Let me guess what is going through your head right now. Women: “Oh, wonderful, a discussion on modesty. Give me a minute while I prepare myself for another legalistic diatribe that tells us we have to dress like old-fashioned grandmas…
Psalm 122 calls people to “pray for the peace of Jerusalem” and to seek her good (6, 9). Is the Psalm calling us to be politically pro-Israel, as some people interpret it today? Or is it teaching something more basic to…
In Part 1, I narrated a process in the Presbyterian Church in America (PCA), which will continue at the 52nd General Assembly in June. The Committee on Discipleship Ministries (CDM) and Mission to the World (MTW) will report on Sarah Young’s…
Paul Harvey, the beloved radio broadcaster who chronicled mysterious “rest of the stories” for America with his nationally syndicated program, shared this sad but true account of “Sparky”: WHEN HE WAS a little boy the other children called him, “Sparky,”…
In college, I lived with seven of my best friends in apartment Nu 8, “The Ocho.” Our living room was placarded with posters displaying our various passions: a Pulp Fiction scene with John Travolta and Samuel L. Jackson pointing pistols at a…
In our judgments of individuals, the Scriptures offer various binaries: one is either a child of God or a child of the devil (Jn. 1:12; 8:44; 1 Jn. 3:8–12; Matt. 13:38); one either has the Spirit of Christ or does not have the…
Over the past 10 years, I’ve been examined by 4 different presbyteries. These have been profoundly edifying experiences that have deepened my love for the brethren and biblical polity. While each presbytery’s exam had its own flavor, a unique blend…
Many have strong opinions on the amount of time a pastor should take to prepare his weekly sermon, with many affirming that roughly 20 hrs is not just normal but advisable. We’ve probably seen pastors piling up their commentaries on…
After Jesus called the twelve disciples they travelled together throughout Galilee while he taught the crowds and healed many suffering from a variety of diseases. Word of his miraculous ministry drew onlookers along with others seeking his healing power. He…
Over the past several months, I’ve been tracking the progress of what I call “Uncle Gerry’s Case.” Gerald Groff[1] is an Evangelical Christian of the conservative Mennonite variety hailing from beautiful Lancaster County, Pennsylvania who has become a champion of…
