Is watching Downton Abbey justified for no other reason than because, in the end, the sinners get their “just reward”? Sin is bad, and none of us here would promote it. But lest we become, quite literally, like the Pharisee who, while gazing at a group of sinners, said, “God, I thank you that I am not like... Continue Reading

The author’s argument is straightforward: 1. Reformed theology, and not Enlightenment philosophy, was pervasive in the colonies, so 2. if Reformed political thought delivers the revolutionary and constitutional goods, we should look to it, and not to the Enlightenment, as the theoretical bedrock for the American founding, and 3. precisely because Reformed political thought does... Continue Reading

The point is that marriage has a higher goal than to make two people happy or even whole. Yes, the investment we make into our marriage pays dividends for us. But…the same investment also has significant implications for our family, our community and eventually our culture….the next time you find yourself dreaming about living significantly... Continue Reading

Let’s anticipate the pleasure and challenge of dynamic friendship with him. He is the friend who does not burn out or rust out. He resolutely sings over us: “I speed you; I rest you!” Let’s join him by infusing vigor into our word, “Godspeed,” – a word that – having lain fallow – may now... Continue Reading

The promise of forgiveness of sin when we confess belongs to those who belong to Christ. It is not a promise extended to those outside the household of faith.  Only believers gain comfort and assurance from it.  John extends it to “my little children,” those who have fellowship with the Father and with His Son,... Continue Reading

When I watched the video below my jaw dropped. I thought at first it was a clever production from a pro-life group: note the lighting, the leering chuckles, the overall creepiness. Maybe the actor is hoping to replace Max McLean in the stage production of The Screwtape Letters. But no: The video is from the... Continue Reading

Fifty Shades of Grey is rife with incredibly potent, eroticized lies about sex and human nature, Clements said. The novels tell women that love is most exciting when it is dangerous or taboo, that relationships are most compelling when they’re about wielding power rather than exercising sacrificial love, and that “being used is a way... Continue Reading

The Hobby Lobby case is just one of many before the courts over the religious exemption aspects of the law. The case represents by far the biggest for-profit group challenging the health care mandate.   By Friday, Hobby Lobby would have racked up $14.3 million in fines from the Internal Revenue Service for bucking Obamacare.... Continue Reading

Ultimately however, we must pray for our children to have new hearts in order to rightly handle the new technology. Our children are born with depraved hearts. They will therefore love darkness rather than light. They are going to be attracted to the dark side of the internet. So we must pray for them to... Continue Reading

It isn’t quite right to say that the Aramaic “abba” means “daddy.” In other words, to call the God of Abraham, Isaac, and Jacob “daddy” at the outset of our prayers is a bit too casual and irreverent. Philip Ryken explains: To call God ‘Abba, Father’ is to speak to him with reverence as well... Continue Reading