As the GA adjourned, similar to other denominations, the power struggle between high-level leaders and many other presbyters would continue. Both of those stake-holders felt significant ownership, and the clashes were not always pretty, much less resolved well. However, some leadership changes . . . Continue reading →
American Christianity
Toward A Confessional CRC: Synod 2025
The 2025 Synod of the Christian Reformed Church in North America (CRC) met from June 13–19 at Redeemer University in Ancaster, Ontario, Canada. The 49 Classes of the denomination sent 176 delegates to deliberate on important matters of the church. The headline . . . Continue reading →
Video: ‘Hot-Take Theology’, Watchdogs & Trolls
In this episode, Rev. Chris Gordon and Rev. Dr. Dan Borvan tackle the pervasive issue of controversy within Christian circles. They discuss the rise of ‘hot take theology’ mentalities, exemplified by figures like Joel Webbon, and the dangers of mistaking attention-seeking for . . . Continue reading →
Video: Is Reformed Christianity Dying In America?
Join Rev. Chris Gordon, Rev. Dan Borvan, and Rev. Adam Kaloostian as they discuss the future of Reformed Christianity in America. This insightful conversation delves into how the Reformed church can navigate rapidly changing cultural trends, the importance of evangelism and building . . . Continue reading →
Video: Bob Godfrey On The Life And Significance Of “Sister”
Rev. Chris Gordon and Dr. W. Robert Godfrey delve into the fascinating and complex life of Aimee Semple McPherson, a pivotal figure in the development of both evangelicalism and Pentecostalism. They explore her groundbreaking role as a female preacher, her innovative methods . . . Continue reading →
Review: Swing Low: A History of Black Christianity in the United States By Walter R. Strickland
The earliest church experience I remember was in my hometown of Shreveport, LA. My mother made sure my brothers and I were dressed in our “Sunday best,” then loaded us into the car and drove us to a small white church building that could not have held more than sixty people. Continue reading →
Of Militants And Moderates
Darryl Hart (as always) has a provocative (in the best sense) article at Old Life.1 His use of the categories “militants” and “moderates” is very useful and helpful. To anticipate a criticism: yes, Reformed people can sometimes be jerks.2 Neither Darryl nor . . . Continue reading →
33 Ministers And 26 Congregations Leave The CRC For The RCA After Synod Requires Churches To Uphold Christian Doctrine On Sexuality
At a church just outside Grand Rapids, Michigan, on Tuesday (Feb. 18), 33 ministers from the Christian Reformed Church in North America stood up to read aloud a declaration, officially accepting ordination in a rival denomination, the Reformed Church in America. Having . . . Continue reading →
How the Americans Revised The Westminster Confession Regarding The Magistrate
The version of the Westminster Confession of Faith used by most Presbyterians in America is not identical with the version approved by the Westminster Assembly in 1646. Most of the differences between the historic text and the text used by the Orthodox . . . Continue reading →
The Failure Of The Antioch Declaration
We do not need to convince the Christian Nationalists that they have a problem with racism. Some of them have recently published a statement on this very issue. They call it The Antioch Declaration. Continue reading →
Strangers, Exiles, And Civil Religion
Since most of us have grown up with the Thanksgiving Holiday, it is easy for us to assume that this is the way things are and should be, but it has not always been so nor is it necessarily so. The American . . . Continue reading →
The Crystal Cathedral Isn’t What It Used To Be
Editor’s note: Since this essay was first published, the Crystal Cathedral really isn’t what it used to be. In 2019 it became Christ Cathedral, the seat of the bishop of Orange. § Christianity Today reports that the Crystal Cathedral is experiencing a . . . Continue reading →
A Question About Redeemer’s Multi-Site Model
In response to an article in USA Today on multi-site churches, in which Redeemer Presbyterian (NYC) was featured, Tim Keller offered a brief clarification of Redeemer’s version of the multi-site model.1 As part of that explanation he articulated a premise that strikes . . . Continue reading →
Video: Bob Godfrey On Hope And A Healthy Eschatology
A lecture from W. Robert Godfrey recorded during the Suffering & The Hope of Christ’s Return conference. Continue reading →
Video: Bob Godfrey on the Challenges of Being Reformed in America
Chris Gordon speaks with W. Robert Godfrey about Reformed theology and the challenges of being Reformed in America. Continue reading →
Warren Cole Smith: In Church Growth Slow Is Fast
We live in an age of rapid change and instant gratification. “Outreach” magazine publishes an annual list of the fastest growing churches in America. Christian publishers seek authors with “platforms.” The church now pays more attention to social media influencers and leadership . . . Continue reading →
Warren Cole Smith: Basham Is Right But Not In The Way She Thinks
Basham is right that many “shepherds” are, in fact, “for sale.” But the unintended irony—and fundamental flaw—of her book is that the corrupting money is not on the evangelical left, as she claims, but on the populist right. The rise of such . . . Continue reading →
On Churchless Evangelicals (Part 1)
I was once a churchless evangelical. As a young Christian I attended a medium-sized (three-hundred member) Southern Baptist congregation for a few years without joining. It was not really a problem. Of course they would like to have seen me baptized (as . . . Continue reading →
Review: The Search For Christian America By Mark A. Noll, Nathan O. Hatch, And George M. Marsden
Christians often mimic the tactics of non-Christians in the social and political realms. For example, the “cancel culture” found in legacy media and social media is also found in evangelical media and Christian social media. American politicians and pundits use scare tactics, . . . Continue reading →
Beyond Fundamentalism And Feminism
Back in May 2007, Carl Trueman raised the problem of the pressures females feel in conservative evangelical and Reformed churches. This issue raises the question of how Reformed Christians ought to relate to the broader culture. How do we live in a . . . Continue reading →