The Entitlement Generation – ‘If I turn in a paper, I deserve an A!’
High schools and colleges are flooded with students who confuse busyness with performance. They have been misled to believe that they deserve A’s for turning in anything, and that the burden of proof is on the professor to defend why a student has not been “given” an A. This group of teens and 20-somethings is... Continue Reading
Defending the Free Church of Scotland – A Personal Reflection
Overall I think the Free Church has behaved in a mature, biblical and balanced manner. Outside observers who were at the Assembly have all spoken of their appreciation of that. I have been greatly encouraged by the discussion and decision made by the Plenary Assembly. To me it showed Presbyterianism at its best and the... Continue Reading
A Response to ‘A Reminiscence and Reflection’
Before it is proper to make pronouncements on such issues as political redistribution of wealth, even as it relates to modern education and its broader component, modern socialism, it would be good to demonstrate a biblical worldview of the Civil Magistrate including both its responsibilities and its limitations. I appreciate very much Andy Webb’s article,... Continue Reading
Can’t Get No Satisfaction – Addiction is the spiritual disease of our time.
I’ve never met a potato chip I didn’t like. Actually, I’ve never met a potato chip that didn’t call my name from behind the pantry door until I was forced to eat it and every one of its salty companions. So when I heard the phrase “carbohydrate addiction,” I knew nutritionists were on to something.... Continue Reading
The Dangerous Worlds of Analog Parents with Digital Teens
Parents cannot be spectators in the lives of their children, but should set rules, establish expectations, enforce limitations, and constantly monitor their teenagers’ digital lives. Anything less is a form of parental negligence. A recent article in The New York Times gave front-page attention to the problem of adolescent bullying on the Internet. There can... Continue Reading
On “Jesus vs. Paul” a response to Scot McKnight
Paul did occasionally refer to the “kingdom of God” as Jesus did (e.g., 1 Cor 6:9, 10; Gal 5:21), which showed he was conversant with what Jesus said. But there were a number of other points of contact between Paul and Jesus. All will recall Paul’s inclusion of Jesus’ teaching on divorce (1 Cor 7:10)…... Continue Reading
What You Celebrate as a Church Is Just as Important as What You Believe
Whenever we are formed within a context that celebrates certain cultural expressions over against other expressions, we begin to expect the wrong things from a church. So when the day comes for us to unite with a different congregation, our list of expectations is devoid of the gospel. What your congregation celebrates corporately is just... Continue Reading
Was Thomas Aquinas a Proto-Protestant?
For Aquinas, justification refers not only to entrance into the family of God at Baptism – administered for the remission of sins – but to the infusion of sanctifying grace at Baptism and all the subsequent graces that work to transform the Christian from the inside out. Catholics are often surprised to learn that there... Continue Reading
A Prayer About Immanuel’s Presence and Presents
We cannot not be more justified than we already are and we’ll be as glorified as any mortal man ever will be. Joy to the world indeed. Joy to us. And we know that in all things God works for the good of those who love him, who have been called according to his purpose.... Continue Reading
A reminiscence and reflection on the current student riots in the UK and M&Ms
There never was a God given right to a university education, generations of Europeans have been convinced by socialist politicians that they not only have a right to such an education, they are entitled to it I attended the University of St. Andrews from 1987-1991 finally escaping with a barely earned M.A. During my time... Continue Reading