Everyone has their key verses to share the Gospel. Here are a few of mine. The Gospel in three verses:
Its subjects: Isaiah 57:15
Its effect: John 5:24
Its extent: Revelation 7:9
For thus says the high and lofty One who inhabits eternity, whose name is Holy:
“I dwell in the high and holy place,
and also with him who is of a contrite and humble spirit,
to revive the spirit of the humble,
and to revive the heart of the contrite.
"Truly, truly, I say to you, he who hears my word and believes him who sent me, has eternal life; he does not come into judgment, but has passed from death to life."
~ Jesus, John 5:24
After this I looked, and behold, a great multitude which no man could number, from every nation, from all tribes and peoples and tongues, standing before the throne and before the Lamb, clothed in white robes, with palm branches in their hands.
~ Revelation 7:9
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🧵The PCA is very conservative when it comes to women's ordination - only men can be elders and deacons.
NEVERTHELESS, the advice of the 2017 Report on Women in Ministry is that churches consider ways for women to contribute in worship in the spirit of I Cor 14:26 (p. 61).
1/6
Some "non-controversial" (line 6) ways women can contribute:
1) Women may lead congregational or choral singing.
2) Women may "stir up one another to love and good deeds" (Heb. 10:24) by describing the value of upcoming ministries of mercy and disciple-making.
2/
3) Women may testify to or praise God for the favor He shows to ministries of the church.
4) Women might lead prayers of petition or praise.
5) Women may read Scripture or participate in responsive readings.
3/
As the pastor of a church in a college town, it's my privilege to introduce many students and others to the PCA. And then to recommend it further as they move on, trying to help them find a church near them.
I won't give numbers but after 17 years, it's been a few 1/10
But it's not automatic. We are but one small part of the larger Body of Christ (Book of Church Order 2-2). Sometimes there are other healthier or more fitting churches.
So what makes me want to recommend the PCA first?
It's been our overall "brand" as I see it. 2/
That in PCA churches, they will hear the Gospel of grace proclaimed clearly every week.
They will be reminded of the life, death and resurrection of Jesus Christ on their behalf.
That even though they struggle with their sanctification, they are yet justified by grace. 3/
🧵 I finished Reparations by @dukekwondc and @_wgthompson. I read it slowly. For someone new to the idea, it was a lot to absorb.
But in the end - and this may make no one happy - I actually thought it was quite moderate in its proposals. 1/22
A central point is that we should proclaim the Gospel in our own context. And the long history of white control and racism is part of the American context.
If I was a pastor in Vietnam, I would want to know what the French, Japanese, Americans and communists had done. 2/
Moreover, the book helped me learn about and read African American thinkers that my normal course of reading would not have exposed me to.
Finished Poland 1939 by @Roger_Moorhouse. A masterpiece of well written and well researched military and political history, reminiscent for me of Wm. Shirer's "The Collapse of the Third Republic" (the fall of France).
Some takeaways:
1/4
1) War is hell. 2) Polish units did much better than commonly supposed. Their cavalry was actually quite effective at times. 3) Armored trains, so strange. 4) The German slaughter of civilians and POWs was widespread and evil. The racism was vicious. 2/
5) The Soviet backstab and class genocide was evil. 6) Germans & Russians clashed here & there, predictably. 7) The tepid UK/French response was predictable. But materially & geographically there was little they could do. 8) The Polish govt's flight to Romania is its own epic. 3/