In one episode of the 90’s sitcom Seinfeld, the catchphrase is “serenity now!” Frank (George’s dad) had high blood pressure and he heard on a cassette tape that if you say, “serenity now,” it would help keep your blood pressure down. So . . . Continue reading →
Christian Life
Political Therapeutic Deism
In my new book, The Spirit of Our Politics, I introduce a new term, Political Therapeutic Deism, inspired by the term Moral Therapeutic Deism which was coined by sociologists Christian Smith and Melinda Lundquist Denton. Political Therapeutic Deism is a system of beliefs . . . Continue reading →
The Utility Of Education For Perspective
Perspective is important for all areas of life. In his book, A Non-Anxious Presence, Australian pastor Mark Sayers describes a strategic shift that took place during the Korean War when the US Air Force transitioned from propeller-powered aircraft to jet fighters. When flying . . . Continue reading →
Perkins: We Come To God In Christ Even Though We Sin
…there is a great temptation arising upon the consideration of our own indignity. For when our sins come to our remembrance, they drive us from the presence of God and make us that we dare not pray. Now the remedy is this. . . . Continue reading →
Perkins: We Must Receive Christ Where He Is Offered
Of our receiving of Christ given by God, two things must be observed. One is that we must there receive Christ where God offers and gives Him, that is, in the word and sacraments. The second is that faith is our hand . . . Continue reading →
How Actually To Help The Gender-Confused
I was surprised when a mother began to cry as we discussed our truthXchange booklet, Letter to a Friend: Transgenderism and Kids. To my relief, her tears were not because the text had offended her. Rather, she was overwhelmed with thanks to . . . Continue reading →
NAPARC’s Lonely Stand
It’s 2024 and NAPARC denominations stand almost alone for male-only pastors/preachers and lay leaders (elders). The Southern Baptists are far from solid on this issue (https://sbcamendment.org/) and most evangelicals are giving way by degrees. Decisive action from the SBC would help, but . . . Continue reading →
Problems With Frame’s Doctrine Of God
As Dolezal explains, our theology has changed. More specifically, our doctrine of God has changed, and Dolezal argues that this change has not been for the better. His book, therefore, begins by defining the basic differences between classical Christian theism and what . . . Continue reading →
Perkins: The Whole Christ Is Given To Us
. . . how are all believers made one with Christ? Answer. By a donation on God’s part whereby Christ is given unto us and by a receiving on our part. The donation is whereby Christ is made ours for right, so . . . Continue reading →
The Fruit Of The Spirit: The Second Fruit—Joy
Many people think that the purpose of life is to be happy. If you stop, look around, and think about it, you will notice that the chief pursuit of many people’s lives is happiness or pleasure. People today want to be happy. . . . Continue reading →
The Chariots Are Still On Fire And Liddell Is Still Right
He was meant to dig his running spikes into the cinders, find his balance, wait for the sound of the starter’s gun, and sprint 100 meters to Olympic glory. After all, this was one of the races for which he had trained, . . . Continue reading →
What The Hoodie Means
I was driving home from work yesterday when I saw a teenager walking down the street in 80-degree weather with a hoodie pulled over his head. It’s July! I wish I owned the patent on the hoodie design, if such a thing . . . Continue reading →
Prisha’s Story
Prisha Mosley is a woman who spent years believing she was a man, receiving hormone therapy under the care of doctors and therapists whom she is now suing for damages. The lawsuit is being filed in her former home state of North Carolina, although . . . Continue reading →
Bavinck Distinguished Between Law And Gospel
The Word is differentiated into law and gospel. The law finds its end in Christ, who sets believers free from the curse of the law so that they may walk according to the Spirit and delight in God’s law in their inner . . . Continue reading →
A Warning To Historians Who Would Be Journalists
Calls for amnesty among those who defended and implemented the protocols of the COVID-19 pandemic are hardly news. Emily Oster was the first to call for clemency of advocates for governments’ restrictive measures. She argued that many officials simply did not have sufficient knowledge . . . Continue reading →
Review: Thank God By Reuben Bredenhof
“Thank God!” It rolls right off the tongue. It is so easy to say most times that you do not even need to think about it. But perhaps that is the problem. How often do we think about giving thanks? When and . . . Continue reading →
Why Are Baptistic Evangelicals Attracted To Anglicanism?
By now, the pattern is familiar. A young evangelical becomes disenchanted with her religious upbringing, discovers the liturgical church, and “walks the Canterbury Trail,” joining an Anglican or Episcopal church. She may even conclude the Anglican tradition is insufficiently Catholic and turn . . . Continue reading →
Evangelical Repentance, The Marrow, And The Auchterarder Creed
How did the theological examination of a man in a presbytery (body of regional church elders) in a small town in Scotland in 1717 fuel a deep-seated theological schism among ministers in the Church of Scotland and result in a movement that . . . Continue reading →
Is There Distinctively Reformed Medicine?
After a visit to my father at his local hospital, I had a worldview moment. What should have alerted me from the outset was the name of the place – St. Mary’s. But then I noticed that the spiritual services wing of . . . Continue reading →
Church Membership And Our Witness To The World
What does it mean to be a member of a local church? Those who take church membership seriously recognize it comes with a lot of responsibilities. The faithful church member attends worship regularly and engages meaningfully in the divine service. They pray . . . Continue reading →