Category Archives: Random Thoughts

I Give Thanks

Paul’s letter to the Philippians is filled with thanksgiving. Calvin writes that when Paul refers to things that are joyful he breaks forth in thanksgiving, which, Calvin observes, “is a practice we ought also to be familiar.” Thanksgiving is the … Continue reading

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Eschatology, Poythress, and the Hallelujah Chorus

I hope to write in the next 18 months a short booklet on eschatology. I have written some papers in the past, but have not been able to provide a general outline, specifically of the postmillennial hope, and its contrast … Continue reading

Posted in Eschatology, Music, N.T. Wright, Psalms, Puritans, Quotes, R.J. Rushdoony, Random Thoughts, Reflections, Reformed Theology, Theological Thoughts, Theonomy | Tagged , , , , , , , | 1 Comment

Book Review: Gods at War: Defeating the Idols that Battle for your Heart by Kyle Idleman

These days I rarely finish a book. I am currently reading through so many books I can barely keep track of which ones. I usually peruse a book, find what I want, and leave it buried in my increasing treasury … Continue reading

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The Ethics of Creation

When God made the world he made it in divine priority. He made all things with an agenda, and to use the oft-repeated line, “he saved the best for last.” He made man on day six, and at the end … Continue reading

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It’s Worth Defending

Evangelicals overall do a fine job at defending the trivial but struggle to defend the hard things. Machen observed long ago in his monumental Christianity and Liberalism that “it appears that the things that are sometimes thought to be hardest to defend … Continue reading

Posted in Apologetics, Cults/JW's & Mormons, Random Thoughts, Reflections, Reformed Theology, Resurrection, Revelation | Tagged , , | Leave a comment

Bring Out the Champagne! The Party Has Just Begun!

Easter is gone, right? Actually Easter has just begun! The Easter Season lasts for 50 days. It is glorified in the PENT-ecost season. According to the Christian Calendar, Easter lasts until May 19th (Pentecost Sunday). But didn’t we spend ourselves … Continue reading

Posted in Apologetics, Beer/Wine/Tobacco, History, Home, Hospitality, Humility, Humor, Lent, Links, Liturgy, Lordship, Random Thoughts, Reflections, Religious Art, Resurrection | Tagged , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , | Leave a comment

Maundy Thursday Meditation

Maundy Thursday comes from the Latin Mandatum. The word comes from Jesus’ command on the Last Supper to love one another just as He loved them (Lk. 24). The message of love is very much central to the Gospel message. Evangelicals are all too … Continue reading

Posted in Maundy Thursday, Preaching, Quotes, Random Thoughts, Reflections, Service/Ministry | Tagged , , , , , , , , , , , | 2 Comments

We Need New Ears and Eyes

I began my day reading through Jim Jordan’s magnum opus, Through New Eyes. Jim is a dear friend and we have worked together for three years (09-11). I have literally read and listened to hundreds of articles, sermons, & lessons. If Jim … Continue reading

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Preaching and the Prodigal Son

I often sit at my desk on Monday morning after a tiring and refreshing Sunday, and say to myself “Here I go again!” I just finished preaching and leading a liturgical service the day before, fellowshiped in the afternoon, and on … Continue reading

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Why Most Christians Should Use Facebook!

It is likely that you are a Facebook user. In fact, over one billion people are on Facebook. And of course, it is likely that you are reading this article because a friend linked to it on their Facebook page. … Continue reading

Posted in Lent, Links, Pictures, Politics, Prayers, Quotes, Random Thoughts, Reflections, Tolle Lege, Update | Tagged , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , | Leave a comment

Should Reformed People Read N.T. Wright?

It doesn’t happen quite often, but once in a while when I recommend a book or a quote by N.T. Wright on facebook, I will receive a question that goes something like this: “Do you approve of N.T. Wright? Do … Continue reading

Posted in Christian Living, N.T. Wright, Random Thoughts, Reflections, Reformed Theology, Theological Thoughts | Tagged , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , | 7 Comments

Lead Us Not Into Temptation, But Deliver Us From Evil

Satan’s gifts are easy to master. They come with first grade instruction manuals. They are made to be mastered quickly and enjoyed rapidly (sex, drugs, alcohol; various temptations). God’s gifts are a little harder to master. They demand self-control and … Continue reading

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Herod the Fox, Jesus the Hen, and the Exodus: Lectionary, Luke 13:31-35

In these few verses in St. Luke, the writer plays on the animal vocabulary to describe two opposing groups. In the process it also echoes the exodus motif. In this text, Herod is described as a fox. A fox is … Continue reading

Posted in Lent, Quotes, Random Thoughts, Reflections, Sermon Notes, Theological Thoughts, Triumphal Entry, Typology/Symbolism/Biblical Parallels | Tagged , , , , , , , , , , , | Leave a comment

Better Than I Imagined…

I told someone recently that the pastorate is harder than I expected, but more rewarding than I imagined. As I continue to grow in wisdom I find myself more confident in counseling and exercising my daily pastoral duties. It is … Continue reading

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Baptism Random Notes

A theology of Bridal maturation would not dichotomize, but rather strengthen the spiritual and fleshly nature of the covenant under a new creation. Also, covenant theology is also expansion theology. By making limitations to the New Creation one is decreasing … Continue reading

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How do you pronounce “Gresham Machen?”

For those who have wondered, here is the man himself explaining it: Asked how to say his name, he told The Literary Digest “The first syllable is pronounced like May, the name of the month. In the second syllable the ch is as in chin, … Continue reading

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Reading Blogs

I am a voracious blog reader. I read approximately 10 blogs a day. I go through a similar blog liturgy every day. Blogs can be fresh and challenging at times, while they can also be disturbingly infantile. This is why … Continue reading

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My Office

As I sit down in my office I am staring at hundreds of books on the floor. They–that is the books–all desire an eschatology of hope. They want to be raptured into a shelf and neatly ordered according to author … Continue reading

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On Reading the Past

Reading is a societal aspect of life. In one sense, reading is life. We are trained from our earliest days to read the world. This is what our Dutch Reformed forefathers referred to worldview. We are trained to look at … Continue reading

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Festal Laughter

Peter Leithart quotes sections of Mikhail Bakhtin’s Dialogic Imagination and Rabelais and his World. In his discussion of laughter in the Medieval Ages, Bakhtin talks about how laughter invaded certain celebrations in the Church Year. In particular, he references the … Continue reading

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I am a one-issue voter…

Pro-Life in war and womb.

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Ligonier’s Conference…

I just got back from Ligonier’s Pastor Conference. Ligon Duncan spoke on God-centered evangelism. Pastor Steve Lawson did a remarkable job explaining the heart of expository preaching. R.C. Sproul spoke on evangelism and several other topics. I have just bought … Continue reading

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A Brief Blog Fast

In light of the new responsibilities I have inhereted from the church, it will be best to take a seven day break from blogging. For those of you not familiar with my tips’ section, a new piece on cable “TV … Continue reading

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Embracing my seminary challenges one day at a time…

Seminary has a tendency to break our faith into a million pieces and putting them back together can be more challenging than seminary itself. This is my third year of battle here at RTS and after this war is over … Continue reading

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Soccer, Magic, and Critics

I don’t need to waste my precious time responding extensively to soccer critics, because frankly these guys are probably obese bloggers who are struggling at this moment to get up out of their computer chairs. Some of them say soccer … Continue reading

Posted in Random Thoughts, Sports | 2 Comments

Seminary begins with Richard Pratt

For some reason or another I have not had a chance in the last two weeks to post anything. An unexpected event called “Charley” had the audacity to interrupt my perfect schedule. As one witty fellow has said before: “We … Continue reading

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Animosity for animosity’s sake…

How can we claim so fervently to believe in a gospel of peace when we are at war with members of our own covenant family? I am utterly befuddled by the animosity I have seen lately. Call it blog wars … Continue reading

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