Blog Archives - ALL SOULS REFORMED CHURCH

The "Evangelical" Vote?

1/31/2016

With our news media abuzz with presidential primary stories and predictions one often hears the phrase "The Evangelical Voting Block." But as a person who could be labeled evangelical I have often wondered what the phrase means at a popular level. Indeed, I have sometimes wondered how many self-proclaimed evangelicals actually know what the "evangel" is.

In this video Dr. Carl Trueman of Westminster Theological Seminary briefly touches on the subject. While not specifically focusing on the so-called evangelical voting block, Trueman does offer some helpful insights on the meaning and usefulness of the evangelical label.

Church Awkwardness

1/28/2016

"Most churches have the uncanny ability to make their visitors feel very welcome and very awkward at the very same time." - Dick Lucas

The above quote comes from Dick Lucas, one of our visiting lecturers when I was a student on the Cornhill Training Course , in Glasgow, Scotland some years ago.

"Uncle" Dick Lucas, Rector Emeritus of St Helen’s, Bishopsgate, (London, England), & founder of The Proclamation Trust

Alright, fine! The quote doesn't exactly come from Dick Lucas... it comes from me and is the best paraphrase of something very profound that Lucas once said that I didn't bother to write down. Nevertheless, while Lucas's original quotation was certainly better worded than mine, even in my poor paraphrase one gets the thrust of Lucas's point. Namely, churches that are strange to us make us feel... well... strange.

Moreover, I think the paraphrase makes a good point and perhaps even gives us occasion as Christians and churchmen to laugh at our own strangeness. Laughing is certainly something we should do more of. Yes, we want to take our beliefs seriously. We want to take the worship of God seriously. But we don't want to take ourselves too seriously. For if we do, any visitor bringing to our gatherings a fresh set of eyes will see the absurdity of our pretense. Let us embrace our eccentricities and delight in our God who is gracious enough to redeem people such as ourselves!

Also let us continue to welcome outsiders into our midst as warmly as we can even as we chuckle at ourselves. As the book of proverbs puts it, "A Joyful heart is good medicine." So why not take your medicine right now! Watch the awkward welcome the visitor in the video gets when he stumbles into a strange church.

(BTW, you'll want to make sure you don't miss the singing of 'All Creatures of Our God and King' at the end... the recollection of this video has often made it difficult for me to remain dignified while singing this hymn in church.)

God is NOT like an Egg

1/27/2016

"Of God and of the Holy Trinity"
Westminster Confession of Faith
chapter 2

God is good. Eggs are good. But beyond this they are unrelated.

"Know Your Confession" is a course in theology that examines the Westminster Confession of Faith. It is free & open to the public. Please contact us for more information.

Maybe you've heard this one...
You were part of a group that was enjoying an amicable discussion of theology but when the doctrine of the Trinity came up everything changed.

Suddenly the otherwise unremarkable person at your left dons his mortarboard (metaphorically speaking) and assumes the character of a wise sage addressing a group of rather stupid children in short-pants with food stuck to their faces. With a condescending smile that betrays his misplaced confidence the self-appointed professor proudly announces "Oh, the Doctrine of the Holy Trinity is no mystery to me. You see, God is like an egg. There's the shell, the white, and the yolk. Three parts but jut one egg." After offering this gem of "wisdom," the would-be wiseman resumes his seat with the air of a man anticipating applause. Not receiving same, he becomes sulky and the group awkwardly disperses for parts unknown.

But in all honesty what other response could there have been to his astounding claim that "God is like an egg."

The God of the Bible is NOT like an egg.

So what is God like? And how are we to understand the doctrine of the Holy Trinity? Or perhaps a better question - what practical difference do these things make in a Christian's day-to-day life?

Well, the Bible has answers and the Westminster Confession of Faith summarizes these answers very helpfully in chapter 2.

Why not listen to last night's "Know Your Confession" class where we examine these things in some detail.

New Website - Have you seen it?

1/21/2016

Announcing Reformation Roundtable's New Online Home

With the relaunch of Reformation Roundtable comes the creation of a new Reformation Roundtable website.

Why not check it out here.

Tim Pasma, R Crabtree, Brett Cornelius, & Josh Hause hosts of Reformation Roundtable

What is Reformation Roundtable?
Reformation Roundtable is a quarterly live event & weekly podcast in Marion, Ohio, hosted by four area pastors. Listen in on the conversation, think, and grow as the hosts discuss a wide range of theological and social topics from a classical Protestant perspective.

Why Getting Attacked is Normal

1/20/2016

So there you were working away for the Lord when suddenly - BOOM!!! - you got blindsided by some nasty and careless person. Maybe they launched a smear campaign against you. Maybe they spread lies about you. Maybe they falsely accused you of things you had not done.
However it was that they attacked you, it wasn't fair... or true... or loving... or honest.

So why didn't the Lord just shield you from it all?

Find out in today's installment of "Useful Insights From Unexpected Sources."

Today's Useful Insight comes from
J.C. Ryle:

John Charles Ryle (10 May 1816 - 10 June 1900), Bishop of Liverpool

"Let it never surprise true Christians if they are slandered and misrepresented in this world. They must not expect to fare better than their Lord. Let them rather look forward to it as a matter of course, and see in it a part of the cross which all must bear after conversion. Lies and false reports are among Satan’s choicest weapons. When he cannot deter men from serving Christ, he labors to harass them and make Christ’s service uncomfortable. Let us bear it patiently, and not count it a strange thing. The words of the Lord Jesus should often come to our minds – “Woe unto you, when all men shall speak well of you.”[Luke 6:26] “Blessed are you, when men shall revile you, and persecute you, and say all manner of evil against you falsely for my sake.” [Matt. 5:11]"

3 Things to Put In Your Ears

1/13/2016

#1) Live @ Reformation Roundtable

Take a listen to a few of the musicians who performed at the Reformation Roundtable Live event this past Monday.

#2) "Know Your Confession"

Take a listen to last evening's inaugural installment of "Know Your Confession" a course in theology studying the Westminster Confession of Faith.

#3) RSS Feed for ALL SOULS

You'll notice at the bottom of the page there is now a button that allows you to automatically download All Souls Church sermons. By Using the button you are also able to go back into the archives, (which on this feed include all of 2015 up to now.)

Unsure what all this "RSS" stuff is about?
Read this and find out.

Theology Anyone?

1/6/2016

What do you believe as a Christian?
Why do you believe it?
(do you know?... are you sure?)

Why not join us for
"Know Your Confession"
a four-part course exploring the basics of Reformed Theology

Who: Hosted by All Souls Church, taught by yours truly, and open to any interested persons.

What: A course delving into the basics of Reformed Theology as outlined in the first eight chapters of the Westminster Confession of Faith. All course materials provided by All Souls.

When: January 12th, January 26th, February 9th, & February 23rd from 6:30-8:00 PM.

Where: All Souls Church, 228 Main Street Green Camp, Ohio 43322

Read the Bible in 2016

1/1/2016

As a new year dawns it is a great time to reflect on God's Word. But let's face it! Reading the Bible from cover to cover can be a challenging and time-consuming journey. Like all journeys, therefore, what is needed is a roadmap to get us to our desired destination. A good Bible reading plan is a great roadmap!

Here are four great Bible reading plans for you to choose from so that in 2016 you can read more of the Bible each day and know the true blessing of arriving at journey's end. Along the way you'll learn more about God and His wonderful redemptive purposes in Christ.

Choose a plan, stick with it, read, and grow! God has good things in store for His people in 2016!

Bible Reading Plans for 2016

Historical Plan

The Old Testament readings are similar to Israel’s Hebrew Bible, and the New Testament readings are an attempt to follow the order in which the books were authored.

Daily Bible Plan

Four daily readings taken from four lists: Psalms and Wisdom Literature, Pentateuch and History of Israel, Chronicles and Prophets, and Gospels and Epistles.

Read through the Bible in the order the events occurred chronologically.

Read through the New Testament in a year, reading Monday to Friday. Weekends are set aside for reflection and other reading. Especially beneficial if you’re new to a daily discipline of Bible reading.