Yes there is some diversity within classical Reformed theology on the Sabbath but it is diversity within unity. There is a Reformed view of the Sabbath. There is a fundamental unity that God has established a 1 in 7 pattern in creation. To that creational law was added typological and temporary Mosaic legislation but the... Continue Reading

Girls, it’s not too late! If you think you’ve made an on-line mistake (we all do – don’t fret – I’ve made some doozies, even today!), RUN to your accounts and take down the closed-door bedroom selfies that makes it too easy for friends to see you in only one dimension. Will you trust me?... Continue Reading

Now you’d think all this would mean something for life in the church where we hear the Word and receive the Sacrament. But, I am afraid it does not – at least not as it should. The church is too often a place where we “play pretend”, because we dare not do otherwise. We cover... Continue Reading

And so I come back to my sensitive son, with his preference for imaginative games over competitive ones. I wonder if he will soon find himself a misfit in the Christian community, pressured to prove himself—not by his neighborhood friends, who won’t care what he is—but by other Christians, who want him to stand up... Continue Reading

But what about you? Is all the activity on the preacher’s side and just passivity on yours? You do little or nothing before, during, or after the sermon? You have all the rights but no responsibility? Not at all! You equally need to pour yourself out, to exert and expend yourself before, during, and after... Continue Reading

My own position is one I have drawn from what I understand to be a strong strand of nineteenth/twentieth century American Presbyterian thinking on the church, on Christian freedom and on church-state relations: I believe the church to be a fundamentally spiritual institution, with spiritual weapons and tools (word and sacraments).   I do not believe... Continue Reading

Christians have always taken education seriously. And the history of formal schooling demonstrates that Christians and the church used both home education and schooling abroad to help nurture the next generation. This should encourage Christian families today to use their abilities and the gifts of the church to nurture the future generation.   With children returning to school and... Continue Reading

The Christian school is to be favored for two reasons. In the first place, it is important for American liberty; in the second place, it is important for the propagation of the Christian religion. These two reasons are not equally important; indeed, the latter includes the former as it includes every other legitimate human interest. ... Continue Reading

Some husbands foolishly misuse Christian teaching about headship and submission to diminish the uniqueness and contributions of their wives. These men typically insist that life conforms to their dominant identity so they can get what they want. I’ve also observed women who suppress their identity under more dominant men who frankly need the gifts and... Continue Reading

Despite the unfortunate rhetoric of some transformationalists, it is not our job as Christians to transform the world.  But God in his grace does bless the work of our hands, and he sometimes uses his people to accomplish considerable good in society.  Even if the current cultural situation is one of those “Romans 1” moments... Continue Reading