The Death of a Neighbor May 26, 2015 I’m told that he ended his life by sitting in a running car in a closed garage. My mind can’t help but picture the scene. I see him sitting there with
Gerhard O. Forde The Badness of Our Good May 25, 2015 A year after the posting of his Ninety-five Theses, Martin Luther was called before the German congregation of his Augustinian order to give an accounting of his teachings. In what became known
absence Presence & Absence May 20, 2015 A couple weeks ago I wrote about a vital ministry skill, knowing how to take a punch [http://gentlereformation.com/2015/05/06/but-can-he-take-a-punch/], being able to minister
An Idea for Family Worship May 19, 2015 Lately, I’ve been taking different podcast episodes and chopping them up into bite-sized portions for family worship. We listen for 10-15 minutes and discuss the subject matter, scrutinizing the worldview
sin If I Were to Sin May 18, 2015 John said the Bible was written so that “you may not sin.” But what if I were to sin? If I were to sin, I would not want to have a god other
You Must Read May 15, 2015 Do you ever find yourself squinting at a photograph of someone standing in front of a bookcase, trying to work out the titles of the books they own? Or, when you visit someone’
Apathy So I'm Apathetic...Who Cares?! May 14, 2015 It is incredibly easy in our day to observe an incredibly saddening reality: Apathy is everywhere. To which you might reply: “Who cares?” To which I might reply: “Fair point, and my point
The Chickens of Postmodernism May 13, 2015 The chickens of postmodernism and the social construct theory of truth are coming home to roost. They have been for a while, but it is helpful to consider the implications from time to
Antithesis and Sin Life Outside the Circle May 12, 2015 It is no mere coincidence that when God is rejected virtue and pleasure depart. God is the ultimate source of such things, the fountainhead from which we all partake, reflecting and mirroring as
Evangelism Keep Your Line in the Water May 11, 2015 Recently in several contexts I have had discussions with others about evangelism. In particular, the question that has been raised is, "Why do Presbyterian churches seem to have fewer records of adult
The Tender Heart of the Mother May 07, 2015 For your encouragement in anticipation of Mothers’ Day, the following are the reflections of D. S. Faris on his mother Nancy Faris (1806-1881) upon her death. Earlier this week, this article [http:
boxing But can he take a punch? May 06, 2015 Apparently there was a big fight last weekend. You may have heard. As I remain lacking in any true knowledge of boxing, the following supposition is pretty theoretical but, I think, also sound:
Assembly Hall Faris Way, Bloomington, IN 47408 May 05, 2015 In April 2015, the trustees of Indiana University named a road [http://www.heraldtimesonline.com/news/local/iu-trustees-name-faris-way/article_c8fd0bf4-e7d9-11e4-8351-b78ad9ee7954.html] within its athletic complex
Stories of Hope May 04, 2015 Since the fall of last year, our congregation has been planning for three evangelistic services that we called _Stories of Hope. _We gave this event this title for three basic reasons: 1) the
Ordinary Elders May 01, 2015 [http://gentlereformation.com/wp-content/uploads/2015/05/FullSizeRender.jpg] When we think of the work of the elders of the church what are the primary duties that we consider? In the Book
Call the Sabbath a Delight April 30, 2015 In Isaiah 58.13 we have laid out for us the chief purpose of the Sabbath day: …turn back your foot from the Sabbath, from doing your pleasure on my holy day, and
Raising Children April 29, 2015 I was standing in the hallway of a church in Indianapolis. I was in my late thirties, it wasn't long after the birth of our fifth child, and I was talking
2015 TGC National Conference April 28, 2015 The 2015 TGC National Conference has come and gone, but for the vast majority of us who couldn't make it in person, the audio has been graciously provided. For just a
Parable of Lost Coin The Woman in the Parable of the Lost Coin April 27, 2015 Last night our congregation held the second of three evangelistic services we are calling "Stories of Hope." I preached on the Parable of the Lost Coin from Luke 15:8-10.
Baptism Represented, Sealed, and Applied April 23, 2015 Last Lord’s Day our congregation had the pleasure of witnessing the baptism of a covenant child born into one of our families. When infants are baptized, parents take vows. We understand the
Indiana's Opportunity April 22, 2015 Those of us living in Indiana live at a rare juncture in history. We made big news a month ago with our Religious Freedom and Restoration Act in the statehouse. The waters have
The Wisdom of God Displayed in the Way of Salvation – Jonathan Edwards April 21, 2015 “One end why God suffered Satan to do what he did in procuring the fall of man, was that his Son might be glorified in conquering that strong, subtle, and proud spirit, and
Mercy Ministry Poor Laws in an Age of False Beneficence April 20, 2015 Whether it is teaching classes on mercy ministry or counseling with others on a case involving someone needy, again and again I find the church struggling to know what to do in helping
Training In Christian Piety April 17, 2015 Matthew Myer Boulton is president of Christian Theological Seminary in Indianapolis, Indiana and is a pastor in the Christian Church (Disciples of Christ). He comes from a very different theological perspective than I
Browse Worthy: Culture Battles April 16, 2015 Delighting in Death? [http://www.firstthings.com/blogs/firstthoughts/2015/04/delighting-in-death] - Though no one can truly comprehend the inanity of a woman smiling while wearing a "I Had an
