Category Archives: Pastoral & Theological

Are You Thirsty For God?

This is a sermon on Psalm 63. Introduction Greetings to you this morning in the name of our great God, the God who satisfies our deepest longings and our thirst for his divine presence.  Our text today is Psalm 63 … Continue reading

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Calvinism and Contemporary Christian Counseling

These are my reflections on an essay by David Powlison in The Practical Calvinist entitled “Calvinism and Contemporary Christian Counseling.” One of my disappointments with most of the congregations I’ve been a part of stems from the sharp break that occurs in … Continue reading

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Biblical Counseling and Practical Calvinism

These are my reflections on an essay by Jay E. Adams in The Practical Calvinist entitled “Biblical Counseling and Practical Calvinism.” Adam’s essay is the most obviously structured around the theme of practical Calvinism.  He consciously applies in turn each of the … Continue reading

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Suffering in James

These are my reflections on an essay by Dan G. McCartney in The Practical Calvinist entitled “Suffering in James.” McCartney must be a seminary professor.  Anyone who can identify the major theme of James as “God humbles the proud and exalts the … Continue reading

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Pastoral Ministry in Union with Christ

These are my reflections on an essay by Philip Graham Ryken in The Practical Calvinist entitled “Pastoral Ministry in Union with Christ.” I read Ryken’s essay at work on my lunch break and it gave me indigestion. Seminary students can get used … Continue reading

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Presbyterianism and Dispensationalism

These are my reflections on an essay by Vern S. Poythress in The Practical Calvinist entitled “Presbyterianism and Dispensationalism.” Read the original article here. I vividly recall eating breakfast with a seminary professor who was advising me about future ministry.  … Continue reading

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Confessionalism and the History of American Presbyterianism

These are my reflections on an essay by Darryl G. Hart in The Practical Calvinist entitled “J. Gresham Machen: Confessionalism and the History of American Presbyterianism.” One particular point of interest in Hart’s essay is his reassessment of the lines by … Continue reading

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The Justification of Confessions and the Logic of Confessional Subscription

These are my reflections on an essay by David F. Coffin, Jr. in The Practical Calvinist entitled “The Justification of Confessions and the Logic of Confessional Subscription.” This is the only article in this series that I’ve completely rewritten.  I hate starting … Continue reading

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Church Unity the Presbyterian Way

These are my reflections on an essay by William S. Barker in The Practical Calvinist entitled “An Historical Perspective on Joining and Receiving and its Impact on the OPC, PCA, and RPCES.” Until I became a Presbyterian when my wife and I … Continue reading

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Jonathan Edwards and the 1734-35 Northampton Revival

These are my reflections on an essay by Samuel T. Logan, Jr. in The Practical Calvinist entitled “Jonathan Edwards and the 1734-35 Northampton Revival.” View book details on Jonathan Edwards: A Life by George M. Marsden Reading about Jonathan Edwards … Continue reading

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