Midwest Center for Theological Studies: Owensboro, KY

On the latest podcast from the Reformed Forum, Dr. Sam Waldron discusses the Family-Integrated Church Movement. Be sure to listen! On this episode, we welcome Dr. Sam Waldron to speak about the family-integrated church movement, which seeks to recover a … Continue reading →

I thought I would conclude these blog posts with a few stray comments on the Revelation Symposium. First, I wanted to say more, but had no opportunity at the Symposium, about the danger of Partial Preterism. But let me first … Continue reading →

In their presentations of preterism and futurism both Gary Demar and Jim Hamilton explained their views of Matthew 24. I used my 20 minute response time in the afternoon to address this. I argued that Gary was right about the … Continue reading →

In their presentations of preterism and futurism both Gary Demar and Jim Hamilton explained their views of Matthew 24. I used my 20 minute response time in the afternoon to address this. I argued that Gary was right about the … Continue reading →

I was recently involved in symposium on the Book of Revelation sponsored by several churches in Reno, Nevada and held at Sierra Bible Church. Gary Demar defended a preterist, Jim Hamilton a futurist, and I an Idealist approach to the … Continue reading →

I was recently involved in symposium on the Book of Revelation sponsored by several churches in Reno, Nevada and held at Sierra Bible Church. Gary Demar defended a preterist, Jim Hamilton a futurist, and I an Idealist approach to the … Continue reading →

I was recently involved in symposium on the Book of Revelation sponsored by several churches in Reno, Nevada and held at Sierra Bible Church. Gary Demar defended a preterist, Jim Hamilton a futurist, and I an Idealist approach to the … Continue reading →

Central to the theology of the Reformation is the contrast between the covenant of works and the covenant of grace.  The two concepts or structures go together, and it is in the light of them that the Reformed doctrine of … Continue reading →

Today, Red Futon Films released the official trailer for an important new documentary on missions to be released next month: Half-Devil Half-Child. If you care at all about the spread of the gospel among Muslim peoples around the world, then … Continue reading →

A third common objection nowadays to the regulative principle is this. (3) It involves the acceptance of extreme practices like exclusive psalmody and non-instrumentalism. The implication is often present in materials that argue for the rejection of the regulative principle to … Continue reading →

The second contemporary objection to the regulative principle which I have isolated is as follows: (2) It implies a different hermeneutic for the church than for other areas of life. This objection and my answer to it constitutes a kind … Continue reading →

After considerable thought I have isolated ten such objections and questions.  The first of these is perhaps the most important and is the subject of this blog post. (1) It implies a counterintuitive regulation of worship (or the church) different … Continue reading →

Matthew 12:30a says:  “He who is not with Me is against Me…”  This is the uncompromising assertion of the text.  What we may call the unmistakable amplification of these words comes next:  “and he who does not gather with Me … Continue reading →

Not only does the regulative principle of the church apply to its government, tasks, and worship, it also applies to its doctrine.  The church may neither add to nor subtract from the doctrines of the Bible.  It must confess (in … Continue reading →

Matthew 12:30a says:  “He who is not with Me is against Me…”  This is the uncompromising assertion of the text.  What we may call the unmistakable amplification of these words comes next:  “and he who does not gather with Me … Continue reading →

Having dealt with the application of the regulative principle to the government and tasks of the church, here I touch on its application … III.       For the Worship of the Church The regulative principle of worship is often seen as … Continue reading →

In my previous blog post I dealt with the application of the regulative principle to the government of the church.  Here we take up a second important application. II.        For the Tasks of the Church I remind you again that … Continue reading →

Matthew 12:30a says:  “He who is not with Me is against Me…”  This is the uncompromising assertion of the text.  What we may call the unmistakable amplification of these words comes next:  “and he who does not gather with Me … Continue reading →

A clear understanding of and a thorough commitment to the regulative principle of the church is, I am convinced, absolutely crucial if biblical church reformation is ever to become a reality in our churches.  The regulative principle is intended, as … Continue reading →

Chapter 1, paragraph 6 of the 1689 Confession provides an important clarification of the regulative principle. …there are some circumstances concerning the worship of God, and government of the church, common to human actions and societies, which are to be … Continue reading →

My first blog post on “witnessing” for Christ might leave the impression that I am among those who suggest that evangelism is something only pastors and/or those with a special call to evangelism need to worry about.  I am not.  … Continue reading →

The fourth argument for the regulative principle of the church is found in the explicit testimony of Scripture.   The Bible explicitly condemns all worship that is not commanded by God (Lev. 10:1-3; Deut. 17:3; Deut. 4:2; 12:29-32; Josh 1:7; 23:6-8; … Continue reading →

A third argument for the regulative principle of the church is grounded on the sufficiency of the Scriptures.  The wisdom of Christ and the sufficiency of the Scriptures is called into question by the addition of un-appointed elements into worship. … Continue reading →

As I read books on missions and evangelism, I often feel that important, biblical distinctions are getting lost in the shuffle.  The New Testament root which in its verbal infinitive form means to witness or testify is often and without … Continue reading →

The second argument for the regulative principle of the church has to do with the inevitable tendency of human tradition.  The introduction of extra-biblical practices into worship inevitably tends to nullify and undermine God’s appointed worship (Matt. 15:3, 8, 9; … Continue reading →