God's love is often seen in His clarity. Yet, as we are wont to do, we sometimes attempt to add to that clarity in our effort to “feel God more.” Recently, many Christians observed Ash Wednesday—a day of prayer and fasting marked by ashes placed upon the forehead. For some, it serves as a reminder... Continue Reading →
Conviction, Restraint, and Gratitude: The Law’s Proper Work
The Law of God, unfortunately, is not as clear in many Christian circles as it ought to be. Some wield it as a cudgel, measuring the sanctification of others against their own standards and striking where they perceive deficiency. Others, appealing to the grace of the cross, assume that because Christ has earned our merit,... Continue Reading →
Not Distractors but Disciples: Children in the Worshiping Church
When inviting friends to our humble OPC church, some have expressed concern about the lack of a children’s church. They wonder whether their children will be able to sit through the sermon, or worry that they might be a distraction—to themselves or to the rest of the congregation. While children’s church is often offered as... Continue Reading →
An Act of Love: Why the Church Fences Communion
Sometime last year, my father-in-law was visiting us from out of state. On the drive home from the airport, our conversation turned to the upcoming Lord’s Day service. Knowing that our previous church practiced a members-only approach to Communion, he expressed some concern about whether he would be able to partake at our current church.... Continue Reading →
The Keys, the Flock, and the Fold: A Reformed Defense of Membership
Every time I go to a new restaurant, they seem to have some kind of rewards club to join. “Just give us your phone number for perks!” the screen—or an eager staffer—insists, while I mentally calculate whether I really want to hand my number to yet another corporation. "What’s in it for me?" is the... Continue Reading →
The Dilemma of the Baptist Spiritual Gift
I was recently invited by a friend to a baptism service at his Baptist church, where his child was to be baptized. As a friend—and, admittedly, the token Presbyterian in the room—I was glad to attend. After the service, conversation naturally turned toward the subject of baptism itself. I was struck by how often Baptists... Continue Reading →