Book 4/Chapter 12 Levels of discipline (section 13) 1. According to Augustine, when is the “severe mercy” of sharp discipline necessary? Another form of discipline (section 14) 1. What other element of discipline, not properly contained within the power of the keys, is important? 2. What sort of occasion would call for this? Three objectives …
Keep the Buzz Going
Of course, these things change hour by hour, but Collision is now the #10 documentary on Amazon, #2 in the religious category, and #143 overall. So press your lips tightly together and hum — helps keep the buzz going.
Cheering for the Cowpie Channel
I have said before that I find Sean Hannity barely tolerable. Whenever I see him, which is rarely, Bill O’Reilly provides an ongoing trial of the purity of my sanctification. And I have only seen Glenn Beck for a few minutes in YouTube clips, but that man is clearly a histrionic specimen of the first …
Beating the Drum
Here are some Hitchens/Wilson appearances starting late this week in preparation for the Collision release next week. 1. Friday 10/23 10am ET live on Laura Ingraham show 2. Saturday 10/24 NPR “All Things Considered” Weekend Edition 3. Monday 10/26 7am hour on Fox News’ “Fox And Friends” Also Christopher and I have both written something …
Discipline, Not Butchery
Book 4/Chapter 12 Practice of discipline (section 6) 1. What are the two kinds of sins that church must address? 2. What kind of sin does the church not address? 3. How does the church handle scandalous public sins? Princes and citizens alike (section 7) 1. Who is subject to discipline? 2. Do the elders …
Finding Your Pitch
This last week, we had the privilege of meeting together with the other delegates of Knox Presbytery, the inland northwest presbytery of the CREC. One of the things that we discussed, as we worked through the problems that are confronting our congregations, is the challenge of psalm-singing fatigue. As we have set ourselves the challenge …
No “God in a Box” Religion
We are accustomed to speak of Word and sacrament together. In the normal order of things, they do go together, but it is not as though God is constrained. He ministers to His people when, where, and how He pleases. When God gave Moses His Word on the mountain, their communion there did not include …
Cut to the Heart
Our Father and God, You have established Your Church as a royal priesthood in this world, and so we intercede for the nations of men now, confessing on their behalf so that the grace of Your forgiveness will soon be extended to them all. Father and gracious God, those who had been responsible for the …
The Second Ramp
I finished Jason’s book this morning. His last chapter, on assurance of salvation, was very good. His main interest was to critique the popular three-fold method of assurance (i.e. faith, good fruit, witness of the Spirit) — not because they could not be understood biblically, but because if they are treated as independent “lines of …
There Is a Joke Involved, Mind You
I won’t tell you what the joke is, but it is a pretty good one. A great Christmas gift for the political junkie in your family.