The Sunday Reader: Vol. 1 | #28

The Winged Women of Zech 5

As a follow-up to last week's sermon, here's some biblical and archeological background for understanding what those winged women probably represent.

The Church Needs Fewer Men Who Feel “Called” to the Ministry

“We need fewer men who feel “called to ministry” and more men who aspire to the office of elder. But if we dump the language of calling, how do we know if we should pursue ministry?” Here are five indicators.

I Am Not My Own

A beautiful recollection of a life well lived, Orlena Lynn Boyle (1922-2018) was a missionary to Japan and China. Especially recommended for women and girls interested in foreign missions.

What Calvinists And Arminians Can Agree On

Despite their stated beliefs, most of those who do not profess to be Calvinistic nonetheless agree on this: we should pray for the salvation of others.

ABOUT — The Sunday Reader shares articles we've found particularly insightful, thought-provoking, or edifying this week. While not always representing the views of our Pastors and Elders, these selections offer a mix of viewpoints to broaden and frame your understanding of God, Scripture, ourselves, and the world we serve in Christ's name.

The Sunday Reader: Vol. 1 | #27

The Holy Spirit's Ministry

"Our conviction is that God purposefully gave some gifts (specifically the ability to work miracles, the gift of revelatory prophecy, and speaking in tongues) only for a limited period."

When You Pray With Your Children, You Teach Them to Pray

Here's a touching reflection on how our children learn from observing our spiritual life. 

A Cup of Tea, Under a Bridge, In Jesus' Name

This article recounts the journey of a North African Muslim migrant who came to faith through the hospitality of a missionary family.

Common Questions Christians Ask About Forgiveness

Exactly as described.

ABOUT — The Sunday Reader shares articles we've found particularly insightful, thought-provoking, or edifying this week. While not always representing the views of our Pastors and Elders, these selections offer a mix of viewpoints to broaden and frame your understanding of God, Scripture, ourselves, and the world we serve in Christ's name.

The Sunday Reader: Vol. 1 | #26

The Final End of God in Creation

In a recent sermon, I referenced this excerpt from Berkhof's Systematic Theology. It addresses the purpose of God's creative work in relation to man's good and divine glory.

If God is With Me, Why Did this Happen?

A fitting follow-up to our study of James 1:16-18 dealing with undesired turns of providence.

What's So Great About Limited Atonement?

“What is the cash value of this doctrine? Does it offer something to my Christian experience or is it just abstract theology?" Richard D. Phillips answers.

Advice for Your Relationship with an Apostate Family Member

Practical wisdom for many of us.

ABOUT — The Sunday Reader shares articles we've found particularly insightful, thought-provoking, or edifying this week. While not always representing the views of our Pastors and Elders, these selections offer a mix of viewpoints to broaden and frame your understanding of God, Scripture, ourselves, and the world we serve in Christ's name.

The Sunday Reader: Vol. 1 | #25

Oil Lamps in Biblical Times

In case you needed a visual for last Sunday's sermon on Zechariah 4.

Be Killing Sin, Or Else

From Grace to You comes this encouraging reflection on the need to make all out war against indwelling sin.

Is Eldership Gender-Neutral? A Response to Katia Adams

A well-reasoned, biblically astute, and respectful critique from Andrew Wilson. "There are times, of course, to quibble with specific translations; regular readers will know that I do it myself. But when you quibble with all of them, and the lexicons, and the commentators—and especially when you do so by misrepresenting the way the Greek language works—there is a problem."

Context Matters: Valley of Dry Bones

This short article presents a useful exercise in paying close attention when exegeting Scripture.

ABOUT — The Sunday Reader shares articles we've found particularly insightful, thought-provoking, or edifying this week. While not always representing the views of our Pastors and Elders, these selections offer a mix of viewpoints to broaden and frame your understanding of God, Scripture, ourselves, and the world we serve in Christ's name.

The Sunday Reader: Vol. 1 | #24

What is the Regulative Principle

Derek Thomas explains and argues for this distinctive feature of Reformed worship which entails that on the Lord's Day, we worship God only in those clearly prescribed in the Word.

10 Practical How-To’s of Discipleship

With the possible exception of the first point, which might be too narrow, this is a good run-down of tips for developing disciples of Christ.

My Heroes

A WSCAL professor reflects on his changing perspective about what constitutes heroism. "Just because the so-called age of retirement hits doesn’t mean I have to hang up my cleats."

A New ‘Peculiar Institution’ Treats Human Beings as Legal Property

A new Arizona law raises serious theological and ethical questions. Basically, it requires courts to give embryos created by IVF to the spouse who plans to use them to have a baby when a couple decides to have a divorce. In light of this, Joe Carter urges, "we must treat humans at the earliest stages of life as the children they are—to be loved by us as they are by God—rather than as property to be discarded at our whim."

ABOUT — The Sunday Reader shares articles we've found particularly insightful, thought-provoking, or edifying this week. While not always representing the views of our Pastors and Elders, these selections offer a mix of viewpoints to broaden and frame your understanding of God, Scripture, ourselves, and the world we serve in Christ's name.

The Sunday Reader: Vol. 1 | #23

O. Palmer Robertson on the Duty of Celebration

This past Sunday, I mentioned the book of Nahum. To whet your appetite for this often overlooked prophet, here's an excerpt from O. Palmer Robertson's excellent commentary on Nahum, on lessons we draw from OT feasts.

Learning to Hate Our Sin Without Hating Ourselves

Denny Burk and Rosaria Butterfield reflect on differences between historic Protestant and Roman Catholic approaches to sin in relation to sexuality and guilt.

How to Discourage a Grieving Friend

"What does being a friend to someone in need even look like? What should we say to our neighbors who are struggling?"

3 Errors of Musical Style that Stifle Community

An this excerpt from a book by Mark Dever and Jamie Dunlop, they offer their perspective on things that tend to make a mess of our goals in worship.

The Dust Storm from Two Weeks Ago:

ABOUT — The Sunday Reader shares articles we've found particularly insightful, thought-provoking, or edifying this week. While not always representing the views of our Pastors and Elders, these selections offer a mix of viewpoints to broaden and frame your understanding of God, Scripture, ourselves, and the world we serve in Christ's name.

The Sunday Reader: Vol. 1 | #22

Jesus and the Psalms

This articles explores the relationship Jesus had with the psalms, which themselves points us to him.

Differences Between Salvation in the Qur’an & the Bible

Did you know there are an estimated 120,000 muslims living in Arizona? Understanding differences, especially about our understanding of Jesus, can prepare you to share your faith with these neighbors.

The Cure for Unbelief (.pdf)

A classic essay from Horatius Bonar (1801-1900) on overcoming our unbelief toward God's Word.

Beautiful Babylon

This one comes in light of the sermon series on Zechariah. National Geographic presents remarkable photos and art that help us sense what life in the ancient city must have been like.

ABOUT — The Sunday Reader shares articles we've found particularly insightful, thought-provoking, or edifying this week. While not always representing the views of our Pastors and Elders, these selections offer a mix of viewpoints to broaden and frame your understanding of God, Scripture, ourselves, and the world we serve in Christ's name.

The Sunday Reader: Vol. 1 | #21

God Only Wise

J. I. Packer considers the meaning of divine wisdom and how we share in it. This dovetails nicely with our PM series.

Five Ways to Minister to Others this Sunday

Sometimes we don't know where to begin serving at church. Super-blogger Tim Challies offers a useful encouragement on practical ways to get involved without having to bake.

"Family Roles" Model: Reflections on 1 Thess 2

Each of us has something to learn from the way fathers, mothers, and children are called to live.

US Geography Weirdness (video)

As shown below, many of us have strange conceptions based more on human map making than on the physical reality of the earth. It serves as a good reminder to check our biases when seeking to understand God's revelation and our place in it.

ABOUT — The Sunday Reader shares articles we've found particularly insightful, thought-provoking, or edifying this week. While not always representing the views of our Pastors and Elders, these selections offer a mix of viewpoints to broaden and frame your understanding of God, Scripture, ourselves, and the world we serve in Christ's name.