Bill Wilson’s god: ‘Big Book’ Religion
Which ‘god’ does Alcoholics Anonymous promote and follow?
It is possible to believe in this god, follow A.A, and get sober. (It is possible also believe in no god at all, not follow A.A., and get sober.) On the one hand, we can be happy for the better life in this world those who believe in Bill Wilson’s god and get sober enjoy.... Continue Reading
What’s Wrong with Living Together Unmarried?
A pastoral answer to a common question
That sounds a touch harsh, and it will need to be said in the context of a pastor who loves and cares; but it does need to be said to any professing Christian couple who really think it is moral to live together unmarried. For although they think they love one another, actually they do... Continue Reading
The parallel universe of home-schooled students
A reporter discovers that home-schoolers don't fit the stereotypes
According to Murphy, home-schooled children do well academically. They enter higher education in proportions similar to those who attended public or private schools and score as well or better on college entrance exams. Yes, but what about the social-backwardness of the home-schooled students? According to Murphy, home-schooled students are not socially backward. Most, he says,... Continue Reading
How Can I Explain the Trinity to a Child?
Without moralistic illustrations or logical arguments that go over their heads
At the Ligonier conference, Sinclair Ferguson spoke of the need to add catechism instruction to consecutive Bible exposition. He said that catechism teaching is like Velcro strips that the Bible’s teaching sticks to. So, add the shorter catechism to your Bible reading: “There are three persons in the Godhead, the Father, the Son, and the... Continue Reading
Allegorical Preaching: What Would Calvin Say?
The real issue is that we avoid arbitrary and completely subjective readings of the text
On the one hand, Calvin thought it was frivolous and often unnecessary or unfruitful to look for allegories. He stressed the simple sense of Scripture, which allegories could too easily distort. He felt that allegories had often been used as a shortcut to Christ that didn’t take the original message seriously enough. Yet on the... Continue Reading
Supreme Court urged to leave marriage definition to the states
The Supreme Court will hear two cases March 26-27 that could either affirm the historical definition of marriage or legalize gay marriage for the entire nation
Urging the Supreme Court not to legalize gay marriage for all 50 states, supporters of California Prop 8 say in a court brief that opposite-sex couples’ unique ability to procreate — thus benefiting society by “creating and nurturing the next generation” — provides states with a rational reason to define marriage in the traditional sense.... Continue Reading
Recreation, the Lord’s Day & the Call to Love God and Neighbor
Should the PCA General Assembly appoint a study committee to revise the Westminster Confession of Faith's language regarding the Sabbath
Granting an exception because some variance is considered non-essential is one thing. Changing the language of the Westminster Confession to match our preference for what we want to do on the Lord’s Day is something different altogether. Creating a version of the WCF that would be unique to the PCA is not a move to be considered lightly.... Continue Reading
God’s Love and Evangelism
Does God love unbelievers?
God has a special, intimate love with His elect that they experience as they believe on Christ. He promises to come and, through the Spirit, dwell within them in this love (John 14:23). The Scriptures are filled with revelations of this love and use the word love almost exclusively to that end. Yet this does... Continue Reading
What’s Next for Military Chaplains if DOMA Is Rescinded?
The Obama administration's push to normalize same-sex behavior in our Armed Forces may prove detrimental in many ways, especially our military chaplains
Should the government normalize homosexual marriage, chaplains would be confronted with a difficult moral choice of choosing to serve their God or serve Caesar. Because of the high percentage of theologically conservative and biblically oriented chaplains within each military branch, the conflict will be real and a cause for great concern. The Obama administration’s... Continue Reading
How to Give a Meaningful “Thank You”
When was the last time you thanked someone who serves you — really thanked them?
But study after study has shown that no one is immune from the motivating effects of acknowledgement and thanks. In fact, research … has shown that saying thank you not only results in reciprocal generosity — where the thanked person is more likely to help the thanker — but stimulates prosocial behavior in general. In... Continue Reading