Warning to Calvinists: Don’t Let Your Love for Truth Excuse Factionalism

Two new books address a familiar controversy:

• Michael Horton. For Calvinism. Grand Rapids: Zondervan, 2011.  [PDF sample]
• Roger E. Olson. Against Calvinism. Grand Rapids: Zondervan, 2011. [PDF sample]

(Horton wins hands-down on the more attractive book cover—not to mention the argument!)

Horton’s last chapter is entitled “Calvinism Today: A SWOT Analysis.” Here’s how he introduces it:

We know from daily experience that our greatest strengths can also become our greatest weaknesses.

1. Persistence can become stubbornness;
2. sympathy can devolve into sentimentality; and
3. genuine concern for others sometimes turns into an obsequious craving for approval.
4. Remarkable gifts of leadership and creativity can be used for good or ill, depending on the motivation and the goals.
5. The same is true of movements, since they are largely the collective activity of people like us.

It has become popular for businesses and organizations to conduct a periodical “SWOT” analysis, exploring

1. Strengths,
2. Weaknesses,
3. Opportunities, and
4. Threats.

Read the rest HERE

Warn Them to Not Abuse Their Children

Do your church members physically abuse their children? Maybe you think it’s so few that you don't feel compelled to teach publicly what everyone knows: don't abuse your kids. At most it's one or two bad apples, right?

I'm not so sure.

I cannot say that I want to write about this topic, and I’m no expert. But I keep stumbling into abuse situations in one church or another. And in every case it's been a “model family” who abused their children in the name of what they thought was “biblical discipline.” In other words, I’m talking about well-meaning parents.

Sometimes anger was to blame. The parents confess that their temper got the best of them when their discipline left bruises. Then again, something about their overall approach regularly leaves cuts, welts, or bruises.

Sometimes a severe deficiency of wisdom was to blame. I heard of one couple who spanked their six-month old. Or another who would strike different body parts of their older children with a hard object. And all of these parents believed they were doing the right thing. 

Defining abuse would take another article. But like the Supreme Court justice said about pornography, you know it when you see it. You can see the frightened child backing away as their young eyes behold the grotesque ungodliness storming toward them.   Keep Reading >>>

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A Warning to Women

For all wives, this hard question must be asked on a regular basis.  It is too easy to drift into maintenance mode. Or worse yet, discover that our disappointments and desires have turned to resentful demands, believing that we deserve more out of matrimony and this man.

Our fickle hearts easily stray as we get wrapped up in self. In our reluctance to repent, that we turn our backs on God and the men we love. We'd like to think that we're humble, but we're not. May God open our eyes, convict us of sin and grant us repentance. 

I do not begin to pretend that I have a message that does not include myself as an offender. While I have not committed adultery in my 17 year marriage to my husband, and I am not on the verge of walking out, I am no less guilty of the underlying sin that leads to these destinations.  Keep Reading...

The Laodiceans

Clarification and Warning (John MacArthur)

HT: Reformed Voices

It Will Cost You Everything

HT: Reformed Stooge

Liberalism: A Warning From History

See also J. Greshem Machen Quotes

See also Christianity & Liberalism

THOUGHTS FOR YOUNG MEN AND WOMEN...words of wisdom and warning from a father to his children

Being a parent is not easy today.

There are many curve balls thrown our way that makes the daily investment in our children seem overwhelming. We do live in a very troubled world and it is only by God's grace that we see our children protected and equipped to meet it head on to God's glory.

I have five sons and daughters who are no longer kids, but teenagers or young adults. This time in their lives is very exciting, yet so unpredictable. Their bodies and emotions are changing at the speed of light; they are struggling to "find themselves"; wanting their freedom; and at the same time desiring to please their parents and live for the Lord. It is a crucible of grace we find ourselves in each day.

I pray for wisdom every day to give them the space they are wanting to discover new things in their world, but with the discipline and boundaries they so desperately need and may not recognize or desire.

To that end, I came across this powerful book by J.C. Ryle entitled, "Thoughts for Young Men." It is an excellent collection of practical biblical wisdom from the heart of a father to his sons (though in principle, they can be applied from "a mother to their daughters" as well). I offer it to you today that J.C. Ryle's words may encourage you as parents in the discipleship of your children.

I know that I certainly haven't arrived at this in my life; but what a great Lord we serve who knows the hearts, minds, dreams, desires, longings, struggles, frustrations and contentments of all our children. May we offer them afresh everyday to the Lord and His sovereign purpose for each of them.

From a father's heart,
Steve Camp