I am reading a defense of singing the Psalms, written by J.G. Vos. He makes excellent points for the retaining of the Psalms and their appropriation for worship in the church of Jesus Christ. The first point Vos makes is the historicity of God’s dealings and how redemption is always
Continue readingWe think of history in human-centered categories and for our small schemes. The glory of the Christian truth is the enlarging and unifying understanding of and goal for world history it provides. Dutch-reformed theologian, Herman Bavinck wrote concerning this in his book The Sacrifice of Praise which are meditations for preparing
Continue readingEvery true Christian will confess the truth. This is not merely their calling by god but also the “impulse of their hearts”! Herman Bavinck has written wondrously about the biblical truth and doctrines – not merely to be admired intellectually but to be confessed publicly! Confession is not a burden
Continue readingThe reality of church disunity, division, schism is unmistakable and can be a blight on the Name and cause of Christ. A legitimate question we must consider is “what degree of unity among churches should we strive for in this world?” The puritan, Richard Baxter, addresses this question in the
Continue readingI very much enjoy the writings of the Puritan pastor Richard Baxter (1615-1691) whether The Reformed Pastor and The Saints’ Everlasting Rest or a work I came across recently How to Do Good to Many I have always been intrigued by and desirous to perform – though regrettably, less effective in carrying out
Continue readingFrom Friedrich Krummacher, a German pastor in the 1800’s we find the following excerpt on the atrocity of war, There will be no end to wars and rumors of wars in the world till the longed-for time arrives, when according the prophecy of Zechariah, “there shall be upon the bells
Continue readingIf you profess faith in Christ, it is vital to do soul and life searching to see what kind of Christian you are. In this post, I would specifically set before you the call to center on the Good News with an attending heart for good works. I am just
Continue readingThe 20th-century Presbyterian theologian B.B. Warfield wrote an illuminating article entitled The Emotional Life of our Lord in which he examines the subject from the Gospel accounts and steers clear of the pitfalls of under or over-emphasizing this aspect of the Lord’s humanity. Here I would like to make two observations
Continue readingThe church I grew up in had the slogan “Ordinary people, serving an Extraordinary God”. Locally in Newmarket a church has the slogan “Where strangers become family”. These, and so many others, are good descriptors of the respective local churches – chosen carefully and giving a clear summary. Sometimes I
Continue readingRecently a ministers’ conference was held which had the general subject of “Tensions and Dangers” in preaching, pastoral ministry and the life of the churches. Tensions and Dangers included such things as preaching (comforting/consoling and convicting/exposing), objective/subjective work of God, profession of faith/profession of truth, expectations surrounding confessing members partaking
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