The multisite church has in the past decade come to have its influence on some PCA congregations. Over at the Reformation21 blog, Carl Trueman gives us an important look into multisite and addresses the heart of the issue: presence of a shepherd among his flock. Any classic rock fan knows that there is nothing quite [...]
Archive for “Presbyterianism”
Multisite, the Poker Tell and the Importance of Presence
Tuesday, April 24, 2012The Larger Catechism’s Ninth Commandment: A Case Study in Confessional Hermeneutic
Monday, April 23, 2012William Evans over at Reformation21 Blog studies the use of Westminster Larger Catechism 144 and the Ninth Commandment to accuse those who bring ecclesiastical charges against others and online bloggers of being ecclesiastical whistleblowers. Recently the Westminster Larger Catechism’s treatment of the Ninth Commandment (particularly Q. 144) has become an issue in some conservative Presbyterian [...]
What Are the Powers of the General Assembly?
Monday, April 9, 2012According to Book of Church Order 14-6, they are as follows: To receive and issue all appeals, references, and complaints regularly brought before it from the lower courts; to bear testimony against error in doctrine and immorality in practice, injuriously affecting the Church; to decide in all controversies respecting doctrine and discipline; To give its [...]
Dr. Bryan Chapell on In Thesi Statements
Monday, March 26, 2012Dr. Bryan Chapell has a good explanation of the status and importance of in thesi statements. This was an explanation that he gave to the Presbyterian and Reformed Joint Commission on Chaplains and Military Personnel: The first error perceives an action of the General Assembly to be similar to a law of congress or a [...]
The Necessity of Calling a Preacher
Tuesday, December 6, 2011Christ Himself gave pastors and teachers to the Church to build up the Church, teach her the truth, and defend her from error (Eph. 4:11–16). Consequently, it is necessary that every congregation should have a pastor and seek these particular gifts from Christ in order to obtain the benefits that Christ has for her. The [...]
Pastoral Letter on Paedocommunion
Thursday, December 1, 2011Pastor Patrick Ramsey has written a pastoral letter on paedocommunion, and New Horizons (the magazine of the OPC) published it. You can read it here.
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 [...]
Intinction
Thursday, November 17, 2011Why do people want to do the Lord’s Supper by intinction? I’m having trouble seeing any upside.
On Commandments and Doctrines of Men
Monday, November 7, 2011In Colossians 2:20–23, the Apostle Paul teaches that we should not subject ourselves in matters of religion to the commandments and doctrines of men. The French Huguenot preacher Jean Daillé expressed the meaning of these verses well: Oh holy and precious truth! From how many errors would you be deliver the world, if, according to [...]
Children at the Lord’s Table?
Sunday, November 6, 2011Read Ryan McGraw’s helpful review here. Buy Dr. Cornel Venema’s excellent book refuting the error of paedocommunion here.
On Different Orders of Ceremonies
Friday, October 21, 2011I am at the 2011 Reformation Worship Conference. Dr. Mark Ross pointed us to the following statement from Chapter 20 of the Scots Confessions: Not that we think any policy of order of ceremonies can be appointed for all ages, times, and places; for as ceremonies which men have devised are but temporal, so they [...]
Pacific Northwest’s Internet Policy (Updated)
Sunday, October 9, 2011At first sight, I thought there was something reasonable in PNW’s internet policy. Upon further reflection, I think there are significant problems (hence, I changed the post). Here is the decision that they made (as reported by Jason Stellman): Presbytery does not consider blogging or posting a disagreement on the internet to be the most [...]
What Happens Next?
Friday, October 7, 2011Everybody keeps asking concerning the Leithart trial, “what happens next?” Instead of answering everyone individually, I’m going to write one answer. I won’t give BCO citations but just sum up in my own words what I understand the PCA Book of Church Order to be saying. 1. First, we are dealing here with judicial process. [...]
The Power to Condemn Erroneous Opinions
Monday, August 1, 2011Much controversy has existed over the issue of whether the presbytery (or any other assembly) can generally condemn erroneous opinions, books, or statements. It seems to me that the opinion that presbyteries or assemblies cannot condemn erroneous opinions without a judicial case before them is a novelty. First, we see in the Bible in Acts [...]
The Ordering of Public Worship
Saturday, June 25, 2011When the congregation is to meet for public worship, the people (having before prepared their hearts thereunto) ought all to come and join therein; not absenting themselves from the public ordinances through negligence, or upon pretence of private meetings. Let the people assemble at the appointed time, that all being present at the beginning they [...]
The Duties of an Elder
Sunday, June 19, 2011It belongs to those in the office of elder, both severally and jointly, to watch diligently over the flock committed to his charge, that no corruption of doctrine or of morals enter therein. They must exercise government and discipline, and take oversight not only of the spiritual interests of the particular church, but also the [...]
Updated: Closed Heresy Trials Forbidden in the OPC, RCUS, and BPC
Thursday, June 2, 2011Pacific Northwest Presbyter has decided to conduct the trial against Peter Leithart in secret. Rev. Alan Strange of the OPC has pointed out that in the OPC closed heresy trials are forbidden. Their Book of Church Order says this: The judicatories of the church shall ordinarily sit with open doors. In every case involving a [...]
The Church, Society, and the Law of God
Wednesday, June 1, 2011A friend of mine wrote me to tell me that I needed more balance in my presentation of how the church should relate to society. I decided I would try and give a positive presentation of my own views on this matter (at the risk of alienating some). My views are substantially those of Charles [...]
Who Are the Officers in a PCA Church?
Wednesday, May 18, 2011Apparently, Elder, Deacon, and Deaconess.