tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-87950518418248289702012-02-06T15:53:34.199-05:00Cyril Lucarnoreply@blogger.comBlogger1011100tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8795051841824828970.post-4254456433710935712012-02-06T15:51:00.001-05:002012-02-06T15:53:10.960-05:00

The response to the petition asking Wycliffe and others to stop removing "Son" and "Father" from the Bible in reference to the first and second members of the Trinity has been tremendous. Most encouraging are the Christians weighing in from Islamic majority countries. Arabic and Turkic speakers are affirming that Wycliffe's reasons for using alternate terms for son and father are completely

Cyril Lucarnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8795051841824828970.post-3642505199380694012012-02-05T02:02:00.002-05:002012-02-05T02:05:36.896-05:00

Wycliffe Bible Translators, the largest missionary translation organization in the world has been producing Bibles which remove the words "Son" and "Father" from the descriptions of Jesus and God. These Bibles are being produced for Muslims and are called Muslim Idiom Translations (MIT). In order to "contextualize" the Bible, Jesus is now described as "God's Uniquely Beloved Chosen One", or even

Cyril Lucarnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8795051841824828970.post-45929024115285684512011-10-02T13:01:00.000-04:002011-10-02T13:01:18.329-04:00

Here is the Gospel in six statements from this morning in the sermon on Isaiah 28:1-13 i. There is only one true God who made the world and everything in it including us ii. We brought sin into the world through our first father and every single person who followed him iii. Because of our sin we have earned God’s wrath and maimed the world. iv. Jesus came as our rescuing king to pay the price

Cyril Lucarnoreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8795051841824828970.post-44914889338376199582011-09-25T17:07:00.000-04:002011-09-25T17:07:24.230-04:00

Today I preached on Isaiah 17:7-13. The passage looks to the future of Israel, which will suffer greatly by being carried into captivity into Babylon. God tells the Israelites that the captivity is for the purpose of discipline, not judgement. He is seeking to bring them into repentance so that they will smash their idols and experience atonement for their sins. Then, "on that day" the Lord will

Cyril Lucarnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8795051841824828970.post-29771508797512015482011-09-04T00:24:00.001-04:002011-09-04T15:47:58.425-04:00

Marshall St. John, pastor of Wayside Presbyterian Church, loving father and husband and my friend, passed into the arms of his savior after a short battle with malignant melanoma of the lungs. His spirit was borne by angels to the throne of the father and his body will wait for the resurrection of the dead. Marshall was known for his Christ-like kindness, love for others, and his deep humility.

Cyril Lucarnoreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8795051841824828970.post-35432182793771636992011-08-26T19:52:00.000-04:002011-08-26T19:52:00.202-04:00

Our dear brother, Marshall St. John, the pastor of Wayside Presbyterian in Signal Mountain, Tennessee, continues to struggle with cancer. His weakness has been increasing and currently his white blood cell count is dropping as he is struggling with infection. Please pray for his healing, his faith, and his family (especially his wife, Grace). He desires from his heart to see God, but he grieves

Cyril Lucarnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8795051841824828970.post-55841407055105570382011-08-24T15:16:00.000-04:002011-08-24T15:16:56.930-04:00

A friend sent me this, a beautiful reflection on same-sex attraction and celibacy from a Christian man who knows about this from experience. (A thank you to Bekah.)

Cyril Lucarnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8795051841824828970.post-25165533198508459712011-08-23T17:07:00.003-04:002011-08-23T17:10:39.868-04:00

This just in from ICC. I have to admit, Vietnam and our brothers and sisters there are often not on my radar screen. Note the age of the youngest victim and pray. Christian Worshippers Brutally Beaten by Vietnamese Police Sixteen Degar Montagnard Christians Attacked, Twelve Beaten Unconscious, One Arrested Washington, D.C. (August 17, 2011) – International Christian Concern (ICC) has learned

Cyril Lucarnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8795051841824828970.post-26537475283238047152011-07-19T19:01:00.000-04:002011-07-19T19:01:39.224-04:00

Since I've been asked, here are the details to answer regarding the conundrum of Genesis 10:21 "To Shem also, the father of all of the children of Eber, the elder brother of Japheth, children were born." Is Eber an elder brother of Japheth, making him a previously unmentioned fourth brother with Shem, Ham and Japheth? Was there some kind of Levirate marriage going on wherein Eber, the eldest,

Cyril Lucarnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8795051841824828970.post-47338172830468796252011-07-19T15:28:00.001-04:002011-07-19T15:29:27.941-04:00

As a pastor who desires to be faithful in teaching God's Word, I encourage people to come to me with their biblical questions so that I can help keep them from going astray in their reading of the Word. I recently received this email from a particularly thoughtful member of my congregation and I thought many of you might have the same question. I have reproduced the question and answer for your

Cyril Lucarnoreply@blogger.com4tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8795051841824828970.post-80303412459939686842011-07-07T00:33:00.000-04:002011-07-07T00:33:29.245-04:00

Like many people I felt sad and angry when I heard the Casey Anthony verdict. I wasn't surprised that they didn't convict her of first degree murder - I knew the evidence wasn't there. But not even manslaughter? This woman is most certainly guilty. The prosecutor did a masterful job of destroying her alibi narrative ("My daughter died in the pool and my dad and I covered it up out of fear.")

Cyril Lucarnoreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8795051841824828970.post-53466551762277099782011-07-05T14:46:00.000-04:002011-07-05T14:46:43.189-04:00

Dr. Marshall St. John, the pastor of Wayside Presbyterian Church in Signal Mountain, Tennessee (and my dear friend) has been diagnosed with stage IV malignant melanoma in his lungs. Please pray for Marshall and his wife, Grace as Marshall begins treatment for this very aggressive cancer. Marshall had to immediately retire from Wayside. Please pray for God to heal Marshall and grant him great

Cyril Lucarnoreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8795051841824828970.post-44976546168625830282011-06-20T01:38:00.002-04:002011-06-20T01:42:01.012-04:00

Cyril Lucarnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8795051841824828970.post-1038786313578789392011-06-19T23:32:00.001-04:002011-06-19T23:51:40.827-04:00

This Sunday was Trinity Sunday and I preached on Acts 20:13-38, Paul's address to the Ephesian elders at Miletus. I highlighted the Trinitarian thought undergirding Paul's message and talked about how the two breeds of wolves that we know came into the New Testament church were Judaizers and Nicolaitans. We know that the Judaizers were legalists and the Nicolaitans were libertines. We also have

Cyril Lucarnoreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8795051841824828970.post-23805517863588752692011-06-18T20:41:00.000-04:002011-06-18T20:41:12.113-04:00

There are several hundred official pictures of the 2011 PCA General Assembly online here. This one is of me speaking in favor of a Study Committee on Insider Movements.

Cyril Lucarnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8795051841824828970.post-35434289890491813822011-06-17T10:53:00.002-04:002011-06-17T11:03:51.702-04:00

I made a comment on the blog Johannes Weslianus concerning Dr. Bryan Chapell's membership on the Standing Judicial Commission of the PCA, reflecting that it represented a problem with accountability in our denomination. A brother gave me a well-stated and kindly challenge on my comment and I explained my concerns in more detail as follows: Mike, I don't think that Bryan Chapell is

Cyril Lucarnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8795051841824828970.post-75527600677212942532011-06-14T15:55:00.005-04:002011-06-14T16:25:00.677-04:00

Here is the text to the resolution passed by the PCA General Assembly: A Call To Faithful Witness Approved By The 39th General Assembly Of The Presbyterian Church In America June 10, 2011 Whereas; the Church is called to take the gospel to all peoples, including those who have historically been resistant to the gospel; Whereas; contextualizing the language and forms of the gospel, while

Cyril Lucarnoreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8795051841824828970.post-42774801443246254462011-06-13T01:18:00.001-04:002011-06-13T01:20:56.021-04:00

When someone asks you about Presbyterianism, show them this video and then say, "We're the other kind of Presbyterians." So thankful for my denomination. At our General Assembly, we opened with a psalm, a hymn, and a stirring sermon calling us to faithfulness by Harry Reeder.

Cyril Lucarnoreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8795051841824828970.post-82574282254921043272011-06-10T20:43:00.001-04:002011-06-13T18:04:22.251-04:00

This picture has nothing to do with the Insider Movement Study Committee The MTW Committee of Commissioners brought a revised motion back to the floor of General Assembly on Friday morning, recommending (with MTW) that the Assembly condemn "Insider Translations" which remove references to God as "Father" and Jesus as the "Son of God." They also (against the wishes of MTW) revived Potomac

Cyril Lucarnoreply@blogger.com3tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8795051841824828970.post-67102827482794863482011-06-09T22:25:00.002-04:002011-06-14T17:27:05.090-04:00

The Committee of Commissioners on MTW (CoC MTW), whose responsibility it is to provide representational supervision to the Permanent Committee on MTW, overwhelmingly voted to restore the Potomac Presbytery's language in their overture which called for the General Assembly to erect a Study Committee on Insider Movements. This is perhaps the most important theological issue for the evangelical

Cyril Lucarnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8795051841824828970.post-86991524742298757272011-06-09T13:06:00.001-04:002011-06-10T10:53:30.096-04:00

The Assembly Floor is somewhat sparse as numerous non-contentious reports are presented.

Cyril Lucarnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8795051841824828970.post-69420536316840399002011-06-08T14:37:00.002-04:002011-06-13T18:05:54.743-04:00

Wycliffe, the Presbyterian church of Bangladesh, and other organizations have sent communications to the General Assembly regarding the use of "Insider Translations" and the involvement of the PCA in Insider Movements in the world. These communications were ruled out of order, partially out of concerns that this precedent would open the floodgates of lobbying by outside organizations and parties

Cyril Lucarnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8795051841824828970.post-32746222173770428162011-06-08T10:35:00.003-04:002011-06-14T17:32:22.214-04:00

The Aquila Report reveals that the "emperor has no clothes" so to speak. Clements writes: Dr. Kooistra was invited to explain CMTW’s recommendation of removal of the study committee from the overture. MTW had issued a statement saying that a committee was unnecessary given the fact that MTW was already equipped to assist churches deal with insider movement issues. Upon further questioning, Dr.

Cyril Lucarnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8795051841824828970.post-46997938862529850372011-06-07T22:29:00.002-04:002011-06-10T11:11:18.810-04:00

With the Assembly Internet currently down I'm correcting a post from earlier today. A friend who is one of the Former Insider experts at MTW asked me to correct my statement that he claimed that MTW didn't have any studies on the Insider Movement. He said that Dr. Kooistra states that he has three articles on the Movement. I initially thought that meant Mr. Kooistra has WRITTEN three articles,

Cyril Lucarnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8795051841824828970.post-50971354480460902832011-06-07T00:37:00.000-04:002011-06-07T00:37:18.075-04:00

A month or so ago a good friend circulated some material (long) on Insider Movements to his extensive email list. One of his recipients is a Christian journalist, of whom many of you would be familiar. He is a deeply committed Christian and is involved with reporting on the Islamic world, missions and Christian persecution. He didn't know what the Insider Movement was and humbly asked that

Cyril Lucarnoreply@blogger.com3tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8795051841824828970.post-29569584486734084782011-06-07T00:21:00.002-04:002011-06-10T13:35:11.599-04:00

Praise God that the overture to erect a study committee on Insider Movements passed out of the Committee of Commissioners (CoC) on Mission to the World this evening. The CoC reversed the Committee on MTW which struck the proposal from the Overture because they claimed that MTW had already done the studies and had materials ready to assist churches in evaluating Insider Movements. The problem with

Cyril Lucarnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8795051841824828970.post-25480954010162653312011-06-05T00:47:00.000-04:002011-06-05T00:47:32.676-04:00

Here's what I wrote to MTW almost a month ago. Remember (see below) that they claim that they have done studies on Insider Movements (for description of heresy, see posts below) and these studies are available to the churches. I wrote MTW on May 9. No response yet. Subject: Insider Movements Information Needed Date: May 9, 2011 Sent to: info@mtw.org Hi, I received an email from Paul Gilchrist

Cyril Lucarnoreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8795051841824828970.post-6317123463527880822011-06-04T23:45:00.001-04:002011-06-10T13:38:26.739-04:00

On May 9 of this year the Committee on MTW passed a resolution recommending to the GA that it PASS the overture condemning "Insider" Bible translations but STRIKE the language calling for a study committee. The rationale is, in their own words, "MTW has conducted extensive research and has numerous resources and tools available to assist local churches in evaluating insider movements." What is

Cyril Lucarnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8795051841824828970.post-53677444293602355552011-06-03T17:57:00.003-04:002011-06-10T13:43:24.220-04:00

Well, next week is the PCA General Assembly. I'll be blogging during the Assembly (GA) again; I hope more than last year - it'll keep me from speaking as much. This year's GA is in Virginia Beach - nice. The best deal my assistant could find was a beachfront cabin near the Assembly. [[Turns out, beachfront is not so beachfront. 10 minutes from the beach.] Life is hard. Here are some initial

Cyril Lucarnoreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8795051841824828970.post-24335428398498505222011-05-29T00:30:00.000-04:002011-05-29T00:30:03.610-04:00

John Piper got a lot of flack by inviting Rick Warren to speak at his Desiring God conference, but circumstances kept Warren from participating. Piper then decided to do a long interview with Warren to discuss theology and The Purpose Driven Life (perhaps the second best-selling Christian book in history - not counting the Bible). It turns out that Rick is a thoroughgoing Baptist Calvinist (

Cyril Lucarnoreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8795051841824828970.post-57616143191313975862011-04-26T15:39:00.001-04:002011-04-26T15:40:56.874-04:00

Fantastic article by Dan Phillips at Pyromamiacs. Hat tip to Bekah. Porn and Paper Pastors Decades ago, I read a disturbingly candid essay by a pastor about his struggles with pornography. It was in Leadership magazine. Years later, two of his realizations still stand out to me. The author came to see (as I recall) that he was attracted to these images because they were unreal. The women in the

Cyril Lucarnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8795051841824828970.post-43538982590699811212011-04-24T00:53:00.003-04:002011-04-24T00:54:40.443-04:00

Christos Anesti! Christ is Risen! While Abraham, King David, Mohammed and Buddha all lie in their graves awaiting the judgement of the wicked and the just, Jesus Christ is risen from the dead and sits at the right hand of the Father. He will come again with glory.

Cyril Lucarnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8795051841824828970.post-19424777951777428602011-04-22T15:09:00.002-04:002011-04-22T15:12:04.007-04:00

Don't let this happen to you on Easter Sunday!

Cyril Lucarnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8795051841824828970.post-46172440341201175472011-04-22T12:06:00.002-04:002011-04-22T12:14:32.343-04:00

This frightens and convicts me (from John Brown's Commentary on First Peter):It is painful to think that it is no uncommon thing for a person to be able to talk plausibly about these principles of Christianity, to reason conclusively in their support, and to be zealous even to rancour against those who deny, or even doubt, their truth; while he yet continues a total stranger to their transforming

Cyril Lucarnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8795051841824828970.post-44318177225492771902011-04-22T00:56:00.002-04:002011-04-22T01:02:38.888-04:00

As many of you already know, the state of Texas is currently on fire. The whole thing. I'm not kidding. As of yesterday, there were only two counties in the whole state that don't have fires. Over a million and a half acres have burnt. Two firefighters have died. Please pray for rain. As the governor of Texas has asked for prayer today, God's answer would surely shine his glory before many who

Cyril Lucarnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8795051841824828970.post-65920417443395780502011-04-18T16:15:00.002-04:002011-04-18T16:35:03.402-04:00

Don't let its size daunt you. The Island of the World by Michael O'Brian is not a difficult read, at least in that it is not intellectually tiring (does that make sense?). But it IS a difficult read in a spiritual and emotional sense, not like Saving Private Ryan (glad I saw it and never will again), but in that it takes you to difficult places and you find that your heart and soul went on a

Cyril Lucarnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8795051841824828970.post-24009768630246572132011-04-17T19:27:00.003-04:002011-04-17T19:45:31.762-04:00

Here are some study notes from today's sermon.I talked about Clement of Rome this morning. A site which has his letter and lots of other early church documents is Christian Classics Ethereal Library. The section of the letter where he talks about the faithfulness of the Corinthians is here.The three ministries I mentioned this morning are:The Diaconate of HighlandsHighlands Presbyterian

Cyril Lucarnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8795051841824828970.post-56344673490536681342011-04-10T15:25:00.000-04:002011-04-10T16:09:01.724-04:00

In a classic case of seemingly small decisions and unintended consequences, Christians in Iran have been endangered by the recent budget cutting in Congress. International Christian Concern has reported that in the midst of the budget cuts of the Republican-led Congress, Texas Representative Lamar Smith (R), chairman of the House Judiciary Committee, has proposed reviewing all judicial amendments

Cyril Lucarnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8795051841824828970.post-58826881633556529902011-03-16T00:24:00.000-04:002011-03-16T00:56:29.537-04:00

One Christian that I follow is Jamal Jivanjee, the convert from Islam who has become a minor Christian celebrity through his role in leading Rifqa Bary, another convert from Islam, to Christ. Her conversion and subsequent running away from home catapulted her into the media spotlight and Jamal ended up on Fox news talking about Rifqa and Islam. Before the storm ended, Jamal was also embroiled in

Cyril Lucarnoreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8795051841824828970.post-54816425684372427342010-12-24T23:30:00.000-05:002010-12-24T23:36:57.566-05:00

Christians in both India and Iraq are under threat of attack this Christmas by Hindu radicals in Oriss, India and al-Qaeda in Iraq (respectively). Hindu radicals are having a gathering on Christmas Day this year. The last gathering on Christmas 2007 resulted in a mass wave of violence against Christians. In Iraq, al-Qaeda in Iraq has vowed to purge Christians from the country. Please pray for the

Cyril Lucarnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8795051841824828970.post-46633998727888884452010-12-17T21:13:00.001-05:002010-12-17T21:14:55.551-05:00

Here is the wonderful poem by Johanna Anderson...The Lord of the SmallPraise to the Lord of the Small Broken Things,Who Sees the Poor Sparrow That cannot take wing.Who loves the lame child and the wretch in the streetwho comforts their sorrows and washes their feet....Praise to the lord of the faint and afraidwho girds them with courage and lends them his aid,he pours out his spirit on vessels so

Cyril Lucarnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8795051841824828970.post-11354934272121994442010-12-16T23:27:00.000-05:002010-12-16T23:34:36.610-05:00

An old friend's wife wrote a poem that a composer set to music. My friend, Bill Anderson, is an economics professor and blogger on economics and law. His wife, Johanna, is a counselor with a heart for the forgotten and broken. Her poem is "Lord of the Small." The composer is Dan Forrest. Enjoy.

Cyril Lucarnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8795051841824828970.post-89090123538604464792010-12-10T13:24:00.001-05:002010-12-10T13:26:10.865-05:00

First Baptist Church, West Palm Beach, Florida. Bwahahahahaha!

Cyril Lucarnoreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8795051841824828970.post-45295343585018059482010-12-07T01:05:00.000-05:002010-12-10T13:45:24.962-05:00

Update: Apparently these spammers are actually malware distributors masquerading as porn spammers. While there's something deliciously ironic about someone clicking on a link for a porn video and instead downloading a virus, I have no toleration for having inappropriate photos attached to my account. Twitter either does not have the technology or the will to keep this kind of garbage from coming

Cyril Lucarnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8795051841824828970.post-7984594466478038172010-12-03T12:04:00.001-05:002010-12-03T13:20:10.377-05:00

In the Western world the Koranic injunction for husbands to beat their wives seems to be a constant source of embarrassment for those trying to explain Islam to a secular or Christian audience. The way the force of this injunction is muted is to a) argue that Mohammad really loved women and treated them well and b) that "beat them" means "beat them lightly only if it is necessary" (Sura 4:34).

Cyril Lucarnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8795051841824828970.post-6817205895666452482010-11-29T16:00:00.000-05:002010-11-29T16:07:56.125-05:00

Conflicting reports still continue out of Pakistan concerning Asia Bibi, the Christian mother of four who has been convicted of blasphemy and sentenced to death. While it is possible that she has been released. The High Court of Pakistan has declared that President Asif Ali al-Zardari does not have the authority to issue pardons in blasphemy cases. Please visit www.persecution.org to find out how

Cyril Lucarnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8795051841824828970.post-23855797928574278792010-11-28T23:19:00.000-05:002010-12-03T14:04:57.201-05:00

Rachid, our brother from Morocco who hosts the Christian television program "Life TV," has produced a stunning and informative documentary on Islam. Using Islamic videos and texts and subtitled in English, this documentary will completely transform your understanding of Islam. This is worth the time to watch it.Here is the video.

Cyril Lucarnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8795051841824828970.post-24073173985834736402010-11-28T00:34:00.000-05:002010-11-28T00:36:54.358-05:00

Please help save Sayed Mossa, an Afghani Christian who has been sentenced to death for his faith. His execution draws very near. Here is a link to an article on how to help him.

Cyril Lucarnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8795051841824828970.post-87542711582949958092010-11-27T23:30:00.000-05:002010-11-27T23:42:09.305-05:00

Scanning the articles posted on the Aquila Report, I noticed my name mentioned in reference to a speech I gave at the last General Assembly of the PCA. The author posted a link whereby, if you advance the player, you can watch my short comment.The comment was made in the midst of debate on the funding plan for the Administrative Committee of our denomination. I have objected for years that there

Cyril Lucarnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8795051841824828970.post-31160950888979425602010-11-22T13:56:00.001-05:002010-11-22T13:58:05.903-05:00

Pakistan Releases Christian WomanSentenced to Death for 'Blasphemy' Washington, D.C. (November 22,2010)–International Christian Concern (ICC) has learned that today the president of Pakistan has pardoned a Christian woman sentenced to death for blasphemy. Asia Bibi was sentenced on November 8 after a court in Punjab province found her guilty of making blasphemous statements against the Islamic

Cyril Lucarnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8795051841824828970.post-70943402035430812302010-11-21T16:27:00.000-05:002010-11-21T16:30:42.086-05:00

Kelly Kapic (Covenant College professor and author of multiple books) recently finished a new book in collaboration with Justin Borger. Justin is Bob and Jan Borger's son. The Chattanoogan has an article about the book here. Matt and Joan Vos are discussed in the book in one of the illustrations.Highlands has the book on sale for $14.

Cyril Lucarnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8795051841824828970.post-46958600127663686322010-11-19T11:48:00.001-05:002010-11-19T11:49:36.123-05:00

From Stuff Christians Like, your guide for getting ready for a pastoral visit.

Cyril Lucarnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8795051841824828970.post-90512970374413525302010-09-06T08:41:00.000-04:002010-09-06T09:02:07.102-04:00

Anyone who knows me well knows that I'm not one of those who spends a great deal of time banging the drum about biblical creationism. I'd rather talk about the cross and the kingdom of God. But that being said, the cross assumes a real historical Adam. Adam sinned for us all, as our representative, and plunged humanity into guilt and sin. Jesus, the New Adam, died for us, as our representative,

Cyril Lucarnoreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8795051841824828970.post-544065244173042242010-08-30T21:46:00.000-04:002010-09-03T11:58:12.435-04:00

The "Piltdown Man" - now known to be a hoax (though I'm sure I've ridden a bus with this guy)The Aquila Report has a fascinating (and troubling) article about a PCA teaching elder in New York City publicly teaching theistic evolution. According to the Aquila Report, our Standing Judicial Commission has previously ruled that not only can a Teaching Elder not believe in Theistic Evolution, but

Cyril Lucarnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8795051841824828970.post-63608311028229223952010-07-03T22:45:00.000-04:002010-07-03T23:05:33.442-04:00

The 38th General Assembly ended with most of the Strategic Plan adopted (at least this stage of it adopted) with vigorous protest of a large part of the Assembly on some of the Plan. One of the PCAs remaining founders, Don Clements (the Aquila Report), expressed his concern in an article. Likening this to calling a pastor he posed a rhetorical question, "Who would take a call as a pastor with so

Cyril Lucarnoreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8795051841824828970.post-66837641528163537432010-07-01T23:00:00.000-04:002010-07-01T23:19:40.903-04:00

After an embarrassing argument justifying the lack of Scriptural support and a growing sense of the near inevitability of the passage of the whole Strategic Plan, the tone of the Assembly seems to be changing as two of the recommendations have been defeated in a row with a third passing by ten votes. The men seem more somber and engaged and the "powers that be" are huddling and whispering to one

Cyril Lucarnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8795051841824828970.post-37763432133083870652010-07-01T17:28:00.000-04:002010-07-01T17:36:03.948-04:00

Not really, but it is starting to look that way. Bryan Chapell, who is the president of Covenant Seminary (the head of a committee) and on the committee which develops and administrates the Strategic Plan, and who takes part in almost all of the informal decisions about our denomination (and I don't know what else), was elected to serve on the Standing Judicial Commission. Not a hair on his head

Cyril Lucarnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8795051841824828970.post-52118895237780766532010-07-01T17:10:00.000-04:002010-07-01T17:28:49.570-04:00

The Strategic Plan is moving forward slowly. Passage is probably inevitable but the majority is successfully moving it forward despite the relentless objections of the minority. The minority are arguing that there is too much confusion and no explicit Scriptural support for the Plan. The majority is arguing that the biblical work was done previously and that the details of the plan will become

Cyril Lucarnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8795051841824828970.post-56852117654047844942010-07-01T12:55:00.000-04:002010-07-01T17:10:19.998-04:00

In a stunning display of Christian liberty, World Harvest Missions has been operating a hospitality and fellowship room in the Flying Saucer Pub. All comers are offered a beer, a cigar, and food. Members and guests of the Assembly were invited to hang out at the pub and visit with World Harvest missionaries and directors. Conversations on the Kingdom of God abounded.

Cyril Lucarnoreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8795051841824828970.post-44264808297602936122010-07-01T12:50:00.006-04:002012-01-27T17:38:32.772-05:00

This post isn't really about the Aryan Nations, except in a tertiary way that some would characterize as unfair and others as troubling or bizarre. The larger issue, which I'll touch on at the end, is the question: "What constitutes racism?" and "What views on race are acceptable in a) the church, b) on the local session, and c) in the ordained pastoral ministry?" At my first General Assembly

Cyril Lucarnoreply@blogger.com4tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8795051841824828970.post-3343303182908399312010-07-01T09:14:00.000-04:002010-07-01T09:20:56.501-04:00

Steve Corbett's book, When Helping Hurts, continues to occupy an important place in the PCA (and beyond). Steve's co-author and fellow professor gave a seminar at General Assembly. And at the PCA bookstore the book is displayed prominently. Praise God this important book is still getting the attention and consideration it deserves.

Cyril Lucarnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8795051841824828970.post-23543454384512960942010-07-01T08:48:00.000-04:002010-07-01T08:50:25.400-04:00

Dr. Roy Taylor gently chided bloggers for criticizing the Strategic Plan on the internet. During his report to the Assembly as head of the Administrative Committee Dr. Taylor noted that only twelve people have directly contacted his office with concerns about the Strategic Plan but many have criticized it online. Some of the criticism he found thoughtful, but other criticism was very mean

Cyril Lucarnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8795051841824828970.post-73885551750214248212010-06-30T17:19:00.000-04:002010-06-30T17:25:46.623-04:00

As we sink deeper into the reports section of the Assembly, the PCA Foundation report finally broke the tide as hundreds of commissioners left the floor at once and they keep peeling off as the report goes on. It's not that the Foundation is not important, but listening to an explanation of financial services meant to help people manage their charitable giving just isn't that engaging.We also

Cyril Lucarnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8795051841824828970.post-14084249431211828872010-06-30T17:01:00.000-04:002010-06-30T17:18:42.327-04:00

Ruling Elder Dan Hudson noticing that RidgeHaven Retreat and Conference Center, which appears to be sinking fast, has responded by raising the director's salary from $80,000 to $95,000. If I'm not mistaken, he also gets a really nice house to live in for free. To be fair, he makes a lot less than the other committee heads (such as Mission to the World and Mission to North America).

Cyril Lucarnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8795051841824828970.post-29815925226600984512010-06-30T16:58:00.001-04:002010-06-30T16:59:07.006-04:00

As an overview of this year's assembly, here's what we are dealing with this year. Besides a small mountain of regular business and reports, we have two major issues before the Assembly: the issue of the role of women in diaconal ministry and the PCA Strategic Plan. This year the Assembly elected Harry Reeder, the pastor of one of our largest churches, Briarwood Presbyterian (Birmingham), to be

Cyril Lucarnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8795051841824828970.post-1700685563834654732010-06-30T15:41:00.000-04:002010-06-30T16:50:59.825-04:00

Actually, I've never met Tim Keller. But he's about ten feet in front of me and I'm taking his picture like a stalker (please don't tell him). There's his lovely bald cranium, grey jacket and jeans.

Cyril Lucarnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8795051841824828970.post-30182201070134936622010-06-30T10:01:00.000-04:002010-06-30T15:41:41.976-04:00

I'm come to this year's General Assembly with as much consternation as I've ever experienced coming to one of these things. Over the years, I developed a progressively more jaded attitude towards our denomination as a organizational entity. It's a funny thing, as a people bound by a common confession of faith and as churches working for God's kingdom, I love our denomination. As an organization

Cyril Lucarnoreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8795051841824828970.post-12459610205471667642010-06-25T11:05:00.000-04:002010-06-25T11:10:05.146-04:00

For all were at VBS last night and heard my illustration related to Romans 6:4, here's a couple of manta ray videos. The first is a guy riding a small one while wearing full SCUBA gear. The second is some manta jumping. For a really wild ride, a person has to grab a big one (they get at least 25 feet wide) and not be wearing the cumbersome SCUBA equipment.Enjoy!

Cyril Lucarnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8795051841824828970.post-412740877654352512010-06-20T18:02:00.000-04:002010-06-20T18:09:16.602-04:00

There once was a Fox Television office where two men both had wives expecting babies. Their co-workers ordered a cake to read: Happy Fatherhood Shaun and Glenn. This is what they got. From Cake Wrecks. Happy Fathers' Day.

Cyril Lucarnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8795051841824828970.post-20862124540131901582010-05-16T17:50:00.000-04:002010-05-16T17:51:24.328-04:00

"Sunday's Coming" Movie Trailer from North Point Media on Vimeo.

Cyril Lucarnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8795051841824828970.post-61131752608383862942010-04-23T17:20:00.000-04:002010-04-23T17:28:35.520-04:00

Do not watch this sermon unless you have an hour to watch the whole message. Do not watch this sermon unless you can give it your whole attention. Watch this with your family. Get ready for life-giving, life-saving truth.">

Cyril Lucarnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8795051841824828970.post-49358944494112745532010-04-23T17:12:00.001-04:002010-04-23T17:16:22.463-04:00

Back when the ESV first came out, Good News Publishers included a postcard for free copy of an ESV Bible program. The first version was created by WordSoft, and it was great. It was easy to use and flexible. The later software giveaways were not as useful, and after I changed computers several times I wasn't able to transfer the program.A couple of months ago I found a wonderful Bible study

Cyril Lucarnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8795051841824828970.post-54225846389301537072010-03-22T00:02:00.001-04:002010-03-22T00:06:28.126-04:00

I don't know this preacher, but O, what encouragement!

Cyril Lucarnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8795051841824828970.post-7653831492393780622010-03-19T11:52:00.000-04:002010-03-19T11:54:25.181-04:00

This week's challenges: 1) Go to war with worry. Live in day-tight compartments (Dale Carnegie, Matt 6:34). Confess your worry to a brother or sister and to God (throughout the week). Give a praise for God's provision everyday (different person and different praise). 2) For one week you will not pray for yourself. For one week you will only pray Kingdom-advancing prayers. Avoid “organ recitals.”

Cyril Lucarnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8795051841824828970.post-68299100357258117922010-03-19T11:46:00.000-04:002010-03-19T11:51:46.036-04:00

The third sermon in our Lenten series on the Sermon on the Mount, "Walking with Jesus" is titled "Do You Have a Secret?"Here are the challenges from week three:1. If you do not ever pray in secret, this week, commit to pray in secret every day this week using the Lord's prayer as a guide.2. This week, fast without letting anyone know. If you have participated in our corporate fasting at Highlands

Cyril Lucarnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8795051841824828970.post-2434585153985360382010-03-19T11:41:00.000-04:002010-03-19T11:45:35.914-04:00

Here are the challenges from the second sermon in our Lenten series, "You Are the Light of Jesus." a) Reconcile with someone who has a complaint against you. Start on Monday. Be heroic. Decide that you will rather be made a fool or taken advantage of in some way rather than give up a chance to be reconciled. b) You are going to crack open the secret box of your lust problem. Confess to someone

Cyril Lucarnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8795051841824828970.post-82515550087576519122010-03-19T11:30:00.000-04:002010-03-19T11:40:57.292-04:00

This Lent (the church season leading up to Easter) we are spending time in the Sermon on the Mount in a series I'm calling, "Walking with Jesus." The Sermon on the Mount is intensely practical, giving very direct counsel on the Gospel life. This Lent, we're looking at what it means to actually "walk with Jesus," as opposed to just "thinking or feeling about Jesus." Every week I'm giving a set of

Cyril Lucarnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8795051841824828970.post-89847747650934963592010-02-09T14:27:00.000-05:002010-02-09T14:31:00.905-05:00

Another good friend, Dr. Marshall St. John, sent me this image of our meeting place (?) for this year's PCA General Assembly. It seems that we might be fighting more than liberalism and fear of women.

Cyril Lucarnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8795051841824828970.post-61263080714210750842010-02-09T13:58:00.000-05:002010-02-09T14:01:34.318-05:00

My good friend David Robertson (who is also our lead translator at Highlands) sent me these thoughts on my sermon on Luke 6.1-5). They are so insightful, I thought I'd share them with everyone."Jesus has just, in the previous chapter, shocked the crowd and appalled the Pharisees by telling them he has the authority to forgive sins. He makes lots of other statements about himself in the gospels

Cyril Lucarnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8795051841824828970.post-50528499287953996582009-11-17T00:10:00.000-05:002009-11-17T00:44:12.253-05:00

When the man introduced himself to me as an "independent journalist," I didn't think an awful lot about it. There are often journalists writing for blogs and small magazines around religious conventions and conferences. He spent a while talking to me, a very pleasant guy.I had gone to the mic during a comment time after a presentation at the Renewing the Evangelical Mission Conference at Gordon

Cyril Lucarnoreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8795051841824828970.post-48012007448440232512009-10-14T13:30:00.000-04:002009-10-14T13:54:45.735-04:00

Gordon-Conwell SeminarySouth Hamilton, MAI'm not sure how I ended up here. Some months ago I received a flyer in the mail for a conference and I mat the speakers list, "I've never really been to a conference before and here are a bunch of cool speakers; I should go." I drive everywhere it seems, so I drove...23 hours...to New England. It's very pretty here...and cold.I have been struck by two of

Cyril Lucarnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8795051841824828970.post-43360410171596804182009-10-13T09:17:00.001-04:002009-10-13T09:59:33.234-04:00

From South Hampton, MA (Panera)(Pastor Travis is attending the "Renewing the Evangelical Mission Conference" this week)I struggle constantly with getting certain types of tasks done. There are things which I intend to do which I seem either to not get done or encounter monumental struggles in doing so. A friend of mine, unnamed but easily identifiable, is a citizen of another country. His mission

Cyril Lucarnoreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8795051841824828970.post-18773838298301137852009-09-17T21:56:00.000-04:002009-09-19T11:00:26.283-04:00

UPDATE - The two young journalists have now released two more videos in their gotcha journalism series on ACORN. Apparently they had a fairly easy time finding ACORN employees willing to help them lie to banks and the IRS while setting up a child prostitution business. Exposing this organization has now led to the US Census Bureau cancelling their contract with ACORN. I wonder why an organization

Cyril Lucarnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8795051841824828970.post-32529747625721815192009-09-15T11:17:00.000-04:002009-09-19T10:41:52.016-04:00

A conversation with one of my blog "followers" revealed that people probably have the impression that "following" a blog is the same as "subscribing." Apparently if you "follow" you still do not receive notification of a new posting. "Following" a blog is a) a way to show your support of the blog and b) a way to organize the blogs you are following from your Blogger account "dashboard." If you "

Cyril Lucarnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8795051841824828970.post-59638791848699119932009-09-13T16:07:00.000-04:002009-09-19T10:59:13.445-04:00

Several people at Highlands have mentioned that I seem like I've lost weight. I have, and it's intentional. I've lost over 30 pounds so far and hope to lost about 20 more. Someone told me today that I looked too thin. I'm actually still overweight by anyone's measure - I just have a large frame, wear baggy shirts, and have been big long enough that people are used to seeing me that way. I've been

Cyril Lucarnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8795051841824828970.post-6658361182922501002009-09-11T09:33:00.000-04:002009-09-19T11:00:01.802-04:00

Conservatives and Liberals alike have their share of guilt when it comes to abuse of the poor. One of the things which makes Liberal abuse of the poor particularly aggregious is that they usually do it under the guise of "helping" the people that they are abusing. As I pointed out last Sunday, every tyrant of the 20th century rose to power claiming to be an advocate of the poor. Most of them then

Cyril Lucarnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8795051841824828970.post-1735625623691673242009-09-07T11:21:00.000-04:002009-09-07T12:26:55.967-04:00

I've heard (many times) an illustration of a mango orchard (usually used to teach a dynamic related to evangelism) which goes something like this: In a mango orchard the mangos do not ripen all at once, but over many weeks. So, instead of harvesting by cleaning all of the trees, the worker has to continually go back through the orchard looking for ripe fruit. I don't know if this illustration is

Cyril Lucarnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8795051841824828970.post-17109763246541607232009-09-03T09:28:00.000-04:002009-09-07T12:31:21.120-04:00

I ran across this little gem in God in the Dock. It is in a letter Lewis wrote to The Christian Century."In both countries an essential part of the ordination exam ought to be a passage from some recognized theological work set for translation into vulgar English - just like doing Latin prose. Failure on this paper should mean failure on the whole exam. It is absolutely disgraceful that we expect

Cyril Lucarnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8795051841824828970.post-89139552284619349802009-09-01T11:10:00.000-04:002009-09-01T11:14:56.279-04:00

I'm praising the Lord for the open, frank discussion on last Sunday at the congregational meeting. Thank you all for your godly and gentle deportment. Please continue to pray for the Session and for John as he begins another stage of Christian service at the First Presbyterian Church in Summerville.This week I am interviewing and testing multiple applicants for our secretary/office manager

Cyril Lucarnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8795051841824828970.post-82679445788934029712009-08-28T11:47:00.000-04:002009-09-07T12:32:55.723-04:00

Brothers and Sisters,As you fast and pray today (I observe the fast from sundown Thursday to sundown Friday) here are some deep needs in the Body of Christ which I found on the International Christian Concern website:Over ten thousand Christians have fled Burma (Myanmar) for CHINA to escape the ongoing civil conflict in Myanmar. The military government in Myanmar is attempting to crush resistance

Cyril Lucarnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8795051841824828970.post-7570036835938370042009-08-28T06:45:00.000-04:002009-09-11T09:26:07.588-04:00

While sitting in the men's study this morning..."If you hate sin as sin, and every evil way, you would be watchful against everything that grieves and disquiets the Spirit of God. You would not be concerned only about the sin that upsets your own soul! It is evident that you fight against this sin merely because it troubles you. If it did not bother your conscience you would let it alone. If it

Cyril Lucarnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8795051841824828970.post-613304479233935012009-08-24T23:32:00.000-04:002009-08-24T23:43:53.659-04:00

As I struggle through the Scriptures for a memorial service sermon tomorrow, I'm thinking both about Charlene (who had been praying for the Lord to bring her home for some time) and the difficult situation at Highlands around the departure of our brother elder John. I'm listening to worship music, "you conquered the grave," "you are mighty to save." Amen and amen. Jesus is mighty to save. Pastors

Cyril Lucarnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8795051841824828970.post-49273460658714057842009-08-24T13:08:00.000-04:002009-09-19T11:01:03.455-04:00

Many people at Highlands know Henry Krabbendam, emeritus professor of theology at Covenant College and long-time missionary to Uganda. He is a passionate, heroic, and eccentric figure. His booming, rich, Dutch-accented voice, his 6' 9'' frame, his broad smile and easy gentle hugs are all unforgettable. Thousands of students have learned to do theology under his teaching and today housewives to

Cyril Lucarnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8795051841824828970.post-2417758329584409252009-08-24T01:58:00.001-04:002009-09-11T09:28:20.400-04:00

Last Friday, the Lord took Rod Jackson, a former deacon at our church, children's ministry powerhouse, father of five and friend to many, home to be with his savior. I posted this memory on a blog dedicated to Rod.I remember Rod coming down the concourse with my son in his arms. It gave him a tremendous amount of joy to hand him to us. "Look at his feet! They're huge! He's going to be a hulk!" He

Cyril Lucarnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8795051841824828970.post-76915699544372604572009-08-24T01:53:00.000-04:002010-02-24T12:50:26.249-05:00

Here's a confession, I don't really know much about the "Emergent Church" movement. Pastor Mark Driscoll is supposed to be the pastor of a prominent church in the movement. I've heard that the movement is characterized by a softening of biblical truth. I don't think Mark got the message that he's supposed to back off on truth. But he sure is entertaining...

Cyril Lucarnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8795051841824828970.post-31360052011931212312009-08-24T01:51:00.000-04:002009-09-19T11:02:02.728-04:00

Sometimes I don't know whether I'm closer to weeping, heaving, or blowing a gasket. Like when I wrote this letter last week...12 June 2008EditorThe Walker County MessengerDear Editor,Reading Ms. Martin's column about Flintstone native Ashley Harkleroad's decision to uncover herself for Playboy magazine, I was struck by several things.The first was the comment that the nude pictures of his

Cyril Lucarnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8795051841824828970.post-61101577154326544812009-08-24T01:49:00.000-04:002009-09-11T09:30:36.785-04:00

I have a new hero, Fr. Zakaria Boutros, a Coptic priest now living in the United States. While the rest of us are lamenting Islam, Boutros is putting his life on the line to respond. He is apparently winning converts to Christ from al-Islam.As a disclaimer, the Copts are not Evangelicals. In, fact they are not even part of Orthodox Christian communion. But as Monophysites, they are about as close

Cyril Lucarnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8795051841824828970.post-65926038035932581592009-08-24T01:47:00.001-04:002009-09-11T09:32:35.012-04:00

I think it was in 1978 that an older friend lent me a paperback rulebook to a game that changed my world, Dungeons & Dragons. I think it was sub-titled, Basic Rulebook. Old-time gamers will remember the blue cover with the dragon. It was before the publication of the Player's Handbook, or the Dungeon Master's Guide, both of which I bought as soon as they appeared. The game brought me into a world

Cyril Lucarnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8795051841824828970.post-20068125785851938762009-08-24T01:43:00.000-04:002009-09-19T11:03:04.918-04:00

"Behold, the greatest cover-up in human history. Not only was Jesus Christ married, but He was a father." And, we find out from the Da Vinci Code, he was married to Mary Magdalene.This stunning assertion is one of the key revelations in Dan Brown’s book. Jesus had a wife, and it was Mary Magdalene, a familiar figure from the Gospels. Mary Magdalene is the woman out of whom Jesus had cast out

Cyril Lucarnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8795051841824828970.post-18487719045083555442009-08-24T01:41:00.000-04:002009-09-19T11:05:24.708-04:00

At the risk of beating on a dead horse, I’m writing again on the topic of immigration, this time to address a specific piece of legislation, House Resolution 3347. HR 3347 is most likely dead in the water, as it seems the United States Senate will never pass it. So why would I take time to talk about it at all?There are lots of reasons. While this specific bill may be dead, the ideas driving the

Cyril Lucarnoreply@blogger.com0