In his brilliant work, Christianity and Liberalism (1923), J. Gresham Machen called for the “liberals” (many of whom could just as aptly be called broad evangelicals) to be honest about their views and to leave the Presbyterian Church. Thirteen years later, it . . . Continue reading →
Pastoral Ministry
Idols Of The (Minister's) Heart
Martin Downes is beginning a series on idols that cause pastors to stumble. There are three great idols that all ministers must tear down daily cast into the fire for scrap: buildings, bodies, and budgets.
CJPM Makes Top-Ten List
According to Stefan at The Confessionalist.
A Word to Students in the Midst of Controversy
For the moment there is a pause in the saga at our sister school in Philadelphia (WTS/Phila). As you probably know, the board voted to suspend Peter Enns, and they will consider how and whether to proceed further. One element of the . . . Continue reading →
Ministry Monday: Where to Serve?
Seminary student Simon writes to ask about how to choose where to serve upon graduation.
Pastor Benefits from Learning the Law/Gospel Distinction
Pastor Tim Blackmon writes: Good morning, I hope this finds you well. I just finished Covenant, Justification and Pastoral Ministry and was blown away by your chapter on Law and Gospel. In 13 years of pastoral ministry, I’ve not seen this emphasized . . . Continue reading →
May Christians Take Prozac?
That’s the question WSC student Simon Jooste considers at Creed or Chaos.
Castle Church Podcast on the FV
Jim Cassidy, Jeff Waddington, and Camden Bucey were joined by Lane Keister for the Castle Church podcast this week that focused on the Federal Vision. This is a helpful introduction to the issues and they give some bibliographic leads on their website.
Lutheran or Reformed? You Make the Call!
This is why so much depends on the benefit of justification, and it is rightly denominated the article on which the church either stands or falls. For the fundamental question that arises in this connection is this: What is the way that . . . Continue reading →
When a Monocovenantal Scheme Isn’t
From Robert Rollock, Questiones Et Responsiones Aliquot De Foedere Dei (Edinburgh, 1596), 3: Q. Quotuplex est foedus Dei cum homine percussum? R. Duplex est: foedus naturae sive operum, et foedus gratiae. Gal. 4.24 [Question: How manyfold is the covenant of God struck with . . . Continue reading →
Candid Comments for Candidates (1)
After the post on calling a minister someone wrote to ask if I would comment about the process of calling a minister from the candidate’s perspective.
Candid Comments for Candidates (2)
Part 1 Thinking through the business of candidating as a seminary student, recent graduate, first-time pastor or a pastor currently without a call is less difficult than the matter of calling a pastor who is currently serving a congregation. The most obvious reason the . . . Continue reading →
The Practical Consequences of the Law/Gospel Distinctionc
Josh explains at Creed or Chaos.
Trueman on Luther as Pastoral Revolutionary
Thanks to the Reformed Fellowship (HT: Confessional Outhouse)
Happy Birthday Jay!
Jay Adams, the father of “Nouthetic Counseling” turned 80 this week. He has some reflections on his life and work on his blog. He was Director of the DMin program at WSC when I began in 1984. I tried not to be . . . Continue reading →
Godfrey and VanDrunen Reply to Garcia
This post first appeared on the old HB (now defunct) in December, 2007. It re-appears just because the old HB is being phased out entirely. —
Audio: Powlison on "The Puritans" and Biblical Counseling
At the CCEF site (HT: Feeding on Christ)
This Looks Really Good
A book on the Rev. John (“Rabbi”—because his Hebrew was so good) Duncan, a 19th-century Scottish missionary to Hungary. When you follow the link the Banner of Truth website will ask you where you are and then take you to the book . . . Continue reading →
Why Pastors Need A Seminary Education
Over the years many things have changed at Westminster Seminary California (WSC). In the most important ways, however, the seminary has not changed. We still believe the Bible to be the inspired, infallible, inerrant Word of God. We still believe the historic . . . Continue reading →
New Site Dedicated to Eric Alexander
He is a gifted, faithful, and distinguished Scottish Reformed minister and his son has set up a website to honor his father’s life and ministry (HT: Nick Batzig).