A question of character (4)
The qualifications that Paul lays down for pastoral ministry in the church of God are not focused on a man’s gifts so much as his graces. In 1 Timothy 3.2 and following, as Carl pointed out, we do not have…
Category Reformation21
Absorbing and exuding Christ
Continuing our thoughts on pastoral character, here is William Arnot: The more that the teacher absorbs for himself of Christ’s love, the more benefit will others obtain from him. . . . Those who drink in most of the Master’s…
Ref21 merchandise
I would like to think that Pastor Fashion is a spoof. In fact, I am somewhat desperate for it to be a spoof. It troubles me that, despite its magnificent lameness, there is too much non-spoofery that is so close…
Pastoral character
In a few days time I have the privilege of being one of the preachers at “The Call” Conference in Edinburgh. (I believe that there are still opportunities to book a place if you wish.) The theme of my sermon…
The nature of Christianity
What follows is a tract of penetrating honesty written by Archibald Alexander, found in Practical Truths (32-34) (Amazon US/UK, or a lovely edition here). The tract is entitled “Christianity in its nature aggressive,” and Alexander is blunt in addressing –…
“That lovely, lovely man”
Although I have posted this before elsewhere, I would like to let you know about a lady who belongs to the church which I serve. She can barely leave her home at present because of her physical condition, itself substantially…
The numbers game
Charles Bridges was one of those precocious talents, a ridiculously gifted young man whose infamously excellent The Christian Ministry was written when he was about twelve, or something like that. In the course of the book, Bridges deals with the…
A Warning for Pastors against Gazing after Popularity
A dear brother named Noah sent this to me. It’s a worthy warning indeed. Thales, the philosopher, walking in the field at noon, was gazing into the heavens to see the stars, and stumbled into the ditch. So many…
The First Parents
With all the understandable brouhaha over Peter Enns’ recent book, The Evolution of Adam: What the Bible Does and Doesn’t Say about Human Origins (Brazos, 2012) in which Enns decisively rejects the historicity of Adam and Eve, it is good to…
T4T?
A non-Christian friend of mine recently returned from a trip overseas. When I asked him how his trip was, he looked me in the eye and, with finger pointing and shaking in my face, steadfastly declared to me, “There is…