We have been accused of all manner of perfidy here in Moscow, and for those who are following the proceedings with interest, the accusations need to be divided into two categories. The first category is that of specific accusations of specific sins or crimes — pillaging the deacons’ fund, or hating black people, or something …
And Many Probably Should
We all know that it is not fitting for any length of time to go by in these parts without somebody bringing out old charges against me. Try to think of these charges as an order of refried beans in a cheap dive of a Mexican restaurant, meaning that the refrying actually took place about …
As It Ought To
“At thy right hand there are pleasures for evermore” (Ps. 16: 11) Growing Dominion, Part 102 “A wise servant shall have rule over a son that causeth shame, and shall have part of the inheritance among the brethren” (Prov. 17:2). Biblical ethics are personal, and this includes biblical business ethics. Now in business, nothing is …
Uptight Grammarians, Out With Whom We Do Not Wish to Hang
“I am thinking of what I call Style-mongers. On taking up a book, these people concentrate on what they call its ‘style’ or its ‘English’. They judge this neither by its sound nor by its power to communicate but by its conformity to certain arbitrary rules. Their reading is a perpetual witch hunt for Americanisms, …
No Sense Blaming the Meat
“The only way the unbelieving world can be constrained in its external actions, in a way contrary to that unregenerate nature, is when the Church is salty. Christ taught that His followers were the salt of the earth — applied to an ungodly society in the same way salt was applied to perishable meat as …
Scandalizing Philosophy
“On the rare occasions when the New Testament deigns even to mention philosophy, it treats it as a garrulous Greek exercise that must not be allowed to distract the serious-minded from discovering the truth-telling power of the gospel . . . And now that ‘writing off’ philosophy has become philosophy’s most intellectually stimulating undertaking, perhaps …
Love of Story
Of course, the Narnia stories are themselves stories, and we should be enjoying them on that level. As we have been talking about various “lessons” that we can take away from them, I have wanted to be careful that I didn’t wreck the stories by making sure that everybody gets Edified. But at the same …
You Are Chosen. So Choose.
This small portion of Deuteronomy is a wonderful summary of the whole—a mini-symphony in the midst of a much greater work. “And now, Israel, what doth the Lord thy God require of thee . . .” (Deuteronomy 10:12-22). What does God expect from you? The question is reminiscent of Micah 6:8. He wants Israel to …
Not Being Graded
We have assembled here yet again. We do so aware of our sinfulness, and our unworthiness, and this is something we have already confessed. But at the same time, we are commanded in Scripture to walk in a manner that is worthy of the name we have received. And you, as a particular congregation, need …
God Rest Ye Merry
We are now entering the season of Advent. And just as St. Paul told the Corinthians to observe the festival of Passover—which they did coming to the Lord’s Supper—by getting rid of the yeast of malice and wickedness, so you should take care to observe Christmas in the same fashion. This is the season of …