TPC Pastor's Page

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  • The Reformed Tradition and the Civil Magistrate

    Presbyterian PSA: The Westminster Confession of Faith (revised 1788) teaches that the civil magistrate has the duty to “maintain piety, justice, and peace” in society. Obviously, the definition of these terms is to be derived from Scripture. The office of civil magistrate exists under God, “the Supreme Lord and King of all the world,” and… Read more

  • Effeminacy

    Effeminacy is the lack of masculinity where it ought to be. In that sense, only men can be effeminate, and in classical discussions of this vice that’s how it was presented. Effeminacy is a softness in men that prevents them from fulfilling their peculiarly masculine responsibilities. The term could also apply to speech or mannerisms,… Read more

  • Notes on Parenting

    I encourage parents to make the discipline of their young children as liturgical as possible. How can discipline be a liturgy? What is a liturgy of discipline? Discipline should be consistent not only in that parents discipline for the same offenses, but in that discipline should be carried out in a regimented way. Basically: Give… Read more

  • Husbands, Take Out the Trash

    If a husband and wife are short with each other, snappy, impatient, if small disagreements escalate into major conflicts, if they constantly accuse and feel accused, etc., the presenting issue is never the *real* issue. In many cases, the problem is that a million small disruptions in the relationship have never been dealt with and… Read more

  • How You Pray Matters

    Passion and persistence in prayer matter. Prayer is not supposed to be completely stoic. There is reason to think God is more likely respond to prayers offered in urgency, sincerity, and earnestness. John Frame explains why our emotional frame in prayer matters: “Earnestness is a quality we see in the prayers of many of God’s… Read more

  • Jesus Covers David (Psalms)

    We probably all have a favorite cover song – you know, a song that exists in an original version but which has been picked up and performed by another singer. One of my favorites is Johnny Cash’s “Hurt.” It was originally by Nine Inch Nails but Johnny Cash did a cover of it and….well, let’s… Read more