Aspiration & the Overseer
Why are we so embarrassed by desiring something (the office of Overseer) that Paul calls “noble”?
Calvin said there are two tests to determine the purity of a man’s aspirations. First, is the man already doing what the office requires?…Second, if he goes unnoticed in his service (let us say he does not get nominated this go-around), does he keep serving? I have noticed an interesting difference between the description of... Continue Reading
Is This the End of Reading as a Societal Activity?
Maybe a renewed commitment to the public reading of Scripture will be what we need.
I am not a prophet, but I suspect (and cannot know) that we will become or already are a non-literary society. And that a sub-group (pastors, classical school kids, educators, etc.) will continue to value the life of the mind. I think we are seeing the end of reading as a societal activity. Most... Continue Reading
No One in Our Lives “Always” Acts a Certain Way—Except God
The Lord is good, and he is only ever good. And in all his ways with all his people he only ever sends goodness and mercy.
If you cannot feel it now, the Lord is still with you in the valley. He will still walk with you without fail all your days, and one day it may be that you look back on the worst of experiences, the most dreadful of times, the deepest of dark valleys, and you will be... Continue Reading
Further Reasons Why the Presbyterian Church in America Ought Not to Ordain Men Who Experience Unnatural Lusts
The constitution of the Presbyterian Church in America prohibits the ordination of men who experience unnatural lusts.
Perhaps the most obvious corruption of our thought upon this point has been the substitution of “same sex attraction” for “lust.” …working off of Scripture’s framework, our constitution and ethical tradition know nothing of mere attraction, especially where it is conceived as a potential weakness or liability rather than as the sin of unnatural lust.... Continue Reading
Count on What You Know Rather Than Speculate on What God Might Be Doing
Trust in the God who, no matter what’s happening and no matter how difficult it is to accept, is making you more like Jesus.
When our desire for knowledge and revelation ram against the unapproachable wisdom and knowledge of God, where do we turn? The surest answer in those moments is to turn to His Word, where mercifully, God has already spoken. He has revealed something of His good intent and loving providence, enough so that through His Word... Continue Reading
How Idols Hijack Our Hearts
The promises our idols make are attractive because they are counterfeit versions of the promises we were made to need and believe.
If what we ultimately seek is health or comfort or material happiness, then we have to admit that these idols are doing a decent job. From one perspective, it makes sense that we continue to rely on them. Our idols don’t make promises explicitly because they rarely speak. But we attribute promises to them—primarily that... Continue Reading
Charles Spurgeon and “the Army of God”
Our calling is to be faithful to His Word and to so serve that church that she might fulfill her calling as the army of God.
By Spurgeon’s death in 1892, the Metropolitan Tabernacle had a membership of over 5300. This is remarkable given how plain their services were, how rigorous their membership process was, and how careful they were to maintain accurate rolls. They weren’t large because of modern attractional gimmicks. These weren’t inflated numbers due to sloppy membership practices.... Continue Reading
Answering Socialism from a Biblical Worldview
Socialism can be expected to continue to fail in the future, because although it attempts to take the role of God, it cannot really do so, and it militates against human nature.
In capitalism, “the individual is important, and this is why it is consonant with the Christian world view, because you are important. Because you are created in God’s image.” In socialism, individual subordination will be justified by saying “this is for the good of the order … this is for the greater good, it’s very... Continue Reading
For the Children
A review of pro-child politics: why every cultural, economic, and national issue is a matter of justice for children, edited by Katy Faust.
At its core, Pro-Child Politics is a call for adults to represent and steward the best interests of children in the realm of politics, culture, and economics—not find themselves beholden to childish wish lists and self-focused desires, regardless of the person’s age. While I would happily opine about various conservative thought experiments, including JD Vance’s... Continue Reading
Prepare Now for Unexpected Turbulence and Resisting Sexual Temptation
Seek refuge in God when the storm hits.
Sisters and brothers, when you’re taken off guard by unsettling news, a scary diagnosis, a harsh disappointment, or any form of unexpected turbulence, your Rescuer is near. He is right there in the storm with you. And when you respond by going back to familiar false refuges, his forgiveness and strengthening comfort are still yours!... Continue Reading
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