In our online debates, we not only fail to cultivate charity and humility, we come to think of them as vices: forms of weakness that compromise our advocacy. And so we go forth to war with one another. Sometimes our behavior in the “real world” can illuminate the puzzles of online experience. Consider this little... Continue Reading

Many years ago, an evangelist by the name of Brownlow North wrote the following simple but helpful rule for Christians: “If you are in doubt as to a thing being right or wrong, go to your room and kneel down and ask God’s blessing on it. (Col. 3:17). If you cannot do this, it is... Continue Reading

The argument made by the AC in 2007 was very simple and logical: (1) All “no-pay-no-say” rules are contrary to voluntary giving; (2) the PCA’s Constitution only allows voluntary giving (BCO 25-8); (2) the proposed funding plan includes a “no-pay-no-say” rule; (4) therefore, the current proposal is unconstitutional. Editor’s note: Many PCA Presbyteries will be... Continue Reading

Both of the pastors allowing Muslim worship on their property appeal to the love required of Christians as an authoritative guide for their decision-making. But it is not self-evident that this duty requires us to provide property for false worship. As professional religion reporters looked back on 2010, they ranked the debate over an Islamic... Continue Reading

Only in the realm of Christian ministry is it somehow deemed a virtue to be underpaid and poor. Yet there is an argument to be made that salaries often reflect the value we place on things. Yes, I know that there are poor churches that cannot afford to pay a decent ministerial salary; but that... Continue Reading

But regardless of how accurate those figures are, the idea of our churches sharing an equal burden for the benefits of the AC services appeals to me. The present “voluntary” system will never approach any such measure of equality, in my view. Editor’s note: Many PCA Presbyteries will be holding their winter stated meetings in... Continue Reading

What is favored: PCA Churches supporting and funding the PCA Administrative Committee. What is not favored: The specific proposal to fund the PCA Administrative Committee by amending parts of BCO 14. The proposal is an overreach, unnecessary, and will fundamentally change the structure of the PCA. Funding the PCA Administrative Committee (AC) is a worthy... Continue Reading

Those of us who are conservative Christians are apt to blame the problems of the world on others…But none of these things are really problems. They are symptoms of a larger problem; namely, that others are assuming the responsibilities that Christians have been neglecting for years. We can’t change the world overnight. But we can... Continue Reading

The new covenant is new; it is the fulfillment of God’s promises to Adam, Noah, and to Abraham. It is a new administration of the Abrahamic covenant. The typologies have been fulfilled…the NT reaffirms Abraham as the paradigmatic figure and carries out the Abrahamic pattern by initiating believers and their children into the administration of... Continue Reading

Based on the prominence public reading of Scripture has had through the millennia, Timothy Raltson said, “Public reading and preaching within worship exposes His demands, our inadequacy and His grace. It calls for covenant renewal and lies at the heart of spiritual revival. Therefore, how can we offer acceptable worship if His Word does not... Continue Reading