Christian Living / Controversies in the Church

  • Capital Crimes and Punishment

    Numbers 35:9–34

    Many people accuse Christians of being inconsistent in our stance against homosexuality because we believe it immoral, like the Old Testament, but, unlike the Old Testament, we do not call for the death of those who commit sexual sin. This ...Read More

  • Fulfilling the Sabbath

    Hebrews 4:9–11

    The fact that people have disagreed over Lord’s Day observance and that it should not be an issue that divides Christians is not to say that the matter is unimportant. Instead, it is to recognize that there is a ...Read More

  • Gathering Together

    Hebrews 10:24–25

    “There remains a Sabbath rest for the people of God” (Heb. 4:9). In our glorification, we will finally and fully rest from our sin and the weariness of laboring in a creation that is suffering the effects of the ...Read More

  • The Fourth Commandment

    Deuteronomy 5:12–15

    In one sense, all of life is worship (1 Cor. 10:31). At the same time, however, it is fitting that we set aside time to gather with God’s people to remember His salvation and to thank Him for ...Read More

  • Art for Whose Sake?

    Exodus 28

    Whether or not you agree that images have a place in our sanctuaries and church buildings, it is important to be aware of what is being communicated by the design of your church. The walls of our places of worship ...Read More

  • Art in Recent History

    Psalm 27:4

    Beauty and truth go hand in hand. Truth informs the arts so that whatever is beautiful will reflect some truth about God or His creation. The arts inform the truth, for they move us to turn the words of truth ...Read More

  • Images in the Sanctuary?

    Exodus 26:1

    Regardless of one’s position on images in the worship sanctuary, let us all remember that this is an issue over which many good and godly Reformed believers have differed for generations. Consequently, we owe each side respect, and we ...Read More

  • The Second Commandment

    Deuteronomy 5:8–10

    As finite beings who still suffer the presence of sin, we cannot bear to see God face to face. Such a vision will be our privilege when we are glorified (1 Cor. 13:12), but until then we have to ...Read More

  • Law and Gospel

    Matthew 5:17–20

    Answer 86 of the Heidelberg Catechism emphasizes that we do good works because the God who justifies us also gives us His Spirit to conform us more and more to the image of Jesus Christ. Our Lord saves us from ...Read More

  • The Severe Judgment of God

    Colossians 2:11–13

    Those who do not baptize infants must view the new covenant community as one in which the children of believers take no real part before their conversion. This makes the new covenant community radically different from the old covenant community ...Read More

  • You and Your Offspring

    Genesis 17:1–14

    The church is not infallible, but the church is wise. We should, therefore, take its tradition and guidance seriously. In the matter of baptism, church tradition is overwhelmingly on the side of baptizing adult Christians and their infant children. This ...Read More

  • The Lordship of Christ

    1 Corinthians 6:15–20

    John Calvin comments on today’s passage, stating that “we are not at our own disposal, that we should live according to our own pleasure.” Unregenerate people are determined to live by their own rules, to seek self-fulfillment at the ...Read More

  • Confidence and Boldness in Christ

    Ephesians 3:11-12

    The gospel of salvation by grace alone through faith in Christ Jesus alone is indeed good news because it assures us that God never rejects those who approach Him through His Son. He will forgive any sin, no matter how ...Read More

  • The One New Man

    Ephesians 2:15-16

    John Chrysostom, the ancient bishop of Constantinople, writes, “The Greek does not have to become a Jew. Rather both enter into a new condition. His aim is not to bring Greek believers into being as different kinds of Jews but ...Read More

  • Jesus Our Peace

    Ephesians 2:14

    God’s law defines what is pleasing to Him, so we must always seek to understand it and follow it in the power of the Spirit. Yet while the law tells us what is right and wrong and what we ...Read More