Richard Nixon (1913–94) was President of the United States from 1968–74. He resigned from office in disgrace because of his part in the cover-up of the Watergate scandal. By today’s standards, the Watergate scandal might be considered small potatoes. Nixon himself, who . . . Continue reading →
Church Life
Harrison Perkins—The Non-Insistent Pastor: Conscience And Submission In History, Theology, And Churchmanship (2)
This talk is part two of Westminster Seminary California’s Student Association 2025 Spring Convocation. RESOURCES Subscribe To The Heidelblog! Download the HeidelApp on Apple App Store or Google Play Browse the Heidelshop! The Heidelblog Resource Page Heidelmedia Resources The Ecumenical Creeds The . . . Continue reading →
Harrison Perkins—The Non-Insistent Pastor: Conscience And Submission In History, Theology, And Churchmanship (1)
This talk is part one of Westminster Seminary California’s Student Association 2025 Spring Convocation. RESOURCES Subscribe To The Heidelblog! Download the HeidelApp on Apple App Store or Google Play Browse the Heidelshop! The Heidelblog Resource Page Heidelmedia Resources The Ecumenical Creeds The . . . Continue reading →
J. K. Rowling’s Heroic Resistance To The Trans Movement Is A Model
I’m not a Harry Potter fan. But please don’t cancel me or stop reading. The reason I’m not an HP fan has little to do with overblown concerns about magic and spirits. Neither do I dislike the HP canon. It’s just too . . . Continue reading →
O Canada: An American’s Reflections On Ministering In A “Foreign” Land
As a follow up to Dr. Brian Lee’s recent post on Pastoral Openings in the URCNA, I was asked to share my personal reflections as an American on moving to and ministering in Canada.1 When I began my seminary studies, I had . . . Continue reading →
The Canons Of Dork #38 For April 5, 2025
No Guts, No Glory Continue reading →
Francis’ Playbook For Church Growth Should Not Be Ours
Unless Pope Francis has been praying to Martin Luther for five weeks before his release from Rome’s Gemelli Hospital, an extension for his reform movement is unlikely to raise cheers from the faithful. To be sure, if he wants to host more . . . Continue reading →
Too Much Confidence And Not Enough Controversy?
Who/what did Machen oppose (and who/what opposed Machen) besides theological liberalism of the Fosdick and Auburn Affirmation ilk? Moderate evangelicals who put unity, peace, and growth before doctrinal fidelity Boards and agencies that valued efficiency, worldly ideologies, and influence above faithfulness Ecumenists . . . Continue reading →
Nothing New Under The Sun
The year was 1972, the month was July, and I was living the summer school’s-out vacation dream in the small town of Senath, Missouri that I’ve often compared to Andy Griffith’s Mayberry. How was it like Mayberry? Well, I could walk two . . . Continue reading →
No Barbarian Or Scythian
On February 21 of this year, near the end of the annual American observance of Black History Month, a congregation in the Presbyterian Church in America, held a special dinner. The church website said, “This is a dinner with our special speaker, . . . Continue reading →
Bringing Singles Into The Church
The OPC raised me well. Even in my earliest memories, my church felt like home. But when I returned as a young adult from serving two years on a mission field, I began to feel deeply the tension of being single and . . . Continue reading →
What The Cave Of Adullam Tells Us About The Visible Church
The cave of Adullam would not be David’s last place of residence. His life would not always be on the run with “everyone who was in distress, and everyone who was in debt, and everyone who was bitter in soul.” (1 Samuel . . . Continue reading →
Chad Vegas, Chris Gordon, And R. Scott Clark: Why Are The Reformed So Weird?
We’re talking about practice; not a game, not a game, not a game. We’re talking about practice. Continue reading →
Audio: A Frank Discussion About Baptism And Reformed Church Membership
We’re still talking about practice; not a game, not a game, not a game. We’re talking about practice. Continue reading →
Oh No My Church Is Reforming! Chad Vegas, Chris Gordon, And R. Scott Clark On Reformation In 2025
We’re talking about practice; not a game, not a game, not a game. We’re talking about practice. Continue reading →
Fesko: When The Church Is Not Like Costco
It seems like far too many people treat relationships of all sorts as being disposable. As soon as they hit a rough patch of any sort they decide to pull up stakes, move on, and find a new relationship. This is especially . . . Continue reading →
More Evidence For Confessional Membership
Earlier R. Scott Clark wrote A Case for Confessional Membership.1 There he argued that Reformed churches should seek to raise their standards for church membership. One of the supporting arguments he listed in a footnote was the pastoral advice on church membership . . . Continue reading →
New: Resources On The Doctrine Of The Church (Ecclesiology)
When one talks about the church what is at stake is the way in which the Christian life is organized. I believe that the Bible teaches us that believers should be united to the visible community of the redeemed meeting for worship, . . . Continue reading →
The Mystery Of Children’s Church
I can understand why evangelicals and others who do not have a covenantal theology would exile their children during public worship, but I do not understand why so many ostensibly Reformed congregations have adopted the practice of dismissing their covenant children from . . . Continue reading →
The Church Turned To Social Issues When It Should Have Turned To Doctrinal Issues
This discrepancy points to the prevailing interests of our Protestant churches in the twentieth century. At that time, much more attention was given to Christianity’s relationship with social issues than with doctrinal matters, and Philemon seems to touch more on social issues—specifically, . . . Continue reading →