Every Christian ought to heed Paul’s warnings to “have nothing to do with irreverent, silly myths” (1 Timothy 4:7) and not to be found in “quarreling, jealousy, anger, hostility, slander, gossip, conceit, and disorder.” (2 Corinthians 12:20). Thus, we must be especially . . . Continue reading →
PCA
Two Of These Things Are Not Like The Others
As they used to say on Sesame Street, “one of these things is not like the others…”. That is the question raised by an article in byFaith, the official magazine of the PCA, which seeks to quiet the furor over the formerly secret network, The . . . Continue reading →
PCA Ruling Elder Brad Isbell On The Future Of The Overtures And The PCA GA
PCA Overture 37 will fail to receive the requisite two-thirds vote of the presbyteries to bring it before the 2022 PCA General Assembly for final approval. And Overture 23 (which, like 37, concerns same-sex-attracted church officers) will pass or fail by a . . . Continue reading →
The Use Of Images Is An Indicator Of The Functional Authority Of The Standards In The PCA
When the Westminster Assembly (1643–52), which was composed of Episcopalians, Congregationalists, and Presbyterians, deliberated on the moral law of God, they agreed on with the church of all ages and times on the abiding validity of God’s moral law. In their Confession (19.5) . . . Continue reading →
An Overlooked Aspect Of The Story: PCA Influence On Acts 29 And Mars Hill
Regular readers of the Heidelblog and listeners of the Heidelcast will know that considerable time has been spent here analyzing and interacting with the podcast series produced by Christianity Today and hosted by Mike Cosper (see the resources below).
An Illuminating Analysis Of The PCA GA Vote On Overtures 23 And 37
PCA Ruling Elder Brad Isbell, co-host of the Presbycast podcast has published a brief but illuminating analysis of the vote, at the 2021 PCA General Assembly, on overtures 23 and 37. Continue reading
Johnson To The PCA: “Merry Christmas. Here Is A Lump Of Coal For Your Stocking”
For several years now, the Presbyterian Church in America (PCA) has been roiled by controversy over whether to admit to her ministry men who are same-sex attracted but celibate (i.e., the so-called “Side B” approach). The debate has centered around a the . . . Continue reading →
Been There, Seen That: Anglican Minister Warns PCA About The Future Of Side B
I share this letter to brethren in the PCA with some trepidation. With Prov. 26:17 in mind it is arguably foolhardy to get involved in another denomination’s ecclesial debates — especially one on the other side of the Atlantic! However friends in . . . Continue reading →
Jon Payne: How Can An Ordained Officer Be Above Reproach If He Maintains A Settled, Gay Identity?
The Bible teaches that ordained officers in Christ’s church must be above reproach and Christlike in character.
Responses To TE Johnson On The Nature And Status Of Same-Sex Attraction
…TE Johnson’s testimony establishes that he has seen himself as same-sex attracted since he was 11 years old. He says he has never had an attraction to a woman and that he finds the idea of looking at a woman lustfully “disgusting.” . . . Continue reading →
What Should PCA Confessionalists Do?
It is no secret that the Presbyterian Church in America is in turmoil. No one denies the existence of conflict and consternation. Though some consider the strife to be unjustified, even they do not believe the strife will soon cease or be . . . Continue reading →
What Does It Mean To Be “Confessional” (E.g., In The PCA)?
Becoming Self-Consciously Confessional When I was introduced to Reformed theology, piety, and practice I do not think that very many people were talking about being “confessional.” Indeed, the idea of creeds (e.g., the Apostles’ Creed, the Nicene Creed etc) confessions (e.g., the . . . Continue reading →
Should They Stay Or Should They Go?
It’s a question that more than a few PCA elders and members are asking right now. The recent Standing Judicial Commission’s (SJC) decision to reject the complaint against Missouri Presbytery has left many disheartened. Moreover, the current presbytery voting tallies on Overtures . . . Continue reading →
“A Very Well-Organized Clandestine Political Wing Of Our Denomination”
The recent e-mail dump containing nine years’ worth of confidential National Partnership business has been dubbed #PresbyLeaks, which hilariously sounds like a terrible geriatric condition. A very well-organized clandestine political wing of our denomination has been exposed for being exactly what it . . . Continue reading →
A PCA Ruling Elder Mulls Over The Significance Of The Presbyleak
Have you ever ended up at a party and felt as if you didn’t really belong? It may be that you had a right to attend that party. You had an invitation of sorts, but you didn’t really feel welcome and you . . . Continue reading →
Good Guys, Bad Guys, And A Missing Category
The largest NAPARC denomination, the Presbyterian Church in America (PCA) is in the throes of an identity crisis. Founded by Southern Presbyterians and emerging out of the old PCUS (the Southern version of the Presbyterian mainline) it has always been more more broadly . . . Continue reading →
PCA Concerned Presbyterians To Meet September 25, 2021 In Greenville, SC
All PCA Teaching and Ruling elders are warmly invited to attend the meeting of concerned Presbyterians. While the Gospel Reformation Network (GRN) meetings, events, and communications continue to be public and transparent, due to space limitations we must restrict the meeting to . . . Continue reading →
They Turned The Covenant Of Grace Into A Covenant Of Works (Or Why The Distinction Between Law And Gospel Matters)
Understanding The Duplex Regimen Would Also Help
…In replying to DeYoung, Kwon and Thompson could have replied in kind, foregrounding the theological questions raised by DeYoung. Indeed, they could easily have made the case that on the merits of DeYoung’s own theology he should be far more concerned about . . . Continue reading →
A Brief Note On The “Higher Life” Allegation Against The Critics Of Side-B/Revoice Theology
I am in the throes of trying to make real progress on the commentary on the Heidelberg Catechism. Today, I hope to finish the section on Heidelberg Catechism 92. Continue reading
Would You Know A Bad-Faith Argument If You Saw One?
These questions, however—important as they are—do not yet capture the essence of our disagreement. In our view, our disagreement lies not in the questions themselves, but in the starkly differing ways in which we respectively relate to them. Namely, while DeYoung appears . . . Continue reading →