The Sunday Reader: Vol. 2 | #8

Did Spiritual Gifts Like Tongues Cease? (text/audio)

Pastor Spotts describes the Reformed consensus and biblical reasons for holding it.

Making Bricks For Evangelical Pharaohs

“There’s a relentless push for progress that we are being swept up in, and in an era of what I call “Big Eva” – the large evangelical ministry juggernaut replete with conferences after conference, ministry tool after ministry tool, leadership summit after leadership summit, technique after technique, there seems very little commitment to true rest. Apex leaders atop ministry pyramids are pushing God’s people with a sanctified version of brick making that has no end in sight. And what does that look like? It looks like no rest.”

Famous Christian Quotes… That Aren’t Real

From C. S. Lewis to Francis of Assisi, I must admit that I’ve been had. Don’t believe everything you find on the Internet, folks!

The Best Book of the Bible for New Believers

If you’re exploring Christianity or discipling a new believer, here’s a case for beginning with Mark’s Gospel.

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. 2 | #7

Articles Related to Church Life and Planting

As we discuss the possibility of church planting here are two good articles. The first, “Community is a Costly Business” considers how Christ calls and equips us for the hardships of real community. The second is Mark Dever’s “Original Letter to a Church Plant on ‘The 9 Marks of a Healthy Church’.” Very worthwhile.

Hymnals Still Have a Place in Modern Churches

“Hymnals are decidedly old school, but sometimes the old ways have too many benefits to abandon. For one, hymnals promote good congregational singing….“ HT: Nick V.

The Inspiration of the Bible

This classic by Princeton theologian B. B. Warfield will pair well with the upcoming evening sermon.

Science Is No Enemy of Christianity

As a follow-up to last Sunday’s evening sermon, on God’s self-revelation in creation, here’s a welcome reminder of what should be a no-brainer.

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. 2 | #6

To All the Books I’ll Never Read

As one who wants to read it all, I found this a comforting (and necessary) re-alignment of my expectations. Limitations are good.

‘The end of a thing’

Don’t judge a life before it is ended. “A young woman I know, much infatuated with great literary figures, is going off to read them in a college in the fall. I hope that alongside studies of De Profundis and The Picture of Dorian Gray the school will also have a course on deathbed fears and tremblings to provide a fuller picture.”

Assorted Writings of Francis Turretin

I’m sure there is something here that will both interest and enlighten your daily reading from one of the worthiest Reformed theologians.

On Forgiveness

A classic essay by C. S. Lewis. “Real forgiveness means looking steadily at the sin, the sin that is left over without any excuse, after all allowances have been made, and seeing it in all its horror, dirt, meanness, and malice, and nevertheless being wholly reconciled to the man who has done 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.

The Sunday Reader: Vol. 2 | #5

Mere Calvinism (Book Review)

“If you’re new to Calvinism, Reformed Theology, or gospel-centeredness, or whatever you want to call it, you can’t go wrong in reading Mere Calvinism. If you’re suspicious of Calvinism, then read this book to engage the best arguments for it. And even if you’re a convinced Five Pointer and this is all familiar territory, the book will still refresh your knowledge, your confidence, and even your joy. I give it my highest recommendation.”

Is Mary the “Influencer” of God?

Recently, the Pope tweeted that Mary is the “influencer” of God. What does this say about Roman Catholic theology? And more importantly, what does the Bible say about our access to his throne?

You Don’t Have to Have a Well-Formed Opinion on Everything

Maybe this will lighten your load.

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. 2 | #4

I carried my dying daughter to term. It was a lesson in love many didn't understand

“It was not until I cared for this vulnerable human being that I came to see the value of all human life. The way our culture treats the most vulnerable — the elderly, the ill, the unborn — reveals our true beliefs about people. We live in a culture that wants to end life when a person’s usefulness, productivity and mental capacity diminish… But this is a value system that none of us can live by.”

The Time I Went Under Church Discipline

On the heels of last Sunday evening’s sermon, here’s a great reflection. “You may not have realized it, but you’ve gone under church discipline too.”

(Video) Who are the Reformers: Guido De Bres

In anticipation of our new evening series on the Belgic Confession, here’s an introduction to its author. And here’s a longer article.

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. 2 | #3

A Curriculum for Those Wrestling with Infant Baptism

Dr. R. Scott Clark from Westminster Seminary in California has provided this trove of resources. I can only say, I wish I had these myself when I was struggling through this issue!

What Does It Mean That Women Should “Remain Quiet” in Church? (1 Timothy 2)

Denny Burk at Crossway provides what I think is a well-reasoned answer to a contentious question. Definitely worth considering.

(Video) Was the Holy Spirit Present With Old Testament believers?

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. 2 | #2

2018 Lessons & Carols: Remastered Audio & Video

This will be exciting for a few of you. Whether you missed the service or want to revisit some of the selections for next advent season, here are freshly remastered files for streaming and download.

Teach Your Teen How to Read Their Bible

An important topic and a helpful resource.

3 Ways to Navigate Difficult Passages of the Old Testament

Advanced students might want to bypass this article, but I’m sure it will be useful to some of you.

How Can the Fallen Mind Accept Exodus 4:22?

Denny Burk reflects on God’s judgment against Pharaoh. “I have read this verse countless times over the years. What struck me today is how utterly and totally foreign a text like this sounds to fallen ears.”

Why Christian Movies Are So Terrible

Not everyone will agree with this piece by Jared Wilson, but it shines light on the relationship between faith, art, and our mission.

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. 2 | #1

Should We Try to Convert Non-Reformed Christians to Calvinism?

Rev. Spotts answers this common question from personal experience.

Training Children for Church

Visitors are often surprised by how small children at PURC are able (for the most part) to sit quietly through our services. It’s certainly not because our kids are naturally more self-controlled than others! Here are some practical tips for helping your little ones thrive in church.

Don’t Reap to the Edge of Your Field

Michael Kelley explains an important principle behind the command not to glean the edges of fields (Lev 19): “To use the language of Leviticus, we tend to reap to the edge of our fields. We use all of everything we have – all our money. All our time. All our energy. All our everything – and sometimes more. As a result, we don’t have anything left “just in case.””

Bible Reading Plans for 2019

Personally, I prefer plans that work through several sections of Scripture at once.

A Letter to an Inactive Member

If not for you personally, perhaps this will help you find balanced words to address someone else in your life.

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.