By Frank M. Barker, Jr. I believe most of us in the PCA sense the great opportunity and challenge before our denomination. With many denominations losing their spiritual moorings, a moral landslide occur
How to Deal with Those Who Differ – Part 2
By Roger R. Nicole. In last month’s article, we discussed the answer to the question, “What do I owe the person who differs from me?” It is very important throughout that one should remain keenly aware of such obli
Christmas Through a Lifetime
By Edith Schaeffer. Smells- the smell of a turkey roasting, of cranberry sauce bubbling on the stove, of plum pudding coming out of the steaming kettle, of pumpkin pies baking, of homemade hot rolls piled in a basket, of a delicious pine odor permeating the whole house as the tree and branches for decorat
“Well done, good and faithful servant.”
In Memoriam: Harold Samuel Laird
By Paul R. Gilchrist. Dr. Harold S. Laird quietly went home to be with the Lord on August 25 at Quarryville Presbyterian Home, PA, at the age of 96. He was one of those valiant Presbyterians who stood for “the faith once delivered to the saints.” With J. Gresham Machen and others, he was tried by his presbytery in the liberal UPUSA (Northern Presbyterians) for dis
How to Deal with Those Who Differ from Us – Part 1
By Roger R. Nicole. We are called upon by the Lord to contend earnestly for the faith. (Jude 3) That does not necessarily involve being contentious; but it involves avoiding compromise, standing forth for what we believe, standing forth for the truth of God – without welching at any particular moment. Thus, we are bound to meet, at various points and at various levels, people with whom we disagree. We disagree in some areas of Christian doctrine. We disagree as to some of the details of church administration. We disagree as to the way in which certain tasks of the church should be pursued. And, in fact, if we are careful to observe the principles that I would like to expound for you, I would suggest that they may be valuable also in disagreements that are not in the religious field. They also would apply to disagreements in politics or difficulties with people in your job or friction within the family or contentions between husband and wife or between parents and children. Who does not encounter from time to time people who are not in complete agreement; therefore, it is good to seek to discover certain basic principles whereby we may relate to those who differ from us.
It seems strange that one should desire to speak at all about Polemic Theology since we are now in an age when folks are more interested in ecumenism and irenics than in polemics. Further
Unity and Diversity
Vines, vineyards, and grapes are prominent motifs in the Bible. Apart from stones, they are perhaps the most common natural features of ancient and modem Israel. Christ and the prophets used them to illustrate spiritual truths.
Our Lord gave the best known illustration of the vine motifs in John 15: “I am the true vine, and My Earner is the vinedresser.” He goes on to say, “I am the vine, you are the branches; he who abides in Me, and I him, he bears much fruit; for apart from Me you can do nothing” (verses 1, 5).
The various ways in which the vine motif is used in Scriptures suggest there are other lessons that could be drawn. One of these illustrates the theme of this issue – unity and diversity in the church – or, for that matter, in the home or school, at work or play.
Have you observed the development of a grapevine? There is the old gnarled trunk with a great root system that goes far and deep into the soil to get its nourish