Category: Uncategorized
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From the Archive: AIMING AT SHALOM:THE CHURCH’S MISSION OF JUSTICE AND MERCY
AIMING AT SHALOM:THE CHURCH’S MISSION OFJUSTICE AND MERCY This article was originally published in 2004. Charles Spurgeon once quipped, “If you give a man the gospel, wrap it in a sandwich. And if you give a man a sandwich, wrap it in the gospel.” With those words, the great Baptist preacher captured the essence of the…
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Patriarchy and the Calvinist Tradition
Calvinists have obviously always been patriarchal, but it should also be noted Geneva in Calvin’s day was one of the first places in the world to make domestic violence a crime. Wife-beating or any other form of domestic violence was dealt with swiftly in Calvin’s Geneva. Numerous other pastors, ethicists, and theologians in the Calvinist…
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Calvinism: Not Just a Pretty TULIP
This article was published at The American Reformer. “Calvin had inspired in his disciples that energy of piety which abhors all halfway measures, which boldly endeavors to make all affairs of life subject to Christ, the Head and Lord.” – Augustus Lang Calvinism used to be a cultural force. In fact, Calvinists have a long…
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Trump wins!
This is part of the email going out to my congregation this morning: “He who sits in the heavens laughs.” Those words from Psalm 2:4 certainly rang true last night. In the providence of God, we have just witnessed the greatest political comeback in American history. Donald Trump has battled back from losing the 2020…
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From the Archives: A Visionary Ecclesiology (2002)
A Primer for Church Members on the Nature and Functions of the Body of Christ Introductory Note: I intend this paper to serve as something of a “user’s guide” for church members, though church leaders may also find it valuable in developing vision statements for their local bodies. I have not “proven” all my assertions with…
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TPC Constitution — Appendix #2
Note: At TPC, we are working on revision of our Constitution that we hope to complete in November. This will be the third set of revisions since we adopted the Constitution and joined the CREC in 2006. When we were working through affiliating with the CREC, one of the things we had to address was…
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Post-War Dehumanization: How We Defeated the Nazis and Lost Our Souls
“Everything you’ve been told is a lie.” Well, ok, that’s probably true. Our institutions – our political leaders, educational systems, and mainstream media – have definitely lost the trust and respect of the people. But note: Even if the major narratives we have been handed are lies, that does not automatically mean the opposite of those…
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Worship Exhortation (8/3/24): The Church Wins Down Here
At TPC, we are committed to the reality that Jesus is building his church. Jesus has promised to grow his church. Jesus will inherit the nations. He sends his church out, going forth conquering and to conquer. We are a nation of priestly warriors, given a mission of global conquest that cannot fail. In Matthew…
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Worship Exhortation – 7/28/24 (Re: Olympics Opening Ceremony)
This is a rough summary that combines ad expands the exhortation I gave before worship and before the Lord’s Supper on July 28, 2024: I did not see the Olympic opening ceremonies the other day. I was traveling, but honestly, even if I was not traveling, I probably still would not have watched. However, I…
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Wedding Homily #5 (notes)
P and J, it is a great honor to officiate your wedding today. P, it has been a real joy getting to know you over the last several years, to see the tremendous faithfulness and maturity that mark your life. J, I do not know you as well, but from the first time I met…
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