Free Expression Is Not Coercion – Stripping away reminders of America’s Christian heritage
The common thread in these cases is the confusion of expression with coercion. It would be nice if the new Congress found some way to coerce federal judges into living up to their oaths. The jurists should be upholding real constitutional rights instead of twisting the Constitution into a battering ram against any public edifice... Continue Reading
Should We Have a Sex Tax? – The High Cost of Extramarital Coupling
Politicians are always talking about taxes. Some of them want to “soak” the rich; others want to raise “sin” taxes on alcohol and cigarettes. But I can think of one “consumer item” we’ll never see a tax on: sex. But maybe we should. Sex-the wrong kind of sex, that is-is driving up the cost of... Continue Reading
The Tucson Tragedy and God’s Gift of Moral Language
In such a world we are no longer moral beings with the propensity for great acts of righteousness and great acts of evil. We are instead, at least when we are bad, the mere product of our circumstances, our society, our upbringing, our biochemistry, or our hurts… We are so awash in the language of... Continue Reading
The PCA’s New Dilemma about Deacons (IX)
We need to keep in mind that what we are dealing with is not merely the question of the office of deacon, but also the larger question of ecclesiology. Quite often that point is either neglected or forgotten in the current discussions surrounding deacons. The “deacon question” is merely one isolated comment in a much... Continue Reading
Do We Really Need Bishops?
Editor’s Note: Mr. Jordan has been blogging since 2004, focusing on issues of interest to North American Anglicans. This article was originally intended for that audience. I do not find in the Bible any support for the post-apostolic concept of a monarchial bishop-a bishop who governs or rules his see as a prince might govern... Continue Reading
Welcome to Personal Responsibility 101 – University presidents and attorneys deny First Amendment rights at their own personal financial risk
It is a strategy that attaches real consequences to individuals with power, rather than to an esoteric and powerless collective. Campus speech codes are no longer public property inherited by unknowing public servants. The speech codes now belong to those who oversee their maintenance. And they ignore them at their own peril. Back in 2002,... Continue Reading
On “loving the city” long-term (in contrast to well-intentioned hipster, neo-paternalistic versions)
It’s ok because market forces and gentrification change cities for the good as well. Just call it what it is: market-driven, not mercy driven. You want the city to be homogeneous for your enjoyment. That’s cool too, some would say. There seems to be competing visions about what it means to “love the city.” It... Continue Reading
Problems with the Proposed Change to PCA BCO 5-3
A Presbytery is already free to appoint a commission as the “temporary system of government” (TSG) and include on that commission a TE who is designated as an evangelist per BCO 8-6 (he being the “lesser” type of evangelist who does not have the power to receive and dismiss members, to ordain officers, and to... Continue Reading
An Answer to: ‘Will the AC Funding Plan Make the PCA Liberal?’
Under the new AC funding plan we would turn from a system of voluntary giving, which is the true Presbyterian model. Christ asks us to give out of our abundance, and encourages our heart to do so. We give our tithe to the church because God encourages us to be a cheerful giver. Each gives... Continue Reading
Why I Voted for the Current PCA Funding Proposal for the Administrative Committee
I support the current proposed funding plan and encourage others to do so. I both spoke and voted for it when our presbytery passed it a few months ago. I have dear friends on both sides of this debate, so with charity towards all and malice towards none, I offer three tests for the proposed... Continue Reading