You might have heard that one of the Presbyterian Church in America’s most notable ministers got in trouble, was suspended by his presbytery, went through a lengthy discipline process, eventually resigned his church, and two days later was restored as a member . . . Continue reading →
HeidelQuotes
Colquhoun: Sinai As A Covenant Of Works Was Subservient To The Covenant Of Grace
God therefore displayed on Mount Sinai the law of the Ten Commandments as a covenant of works in subservience to the covenant of grace. He displayed it in that form in order that the people might, by contemplating it, see what kind . . . Continue reading →
Rachel Shubin’s Analysis Of Wilson’s Pastoral Errors In Two Very Serious Cases (2)
Mr. Wilson could not possibly know whether or not Mr. Sitler was holding any-
thing back or not without at least attempting to independently verify Mr. Sitler’s
claims. Continue reading →
Hart On Slippery Slopes
Brad Isbell: As you know in times of ecclesial controversy and change the conservative, confessional, or traditionalist side is often accused of making slippery slope arguments. Sometimes these arguments are consciously made as in Jon Payne’s recent post at the Gospel Reformation Network, . . . Continue reading →
Rachel Shubin’s Analysis Of Wilson’s Pastoral Errors In Two Very Serious Cases (1)
Mr. Wilson notified no one, including the members of Christ Church, that Mr. Sitler had been molesting children in Christ Church’s congregation until after Mr. Sitler was incarcerated. Continue reading →
The Difference Between Old And New Testament Believers Is Not What You Think
Good mystery stories maintain suspense until the big reveal. On a second reading, however, all the clues needed to deduce the big reveal should be obvious. The Apostles discovered this once Christ rose from the grave when they reread the Old Testament . . . Continue reading →
Perkins: We Are Clothed With Christ Now
…though we be clothed with Christ in baptism, yet we must further desire to be clothed upon (2 Cor. 5:4). In this life we are clad with the [righteousness] of Christ (1 Cor. 1:30). This is one garment. In the life to . . . Continue reading →
Colquhoun: The Mercy Seat Pointed To The Covenant Of Redemption
Moreover, the tables of the law in the ark were covered and hid by the mercy seat, or propitiatory cover. This prefigured that the violated law should be so covered by the divine Surety, who was to fulfill all the righteousness of . . . Continue reading →
Luther: A Christian Is Simultaneously Sinner And Righteous
Thus a Christian man is righteous and a sinner at the same time, holy and profane, an enemy of God and a child of God.* None of the sophists will admit this paradox, because they do not understand the true meaning of . . . 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 →
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 →
Riddlebarger: The Last Days Begin With The First Advent
Another way New Testament writers linked the coming Redeemer with the fulfillment of Old Testament prophecy was by referring to the new messianic age as the “last days.” In fact, the phrase “latter days” appears twenty-seven times in the New Testament. In . . . 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 →
Luther On The Difference Between Hagar’s Children And Sarah
Therefore the Law or the old covenant contains only physical promises, to which some such condition as this is always attached: “If you will hear My voice” (Ps. 95:7); “If you will keep My covenant” (Ex. 19:5); “If you walk in My . . . Continue reading →
Colquhoun: Moses Was A Mixed Administration
The Ten Commandments, accordingly, were published from Sinai in the form of a covenant, or federal, transaction. The Sinai transaction was a mixed dispensation. In it, the covenant of grace was repeated and published; the covenant of works was awfully displayed in . . . 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 →
National Socialist And Fascist Texts And Sub-Texts
…when many people more to the right use the term, they have something specific in mind. Stephen Wolfe’s (no relation to William Wolfe) The Case for Christian Nationalism isn’t arguing for a pro-life, pro-natural marriage Christian liberalism. He is, rather, echoing interwar European right ideas . . . 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 →