Evangelical Presbyterian Church Meets In Highlands Ranch, Colorado
Record Assembly to consider new presbytery and approve a revised Book of Government
This is a record-setting General Assembly for the EPC. More than 1100 people from around the world will gather in Denver, including 620 voting commissioners and 35 exhibitors. The General Assembly will also have an international flavor to it. In attendance will be more than 60 EPC missionaries, 50% more than last year, and fraternal... Continue Reading
Moving Evangelicals Beyond Idolatry
The danger of theology as an idol factory.
There is much that is orthodox within current evangelicalism. Sadly, there is also much that is not orthodox. I see the problem of idolatry, not as a slight deviation here and there, but as a major problem. Idolatrous views of God are rampant within current evangelicalism. I find a God who is not immutable, who... Continue Reading
I Want Only Your Lies
Deliverance from self-deception through grace and truth.
The irony is that once you turn from God to find good, the truth that we cannot bear to face is that we are the ones full of evil. For looking to anything other than God to learn goodness is the highest of evil. There is no good apart from God. And so the attractive... Continue Reading
Introspective Questions on the Eve of PCA General Assembly
Thoughts as we prepare for GA
Is my doctrine in line with the doctrine of the Westminster standards? Or do I have to engage in a certain amount of mental gymnastics in order not to be a liar when I say that I “sincerely receive and adopt” the standards as “containing the system of doctrine taught in the Holy Scriptures”? If... Continue Reading
The question Rep. Pelosi won’t answer
What is the moral difference between what Dr. Gosnell did to a baby born alive at 23 weeks and aborting her moments before birth?
The reason for her non-answer is very simple. There is no moral difference between the baby born alive at 23 weeks and a baby of the same age that is killed just moments before birth. But she can’t admit that in public. Why? Because for her to recognize the humanity of the unborn at any... Continue Reading
Let’s Stop Monkeying with the Creeds!
The American Presbyterian churches have a long history of confessional revision
As an historical theologian I am inclined to think that the historicality of creeds and confessions should be respected wherever possible. For example, while I don’t think it is particularly helpful to refer to the current Pope Francis I as the “antichrist” and “son of perdition,” I do think it is useful to be reminded... Continue Reading
Common Fault Lines in Maintaining an Evangelical Approach to Homosexuality
Answering four of the worst arguments Christians often use when equivocating on homosexuality and gay marriage
It’s hopelessly anachronistic to expect Jesus to directly address all our contemporary concerns. Jesus never said anything explicitly about child abuse, domestic abuse, bestiality, abortion or dozens of other sins. He never preached a sermon on homosexuality because no one in his circles by any stretch of the imagination would have approved of homosexuality under... Continue Reading
ARP Synod: RUF at Newberry College
An exciting new ministry opportunity in Newberry, South Carolina
RUF Newberry is slated to begin ministry on January 1, 2014, after TE Starkey transfers his credentials to Second Presbytery. This has been exciting not only for Newberry ARP, but also for the presbytery. It is no secret that Second Presbytery has been badly divided over Erskine-related issues for going on eight years now, but... Continue Reading
The Sufficiency of Scripture
What does it mean that Scripture is sufficient?
Scripture is sufficient for Christian practice. At the level of behavior, Scripture offers principles which guide believers in their day to day lives. This can be a complicated area: the advent of Christ demands that the Old Testament law codes be read in the light of his person and work, and this issue is beyond... Continue Reading
5 People We Should Pray For Even Though We Don’t Want To
There are certain types of people we are conditioned, by our culture, to not like
Jesus said to pray for those who “mistreat you.” I don’t think forgiveness means you have to endure injustice or abuse. I don’t think being a Christian means being a doormat over which evil people can walk all over you. But I do believe that, at the most basic level, we should pray for those... Continue Reading

