Reflections on the Special Commission on Erskine College and the March 2-3, 2010 Called Meeting of General Synod
Editor’s Note: This document is an expansion of comments made on the floor of the March Called Meeting of Synod. After the Temporary Restraining Order was filed in the Erskine College case on April 9, a third party – with the permission of the author – submitted the document to the Executive Board of the... Continue Reading
Let’s Not Lose the Basics
We are witnessing, even in the PCA, a weakening of our understanding of the Bible’s doctrine of the church. The great football coach, Weeb Eubank, had a tradition at the beginning of every season. He would take all the new as well as seasoned players, sit them down, and then begin his lecture. He would... Continue Reading
New Days Need Old Paths
Jeremiah 6:16 says, “Thus says the LORD: ‘Stand in the ways and see, and ask for the old paths, where the good way is, and walk in it; Then you will find rest for your souls.’ The people of God in every generation come to crossroads that force them to make crucial decisions. This is... Continue Reading
Speaking the truth in love: the key to pastoral ministry
Actually this article is on how one can avoid blowing up a church. But first we must admit that there are no guarantees. Sometimes churches blow up and you didn’t see it coming, and the devastation was inevitable. Sometimes churches ignite because the congregation, or some influential leaders in the congregation, are deeply unspiritual. Pastors... Continue Reading
Farewell, Emerging Church, 1989-2010, it was a good run!
While the effects of the emerging church movement will linger for some time we will begin to see books praising and attacking the movement go out of print. Reading a new book or going to a conference about the emerging church is a waste of time and money unless it’s to understand the movement as... Continue Reading
Quoting the Source
WormTape #4 Diane: “OK, below are the talking points that you requested me to email to you from the AC. Please feel free to pass these (and only these) on to any supporters and pro-Agency people. The Planners believe that these should be heard exactly as they have written them. This document uses the terms... Continue Reading
Some Questions Regarding The Nature of Israel and The Church
How many times have you asked your pastor, or has he been asked: “What is the future of the nation Israel?” What happened to God’s promises that Abraham’s seed would inherit the Promised Land? And many questions just like it? One of the most troubling questions for many Christians is how they should regard the... Continue Reading
Responding to the Proposed PCA Strategic Plan
Letter to the Editor The PCA Strategic Plan (SP) has been prepared to identify the denomination’s challenges and to address them with strategies that are consistent with Biblical values (A summary of this proposed plan can be found here, An Overview of the PCA Strategic Plan). But the question in this elder’s mind is, “Is... Continue Reading
Alien Living: Surviving the Dismantling of the Consitution
It has often fascinated me that the nation of Israel managed to maintain a national identity over the centuries without a country. I recently read a passage in the book of Jeremiah that answered my musing (chapter 29). When Nebuchadnezzar was about to overrun the city, Jeremiah communicated to the people that it was God’s... Continue Reading
Tiger Woods and Redemption Through Advertising
We, his fans, can feel reassured that Tiger is a changed man because…well, because he says he is! And if it’s good enough for Nike, it should be good enough for us Note: After I posted this, Nike blocked the commercial on YouTube. Here is the text of the commercial. The voice of Earl Woods:... Continue Reading