give... Continue Reading

Some respondents may not be telling pollsters how they really feel about same-sex marriage because opponents of same-sex marriage are often labeled “bigots” by same-sex marriage supporters. The desire to avoid being thought of as a bigot may be leading some respondents to tell pollsters they support same-sex marriage when they actually do not.   ... Continue Reading

The trouble with not keeping your pants on isn’t that you offend that great Prude in the sky. The problem is that it leads to death (Proverbs 7:27). How many of our grievous social ills trace their roots to the lie that we can have sex outside marriage with no great consequence? To put it... Continue Reading

This perspective is an insult to Jesus, a man-centered interpretation of our Savior’s life, and it misses His heart entirely. It feels good, it preaches well, and people like it, but it is dead wrong. Jesus had a much greater purpose: He came to serve His Father. He did serve humanity, but in a way... Continue Reading

I am fairly confident that the term originated on the campus of Reformed Theological Seminary sometime during my student years, 1969-72.  My guess is that it began to be used during the 1970-71 term.   I was there when the term TR was invented. At least I think I was.   Experts tell us that... Continue Reading

The Bible is full of rank immorality. It would be simplistic and morally untenable—even unbiblical—to suggest you cannot watch sin or read about sin without sinning yourself. But the Bible never titil­lates with its description of sin. It never paints vice with virtue’s colors. It does not entertain with evil (unless to mock it). The... Continue Reading

Two former students of mine, Steve Casselli and Dustyn Eudaly, have this week led their kirk session in a controversial but necessary stand relative to the use of their church building by the Boy Scouts of America.   They will no doubt be lamented as bigots; for me, the truly lamentable aspects of this are... Continue Reading

We were created in righteousness and true holiness. Scripture says that creation was “good.” The first two humans were good. That’s an important word, especially in the context of the creation narrative and in light of all that transpired   “17. Why must he also be true God? That by the power of His Godhead... Continue Reading

Why would God waste his grace on hypotheticals? There are no hypothetical hand-outs in heaven. He deals with the real. Some of our tomorrows may be too much for us to handle today, but God will give us his comfort and strength as we need it in the proper time. More importantly, he gives us... Continue Reading

There are times in life when it feels like God has put us up in a tree and then set the tree ablaze. We wonder what the heck God is doing. We wonder why he has allowed our bank account to be stripped, or our health to be decimated, or our marriage to go to... Continue Reading