A Response to J.V. Fesko’s “Should Old Aquinas Be Forgot?” In Defense of Protestant Evangelicals
The passage from “Justification by Faith” Fesko quotes proves that Owen and other Protestant theologians vigorously distinguish between imputed and infused righteousness.
In other words, faith justifies, and the various “other saving graces” that accompany it come into view in sanctification with its operation of the Spirit in which he “infuses grace” per Larger Catechism Q. 77. It is not an accurate summary to say that there is an infused habit of faith that is first passive... Continue Reading
Does the Accuracy of its Second-Person Pronouns Commend the Continued Use of the AV in Public Reading and Preaching?
A debate between Christian McShaffrey and Mark Ward
The ongoing debate over Bible translations is often marked by more heat than light. This is unfortunate and can also lead to unlawful divisions in the Body of Christ. Mark Ward and Christian McShaffrey are no strangers to the debate and have recently decided to conduct an experiment: Arguing a specific point in a calm... Continue Reading
Labor Day’s Unsung Hero: Work
In our leisure-loving world, we have lost sight of the fact that work, no matter how menial it may appear or how risky it may be, is honorable.
Work is not only a positive and creative activity it is also an antidote to destructive behavior and activity. More crime is conceived in an atmosphere of idleness than in the work arena. The Apostle Paul recognized the benefit of work when he wrote: “Let him who steals steal no longer; but rather let him... Continue Reading
When the Power of the Gospel is Most Clearly Displayed in the Church
The power of the gospel is seen most clearly when churches are not full of people like me or folks I would naturally be friends with anyway.
The power of the gospel is seen most clearly and fully when we have nothing in common with people we love and care for – and with whom we are genuinely friends in real ways – other than Jesus and his gospel. Then, we are community that has been founded on the gospel. Then, we... Continue Reading
The Story Behind Overture 15: The Original Intent of Its Author
My intent in drafting Overture 15, the proposed amendment to BCO 7-4, was to deal specifically with those who ‘publicly’ describe themselves as homosexuals.
We all struggle with the darkness of all types of sins. My entire case for submitting the original overture is that the “public” announcement (like in Christianity Today) of constantly struggling with any particular sin disqualifies a man from holding office in the church. The key word here is not the word “struggles” or even... Continue Reading
Cultivating Truthfulness in Public Life
Our public discourse on the issue of gender theory and transgenderism is bogged down in shallow soundbites, with emotion substituted for argument.
The most basic implication of gender theory continues to masquerade as a variety of other arguments: Who can get pregnant? What do we call a person with a uterus? What can we assume about other people without direct instruction? But it is just the same question, over and over again: Are there really people who believe in... Continue Reading
Clarity on PCA Overture 15
Overture 15 doesn't do what you think it does. Its focus is quite narrow.
Overture 15 would not declare the mere presence of homosexual desire to be disqualifying. While there may be a minority within the PCA who would bar anyone from office who confesses unnatural lust, overture 15 would not do that. Overture 15 is narrowly focused on barring from church office any man who describes, characterizes, or... Continue Reading
Children are Less a Cost than a Blessing
How do you put a price tag on happiness?
As the population declines accelerate, the societal impact will not be pretty, especially for adults who decided that not having children was supposedly a smart economic decision. As is often the case in economic affairs, we see that what makes sense in the short run often does not make sense in the long run. Bottom line:... Continue Reading
What Two Gilded Age Christian Socialists Would Say to Evangelicals Today
In a day when there’s a socialist revival among young people, understanding the perspectives of these Christian socialists from history is more than an antiquarian curiosity.
These Gilded Age Christians would challenge us to examine the roots of our dearly held individualism critically. Rogers and Ely stressed a fraternity and equality based in their Christian anthropology — an understanding of humanity’s deep solidarity as divine image bearers. Given how many Christians around the world routinely vote for various social democratic parties,... Continue Reading
Lessons In Becoming a Better Listener
It’s easy enough to hear others, but very difficult to truly listen to them.
“Good listening is a great means of grace in the dynamic of true Christian fellowship. Not only is it a channel through which God continues to pour his grace into our lives, but it’s also his way of using us as his means of grace in the lives of others.” It is one thing... Continue Reading
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