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No longer a Christian Nationalist: Why I am distancing myself from the movement

  Over the last sixteen years, I have spent a lot of time in the Puritans. Early on in my pastoral ministry, I resolved to read at least ten pages of Puritan writings a day. While I have not always been consistent, I have made Puritan reading a significant priority. Though I have read other material, the bulk of my time has been given to their works, which have profoundly shaped my thinking on a host of issues. When I have questions, I instinctively turn—not to contemporary voices—but to the Puritans. They aren’t perfect, but they are safe. I have noticed, however, that the ideology and practices of younger generations of Reformed believers have been largely shaped by the influence of popular contemporary figures, many of whom find their platform on social media. This hasn’t been good for the Church. Had our young men been steeped in the writings of their forefathers in general—particularly the Puritans—the Church today would be in a far healthier state. Some were puzzled—even dism...
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About the middle finger

  Some have found it hard to understand why I would write a critical piece about Doug Wilson and the New Saint Andrews (NSA) ad.  They don’t understand what all the fuss is about, particularly when there are so many other battles being waged.  They genuinely appreciate Wilson’s ministry, and if they weren’t necessarily thrilled with the middle finger they also don’t mind overlooking the occasional glitch.  And besides, none of us are perfect.  Haven’t we all been sinfully angry at times?  Haven’t we all said things we shouldn’t?  And don’t we all - or at least most of us - watch movies (and television programs) where coarse language is used?  So why get so worked up about one ad?   Here I want to clarify something.  And I think its important.  But first, a little background. In this season I have found myself often saying, “ O wretched man that I am! who shall deliver me from the body of this death?   I thank God—throug...
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Regarding Sye Ten Bruggencate

  Three years ago I decided - along with my elders - to use this blog to make a public statement about Sye Ten Bruggencate.  That post (a response to an article published by The Roys Report ) was followed up by two subsequent posts.  At the time I  believed this was the right course of action.  I had sought the counsel of my own elders as well as some other men I trusted, and it was our view that public statements needed to be made.  Three years have passed, and for me, at least, a great deal has changed.  I can't speak for the other men involved, but if I were to do it again I certainly wouldn't bring matters like these before the public.  I sincerely regret that decision.   I have also come to reconsider what I concluded in that third (and last) post.   Writing on behalf of myself and another minister I said, " It is our considered opinion that Sye has permanently disqualified himself from public ministry." That was, indeed,...
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Doug Wilson, New Saint Andrews, and the Middle Finger Ad

When I was examined (in October 2011) by the Canadian Presbytery of the ARP I was asked about Federal Vision.  I told the court it was heresy.  I said I believed Doug Wilson and company were espousing heresy. Following the meeting I was taken aside by men who knew Doug Wilson and urged to consider the possibility that I had misunderstood them.  In the years that followed I encountered many reformed men who thought very highly of Doug Wilson, and the general consensus was that he had been misunderstood.   Over and over again I was told he didn't believe what I thought he believed.  I didn't have the time to pursue it myself, so I chose to believe these men.  I took a charitable view of Wilson and Moscow and eventually began recommending some of their resources, though with some misgivings.   Then, in 2020, Doug Wilson (and the church in Moscow) took a stand against covid regulations.  I was thrilled.  I was still more grateful when (in 20...
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A retraction

Over the course of the last year, I have had plenty of time to privately reflect on what transpired through 2020 and 2021, and I have concluded that on some points I was in the wrong.  I have decided to address those things here.  Some may disagree with what I have concluded, but I write here first and last for Him. First, I believe I was sometimes overly harsh and severe in my writing.  I have since removed several blog posts, which I now believe lacked grace and char ity.  I still believe the churches should have remained open through the lockdowns, but I wish I had written with a better understanding of my own heart and a more charitable view of my brothers in Christ.  I was appalled by what I saw in those days, but in my zeal to speak the truth I sometimes lacked compassion and grace.  Second, when I was wronged by colleagues in the ministry I had a choice.  I could have covered what I believed to be sin, but I chose instead to expose it to the pub...
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The lines have fallen unto me in pleasant places

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"The LORD is the portion of mine inheritance and of my cup: thou maintainest my lot. The lines have fallen unto me in pleasant places; yea, I have a goodly heritage (Psalm 16:5-6)." What does He mean by lines?  Charles Spurgeon wrote, " Lines refers to division of the land by lot and the measuring of it by ropes and lines." So Jesus - the speaker in this Psalm - is speaking of His portion.  He is talking about the lot that God is maintaining. He is talking about what God has assigned to Him as the God-man. This is the One who said He had no place to lay His head.  This is the Christ who suffered horrendously; and yet here He is saying that the lines have fallen unto Him in pleasant places! How can He say this?   A healthy rich man with his family surrounding him could surely say this. But how can Jesus - in the midst of this fallen world, enduring what He endured, living as He lived and facing the cross - say, "the lines have fallen unto me in pleasant pl...
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