Brian Croft at the 9Marks blog has some good advice for pastors on observing the Lord’s Day on vacation, but I think everyone can profit from this article. It’s easy to let our piety slip in the midst of travels.
Archive for November 2011
How to Spend the Lord’s Day on Vacation
Wednesday, November 30, 2011The Lure of Rome
Wednesday, November 30, 2011R. Scott Clark and Bob Godfrey talk about it here on Office Hours.
Custer State Park
Tuesday, November 29, 2011If you are ever in Western South Dakota, I would highly recommend visiting Custer State Park. Here are a few pictures from our visit there yesterday:
What Is Love?
Sunday, November 27, 2011“Love is the congenial frame of heart of God’s children, wrought of God whereby their heart is engaged with desires to have harmonious fellowship with their neighbor, and to seek their welfare as well as their own.” — Wilhelmus à Brakel
Thoughts on the Woman Caught in Adultery
Saturday, November 26, 2011The story of the woman caught in adultery in John 8:1–11 has been wrongly used to justify the antinomianism and moral relativism that so pervades our churches and culture. Over against that, we should remember the following: The reason why the woman was not condemned is only because Jesus was condemned. There is no forgiveness [...]
The PCA on Nuclear Weapons
Friday, November 25, 2011A dear soul just reminded that the PCA has its own study on nuclear weapons. Read it here.
More on Nuclear Weapons
Friday, November 25, 2011I previously linked to the NAE’s press release on nuclear weapons. You should read the more comprehensive statement, which you can find here. It is a thought-provoking piece that is worth considering. Here is the fundamental point which explains why they believe that this is an issue to which the church should speak: The ancient [...]
The National Association of Evangelicals in The Weekly Standard
Friday, November 25, 2011Mark Tooley asks: “Will the increasingly liberal views of the National Association of Evangelicals affect the next election?” Tooley’s article provides some interesting background on some of the players involved in the recent positions of the NAE. However, Devin Manzullo-Thomas offers, a member of the Brethren in Christ Church and student at Temple University, suggests [...]
Thankfulness
Thursday, November 24, 2011Q. 97. What special use is there of the moral law to the regenerate? A. Although they that are regenerate, and believe in Christ, be delivered from the moral law as a covenant of works, so as thereby they are neither justified nor condemned; yet, besides the general uses thereof common to them with all [...]
Happy Thanksgiving
Thursday, November 24, 2011This Thanksgiving, don’t read my blog. Read à Brakel for free here.
Avoiding Legalism & Antinomianism
Wednesday, November 23, 2011Update: we are having a good discussion over Terry Johnson’s article “Grace Boys.” In the article here (published originally in June), I explained my view on proper motivations for obedience: The Bible teaches that those who have once believed in Christ are secure forever in their salvation. This does not mean that God does not [...]
Days of Fasting and Thanksgiving
Wednesday, November 23, 2011From the PCA Book of Church Order, chapter 62: 62-1. The observance of days of fasting and of thanksgiving, as the dispensations of Divine Providence may direct, is both scriptural and rational. 62-2. Fasting and thanksgiving may be observed by individual Christians; by families; by particular congregations; by a number of congregations contiguous to each [...]
Him Who Has No Sin
Tuesday, November 22, 2011Does the statement, “Let him who has no sin cast the first tone” prohibit all correcting of sins and punishment of them? Calvin has a solid explanation of this phrase: This is not an absolute and unlimited prohibition, by which Christ forbids sinners to do their duty in correcting the sins of others; but by [...]
Proofs from a Parable Only Prove Something About Its Scope
Monday, November 21, 2011People often make mistakes when they try to use the details of the parables to prove a theological point. Reformed theologian Jan Makowsky (Johannes Maccovius) explains that this is illegitimate. The details of a parable only teach us something about the scope of the parable, which is the only thing that can be used as [...]
The Grace Boys
Monday, November 21, 2011Terry Johnson says gratitude is a motivation for godliness, but it’s not the only motivation. Read more here. Here’s what he says: Human beings, even redeemed human beings, are complex. God uses a variety of means to motivate us. He uses carrots. He uses sticks. The richness is lost and the whole counsel of God [...]
Preparing for the Final Judgment
Sunday, November 20, 2011Review your account, examine your debts, and place the satisfaction of Christ over against it. Endeavor by faith to have the account signed with the blood of the Lord Jesus. — Wilhelmus à Brakel, The Christian’s Reasonable Service, 4:352
God and Gold
Sunday, November 20, 2011“Heaven is open and he seeks not God; gold is hidden, and he ransacks the bowels of the earth for it.” — Clement of Alexandria
Fall Is for Football
Saturday, November 19, 2011Protected: Merry Christmas and Happy New Year
Saturday, November 19, 2011There is no excerpt because this is a protected post.
Do You Take Christianity Seriously?
Saturday, November 19, 2011You should. Pastor Christian McShaffrey explains why here.