Always Reforming

Originally written 1/19/16. Why is it so hard to say I love you ? After all, you already know that I do, Some things are presumed, but never expressed, Our grandparents told us that was best. Why is it so hard to share emotions? You are well aware of my devotion, We share blood, but not our inmost feelings, Unaware that silence is revealing. Why is it so hard to say I love you ? After all, I know that you know it's true, Those closest to us are often furthest, Why use words when words alone are worthless? Why is it so hard to bare our hearts? Familiarity keeps us apart, Can we overcome the precedent set? I'll keep trying, but it hasn't worked yet.

What is the Gospel ? That is such a simple question, and, yet, it has received so many different answers. The Evangelical American preaches the Gospel as the Good News that the blood of Jesus, shed on the Cross on that old rugged hill, cleanses us from the guilt of sin, allowing us to go to Heaven when we die. The Eastern Orthodox believer tells us that Gospel is all about Deification--God became man that man might become god. The Magisterium in Rome declares that the Gospel concerns prevenient grace offered in the Sacraments, which frees us from the guilt and power of sin. The Pentecostalist says, and rather boisterously, that the Gospel is all about the Holy Spirit mystically working in our lives. Others, like Anglican N.T. Wright, insist that the Gospel is the proclamation that the King has come and established His Kingdom. We could continue  ad nauseam  listing various denominations, traditions, and theologians and their unique perspectives, but, since I'm sure I have alr...

There's nothing quite like the death of a Pope to bring out the ugly side of some Reformed folks. In case you hadn't heard, Pope Emeritus Benedict XVI, passed away  recently.  If you're friends on Facebook with a certain type of Presbyterian, you would have been informed by the gleeful declaration that another antichrist had been taken from the Earth.  No, I'm not joking...I had multiple Facebook friends confidently declaring, and reveling in the fact, that the deceased Pope is currently burning in the fires of Hell. Now, just to be clear, my view of the Roman Catholic Church is that it is a valid Christian tradition that has fallen into significant theological error (the same could, of course, be said about many or all Christian traditions).  I would not personally be comfortable joining a Roman Catholic parish.  However, I would also not be comfortable declaring that all members of that tradition are unsaved.  There is a huge difference between a Christ...

Christmas is not about gifts (we all know that, right?). Christmas is also not about  that  feeling you get  this  time of year; or ...the pretty lights, Hallmark movies, and idyllic blankets of snow; or ...the table full of Grandma's home cooking; or even ...family. No, Christmas is not about family. Now, all those things are good and wonderful in their place, gifts from God to be specially appreciated this time of year, but Christmas is not about any of those things. Christmas is about Jesus Christ. Christmas is Christ's Mass, a high feast day (season, actually) dedicated to the worship and remembrance of Jesus, the Christ, the Messiah. Christmas is about Emmanuel, God with us, the Second Person of the Holy Trinity incarnate. Christmas is about the Word, tabernacled among us to save us from the guilt and corruption of sin. Christmas is about the Light of the World, come to dispel the darkness wrought by the Fall.  So, celebrate with your families.  Enjoy ...

Confession: I flirted with Full Preterism  (FP) for a minute back in the day. If you like to stay abreast of controversies within the conservative Reformed world, you have most likely caught wind of the goings on related to  Gary DeMar .  Once the well-beloved author, speaker, and President of American Vision, DeMar has recently becomes controversial, more for the things he refuses to say than for what he has actually said.  His critics can point to few statements made or views espoused, but have called him out for refusing to clarify his views regarding important doctrines like The Second Coming, The Physical Resurrection of the Body, etc.  In short, he has repeatedly refused to affirm the historic, orthodox positions on these matters, choosing rather to equivocate and misdirect. This would be a red flag for any theologian, but it is doubly dangerous when the aforementioned theologian's specialty is Eschatology.  The debate has mostly remained confined to ...

The idea that everyone should vote, that every voice matters , is patently false.   We all know this.   We do not allow certain groups of people to vote because we do not trust that they would make wise decisions.  For instance, we do not allow thirteen-year-olds to vote because we know that they are generally not mature enough to weigh issues or evaluate candidates and make well-informed decisions.  Certain criminals are barred from voting  because they have demonstrated that they do not respect the rule of law and are not qualified to influence the political direction of our nation.   We are all fully aware and supportive of this principle--certain people should not vote.   So it should not be shocking to suggest that we should have some sort of objective standard, say, a basic civic literacy test that one passes before he can participate in the electoral system. But it's my God-given right to vote! you declare.  Okay. ...

Cancel culture is easy. Cancel culture is the easy way out. Cancel culture is for the lazy and unmotivated. Cancel culture is for the weak of mind and faint of heart. It's easy to write someone off because he said a word, shared a social media post, or quoted an author. It's easy to assume guilt by association. It's easy to destroy a person's career or excise him from your life because he misspoke or holds an opinion that bristles the hair on the back of your neck. It's easy to pick sides and beat the tribal drum. It's easy to get offended or triggered. It's easy to hate. Getting along is much harder. Nuance is much more difficult. Forgiveness is far more complex. Maintaining relationships requires way more effort and sacrifice. Covering a multitude of sins with love is painful. Having conversations takes time.