First, let me clarify something. I am writing this commentary as a churchman, not as a journalist. As publisher of an independent magazine, I don’t participate in discussions or votes at the General Assembly of the PCA (although I must admit my determination was sorely tempted on Thursday). I also write this not just simply... Continue Reading

Christ is the theme of every part of Scripture. If my sermons do not exalt and speak of him, then no methodology will remedy that most glaring omission of all. There is a philosophy current among evangelical preachers that one is not really preaching unless one is expounding and explaining a book of the Bible... Continue Reading

Perhaps the biggest lesson from Goethe’s Faust is that self-deception is intrinsic to all foolish acts Sometimes the best economists aren’t economists. One of the most famous plays in Western history was penned by the German writer Johann Wolfgang von Goethe (1749-1832). His two-part drama, Faust, is considered one of the greatest works of German... Continue Reading

So there’s this young pastor/church-planter guy. And he is in the midst of a challenging culture, trying to disciple his flock to glorify Jesus. His mentor gives him some advice as to what godliness should look like among his church members. It’s not hinged on behavior, but on what sound doctrine should produce in the... Continue Reading

Surely it was no coincidence that in my devotions this morning, I read this line from one of John Newton’s letters to John Ryland, Jr. written near the end of Newton’s life: ”I have nothing to do with church controversies. … I desire to know nothing but Christ and him crucified.” While I like that,... Continue Reading

Not every tribe, but people FROM every tribe. He will lay claim to those people he has bought. God intends to have this multicolored people. Notes provided by Adrian Warnock, a staff member of Jubilee Church. Jubilee is a large multi-racial church in London and is a port to New Frontiers ministries. http://jubilee-church.org/who.htm This past... Continue Reading

“…all men are equally entitled to the free exercise of religion, according to the dictates of conscience; and that it is the mutual duty of all to practice Christian forbearance, love, and charity towards each other…” In two short months from May 6, 1776 to June 29, 1776, a group of elected representatives chosen from... Continue Reading

“If I had to be married to have sex, I would probably be married, as would every guy I know.” “Once upon a time, marriage made sense.” So write Jessica Bennett and Jesse Ellison in the June 11, 2010 edition of Newsweek magazine. The two women who wrote the article are both young adults who... Continue Reading

As our readers are well aware, Professor Bruce Waltke’s departure from Reformed Theological Seminary back in April was big news on these pages http://bit.ly/9MWqny. He left RTS because he no longer fit into the confessional standards of the school. Now, however, he has become both the whipping boy and role model of fundamentalism in the... Continue Reading

Editor’s note: A minister, about to write an article criticizing a fellow minister for his lack of orthodoxy, wrote to John Newton of his intention. Newton replied as follows: Dear Sir, As you are likely to be engaged in controversy, and your love of truth is joined with a natural warmth of temper, my friendship... Continue Reading