Why the PC(USA)?

Nathan Byrd answers why he has remained in the Presbyterian Church (USA) while so many question the theological integrity of his denomination. While the question would seem difficult for any person in the PCUSA, Nathan understands that the question for him as a black man is particularly acute. His answer is here.

Speaking of the Old Paths

Stephen Nichols is quickly becoming a favorite of mine. He is a professor of Church History and Theology at Lancaster Bible College and Graduate School in Lancaster, GA. There are a plethora of books out there on Church History. But what I particularly like about Nichols is how readable and engaging he is. His books are not filled with seemingly meaningless minutia (you know the kind of history books we read in college and seminary). Rather, his books are written with the church in mind, and not his colleagues in academia (though I am sure they would all benefit from his work). Timothy George said that Stephen Nichols "makes church history come alive." I concur. I am a lover of history and am always looking for good readable material. Thus, I am becoming more and more inclined to read everything that Nichols writes. If you are interested in reading some good church history, you would do well to get a hold of some of Nichols books. Of particular interest may be his books, Pages From Church History and The Reformation: How a Monk and a Mallet Changed the World. Remember, you can't walk in the old paths unless you know where they are.

The Road Home

As you can see, I have not blogged lately. My family and I just returned from a trip to Michigan to visit our families. I was able to get a little writing done and some rest and recreation (this always includes golf). I never look forward to driving to Michigan. If you have ever driven across country, you know it can be a tiring and trying it can be. The kids were good. Of course they had their moments, but for the most part, they were good traveling companions. But now the trip is over, and it is good to be back at home. However, whenever I am in Michigan I always feel I am home. No matter where I have lived, my mother's home has always seemed to be home to me. She still lives in the house I was born and raised in. It still stands on that old dirt road. The neighbors have changed and the faces in the community are no longer recognizable to me, but my mother is still standing as one of the matriarchs of this small wooded-community on Woodland Lake in Woodland Park, MI. As I walked around the neighborhood, I was reminded of all the old trails and paths we would take as children. Many of those old paths are still remaining. This reminded me, that the old paths are often best because they have been tried and found to be true and safe. Perhaps this is what God had in mind when he said, "Stand by the roads, and look, and ask for the ancient paths, where the good way is; and walk in it, and find rest for your souls." (Jer. 6:16) The old paths remind us that there have been those who have faithfully gone before us. We are not the first to walk this path and thus can rely upon their testimonies even as we are establishing our own. Inevitably there is a rest and assurance in knowing that God had lead others down the same road and brought them home. It gives us the confidence that He is the same faithful God today. Ultimately, it is just good to know that the road home is not only a welcomed road, but it is well traveled one.

For Men Only

In a previous post I mentioned that one of the ways that God has taught me to keep my marriage joyful and hopeful was to understand and celebrate that God made men and women different and has given them differing, yet equally God-glorifying, roles. One of the insidious and fatuous notions that is pawned off on our society today is that men and women are the same and role distinctions are not necessary. Yet, here is a commentator who reminds us that there are places for men only in the lives of their children and this world. Take a listen.

Can't Serve God and Money

Yesterday I preached from Matt. 6:19-24. Verse 24 declares that no one can serve God and money. Just in case you are having a difficult time believing that, here is living proof.

Exporting Prosperity Religion

One of the reasons I have not blogged much this week is because I have been spending much time preparing my sermon for this coming Sunday (just one of the reasons). The text is Matthew 6:19-24. In my preparation I read this article from Christianity Today on Gospel Riches: Africa's rapid embrace of prosperity Pentecostalism provokes concern--and hope. If you have not read it already, do so. It is a sad but true commentary on our exporting of our destructive and godless brand of American Christianity. May God have mercy upon us in our faithful proclamation of the gospel. And may he have mercy on those African brothers and sisters who genuinely want to worship the God of heaven and not their own bellies.

The Top 10 for the 14th

Yesterday my wife and I celebrated fourteen years of marriage. Over those 14 years, God has been pleased to teach this poor sinner a few things about being married and how to experience it with joy and hope. Here are my Top Ten Ways to Keep Your Marriage Full of Joy and Hope:

10. Know Your Spouse. What does your spouse enjoy? Know what would be of particular benefit to their joy, and if possible, seek to do it.

9. Appreciate God Ordained Roles. God has made men and women different on many levels. These roles are for God's glory and our good. When we learn to walk in them and to find our satisfaction in them, we find joy and hope.

8. Public Display of Affection. I have learned and am still learning to receive and give this most important aspect of marital relationship. We all need to be affirmed physically with a touch and a look. My wife does this well. I could do it better.

7. Speak Well Of Your Spouse. Never, but never, make derogatory remarks about your spouse in the company of others. Give others the assurance that your spouse has your confidence. Believe me, your spouse will eventually hear of it, one way or another.

6. Publicly Commend. When given the opportunity, be complimentary of your spouse in public. Thank God for them and how God is using them to make you more Christ-like.

5. Serve. Give up your comfort for theirs. In fact, find your joy in bringing them joy. My wife puts me to shame in this department.

4. Love Your Children. Any parent will tell you that they are inclined to love those who love on their children. Most spouses are no different.

3. Keep Sex Fresh and Selfless. Intimacy in marriage is one of the first things to go sour when a marriage begins to fade. So keep it fresh. Learn what your spouse enjoys and learn to do it well. Also (especially for men), seek the satisfaction and pleasure of your spouse before your own. Remember to do unto others as you would have them do unto you.

2. Forgive Freely. If more of the couples I counsel with could learn to not be offended too easily and to forgive even before their spouses ask, they would find that their joy and hope would be greatly enhanced. Most of our bitterness is due to unforgiveness. Make forgiveness a lifestyle, rather than an event. Know that sooner or later the shoe will be on the other foot.

And the number one way to keep your marriage full of joy and hope...

1. Love God and the Gospel. Jesus said it best when He told us to Love our God with all our heart and to love our neighbors as ourself. The glory of the gospel is that we know that in our unloveliness, we have been loved by God. In return we can love our spouses even when they are unlovely. Not because of who they are, but because of who Christ is. Not because of what our spouses do, but because of what Christ has done.
The Gospel makes all the Difference!

Thy Father Will Reward Thee...

On yesterday at Southwest Christian Fellowship, Pastor Robert Benson preached from Matthew 6:16-18:

Moreover, when you shall fast, be not, like the hypocrites, dejected: for they disfigure their faces, that it may be evident to men that they fast. Verily I say to you, they have their reward. But thou, when thou fastest, anoint thy head, and wash thy face, that it may not appear to men that thou fastest, but to thy Father, who is in secret, and thy Father, who seeth in secret, will reward thee openly.

During the sermon, he shared a quote from John Calvin, which I found most edifying:

Thy Father will reward thee. When he promises a reward from God to fastings, this mode of expression, as we said a little before with respect to prayer, is not strictly accurate. There is a wide difference, indeed, between prayer and fastings. Prayer holds the first rank among the antics of piety: but fasting is a doubtful operation, and does not, like alms, belong to the class of those actions which God requires and approves. It is pleasing to God, only so far as it is directed to another object: and that is, to train us to abstinence, to subdue the lust of the flesh, to excite us to earnestness in prayer, and to testify our repentance, when we are affected by the view of the tribunal of God. The meaning of Christ’s words is: “God will one day show that he was pleased with those good works, which appeared to be lost, because they were concealed from the eyes of men.”

Is this Evangelism?

I don't want to sound as if I am being critical of these fellas, because I am not. I remember too often being in similar situations and responding in like fashion. The longer the conversation goes, the more frustrating it often becomes. And when frustration sets in, you tend to say things that are true, but not edifying. It probably does not help this was all in front of the camera. When the camera is rolling we tend to perform for it. Nevertheless, I am sure these gentlemen mean well and are seeking to stand for the truth. I just wonder if you think this is biblical evangelism. Take a look and decide.

2007 Stone Mountain Conference on Reformed Theology

It was a blessed event! This year's conference on Reformed Theology, while it was just the 2nd year, increased in size. But even more important than the number of attendees was the atmosphere. It was an atmosphere of Gospel preaching. Friends, the good news of the triumph of God in Christ over sin and Satan was wonderfully set forth. Those glorious things that the angels long to understand, we were privileged to hear proclaimed.

We thank Pastor Michael Leach for the vision for this conference. We thank Grace Presbyterian for opening their doors. We also thank the PCA Bookstore for supplying a more than adequate book table. We thank all of you who prayed. But most of all, we thank God for the promise of the Gospel and the fulfillment of the gospel in Jesus Christ our Lord.

Here are a view of the sermonic highlights:

Pastor Roger Skepple on "The Need to Preach the Gospel"


Pastor Robert Benson on "The Gospel in the Life of the Church"


Pastor Michael Leach on "The Gospel and the Eschaton"

Stone Mountain Conference on Reformed Theology

This evening begins the 2nd Annual Stone Mountain Conference on Reformed Theology. The theme of this years conference is Recovering the Gospel: The Crucial Need for the Church. The conference will be held at Grace Presbyterian Church 650 Rowland Rd Stone Mountain GA. The conference begins at 6:00 pm with dinner and fellowship. Here is the schedule of speakers and topics:

Friday, July 27

7:30 pm "What is the Gospel?" - Michael Leach
8:30 "The Unifying Impact of the Gospel in All Scripture" - Anthony Carter

Saturday, July 28

8:00 am Continental Breakfast
8:30 Worship
9:00 "The Necessity of Preaching the Gospel" - Roger Skepple
10:00 "The Centrality of the Gospel in the Life of the Church" - Robert Benson
11:00 Q and A
11:40 "The Gospel and Eschatology" - Michael Leach

If you are in the area, we would love to see you there.

Review of Lawson's Expository Genius of Calvin

Eric Redmond has a review of Steve Lawson's book The Expository Genius of John Calvin.

Preaching The Pilgrim's Progress

Spent most of last week at Seven Rivers Presbyterian Church in Lecanto, FL. Seven Rivers is a great place to be. Ray and the rest of the pastors have really created a gospel-filled atmosphere which makes it easy and yet challenging to preach. And that is just the way it should be. A church should challenge its preachers to preach the gospel. And when the gospel is preached, the church should receive it with joy. Also, when the preachers fail to preach the gospel, the church should remind the preacher that his calling is nothing less than the gospel. I really get this since at Seven Rivers.

I had the wonderful opportunity to teach at their Annual Family Bible Conference. I taught four nights on The Gospel Pilgrimage in The Pilgrim's Progress. Preaching the gospel as John Bunyan teaches it in The Pilgrim's Progress is a delight for me. Preaching it at Seven Rivers is more grace than this more sinner could possibly deserve.

If you are interested, you can listen to the messages and download the outlines here. Also, there is audio from previous year's conferences as well.

A Like-Minded Brother

Lance has an excellent follow-up to my Mythbuster #1. If you have not read it already, check it out today.

Has anyone seen Christian?

He will be at Seven Rivers this coming week. See ya there!

An Interview at Pure Church

FellowElder over at Pure Church has an interview with yours truly (in case you are interested).

A Question of Unity

Recently, Mark Dever at Together for the Gospel, raised the issue of Calvinist and Arminians Together. He stated, "The real front line is not between Calvinist evangelicals and Arminian evangelicals. It is between those who are lost in their sins and those who have been saved by God's sheer grace in Christ." I can find some agreement with Mark on this point. However, it has caused me to ponder a couple of questions. Perhaps you can help me with the answers.

"Do I find more common ground and unity with an Evangelical Calvinist who allows for the ordination of women or with an Evangelical Arminian who does not? Can we be together with Complementarian Arminian Christians but not with Egalitarian Reformed Christians?"

Whew! Perhaps we just have too many labels to begin with.

Mythbuster #2

Here is myth #2: There can be diversity without mutual submission. The recent Supreme Court decision concerning the use of ethnicity in seeking diversity in public schools has sparked much discussion and provided much fodder for internet blogs. Most of my evangelical reformed brothers and sisters are applauding this decision because it perhaps puts another nail in the coffin of affirmative action. Well, I am not sure if affirmative action should be buried or not. However, I am sure that unless my brothers and sisters of European descent learn the action of submission to their brothers and sisters of African descent, ethnic diversity in the American church is but a pipe dream, a myth of substantial proportions.

Most of my white evangelical and reformed brothers and sisters are speaking quite positively and eloquently on racial diversity. For this, I commend them. However, until we see white men and women doing what black men and women have longed learned to do(namely sitting under and being submissive to the teaching and authority of those who are not ethnically like them), we will not see real diversity.

Most of the diversity we presently see is black men and women going to where white people are. Even when predominantly white churches call a black man to be the pastor, it is black people going to where white people are most comfortable. Real diversity will happen when we see white people regularly and joyfully going to where black men preach and teach. We will see real diversity when white people learn to submit to the minority culture as black people have had to submit to the majority culture. Paul says in Ephesians 5:17-21 that one of the evidences of being filled with the Spirit is "submitting to one another in the fear of God."

Mutual submission is an undeniable evidence of the working of the Spirit. It is particularly evident when the majority learn the worth and joy of submitting to the minority. It demonstrates that these are they who fear God more than men. Where there is no mutual submission, there is no real fear of God. Where there is no real fear of God, there will be no real diversity. To think otherwise is a myth. I pray the church of Jesus Christ would learn mutual submission and bury once and for all the myth of any serious diversity without it.

Mythbuster #1

There is a show on The Discovery Channel called Mythbusters. On this show, the men and women do scientific experiments seeking to prove whether or not commonly held notions and/or ideas are true or just well accepted myths. It is an interesting show, if you ever get a chance to see. Watching the show one day, caused me to think about some myths that may be common in my circle of associations. Over the next few posts (hopefully) I will seek to mention a few myths and hopefully debunk them. So here is myth #1: Reformed Theology is Anglo.

Recently I read a comment where a white PCA pastor was quoted as saying that Reformed Theology was Anglo, or even too Anglo. I find this notion to be rather nebulous. If Reformed theology is biblical (as I would assume this pastor believes) then how could it be white or black or yellow, or any race. What is white about Total Depravity? We can color sin any race or culture and we would be right. What is white about Unconditional Election. What is white about Limited Atonement? What is white about Irresistible Grace? What is white about the Perseverance of the Saints? These are biblical doctrines. They are argued from the Scriptures not from culture.

Perhaps the pastor had in mind that the PCA was Anglo, even too Anglo. On this idea I would not argue with him. But to say that Reformed Theology is Anglo, is in this instance to equate Reformed Theology with the PCA. Yet, perhaps this is another myth that we need to burst. Extra: The PCA is not Reformed Theology.

Perhaps the pastor meant to say that the Reformed Theology that is expressed within the PCA is too Anglo. Again, I will defer to him since he would know better than me. However, this is the statement as it should be understood, and not the categorical statement that Reformed Theology itself is Anglo.

The fact of the matter is that the reformed theology which I hold is not white. The reformed theology which I preach is not black. I may find myself expressing it within an African-American context, but the truths themselves are not tied to any culture or race. If they are true, they transcend cultures. The law of gravity is a law discovered by Isaac Newton, but it is not a white law, it is an universal law. Such are the truths of Scripture.

Reformed Theology. Color it Anglo? Color it African-American? No. Color it biblical and debunk this myth.

Eric Interviews Dean of HUDS

Our brother Eric Redmond has a short interview with the newly appointed dean of Howard University Divinity School (HUDS), Dr. Alton Pollard III. If the answers to the questions are any indication of the state of theological training within the institutionalized black church in America, then boys and girls, the black church is in worse condition than I first believed. God help us.