Beautiful Description of Justification

I love this gem from the Heidelberg Catechism: Question 60: How are thou righteous before God? Answer: Only by a true faith in Jesus Christ; so that though my conscience accuse me, that I have grossly transgressed all the commandments of God, and kept none of them, and am still inclined to all evil; notwithstanding, [...]

Borrowing Brains: To Kindle or Not to Kindle?

I’m a book guy. I like the way they feel in my hands. I like the way they smell. I like the way they look (though I’ve gone on record saying that dust covers are expendable). I like getting them in boxes, finding them in used bookstores, or even finding them for $3 amid the [...]

Accents Article: “Get Out of the Way”

The following article was written for the latest edition of Accents, SoundForth’s Choral Club publication. I post it here with SoundForth’s permission. _____ Get Out of the Way “Not unto us, O LORD, not unto us, but unto thy name give glory…” (Psalm 115:1) We recently had a missionary candidate present his work and a [...]

Hoekema on Cessationism

I’ve appreciated Anthony Hoekema’s Saved by Grace. I’ve used it as a reference book for years and am finally finishing up the few stray chapters that I’d not yet read. Hoekema was the Systematic Theology prof at Calvin Theological Seminary prior to his death in 1988. I was surprised to learn that he devoted about 12 [...]

Michael Barrett’s “Complete in Him” Should Be Back in Print

Few men have impacted my ministry more than Dr. Michael P. V. Barrett, now of Geneva Reformed Seminary. And few books have impacted my understanding of the gospel like his book Complete in Him. It has helped me get my head around the various facets of our great salvation (conversion, regeneration, justification, sanctification, glorification, etc.). [...]

TCBC’s New Membership Covenant

We voted unanimously yesterday to adopt a new Membership Covenant for Tri-County Bible Church, one on which we’ve worked for a long time and which we believe accurately represents our Body and the Scripture’s teaching on the responsibilities of local church members. It especially magnifies the saving, sustaining, enabling work of Christ as the basis of the [...]

Two TCBC Sermons

We’ve just posted two sermons that may be of interest to MTC readers: To Seek and Save the Lost, an exposition of Luke 19:1-10, was preached on the Sunday morning of our “Opening Weekend,” the day after our Fun Fair, at which we hosted 500 of our neighbors in celebration of our new building. By [...]

Positively Bunyanesque

I had to smile at this. It reminds me of Bunyan’s Pilgrim’s Progress, which TCBC is studying together this summer. Both make you wonder, “Is he making these characters up, or does he have someone specific in mind?” I’m guessing the latter. Pliable, Giant Despair, and Mr. Vuvu Zelou. Hilarious.

Borrowing Brains: Favorite Ministry Books

So much to read, so little time. Which makes recommendations so helpful. So, what are the books (say 2-4) that have most affected your understanding of ministry? What was so good about them? What lasting influence have they had on your ministry? (I’m thinking of books that address philosophy of ministry, or preaching, or evangelism, [...]

Upcoming Opportunities

I’ve not been able to post much here lately. I haven’t quit blogging. I’m just buried with other responsibilities and opportunities, not the least of which is the near completion of our building project(!) and top-priority ministries at TCBC and at home. In addition to these primary things, however, the Lord has graciously opened a [...]