3GT Episode 82: Hell? Yes. April 24, 2018 Pope Francis recently created a stir, as he was quoted as saying, "A hell does not exist; the disappearance of the souls of sinners exists." So the parishioner wants to know
Evangelistic Services April 23, 2018 As I shared last week, over the past two Sunday evenings our congregation hosted evangelistic services we called Stories of Hope [https://gentlereformation.com/2018/04/17/stories-of-hope-2/]. Last night we had another
Christian living Deliverance is Near! April 21, 2018 Introduction Have you woken up this morning in fear, alarmed or anxious? Have dire straits hemmed you in or do you wonder if you're safe? Are the pressures so enormous that
Poverty How the Proverbs Turn Poverty into Prosperity April 19, 2018 It’s an election year in the United States, which means politicians across the country will trot out plans to help Americans “get ahead” with either new spending programs, more tax breaks, or
Stories of Hope 2018 April 17, 2018 Our congregation in Beaver Falls, Pennsylvania, for the past four years has sponsored on a few Sunday evenings in April evangelistic services we call Stories of Hope. After encouraging the congregation in a
Corporate Worship 3GT Episode 81: The Horizontal in Worship April 17, 2018 Worship is first and foremost vertical as it is directed to God through Christ by His Spirit. Yet is there a horizontal dimension to it? Does corporate worship bring mutual edification and, if
Extreme Takeover April 16, 2018 A few years ago, the community where I lived was abuzz with the news that the television program Extreme Makeover: Home Edition had come to our area and filmed an episode. A family
Messianic Politics April 11, 2018 I cringe when I hear/read political advocacy which says something like, “If Jesus was alive today, he would support this policy …” The first part of such statements denies the core biblical truth
3GT Episode 80: The Program Driven Church April 10, 2018 What programs does your church offer? The 3GTers answer this question, then converse about the pros and cons of a congregation offering various activities, events, and ministries. Though certainly a church can have
Mercy, Human Nature, and Joseph's Famine Relief Policy April 09, 2018 Often in teaching on mercy, I emphasize the church's role, be it the individual Christian, a congregation, or a denomination. But is there a legitimate place for the government to help
3GT Episode 79: The Trilemma April 05, 2018 Kyle was at the public library evangelizing sweet old Methodist ladies and he wants to talk about it. He explains how he is using the approach C.S. Lewis popularized, first attributed to
A Letter to our Friends April 02, 2018 Dear Gentle Reformation Readers and 3GT Listeners, On behalf of our team here, I want to express our thankfulness to you for visiting our blog and tuning into our podcast. Over the years
Cross A Psalm for Burial March 31, 2018 When is the last time you thought about the burial of Jesus Christ? It seems to me that in our eagerness to move beyond the sorrow of crucifixion we quickly jump to the victory of resurrection forgetting the interval between death and life.
Cross 'Good Friday'—The Best Answer to the Problem of Evil March 30, 2018 Today—when millions of Christians around the world set aside time to remember Jesus’ death on the cross—we see that God Himself experienced the problem of evil. Yet in that very moment He also showed His complete goodness and His total control.
Of Colored Eggs and Consciences March 29, 2018 Today my Christian neighbor brought my kids several colored eggs and some candy. Being keenly aware of Presbyterian history and the debates over holy days, she called me first and let me know
3GT Episode 78: Stuff You Should (Maybe?) Know March 27, 2018 Kyle decided to actually listen to a podcast. It's clear we're going to have to make him stop! For he starts asking lots of questions about stuff we think
Story in a Spring Snow March 26, 2018 Out kitchen window, we watched it fall, my Sweet wife and I. Heavy snow covering flowers' sprouts, bringing forth Another sigh. For winter's cold retreats, then returns. Is it Never
Christian living Is there more going on than you think? March 24, 2018 Just a quick blog today to cheer up and encourage a few dear, tired brothers and friends. Perhaps you're approaching the Sabbath and wondering what's the point of worship,
3GT Episode 77: Sermon Windows March 20, 2018 The three guys enjoy a discussion on the place of illustrations in a sermon. The purposes of an illustration are highlighted. What constitutes a proper versus a misused illustration is tackled a bit,
Martin Bucer on the Importance of Ruling Elders March 19, 2018 As one who teaches pastoral (also known as practical) theology, one of my tasks is to help developing ministers, or teaching elders, learn the importance and duties of ruling elders. One of the
Christian living God is holding on to you March 16, 2018 Over and over again God reassures his people that he is holding on to us by his right hand. In Isaiah 41.10, for example: ‘…fear not, for I am with you; be
Christian living The Better Offer March 16, 2018 I've been forced in recent days to reflect on the false theology that undergirds the act of taking up the better offer when we have made a prior commitment. I was
3GT Episode 76: School Shootings March 13, 2018 A few weeks have passed since a teenage gunman killed seventeen people in a high school in Parkland, Florida. 3GT offers a somber episode regarding it. Aaron, Barry, and Kyle discuss why tragic
Ten Encouragements for Christians Against Suicide from Pilgrim's Progress March 12, 2018 In our congregation, I'm in a Sunday School class that is watching and discussing the Ligonier video series on John Bunyan's Pilgrim's Progress. Called "Pilgrim'
Practice Makes Perfect March 10, 2018 I've been privileged in my youth to be surrounded by mature Christians - people who, to my knowledge, I would never have called 'sinless' but, as far as I
