Perspicuity and the Pastor
The doctrine of the perspicuity of Scripture ought to be a treasured truth for pastors in particular.
A recurring theme in the pages of Scripture is the connection between light and truth (Ps 43:3 (“O send out Your light and Your truth, let them lead me”); John 3:21 (“But he who practices the truth comes to the Light”)). Scripture, having originated with God, is truth. And Scripture is truth which has been... Continue Reading
Pre-PCA General Assembly Conference: “For Such a Time as This”
This pre-Assembly Conference will June 29, 2021, 10:00 – 11:55 a.m., at the St. Louis Holiday Inn Downtown-Convention Center, across the street from the PCA GA site.
This seminar will explore the nature of laws passed by local, state and federal bodies which appear antithetical to God’s moral law, and to provide guidance and options for the church’s biblical response. Join with us to discuss the spiritual, moral, and social issues of our day, and to find encouragement and resources on how... Continue Reading
On the Apostle Paul’s Above Reproach Criterion
When we consider whether the Apostle’s above reproach criterion allowed for individualized judgments about fitness for eldership when it came to men experiencing homosexual inclinations, we have to deny that claim and oppose those who affirm it.
When weighing the question of whether a man who experiences same-sex inclination should be ordained to or remain in the eldership of the PCA, it seems prudent to begin with the premise that evaluation of a man for office will include but will not be limited to his self-description. In addition, his doctrine and practice... Continue Reading
When Presbyterian Rubber Meets the Road
When we meet next month we’ll publicly be taking up serious issues that are affecting (and possibly infecting!) our congregations and our denomination’s witness.
As one of my friends likes to say: “Presbyterianism exists because conflict and differences exist in the church.” In recognizing the minority’s right and privilege to be heard as publicly and broadly as possible, Presbyterianism fosters an environment where each side can be heard publicly and openly, evidences and reasons can be carefully weighed, and... Continue Reading
Cape Coral church responds as FDLE arrests four in ‘Operation Thou Shalt Not Steal’
"That this isn’t just a crime against our community, they’ve stolen from their creator." - Lauder
The suspects, all Romanian citizens, are accused of stealing donation checks from church mailboxes, hitting as many as 85 churches a day. A variety of aliases were used to deposit stolen checks into numerous bank accounts as well as sending high-value wire transfers to Romania. “We’re more concerned for the peril of the thieves, at... Continue Reading
Pastors Get Depressed Too
These pastors take the view that mental illness may be the experience of followers of Christ just as physical illness is, because we live in a fallen world.
It might seem strange to some readers that pastors suffer from depression. After all, you might think, surely they are supposed to have it all together mentally as well as spiritually… Reading the stories of these men is sobering. It is difficult, isn’t it, to read about someone harming themselves or even attempting suicide. But... Continue Reading
Preaching from the Pit
Pastor, if you find yourself in the pit, it is not time to despair. Instead, it is time to look to see what God is about to do.
“I tell you the story, brethren, because you sometimes may not understand your own experience, and the perfect people may condemn you for having it; but what know they of God’s servants? You and I have to suffer much for the sake of the people of our charge? You may be in Egyptian darkness, and... Continue Reading
Open Letter to Jason Kenney and UCP MLAs
As of this writing, our church is ordered closed and I’m the third pastor in Alberta to be jailed under your government.
Does COVID change the structure of our society? Does it change the relationship between the home and the state or the relationship between the church and the state? Does the state serve the people or do the people serve the state? Does the health care system serve the people or do the people serve the... Continue Reading
More Trouble for Our Fellow Believers Up North
Much is at stake—fines, jail time, forfeiture of freedom and property, loss of community witness.
We need to pray for the church in Canada that she will be faithful to her Lord amid this pandemic. Many pastors think that the actions of a very small minority are actually hindering their Gospel witness. We need to pray for the resisters and their families. As most of my readers know, I have... Continue Reading
Church May Ditch ‘Husband’ and ‘Wife’
One hopes the good folk of the Church of Scotland will see that there is much more at stake here than just a change of nomenclature.
Though sex is a wonderful and sacred aspect of marriage, there is much more than a linkage of two bodies. A whole marriage also joins the souls of two people so there is a harmonization of their minds, emotions, and wills. Even more important is the union of spirit in which they share a strong... Continue Reading
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