By Dan Doriani, The Gospel Coalition The message read simply enough: “We invite you to address us, October 23 to 25, on the theme ‘Reformation Then and Now.’” But the origin of the request gave me pause. It came from Presbyterian churches in Singapore that trace their roots to conservative American Presbyterians, circa 1950. Beyond…
By Chelsea Patterson, The Gospel Coalition A broken body. A rebellious sister. An unsaved brother. Disease that has forever changed my family. Daily difficulties of sin nature. Sometimes the list of my trials and suffering threaten to overshadow my gaze of the Father; the pain of living in a fallen world that weaves itself into…
On Wednesdays, we pray for presbyteries of the PCUSA. This week’s intercession includes: John Calvin John Knox Kendall (Snake River Mission Area) Kiskiminetas
Reviewed by the Rev. Dr. Walter L. Taylor Special to The Layman The first time he ever seriously studied the theology of John Calvin, the 20th-century theologian Karl Barth wrote to his best friend, “Calvin is a cataract, a primeval forest, a demonic power, something directly down from Himalaya, absolutely Chinese, strange, mythological; I lack…
1-Minute Devotional Thought — During these “back-to-school” days, here is John Calvin’s prayer for those preparing to go to school. Ps. 119:9. Wherein shall a young man establish his way? If he wisely conduct himself according to thy Word. With my heart have I sought thee, allow me not to err from thy precepts. O…
“Prayer can never be in excess.” — C. H. Spurgeon 1-Minute Devotional Thought: From the pen of prayer of John Calvin: “Grant, Almighty God, that as we have not only been created by thee, but when thou hast placed us in this world, thou hast also enriched us with abundance of all blessings, — O…
By Jeff Gissing Protestant churches—especially Evangelical ones—typically sing their theology. In the absence of a formal liturgy hymnody carries the weight of theological formation. Scripture shapes our beliefs about God more in the theory than in reality. The average Christian spends little time exploring how the confessions interpret Scripture. Instead, our sung worship songs shape…
The life and ministry of John Calvin provides insight into a range of ministry related issues—from biblical exegesis to training pastors to the effect of preaching upon civil government. But what, if anything, does Calvin teach us about ministry among Roman Catholics? It turns out that he teaches us a valuable lesson. Contrary to those…