Nearly every state that has passed same-sex marriage legislation has made exceptions claiming that no pastor will be required to perform same-sex marriages. But as Robert George has pointed out, the protections are thin indeed. Tax exemption will be challenged, and so will accreditation for Christian colleges and schools that hold to traditional views of... Continue Reading

The new rules, however, do not apply to private businesses whose owners have religious or moral obligations to contraception — and that issue has already been a major battleground in federal courts. Hobby Lobby, a Christian-owned arts-and-crafts chain that’s suing the government over the mandate, won a round June 27 in its bid to not... Continue Reading

All this is to say, the chaplain works in an institution for the care of people in the distresses of this fallen world.  The pastor does that as well, but not merely to provide solace.  The pastor cares for the flock with an eye to leading them into (or, back into) the spiritual fray for... Continue Reading

But realistically there are major problems that seem to be swept under the carpet for the time being. As I noted above the recent situation should bring a lot of concern. Whose example are we to follow? Why is the leadership appearing to perform on a level of ineptness that renders confusion and looks more... Continue Reading

In the PCA both the “grace boys” and the “obedience boys” confess justification by faith alone. However, they diverge with pastoral use they make of the doctrine. With regard to the tensions between the “grace boys” and the “obedience boys”, much as I would like to, I cannot bring myself to embrace fully the “grace” view,... Continue Reading

It must be acknowledged that Calvinists have not only robustly encouraged, engaged, and propagated missions, but have led some of the great mission’s and evangelistic movements in the history of the church. Even a cursory glance at the history of missions and missionaries produces a hall of fame filled with Calvinists. It is often asserted... Continue Reading

We are often only concerned about our own little kingdoms rather than the kingdom of God, monuments to our own names rather than glory to the name of our God, glory from men rather than glory to God. When we give, let’s never ask: What will this do for me? What returns will it bring... Continue Reading

Though the Supreme Court struck down a federal law and not a state marriage law, judges are applying the ruling to state laws because Kennedy wrote that DOMA violated equal protection. Kennedy sought to protect the state laws by saying that DOMA only discriminated in states where gay marriage was legal—but these Michigan judges didn’t... Continue Reading

Perhaps the hardest experience in the Christian life is to suffer and experience divine silence. It seems inconceivable. You lose a baby, you are shamefully victimized, or go through what feels like death itself, and you wonder, “Where is God? How could he be silent, distant or idly watching when this is happening?” If even... Continue Reading

In a sequence of carefully timed speeches and rejoinders, the two men clashed over whether we need God for there to be moral laws. Harris delivered most of the better one-liners that night, while Craig, in suit and tie, fired off his volleys of argumentation with the father-knows-best composure of Mitt Romney, plus a dash... Continue Reading