Introduction As we step into the second part of Psalm 22, there are a couple of things to keep in mind. First, the way David begins this Psalm reveals a great deal to us. In verse 1, you see David speaking prophetically with the voice of Christ, who uttered these words while upon the cross. …
The pattern is set in the first chapters of Judges: people sin, and God sends judgment. People repent, and God delivers them from judgment. The figure of the deliverer is a vague pencil outline in the first chapters; but it becomes very clear in Samson. Samson is as frustratingly filled out with real human details …
1. Sadistic Pleasure Dr. B.T.D. Smith, who taught the Synoptic Gospels (Matthew, Mark, and Luke) at Cambridge in the 1940s was into the sport of finding faults in the Bible, especially after he trashed his profession of faith in Christ. The testimony of eyewitnesses like J.R. Stott verify that Smith had no truck with Biblical …
Update on the Omaha Mission Work In our last update, I mentioned that Omaha Reformed was experiencing a new thing. Instead of having new members and families come and stay, as we had the first five years of our mission, we had several families either move closer to family, retire, or get assigned to different …
In 2019, the Synod created a Strategic Planning Special Committee to review our practices and to suggest ways in which the RCUS can use our limited resources to more faithfully advance the kingdom of God. Two years later, the committee presented its report. It said, in part: “Instead of only relying on our own perceptions …
Growing the RCUS, Part III Change Without Compromise Read More »
“The heavens declare the glory of God; And the firmament shows His handiwork. Day unto day utters speech, And night unto night reveals knowledge. There is no speech nor language where their voice is not heard.” (Ps. 19:1-3) Well, the weather has been a bit frigid so far this winter. The snowstorms seemed to correspond …
After 40 years or so in our facility, the consistory last year voted to undertake a significant renovation. Under the leadership of deacon Al Esquivel, we installed new lighting and glass interior doors; we repainted, stained, and upholstered our pews. The transformation is stunning and has been well received by both members and visitors. Instead …
While so much of our denomination is now centered in the midwest, it is important to be reminded that our American roots stem largely from the early migration of Germans through Pennsylvania. Names like J.P. Boehm and G.M. Weiss remind us of the early years when German Christians were hungry for spiritual food and ordained …
In Lord’s Day #35, Question #94 of the Heidelberg Catechism it says, in part, “trust in [God] alone, with all humility and patience, expect all good from Him only.” Have you ever been confused with the phrase “expect all good?” Is the Catechism teaching I should always expect good, or is it saying that it …
We are living in what has been called “postmodern” times. Our culture elevates emotion and celebrates imagination. Reason, however, has not totally lost its influence. It still has significant “sway over the centers of knowledge and power in society.”1 We see this in the advocates of theological liberalism. The Supremacy of Human Reason in Liberalism Contemporary …