Newtown: Evil is a part of life
Whatever we find out about the thinking, habits and sickness of Adam Lanza, it was the evil one who sent him to kill those children.
President Obama should have a Nixon-to-China moment. If he tells Hollywood it has made America sicker, Hollywood will be forced to listen. It won’t be so easy for them to turn away. If the president had strong, clear, uncompromising words—if he made an address aimed only at them, a clear and unsparing one that told... Continue Reading
Your Pastoral Calling: The Destiny Hermeneutic
Human beings don't live life based on the facts of their existence, but based on their interpretations of the facts
Pastor, you must live with a preparation mentality and teach those under your care to do the same. The trials, injustices, and hardships of today do two things for you and me. Every day they remind us that this isn’t our final destination. But there’s another thing… They drive us to the end of ourselves.... Continue Reading
France Devises Plan to Treat “Religious Pathology”
The latest effort to emphasize France’s adherence to secularism and prevent violent outbursts of extremist religion
France’s official position of secularism has sought to keep faith out of the public sphere, causing tension between religious groups who want to maintain a more visible religious identity and left-wing secularists who posit that religion should be a private matter. French officials announced a new surveillance policy earlier this week to monitor... Continue Reading
The Human Heart is the Problem, Not Guns or Gun Laws
When violence strikes among us, the real issue is the heart
We fool ourselves into thinking that with the stroke of a pen, our Congress and President can make the world a safer place, as if the laws already on the books were not enough. Congress cannot help because they do not have the power to do so. Remember, Cain murdered Abel without an AK-47. There... Continue Reading
Should We Stop Using the Expression “Reformed Faith”?
We should speak of a Christian faith, theology, and confession, from a Reformed, Orthodox, or Lutheran perspective
There is a “Reformed faith” insofar as that shorthand expression refers to a particular theology, piety, and practice. Insofar as, however, that theology, piety, and practice is catholic (universal) it is not particular to the Reformed churches. So the question is really how to signal the one, i.e., that which unites us with the church... Continue Reading
Counting the Cost
Local connections + U.S. action = freed Afghanistan aid workers
…he counted on the local elders—and they came through: “We did not know the levels the local people would go to to protect us or advocate for us. It was nothing short of revolutionary the way these people stood up and took off, moving from their own safety into the territory of bad guys to... Continue Reading
The Queen James ‘Gay’ Bible
The Queen James Bible – edits out all references to homosexuality in order to provide a Bible translation "edited to prevent homophobic misinterpretation of God's Word."
The unnamed editors of the revision say they chose to use and retitle the King James Version to the Queen James Version because of the “obvious gay link to King James, known amongst friends and courtiers as ‘Queen James’ because of his many gay lovers.” The Story: A new revision of the King James Bible—dubbed... Continue Reading
What will American Christianity look like in 50 years?
One man’s predictions on American Christianity 50 years out (2062)
Reformed Christians: Continuing personality issues, but overall the hardcore Reformed will still look and act a lot like they do today, because (almost uniquely among Protestants) Reformed folks know and value their tradition. The edgy/emergey segment will contribute a few cultural differences. I was asked this in an online forum, and my answer got... Continue Reading
Ana Grace, Killed at Sandy Hook School, Sings Unto the Lord
Ana Grace Márquez-Greene, one of the children killed in Sandy Hook Elementary School, sings
Ana Grace Márquez-Greene was one of the children killed in the Sandy Hook Elementary School in Newtown, Conn., on December 14, 2012. Ana and her family had recently moved to the US. Her mother, Nelba, asked that this video, of Ana singing “Come, Thou Almighty King” accompanied on the piano by her brother, “Be shared... Continue Reading
A Tribute to Tom Patete
Tom was an example of what it means to be a Christian gentleman, a good and faithful servant of his Lord
Thomas R. Patete, 71, longtime Executive Director of Great Commission Publications (GCP), went to be with the Lord on December 14, 2012. Patete, an ordained minister in the Presbyterian Church of America, served Christ’s church in a number of pastorates and through his position at GCP for 34 years. Tom Patete was six... Continue Reading