Blog

  • Theonomy and Christian Nationalism

    In so many ways, the current discussions over Christian nationalism parallel discussions of Theonomy/Christian Reconstruction a generation ago. The Recons were also accused of fostering nominalism, seeking salvation in politics, etc. And they gave answers very similar to Joseph’s here (which I agree with). There is a massive blind spot in many expressions of Reformed… Read more

  • How Cultures Change

    This is an excellent summary from Joseph Spurgeon of how cultural change happens. There is a top down “elite theory” component and a bottom up “grass roots” component, and the church is central to it all since the church is both elite and grass roots, and will always be the source of spiritual renewal through… Read more

  • A Classic

    Anyone remember “Butt Prints in the Sand”? Such a classic! I know, I know – it sounds FV… [And, yes, this is a parody of “Footprints in the Sand.”] Read more

  • Pastoral Slobs

    Pastoral Slobs

    Many pastors today dress like slobs when they’re in the pulpit on Sunday. Pastors should not contribute to the ongoing slobification of America and the juvenilization of the church. I’m not saying you need to wear an alb+stole like I do (though I think there good arguments for it). I’m not even saying you need… Read more

  • What does it mean to be “pastoral”?

    The adjective “pastoral” is an interesting one. What do we mean when we call a man “pastoral”? Most often today, “pastoral” seems to mean nice, soft, gentle, and most of all, winsome. But biblically, that’s not how pastors are described. It is true that pastors are called to be gentle and not quarrelsome. But it’s very… Read more

  • May-June ’25 Miscellanies: Calvin’s Ecclesiocentrism, the Politics of the Gospel, Racism and Nationalism, Mahler vs. White Debate, P*rn and the Jews, Theonomy vs. Christian Nationalism vs. Libertarianism, Responsibility and Masculinity, Nostalgia, Atheism, and more…

    A lot of this post (though not all of it) first appeared on X. — When John Calvin described the office of pastor, he centered the pastor’s work on the three marks of the church: pastors are to faithfully preach God’s Word, rightly administer the sacraments, and seek the proper application of discipline. But Calvin… Read more