An Interesting Little Study on Junia(s) the ‘Female’ Apostle
Egalitarian and feminist evangelicals point to Romans 16:7 as indisputable evidence in favor of women's ordination in the early church; does it?
To sum: of the four ancient references to the name “Junia(s)” two of the four are men. Of the three references that refer specifically to the Junia(s) of Romans 16:7, two of three refer to a man. This is hardly the checkmate argument from a narrative text that egalitarians and feminists have held it to... Continue Reading
Opening a Can of Worms in the PCA Intinction Debate?
Are PCA churches following the exact wording in the Book of Church of Order on communion?
How many PCA communion tables are “being decently covered”? How many churches are limiting themselves to wine? How many communicants are sitting there “gravely” in demeanor? How many elders in our typical PCA practice are “sitting around” the table, or even “before it,” as opposed to standing there? Anyone wanting to pursue the intinction... Continue Reading
Poets and Theologians
Reformational Christianity and the various related theological tributaries which connect into it in various ways have a rich poetic tradition
Machen, in his lectures, sermons, and writings, was often referring to poetry and poetic form. Another example would be Geerhardus Vos, who is probably better known for being a pioneer in “Biblical Theology.” Did you know, however, that he was also a very accomplished poet, producing eight volumes of poetry and some several hundred miscellaneous... Continue Reading
The Good, the Bad and the Ugly – Parliament and Same Sex ‘Marriage’
February 5 was an historic day in the UK parliament. MPs voted by 400 votes to 175 to in principle approve same sex marriage (SSM)
Rather than progression, this was regression backwards to a Greco-Roman- Pagan view of the world. This was, at best, a confused and muddled attempt to make a statement which will undermine that most basic of human institutions, marriage; and at worst, the next step in the retrograde and twisted efforts of those who think that... Continue Reading
Scouting Suicide? A Change in the BSA Policy On Homosexual Leadership Will Have A Profound Effect
The national board of the BSA will likely vote on the policy by Wednesday
The new policy, if adopted, would allow local councils and individual troops to decide whether homosexuals can serve as Scout leaders. In theory, this change would be consistent with long-standing Scout policy, which allows sponsoring organizations to choose or approve the leaders of the packs and troops they sponsor. But in practice, the new policy... Continue Reading
Dealing with Lust
In the booklet Impure Lust, John Flavel gave seven directions for dealing with lust
Sexual temptations are everywhere; we are bombarded by sexual temptation via clothing (or lack thereof), television, billboards, songs, suggestive language, and solicitations on Facebook. Take, for example, pornography. No longer does a person have to walk into a store and purchase pornographic material—it is as close as the privacy of your computer screen, and it... Continue Reading
What is Natural Law?
The moral order of creation as designed by God and written on the human heart
But what is natural law? And what do we make of the fact that natural law can be and has been claimed as the moral basis for virtually everything – including slavery, racism, and the Nazi genocide of the Jews? Since I’ve started this blog a number of people have written me to ask me... Continue Reading
I Bought Some Joy (But Dropped It Down the Stairs)
Does your iPhone threatens to be an iDol in your life?
We laugh at the idolaters of old. There is something comical about reading the story of Dagon falling on his face—his carved face—before the Ark of the Covenant (1 Samuel 5). The first day he simply fell on his face; the second day he smashed his face. It’s funny. It’s a little less funny when... Continue Reading
Do We Really Need to be Culturally Relevant?
Our churches should have a greater concern of faithfulness to the Christian message than faithfulness to cultural relevance
Certainly there are those who enter into the fold not having had a previous churched background. I get that. But new believers need to be introduced to the language of faith and worship that is distinctly Christian without the priority of making it appealing. I fear that when we make everything we do ministry wise... Continue Reading
Can a Messiah College OT Professor Really Teach the Bible’s “Immoral”?
A reply to Professor Eric Siebert's post on Peter Enns blog
A Messiah College Old Testament professor named Eric Siebert just posted a shocking piece on Pete Enns’s blog. It’s entitled “When the Good Book is Bad: Challenging the Bible’s Violent Portrayals of God.” You should read it. If you love the Lord and his Word, it will take your breath away. You don’t need me... Continue Reading