What Happened to the Family of Jesus?
How the relatives of Jesus led the earliest church.
According to the Gospel books, Jesus had sisters (Mark 6:3; Matt 13:56). “Of the names which later tradition gives to sisters of Jesus,” Bauckham explains, “the best attested are Mary and Salome” (Relatives, 8). It is possible that he had more sisters, but these are the two whose names we can be reasonably sure of.... Continue Reading
Pastoral Sexual Orientation and the EPC
Many Evangelical Presbyterian Church members are stunned about why it would take so long for the shepherds of Christ’s flock to deliberate on the subject of sexual identity for church officers.
Church officers have a responsibility to protect church members by shepherding them in all areas, including the area of biblical sexual ethics. Church members know the emphasis of God’s Word places on purity; they need church leaders to be clear on this expectation. This means that receiving a minister who self-identifies with a homosexual-orientation should... Continue Reading
An Unmerry Hitchmas
There’s always more room at the Christmas table.
A dozen years after Hitchens’s death, the movement he championed has given way to a renewed interest in God and a steady stream of high-profile atheist defections. Ayaan Hirsi Ali, once a member of the New Atheist set, stunned her fellow unbelievers in 2023 by announcing she had become a Christian. On December 14,... Continue Reading
Undergoing the Powerful Scalpel of God’s Truth
Never fear the truth or where it leads.
God’s truth will always be to our benefit and spiritual health. We must remember that God’s word brings his all-powerful word to bear into our lives. Even though we might have trepidation over undergoing the scalpel of God’s truth, his careful surgeon’s hand will never destroy the church or us. As Christians we commit... Continue Reading
The Theological Errors of the Federal Vision
A summary list.
All of these points are developed within the body of our report. The committee believes that the following points that are held by one or more advocates of the FV are out of accord with Scripture and our doctrinal standards. Much has been written about the Federal Vision movement in America. It goes way back... Continue Reading
Euthanasia and Modernism
Euthanasia is not just a vicious attack on the weakest and most vulnerable in society, but a crusade against the Christianity that preaches a God who “shall wipe away all tears from their eyes.”
The euthanasia debate in American Protestantism emerged from the aftermath of the Scopes Monkey Trial and was prompted by many of the same characters. The trial, staged in Dayton, Tennessee, over educator John Scopes’ alleged violation of Tennessee’s Butler Act, which barred public school teachers from teaching evolution, was a microcosm of the debate between... Continue Reading
Two 2024 Moments (in Paris) Define Western’s Culture Vibe Shift
We’re at or near a cultural tipping point.
“Amazing Grace” couldn’t be a better song for this vibe-shift moment. The third verse sums up the emotion of being graciously preserved or plucked from the pit: “Through many dangers, toils and snares / I have already come: / ’Tis grace hath brought me safe thus far, / And grace will lead me home.” If... Continue Reading
Bible Characters
Samuel & the Savior.
Saul confesses his sin, imitating Aaron in the golden calf incident and citing fear of man (v. 24). But the king of Israel is to fear the LORD over man, for what can flesh do to him? The judgment upon Saul is that, rejected by the LORD, he will no longer be heard by God... Continue Reading
The Mercy of Christ
Savior’s presence in Paradise!
One of the remarkable truths of Christ’s work at the Cross is that Christ bore the sin of all of His people, and He bore the holy wrath and justice of God toward His people. This is what is referred to as substitutionary atonement–Christ died in the place of sinners. Another wondrous truth is that... Continue Reading
Die in Order to Reign
God deals with sin, and therefore how you ought to deal with your sin: die to it in Christ.
Your faith is weak, and so He trusted Himself to the Judge who judges justly. Your sins are great and many, and so He bled in your place. Your chains held you fast, and so He broke them asunder. All this was done through a horrific death. Here, with a loaf of bread and... Continue Reading
Like the Doubting Disciples
We are in good company as we struggle and press on toward the Lord who loves us, keeps us, and provides for us.
Imagine, even though the disciples are with Jesus, even though they have seen him miraculously provide food, even though they know better, the disciples still worry about simple provision. How like them are we? Mark 8:4 And his disciples answered him, “How can one feed these people with bread here in this desolate place?”... Continue Reading
When Waiting on God Is Really Hard
God is faithful and right in all that He does, regardless of His timing.
If you’re waiting for God to answer a prayer, too, I trust He is teaching you something in your meantime. I’m reminded daily that God’s calendar is not my calendar. What seems like a long time to me is hardly long for an eternal God. He is never hurried nor late, never worried nor uncaring,... Continue Reading
Hold Steady in This Trial
As we walk through seasons of suffering, may we remember our heavenly Father and faithful Creator.
By God’s grace, even in such deep sorrow, I came to understand that God was faithful and worthy of my trust in this dark valley—whether he answered my plea or not. Christians, our hope must be in the God who answers prayer, not in the answer we think we want to our prayers. Trials.... Continue Reading
The Sad Rich Man
God is never our debtor; in Christ he is our all-sufficient Saviour.
As Jesus did with the rich man (v. 18), he now makes clear to his disciples that, left to ourselves, ‘this is impossible, but not with God; all things are possible with God’ (v. 27). God’s kingdom completely upends the economy of this world. And the shameful death of Jesus on the cross is its... Continue Reading
Live Like You Are Dying
Christ has died and we are buried with Him.
When you interact with others, do you speak of Jesus as if you were dying? If you’re dead, no scorn can touch you, no persecutor’s torments hurt. No jail can keep the dead locked up. “We died before we came here!” declared Stephen Foreman[1]. Have you ever tried to life your life like you... Continue Reading
Humans: The Image and Likeness of God
We must turn to the biblical text and revisit how we should think of “image and likeness” theologically.
“Image” and “likeness” are terms that signify our uniqueness and dignity before God, and the representative role we play for the entire creation as God’s servant priest-kings. The terms are holistic referring to humans as a whole, that indicate a vertical relationship between humans and God that can be described in terms of obedient sonship,... Continue Reading
The Word of the King
From the moment of creation to the present day, the Word of the King remains central to all reality.
The Word of the King is the source of all creation, the means of revelation, the authority by which we live, and the power by which we are saved. From the first “Let there be light” to the final “It is finished,” the King’s Word accomplishes all things. The King speaks, and the world... Continue Reading
When the Creator Wore Sandals
The Gospel of Mark points to the identity of its central character.
Mark gives a vivid portrayal of Jesus in His full humanity…he has given us an authentic picture of Jesus as “God with sandals on.” In Jesus, the Creator of the universe has become local. Most New Testament scholars agree that Mark was the first of the four gospel accounts to be written. Mark’s gospel... Continue Reading
Bible Characters: From Ruth to Christ
The Lord God brings the far off into His family, gives them an inheritance, and builds a kingdom through them.
As much as the story of Ruth and Boaz sounds like a fairy tale, it is our story too. God’s redemption is for the far-off, the marginalized, and the outsider. He spreads His wings over us, at great cost to Himself purchases us, and gives us a kingdom and an inheritance. Like Ruth, we are... Continue Reading
Only Christ
Subtle distortions of the truth—lies that slowly chip away at the foundation—are much more dangerous than blatant heresies.
The wisdom of the world will enslave you, but what appears to the world to be the foolishness of the cross of Christ will set you free: For the word of the cross is folly to those who are perishing, but to us who are being saved it is the power of God (1 Corinthians... Continue Reading
Andrew Tate or Panda Express: Which Way Young Man?
What a fast-food debate tells us about masculinity, social class, and Spiritual Boomerism.
It’s important to reject the simplistic narratives of Spiritual Boomerism and engage more seriously on these issues in ways that take account of the truth that’s in those narratives, but also recognize the complexities of life and society today. And ways that have a sense of empathy and genuine concern for the young people in... Continue Reading
Don’t Become a Fallen Pastor
Rather than pointing a finger at my brother’s weakness, am I soberly reminded that I may be similarly tempted?
When grief comes at the news of a fallen brother, don’t waste it. Look at your patterns and habits. Look at your walk. Look at your marriage. Look at your relationships. Look at your time alone. Be ruthless in dealing with anything the Spirit graciously exposes that might be a tipping point into moral failure.... Continue Reading
Sorrows Are Normal for Now
What to Expect on Your Journey Home
The true grace of God for your journey home is not ease and comfort, but many sorrows and suffering here — expected, designed, limited, and rewarded — endured in faith, mindful of God and Jesus Christ, and with inexpressible and glorified joy. Which leads to boundless, uninterrupted bliss when we’re finally home. As I... Continue Reading
More That We Ask or Imagine
There is so much more available to us as believers.
I love the idea that God is quite willing and able to do more than I ask for, more than I can even imagine. I far too often doubt his ability and question his plans for me. I let the circumstances all around me define how much faith and trust I have, instead of looking... Continue Reading
What Is the Priesthood of All Believers?
We confess His name, give our lives as a living sacrifice, and fight against sin—as prophets, priests, and kings.
The priesthood of all believers is a very important doctrine that says all believers are called to be witnesses of Christ, and all of us share in Christ’s ministries. We are called by Christ and empowered and anointed by his Spirit to be prophets in our society, to be priests in our society, and to... Continue Reading
How Do I Know I’m Not Working in My Own Strength?
In Christ, we are new creations, born again, empowered to live the Christian life. And because we are working from salvation and not for salvation, our work is no longer to gain favor with God, but simply to please Him (Colossians 1:10). God is at work in us who believe (Phil 2:13). He empowers us... Continue Reading
The 90/10 Principle
90% of the minister’s life is taken up with the care and concern of the members his flock, while approximately 10% of their lives are involved with the pastor or their fellow church members.
Often your pastor is carrying around other people’s burdens that he cannot, for many good and godly reasons, share with you….There is a part of the calling of Christian ministry that must be done in the silence of the prayer closet….90% of his life is taken up with what may be 10% of yours. This... Continue Reading
Stronger than Samson
Jesus is, without a doubt, the greater Samson.
Sampson’s story is amazing, for sure. It’s a warning to us all not to think of ourselves more highly than we ought to, and to take heed that we fall not into the great sins that Samson did. But there are several ways in which the story makes us long for a true Savior who... Continue Reading
How to Conquer Sin (with the Right Light)
Stepping into Jesus’s light is stepping into life itself.
Friend, true freedom doesn’t come when we’ve successfully hidden; it comes when we’re found out but still accepted and cherished through God’s gracious love. Run to the true Light—Jesus himself—and find the forgiveness and freedom you long for in him. My friends Ben and Paige have a 3-year-old named Ruth who loves playing hide-and-seek.... Continue Reading
Identifying Our Parenting Idols
We are likely to have an idol of the day, even an idol of the moment, seeking to take control of our heart.
We can make an idol out of anything; so can our kids. But until we start to spot the idols in our lives, we can’t help our children see the false sources they turn to. Evaluating why we do what we do helps us identify our idols and subsequently turn from them. The concept... Continue Reading