ethics God Says it...That Settles it? September 17, 2019 I'm sure many can recall the bumper sticker, "God says it, I believe it, that settles it". Unfortunately the typical response to this clichéd Christian catchphrase still makes the rounds in reformed and evangelical churches today...
3GT Episode 148: His Name was Malchus September 17, 2019 Remember him? He was the guy who lost an ear to Peter's sword, at least temporarily. After putting his ear back on, the Lord told Peter to put down the sword.
Guest Post by David McCullough He will not forget your works! September 16, 2019 This is a guest post by David McCullough - Minister of Woodstock R.P.C., Belfast - who penned this reflection on Christian Service while on holiday... Footprints in the Sand Strolling back
Learning a Lesson from the Duplicity of James Arminius and the Remonstrants September 16, 2019 On September 14-15, the faculty of RPTS spoke on the subject of "The Synod of Dort and the Doctrines of Grace." This year marks the four hundredth year since the conclusion
Personal Evangelism Testifying on Treadmills... September 14, 2019 Just back from the gym after a 4 kilometer run: I'd planned to slip in and out before many people were up. It had been a sleepless night - I was
Suicide Suicide and Christian Truth September 13, 2019 We mourn with those who mourn, and we hold out the hope of the light of the gospel for those who sit in darkness. I never want to take away from that. But, at the same time, we need to learn to think biblically about suicide.
God Breathed "After Further Review ..." September 12, 2019 This review comes from Laura Cerbus, a fellow teacher and a writer on theological and practical topics, with the particular focus of demonstrating that the latter is bound up in and required by the former.
sexual abuse What Is A Girl Worth? September 11, 2019 It's an indictment against our society and churches when survivors like Rachael – thrust against their wills into dark and fearful circumstances – have to become the brave voices to tell us this. That’s what this book is: it's a brave voice.
Why We Started Back An Evening Service September 10, 2019 In 2015 after a long hard summer in our church, we made the regrettable decision to end our regular evening worship service. Part of the reason was that attendance had dropped off to
The Poker Table September 09, 2019 The table sat in the back corner of my parents' large family room, surrounded by the paneled walls and sitting on the shag carpet so prevalent in the seventies. Seated on a
Self-Examination September 07, 2019 As I get ready for communion I've just penned a few thoughts about how to self-examine... A Testing Question Paul tells the communion church that they have to examine self. What
Wine Juxtaposed with Wine September 06, 2019 The use of wine is seen both positively and negatively in the Scriptures and two paintings by Jan Steen at the Norton Simon Museum in Pasadena, California illustrate these two sides. The faces
Pornography Common Does Not Mean OK! September 05, 2019 > “No temptation has overtaken you that is not common to man” - 1 Corinthians 10:13 (emphasis mine). The verse above reminds us that as we face temptations, we do so as
When the Threat Isn't Real: Rewiring our Response to Differences in the Church September 03, 2019 Have you ever had one of those “aha!” moments where one statement brings clarity to so many past experiences? For me, one of these statements came from the lips of a dear mentor
A Letter to a Reader about the Battle against Sin September 02, 2019 Recently a regular reader of Gentle Reformation wrote me asking some questions about sin in the life of the believer. In particular, he asked in so many words, "How can someone know
Church Discipline Loving Discipline August 31, 2019 I remember my very first Presbytery meeting well—not because it was my first—but because a pastor was under discipline due to grievous sin. There is nothing quite like that experience...
preaching A Word to Preachers on different types of Preacher August 31, 2019 I recently saw video clip [https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Pc5ELGLFtVA] featuring Alistair Begg describing different types of preachers—poor preachers: The Cheerleader (always looking applause), The Conjuror (pulling things out of
Devotions The Diet of Devotion August 29, 2019 Too often, we try to live spiritually on a diet of milk—which distracts our minds from seeking the things of God and prevents our hands from serving the needs of others.
Herman Bavinck Why Study Theology? A New Translation of a Timeless Word from Herman Bavinck August 27, 2019 Read a new English translation of Herman Bavinck's preface to Our Reasonable Faith.
3GT Episode 146: When a Fool Becomes King August 27, 2019 After another week away due to some summer fun, the guys are back at it in real fashion. For they tackle the subject of foolish rulers. In a refreshing change for Barry, Scott
The New of the Gospel August 26, 2019 The main building in Pittsburgh in which RPTS is housed was formerly known as the Horne Mansion, constructed in 1898. Durbin Horne [http://profilesintime.blogspot.com/2007/03/durbin-horne.html], who had the
Psalm 23 The Shepherd in Shadowlands August 24, 2019 Needing the Good Shepherd It's dark, very dark. You're scared, very scared. Bleak, black, bad describes your circumstance that surrounds. Perhaps it's due to stress, depression, unemployment
church unity Seven Things the Lord Hates August 22, 2019 Christ paid a very high price to purchase His people and to unite them in love. Those who undermine the unity of the body are, quite literally, doing the work of the devil in opposition to Jesus.
The Legend of the Lone Pastor August 19, 2019 Clearly history testifies that certain men have risen and, as the Lord called for, stood "in the gap before Me" in pastoral ministry (Ezek. 22:30). Jonah was sent alone into
fruitfulness Power to Produce August 19, 2019 Some thoughts I typed just over a week ago... A Turn in Weather It clouded over today so we decided to explore - we spent an hour walking along the beach at the
