Some Reflections on Ministerial Burnout
One of the most disinteresting comments that can come from a pastor’s mouth when asked how he’s doing is, “I’m so busy.” It is not only disinteresting, but if he…
Mark Jones
Robbers of Assurance? In Defense of the Puritans
In recent years I have heard and read various criticisms of the Puritans and (rather surprisingly) Bunyan’s Pilgrim’s Progress. Bunyan’s “dream” is certainly not a perfect system of theology by any stretch…
Are you a cheap pastor on social media?
Are you a cheap pastor on social media? There is a phenomenon on social media where someone will offer a command, framed as helpful advice, to an audience who are…
Where Have All The Theologians Gone?
On a recent visit to a bookstore in Gothenburg, I came across an early edition of Bonaventure’s commentary on Lombard’s Sentences. The following week in Copenhagen I bought a 1586…
Thou Shalt Not Flatter (At Conferences)
There are certain acceptable public sins in the Reformed world. In my experience, flattery is the acceptable sin on the popular conference circuit and in social media circles where people…
Part 3: Raising Children Well: Covenant Friendships
Editor’s note: this is part 3 of Raising (Covenant) Children Well. You can read part 1 here and part 2 here. Enjoy and be challenged. Friends Closer than a Brother The value…
Raising Children Well: Baptism as an Expression of Love
Editor’s note: this is part 2 of Raising (Covenant) Children Well. You can read it here. Enjoy and be challenged. Children of believers are to be baptized because they are covenant…
Raising (Covenant) Children Well
There are two books I have vowed never to write: a book on marriage and a book on raising children well. Most, I am sure, can understand why one might…
The Plagiarizing Pastor
“Wood drastically” – “Wood ‘drastically underestimates the impact of social distinctions predicated upon wealth, especially inherited wealth.’ You got that from Vickers, ‘Work in Essex County,’ page 98, right? Yeah,…
Same-Sex Attraction as Sin
There’s a great deal of confusion about the nature of temptation and same-sex attraction. Many Christians, even pastors and theologians, some of whom are ostensibly Reformed, believe that same-sex temptation…