The sanctification of the checkbook is extraordinarily difficult for many. We like to tell ourselves that obedience to God’s way is “impractical,“ as though we knew more about it than He does. Always, always, always we must turn to the Word. And on this subject, we have a treasury of doctrine. First, wealth is a …
Playing The Cult Card
One of the things that liberals did successfully for quite some time was play the race card. One of the things that conservatives (eventually) did in response was name the practice, calling it something like “playing the race card.” Little tricks of illusion and distraction in politics operate much the same way that tricks of …
Parents in Proverbs
As we consider the teaching of Proverbs on various issues, we find that one central emphasis of the book is the importance of right family relationships. Proverbs sets before us the biblical and the unbliblical family. “There is a generation that curses its father, and does not bless its mother” (Prov. 30:11). Unfortunately, ours is …
Ezra Nehemiah 18
Introduction: Returning to the book of Nehemiah, we find the city walls built, but the city within is still not populated, and is still not prosperous. Building a city involves more than building the infrastructure, and repentance brings gladness together with the sorrow. The Text: Now it came to pass, when the wall was built, …
The Mystery of Scandal
The word scandal is unfortunately common in Christian circles, but much of the modern use is not in line with the scriptural use. Our use refers to something important, but we sometimes think that we have handled the biblical doctrine of scandal (and it is a central doctrine) simply because we have dealt with our …
The Love of Death
“So relativism, in the realm of higher, secular education, has come to the end of its tether. And like a stupid but persistent dog, still alive but discouraged, the relativists keep yanking, trying to get free of the constraints imposed on them through God’s created order. Our secularist college and university system has a death …
Our Lady of Westminster
Marian obedience, the jewelry of God, has adorned    the gracious necks of many women,         hearts rejoicing in God their Savior.                Fiat mihi. Margaret Wilson, tied to a stake,    struggled and drowned,     filled with water,          yet full of grace.Marie Durant—behold this handmaiden of the Lord—     spent 38 years in a forsaken tower by the sea,     rather than …
Ezra Nehemiah 15
Introduction: This passage from Nehemiah is a wonderful example of how the work of the kingdom of God goes forward. Dealing the the nature of the work is one thing, and dealing with those who are hostile to the idea of that work is another, and it is often necessary to have a sword in …
Ezra Nehemiah 14
Introduction: We know that all Scripture is God-breathed, and is profitable for teaching and correcting. This does not mean that we gravitate to Nehemiah 3 as naturally as we do with Psalm 23 or 1 Corinthians 13, but it does mean something. The Text: Then Eliashib the high priest rose up with his brethren the …
Where the Problem Started
“The declension of culture in America is comparable to well-meaning but naive parents who raise a child without discipline and without instilling self-control and who are then shocked at the extent of the rebellion apparent when that child gets away from home. The extent of our current rebellion can be seen in our cultural parade …