It is my hope that an enduring lesson for the New Calvinism is that character matters. As Christians and as a movement, we need to allow this example to put to death any lingering pragmatism that judges the means by the results. Numerical growth and shared theology are wonderful, but insufficient. It is character that... Continue Reading

Indeed, the Scriptures tell us that Christ was so gentle that he would not break a bruised reed or snuff out a smoldering wick (Matt. 12:18-21; cf. Isa. 42:1-3). I think this is a side of Jesus that far too many pastors forget. They gravitate towards Christ’s rebukes of the Pharisees and his cleansing of... Continue Reading

First, if Christ could sin then a problem emerges regarding the relationship between Christ’s human will and his divine will. The definition of faith from the Sixth Ecumenical Council says: “And these two natural wills are not contrary the one to the other (God forbid!) as the impious heretics assert, but his human will follows... Continue Reading

The West is now locked in a political and cultural struggle with Islam, and no amount of sentimental claptrap about “mutual understanding” will change that.  The real question is whether the West will have a robust and principled position from which to oppose Islamic religious, cultural, and military aggression.  Such a principled stance will need... Continue Reading

So do not be blasphemous and deny the goodness or the greatness of God. And do not be depressed and hopeless thinking this world has gone haywire…Fight for righteousness, and show compassion on those who are being buffeted by God’s strange but wise plan. And do all this while keeping your eye on the prize —... Continue Reading

One of the clearest and most comprehensive statements of John Witherspoon’s theology can be found in his Essay on Justification(1756) where he sets out to defend justification by the imputed righteousness of Christ and ends up giving this big, broad, glorious summary of the gospel.   One of the clearest and most comprehensive statements of John... Continue Reading

“This first appeal of pornography is pathetic, in both the original and contemporary meanings of that term. The second appeal, grounded in the broken relationship with God, is much more sinister than sympathetic. The desire to be God is probably the most insidious human desire. (Augustine famously uncovered it in his teenage act of stealing... Continue Reading

“While it is obvious that there are many aspects of brain biochemistry that we cannot consciously control, there are many others that we can. The choices we make shape our physical bodies– including our brain structure and genes. This is most apparent in the cycle of addiction, wherein an addict’s brain is often demonstrably altered... Continue Reading

“Therefore Reformed friends, take it easy on our Christian brothers who call people to Christ after their prefered traditional manner. Cut them some slack and quit throwing the “Regulative Principle” in their face. Joshua called people to “choose this day whom they would serve.” Jeremiah called people to “circumcise themselves.” John the Baptist called people out... Continue Reading

“We have all been to those prayer meetings that are 90% requests and 10% prayer, or 20 minutes of teaching, 20 minutes of requests and 5 minutes of prayer. Too often prayer meetings are dominated not by prayer, but by talking about prayer. Lead the meeting in such a way that you get to prayer,... Continue Reading