Enter Marvin Olasky and Leah Savas who have served us so well with their book The Story of Abortion in America. This detailed account surveys the entirety of U.S History and analyzes our relationship to the barbaric practice of abortion. The book is broken into sections of U.S History(1652-1842, 1838-1878, 1871-1940, 1930-1995, and 1995-2022), each highlighting a particular aspect and development in the country’s engagement with the subject. This large book(512 pages) gives the reader a comprehensive background to where they stand today in modern America. This understanding is crucial for those who wish to see the cause advance and ultimately be successful in the goal of nationwide protection for those in the womb. 

This book is highly recommended for anyone wanting to better know the history and development of abortion in the United States. Difficult stories are recounted, which help us to truly feel the horror of abortion. Arguments from each era are considered, which helps the reader to be well rounded in their defense of abortion. Overall, while this book is sobering and difficult, it is incredibly important. As we continue to advocate for the unborn, we should strive to be as knowledgeable and prepared as possible, and this book helps us tremendously in that aim. 

My Top Books of 2023:

Outlive by Peter Attia 

This book is a fascinating read. Attia addresses in detail the most common ways that people die, and advocates for a new way of thinking through medical treatment. This book wants people to live longer, and also better lives, and it was a stimulating read. 

Thriving in Grace by Joel Beeke

This short little book looks at how the Puritans engaged spiritual disciplines and life. It is brief, accessible, and edifying. I read this early in the year, and found myself greatly encouraged by it. 

The Basic Laws of Human Stupidity by Carlo Cipolla

This book is tiny, funny, and really insightful. Cipolla gives a clear definiton to what it means to do something which is "stupid". It turns out to be a very helpful exercise, and will change the way you think about stupidity, and see it in everyday life. 

The 10 Commandments by Kevin DeYoung

I preached through the 10 Commandments in 2023, and DeYoung's book was one of my favorite resources. This book, built from his own sermons on the 10 Commandments, is accessible, yet still theologically robust. I've handed out a few copies of this already since readiny it myself. 

The Ten Commandments by J. Douma

DeYound and Douma formed my two favorite resources during my series. Douma's work is much longer, and engages with details and discussions which few resources on the 10 Commandments do. I found this to be an excellent conversation partner, and would highly recommend it to someone wanting to study the 10 Commandments, and apply them to real life.

Total Access by Rich Eisen 

I have always enjoyed Eisen's sports commentary, and watch his show when I can. Organized along the League year, Eisen gives a behind the scenes perspective of what really is taking place in the NFL. If you want to understand football better, or just want some really great stories, this book is a treat. 

Why Johnny Can't Sing Hymns by T. David Gordon

I am a big fan of T. David Gordon. This short book looks at the current problem facing the Western Evangelical Church, and the trend which has devleoped which pursues new sounding music, and rejects anything of old(Hymns & Psalms). A truly insightful book which makes a strong case for reforming how we should think about corporate worship. Every church member should read this book.

Spiritual Depression by Martyn Lloyd-Jones 

I have read this book half a dozen times. It is one of, if not my favorite books of all time. Lloyd-Jones walks you through what mature christian living looks like, and deals with the reality that christians face dark spiritual seasons in their lives. Excellent book.

Romans by Martyn Lloyd-Jones

I am preaching through Romans currently, and we have been taking our time slowly understanding the rich truth in Paul's most famous letter. As I have been studying and preparing for each sermon, I have enjoyed reading (and listening to) Lloyd-Jones. I think everyone would be better off with a little more Lloyd-Jones in their life, and his Romans sermons are great place to start for rich devotional material. 

The Dejected Soul's Cure by Christopher Love

I have read most resources on the subject of spiritual depression. This book contains Love's exposition of Psalm 42, and it may just be the best writing on Psalm 42 that I have ever read. It is out of print, and can be hard to find, but this book is worth it's weight in gold. 

A Quest For Godliness by J.I. Packer

Packer's classic work gives a detailed look at how the Puritans thought of, and approached the Christian life. This book is truly edifying, and gives a lot of encouragement and challenge to how we should approach the christian life. I ended up highlighting, underlining, or noting most of this book. 

How To Win At Chess by Levy Rozman

I love playing Chess, and have enjoyed studying the strategy of the game. Rozman runs a famous Youtube account, which I watch often. This book represents his best teaching in one single book, and it is the most helpful Chess book I have read. If you want to learn Chess, this book is for you. 

Spiritual Desertion by Gisbertus Voetius & Johannes Hoornbeeck

This short book is one of the best treatments of spiritual depression out there. Voetius' section in particular is excellent. He walks through a sound theoloigical understanding of the trial, and gives numerous encouragements for christians facing spiritual darkness. This book is very good friend to have when you feel like God is absent. 

It's Better To Be Feared by Seth Wickersham

I love reading books about the New England Patriots. There are better books which tell the story of our 20 year dynasty, but this volume by Wickersham was enjoyable overall, thanks to some previously unpublished stories. 

- The Election of TE Fred Greco for Moderator

This year, the GA elected Fred Greco to serve as the Moderator of the Assembly. Fred is a godly man, a great pastor, and knows our BCO better than anyone. He is an expert at parlimentary procedure, and served the GA incredibly well. This reminded me that, above all honor we may ascribe to the position, the role of Moderator is best served by electing a qualified man who knows how to handle the role effectively. Fred was an outstanding Moderator, and made the week run smoothly. 

- Review of Presbytery Records (RPR) 

Our committee which reviews the minutes of presbyteries proved to the GA that our system works. Upon realizing that a Presbytery had erred in not properly dealing with a church that permitted a woman to preach during a worship service, RPR cited the presbytery to appear before our Standing Judicial Commission(SJC), which will be able to properly deal with the infraction. RPR here provided helpful oversight to give the General Assembly an ability to act, where there was a great need. 

- The Nominating Committee's Strong Work 

Our Nominating Committee has continually provided a strong slate of nominees each year, and this year continues that trend. We saw many godly men elected to permanent committees, which will ensure the health of the PCA's committees and agencies for years to come. 

- The Approval of Overture 23

In the debates surrounding how we engage the current sexual issues of our day and time, a sticking point has been that of the qualifications for a man seeking ordained office within the PCA. Overture 23 was passed this year, which would include the following language regarding the qualifications for a man seeking ordained office in the PCA:

He should conform to the biblical requirement of chastity and sexual purity in his 
descriptions of himself, and in his convictions, character, and conduct.

This is an important addition to our Book of Church Order that, if ratified by the Prebsyteries this year, should put an end to the need for further sexuality overtures for the foreseeable future. 

- The Approval of Overture 26

An issue which has been increasingly a concern in the PCA is the use of officer titles given to undordained individuals. While we want to affirm the ministry of members within the church, the offices of Elder/Pastor, and Deacon are reserved for ordained men. Overure 26 was passed this year, which would include the following statement in our BCO:

Furthermore, unordained people shall should not be referred to as, or given the titles connected to, the ecclesial offices of pastor, elder, or deacon.

This provides helpful clarity on a matter which is already established in our BCO, and would serve the PCA well. 

- The Approval of Overture 12

Overture 12 essentially sought to have the PCA send a petition to members of the US Government, condemning the practice of "surgical and medical gender reassignment, especially of minors.". I spoke on the floor in support of this Overture, and believe it is a good and necessary response in these unprecedented times we live in. The church has a responsibility to the covenant children entrusted to us. Through this petition, drafted by a commission, we will speak graciously, yet clearly, to the dangerous practice that is resulting in the mutilation of children. The Overture's official language is below:

Empowering the Moderator to appoint a commission to draft a humble petition (WCF 31-4), which the PCA Stated Clerk shall send to the President of the United States, the majority and minority party leaders in the U.S. Senate and House of Representatives, and the Chief Justice of the United States; and recommend the Presbytery Clerks to send
the petition to the Governors, the majority and minority party leaders in the State
Legislatures, and the Chief Justice of the State Supreme Courts in their regions,
condemning the practice of surgical and medical gender reassignment, especially of minors.

Conclusion

In short, I am very optimistic for the PCA. God has blessed us richly for 50 wonderful years, and I am eager to be apart of the next 50. There is much work to be done, but overall, I am encouraged, and thankful to belong to this denomination. God Bless the PCA.

The Chosen Violates The 2nd Commandment 

Christians ought to make quick work of discerning wether or not to watch The Chosen by simply recognizing that it violates the 2nd Commandment. For reference, here is the 2nd Commandment given in Exodus 20:4-6:

 “You shall not make for yourself a carved image, or any likeness of anything that is in heaven above, or that is in the earth beneath, or that is in the water under the earth. You shall not bow down to them or serve them, for I the LORD your God am a jealous God, visiting the iniquity of the fathers on the children to the third and the fourth generation of those who hate me,  but showing steadfast love to thousands of those who love me and keep my commandments.

Additionally, the Westminster Larger Catechism 109 helpfully expounds what is forbidden by the 2nd Commandment:

Q. 109. What are the sins forbidden in the second commandment?

A. The sins forbidden in the second commandment are, all devising, counseling, commanding, using, and anywise approving, any religious worship not instituted by God himself; the making any representation of God, of all or of any of the three persons, either inwardly in our mind, or outwardly in any kind of image or likeness of any creature whatsoever; all worshiping of it, or God in it or by it; the making of any representation of feigned deities, and all worship of them, or service belonging to them; all superstitious devices, corrupting the worship of God, adding to it, or taking from it, whether invented and taken up of ourselves, or received by tradition from others, though under the title of antiquity, custom, devotion, good intent, or any other pretense whatsoever; simony; sacrilege; all neglect, contempt, hindering, and opposing the worship and ordinances which God hath appointed.

Christians wanting to be obey the Scriptures ought to reject the use of images representing “God, of all or of any of the three persons”. This applies especially to any use of images in corporate worship, but also directs what kinds of shows we watch, books we read, and more. To watch The Chosen, shows a disregard for God’s law. While most watching the show, I suspect, are not doing so with the intention of going against God’s Word, the end result is still the same. We must be careful to know God’s Word, and to obey God’s Word, in all aspects of our life. 

The Chosen Comes From A Concerning Source

One issue that has not been given much publicity is the explicitly non-christian religious influence on the show’s production. The production company behind the show, Angel Studios, was founded, and is operated by two members of the Mormon faith. It is worth noting, that Angel Studios also creates a product called VidAngel which is used by many christians to helpfully censor and filter out inappropriate content from TV shows and other streaming platforms. Still, the company now moves into the production business, and their portrayal of Jesus and his ministry is concerning. 

There have been many concerns about how faithful the representation of Jesus would be to Scripture. The very nature of television leads there to be edits and interpretations to set up more dramatic encounters and dialogues. Still, one explicit example worth noting came when the show had Jesus say “I am the law of Moses”, which is found no where in Scripture, and is indeed found in the Book of Mormon. It would seem the potential Mormon influence is greater than perhaps some are willing to admit. Furthermore, the situation has not been helped by the Creator, Director, Co-Writer, and Executive Producer of the show, Dallas Jenkins, who has often responded to this controversy with joking and implications that he may work more Mormon references into the show. Jenkins has also been unclear regarding his understanding of the clear distinction between Christians and Mormons, and how they are fundamentally separate faiths. 

It leaves me to wonder why Christians would partake in entertainment which comes from such a concerning source. As with a poisoned well, you may get some clean water from it, but is it worth the risk? The Chosen represents a dangerous source of entertainment, which dramatically takes Jesus and his words out of context, and even allows for heresy to be brought in. Even discerning Christians are at risk watching a show like this, and the payoff of entertainment does not justify it. 

We Have Something Greater Than The Chosen

Perhaps someone reading this article disagrees with me on my interpretation regarding the 2nd Commandment. Perhaps its even possible that they disagree with the alarming concern surrounding the changing of Jesus’s actions and words. I know of several christians who believe that productions such as The Chosen are helpful, because they stir their imaginations, and raise their affections for Christ. Even if you disagree with my previous two warnings, I would like to issue a third, by demonstrating that The Chosen is far less than what you already have in God’s Word. 

God in His providence, chose to send His Son, Jesus Christ, into the world when He did. Christ could have come to save the world during the time of cell phones and live streaming, but He didn’t. God chose to send His Son at the proper time, and to have the proclamation of His work be done through the Word. In short, God gave us a book, and it was not by accident that He did so. God desires to speak to us through His Word, and He has not left us with some lesser form of revelation. 

In John 20, we see the famous account of Jesus and Doubting Thomas. Thomas, demands to see Jesus in order to believe. After witnessing the risen Christ, here is what Jesus declares:

Jesus said to him, “Have you believed because you have seen me? Blessed are those who have not seen and yet have believed. (John 20:29)

Immediately following this declaration by Jesus, John gives us his purpose statement for the entire Gospel account:

 Now Jesus did many other signs in the presence of the disciples, which are not written in this book; but these are written so that you may believe that Jesus is the Christ, the Son of God, and that by believing you may have life in his name. (John 20:30-31)

It is clear what John is doing here. Jesus speaks to Thomas, but in a way, He is speaking past Thomas, to all of us the readers. We get to hear Jesus’ declaration as a message to us as well. It is not a lesser form of revelation to hear of Christ through the Word than to see Him in the flesh. In fact, Jesus here positively declares that those who hear and believe are truly blessed. Many christians think that their faith would be so much better if only they could see Jesus for themselves - Jesus disagrees. 

When I meet christians enamored with productions like The Chosen, I’m left scratching my head.    Why would we settle for something which goes against God’s law, alters the events of Jesus’ life, and takes us away from the Word of God? Surely it is far greater to regularly commune with God through His Word, sitting daily under its instruction, that our affections would be shaped by God and stoked into a greater zeal by the true Christ! For christians who have been caught up with shows like The Chosen, my simple desire would be to point you back to the Word of God, and to discover something far greater for your soul. 

I don't recommend Study Bibles often. There are so many of them on the market, and so many focused on a particular niche. There seems to be a Study Bible for every kind of person or group, and most seem to fall short. The Study Bible I recommend is the Reformation Study Bible, produced by our friends over at Ligonier, for it's solid reformed commentary, and the resources contained in the back of the Bible. I cannot recall recommending another Study Bible over the course of the past 5+ years. That now changes with the Church History Study Bible. 

To be clear, I don't view the Church History Study Bible as a replacement for a resource like the Reformation Study Bible. Rather, this is a must have as a very helpful supplement. To have a survey of some of church history's major christian theologians commentating on the text in front of you is invaluable. There are entire commentary series devoted to this task, and in the Church History Study Bible, you get essentially a full commentary set in one volume. 

The Bible contains commentary from voices such as Athanasius of Alexandria, John Chrysostom, John Calvin, Martin Luther, John Bunyan, Jonathan Edwards, and Charles Spurgeon and more. It's easy to see what so many people are getting excited about this project. If you want an easily accessible way to converse with some of the greatest christian thinkers throughout history as you study Scripture, this Study Bible is a must have resource. 

The Bible comes in a few different formats. There is a hardcover, a brown TruTone design, as well as a genuine black leather. All of the options are typical Crossway productions- high quality and designed with the reader in mind. Regardless of which one you purchase, it will likely outlast you. This would be a great resource for your study, and a tremendous heirloom to leave to your kids. I highly recommend the Church History Study Bible by Crossway, and encourage you to buy it, and use it, today. 

As a disclaimer, not all of these books were published in 2022(though some of them were). I also am not putting the list in any particular order, they all stand out for particular reasons, and ranking them amongst one another is quite difficult. I also want to clarify that just because a book is listed here does not mean I agree with 100% with it. These are not all the books I read in 2022, but represent the most engaging and enjoyable.

The Whole Christ by Sinclair Ferguson

 The Whole Christ is one of the very few books that I have re-read several times. Ferguson is always pastoral and edifying, but this book is particularly powerful. Ferguson helps us to see the true heart of the Gospel, and gives believers a wonderful picture of who Christ truly is. 

The Chronicles of Narnia by C.S. Lewis

2022 was the Year of Narnia(As you'll see on this list). Let me be clear-this series is not just for kids. Narnia is wonderfully enchanting, and captures the heart and imagination. Few books stir my affections like Narnia does. Read these every year, and read them with your family. 

Planet Narnia by Michael Ward

This is simply one of the greatest books I have ever read. You need to have read Narnia before picking up this book. It will also be helpful if you've not only read Narnia, but love Narnia. Assuming this is the case, this book is incredibly fun, engaging, and insightful. I could not put this down, and already want to re-read it. It's that good. 

Live Like a Narnian by Joe Rigney

I'm a fan of Joe Rigney's, and he has done a lot of work in commentating/writing on Narnia. I found his Youtube discussion series insightful, and this book is a good encapsulation of those discussions. Here Rigney takes key themes from Narnia and applies them as practical discipleship tips for the christian life. If you love Narnia, you'll find Rigney hits on things that you felt while reading the book, but couldn't necessarily identify it. If you've read Narnia, you need to read this book. 

Interpreting Scripture with the Great Tradition by Craig Carter

My doctoral studies allowed me to take a class with Dr. Carter, and for preperation I read both of his books. I found his book on Scripture to be stimulating and insightful. I can't remember writing/highlighting in a book as much as I did this one, and that's saying something. Carter's call to retrieve a hermeneutical engagement with the Great Tradition is a much needed one. 

Contemplating God with the Great Tradition by Craig Carter 

Like his book on Interpreting Scripture, Dr. Carter calls for us to retrieve classical theisim by placing ourselves within the Great Tradition. I found this book to be a refreshing engagement with classical theism, and a much needed corrective to many problems we have seen surrounding the doctrine of God in recent years. I highly recommend both books by Dr. Carter, and am eagerly anticipating his third, which should be released in the next year or two. 

The Economics of the Parables by Robert Sirico 

Those who know me well know I enjoy reading about economics. Sirico, a well known catholic writer, gleans economic lessons that are explicitly or implicitly implied within the parables. This book is a great read, and would be accessible to anyone interested in the subject. I found many of his insights helpful, and overall really enjoyed this book. 

The Library: A Fragile History by Andrew Pettegree

This probably is the book I most looked forward to reading in 2022. I couldn't wait to get into it, and once I started, I loved every second of it. Pettegree traces the history of the Library throughout it's many iterations. As a lover of books, I found the history to be fasicnating. Highly recommend. 

The Theology of the Westminster Standards by J.V. Fesko

While prepping for a sunday school class focused on the Westminster Confession, I pulled this volume off of my shelf. I have owned this book for a while, but have never gotten around to reading it. I now regret that. This book is a tremendous peek into the history of the Westminster Divine's discussion around the standards, and how they came to be what they are. As a pastor who subscribes to the Westminster Standards, this was so inredibly helpful and edifying. I wish I had read this sooner. Also, this is yet another example why you should buy books, even if you aren't going to read them soon. You never know when one sitting on your shelf will have a great impact. 

In the House of Tom Bombadil by C.R. Wiley (Audible) 

If you love the Lord of the Rings(LOTR), you have to read this book. I listened to the Audio book on Audible, and had a blast doing so. Its a quick read/listen, but it packs a lot of power. Wiley delves into the discussion surround Tom Bombadil, engaging many theories over his origin and meaning. Wiley makes a compelling case for what he thinks is Bombadil's role/purpose is, and along the way, provides a great discussion partner on some of the deeper themese within LOTR. Excellent! 

Around this time each year, several christian parents will approach me with the same question “What should we do with Santa?” Well intentioned christian parents are trying to figure out what is the best approach to this cultural tradition. Most christian parents I know recognize there are obvious issues with this cultural phenomenon, and yet there are also varying reasons as to why a desire, to use at least some of Santa Claus, still remains. I’m sympathetic to parents trying to sort out what is best for their children, and thankful for those truly thoughtful parents who are wanting to run their practices through a Biblical grid. That being said, I would like to share why I believe christian parents and families should pass on the cultural tradition surrounding Santa Claus, in pursuit of something far greater. 

When I speak with christian parents, the first thing which I often acknowledge is timing. It would be far better to have this discussion in February, in anticipation for the next year, than in December, when emotions can be high, family pressure may be tense, and the sense of urgency looms large over us. That being said, most parents are forced to deal with it in December, and so it’s worth dealing with head on when it arises, and not to delay it unnecessarily. If you are a christian couple without children yet, or very young children who are not able to understand these concepts, now is a good time to begin thinking thorough what you will do, and why. 

I have encountered 3 main responses to Santa from the christian parents I have counseled over the years. The first response is a full rejection of the Santa Claus tradition and any use of it in their home, and to rather focus on something else during Christmastime. This is our family’s approach, and the position I am advocating for. The second response is to fully embrace Santa Claus, and to celebrate the use of the tradition within their home. Admittedly, I have found a full embrace of Santa to be rare amongst the christian parents I have spoken to, but nonetheless I have met christians who seek to do this. The third response is perhaps the most common, with parents seeking a “hybrid” approach. They recognize there are issues with a full on embrace of Santa, and yet, they want to use Santa as much as they can. Reasons vary as to why parents seek a hybrid option(nostalgia is one common explanation) but it is easily the response I most often encounter. 

With that in mind, I would like to present a few key reasons why I believe all christian parents should pass on Santa Claus entirely, and pursue something greater in their homes this Christmas season. 

Lying Is Sin 

What should easily keep christian parents from a full embrace of the Santa tradition is that it violates the 9th commandment. Lying is a sin, and raising your children to believe in something false is sinful. Some parents may object here, stating that we are fine with children learning about fictional stories/books/shows, but the crucial distinction here is that we do not teach our children to believe them. We don’t tell them fairy tales or stories intending them to be believed as truth, nor do we expect our children to believe them as being real. They are necessarily fictional. Santa is not the case, where a full embrace would have children believe he is real, he responds to their actions, reads their letters, eats their cookies, and provides their presents. For this reason alone, any full embrace of Santa should be rejected.

While I believe most reading this will be in agreement that a full embrace of the Santa tradition is wrong, many I assume will be holding to a hybrid approach. These parents would want a distinction made, that they are not lying to their children. They want to tell their kids about Santa, and use the tradition, but they're upfront with their kids that it is pretend, and that Santa is not real. While these parents may very well be not lying to their children (which is a good thing!), the hybrid approach still presents several problems for the christian household, as we will see in the following reasons. 

Santa Is Confusing 

We are to raise our children “in the discipline and instruction of the Lord” (Eph 6:4) and our homes are to be marked by our devotion to God’s Word and truth (Deut 6). While pretend stories might not be confusing in and of themselves, Santa does seem particularly confusing to young children in christian homes. Not every christian will celebrate Christmas, as the holiday is not biblically mandated. For those that do, it would seem particularly important to use the day to focus on the Advent and Incarnation of Christ. In fact, most families using the hybrid approach see this as the main reason for their observing Christmas. It is confusing then, to intermingle Christ and Santa. 

If the focus is to be on Christ, it seems counterproductive to also present another figure, albeit a clearly labeled fictional character, who at the very least will compete with your children’s imaginations and attention during the holiday. Not only that, as we will see in the following concerns, Santa is particularly effective at grabbing children’s focus, but not for good reasons. It seems then we are presenting our children with different narratives, and putting them in a position which at best will be confusing for them as they struggle to sort out what is good and true. 

Santa Is Anti-Gospel

The message of Santa goes directly against the message of the Christian Gospel. Santa says if you do good, you will earn his favor. God, in His grace, bestows his favor on those who are unworthy, through the person and work of Jesus Christ, and then calls them to obedience as a response to His grace, not in the securing of it. Furthermore, Santa is explicitly focused on material gain, and often encourages materialism amongst those who make the focus on the receiving of physical gifts. Christ offers us true life, in His name and through His Spirit, and this gift cannot be matched by all the riches of the world, and indeed is able to withstand even the suffering of tremendous loss in this life. 

Santa is Losing Out On What Is Best

The story of Jesus Christ is the greatest story ever told. The news of the Gospel, and the call to redemption should ring loudly in our homes and our hearts, for is the greatest news, and gift we could ever receive. When we press into the truth of Christ, we find depths that we hadn’t seen before. Whether or not it is tied to the day of Christmas, christians ought to set aside time to set their hearts upon the wonders of who Christ is, and what He has done. We should be filled up with wonder over the Incarnation. Jesus Christ really did take on flesh, and come for His people. That means our sin can’t defeat us, Satan has no accusation which can harm us, and our heart’s deepest longing for what is good, right, and true will come to fruition in glory. 

We can, and should, live into this reality as much as we can today. We should pursue holiness, feast on God’s Word, live in fellowship with the saints, and take the sacraments with eager anticipation and joy. If we celebrate Christmas, it should be a time when we remember that the King came down, and that all the things which we fear will be undone. All our tears will be wiped away, and here and now we can know the joy that is ours in Christ. John Piper gets it right when he says “If being Jesus-focused is a killjoy for your Christmas, you don’t know him well.”

So what should you do this Christmas? I’ve advocated for a rejection of Santa Claus, and the forgoing of any use of the tradition. This should be done in service of our greatest joy. Don’t settle this Christmas for Santa, give your family Christ. Fathers should carve out time this holiday season to bring the family’s attention to Christ. Read Scripture together. Sing songs like I Heard the Bells on Christmas Day, Joy to the World, O Come All Ye Faithful, Silent Night, and Come Thou Long Expected Jesus. Be encouraged by the truth that Christ came for us, and that He will come again for us. Use Christmas as an excuse to stoke the fires of faith, and deepen your affections for Christ. 

So go ahead and try it. Be the weird christian family who "doesn't do Santa". Take any comments or jabs that come your way from disagreeing family, friends, or neighbors. You wont regret giving your family what is best this year, and every year to come. Jesus beats Santa everytime, and it isn't even close.

Books:

Christmas Thoughts by J.C. Ryle

Advent Devotionals by Sinclair Ferguson

Child in a Manger by Sinclair Ferguson

Birth of Christ by J.V. Fesko

What is the Incarnation? By William Evans

I'd assume that most of the American-Evangelical church does not consider Sunday to be the Sabbath. In fact, I'd assume most Western-American Christians don't even have a category of Sabbath as a still functioning ordinance today. For whatever reason it may be, most christians in our day consider Sunday to be a "2nd Saturday" with the only substantive difference being that we go to church on Sunday morning. After church, however, the day would look almost indistinguishable from Saturday (except for the consumption of pro football, perhaps). 

As I have spoken to christians, and discipled congregants, I have found the concept of the Christian Sabbath to be difficult for many. They struggle to see how a day which is often spoken of in the Old Testament still has much relevance for them today. In fact, the idea that such a Sabbath not only exists, but is binding in a real way which calls for our obedience, is very foreign to most, and viewed as legalistic and pharisailcal. If the Christian Sabbath exists (and it does), then the church is in need of robust and persuasive resources to help disciple congregants in this important practice. 

Enter Guy Waters with this incredibly helpful resource. The Sabbath as Rest and Hope for the People of God is a small book, at only 160 pages. But in its brevity, it covers a massive scope. Waters walks believers through the entirety of the Scriptures, showing how the Sabbath was instituted by God for His glory, and man's good, and how it has operated throughout redemptive history. He convincingly shows that the Sabbath is very much still in effect today, as is the rest of the moral law. Thus, Christians today are to see themselves as standing a long line of God's people who have been called to "Honor the Sabbath and keep it holy". 

Having shown the Biblical development, Waters concludes with a chapter on how we do this. Often, those who are considering the Christian Sabbath, or perhaps have recently become convinced of it, immediately delve into debates on "what is, or isn't, allowed" on Sunday. While a discussion around practicalities can be helpful, often, it takes our focus off of the main intention of the Sabbath. Waters helpfully directs readers to see that our focus on the worship of God and resting in Him, is to take up the day of rest. If we focus on these relaities, Waters argues, it will end up settling most of our practical questions. Far from a call to legalistic stinginess, Waters opens up a way of viewing the Sabbath which is freeing, and for our ultimate good. 

I would highly recommend this volume, and will be quick to hand it out as a resource for my congregants. It is short, theologically robust, and biblically persuasive. 

Every year dozens of Overtures are sent to the General Assembly of our denomination for consideration. For those who aren’t aware of our polity and process, an Overture is a proposal from a lower court (think church or presbytery) to a higher court (the General Assembly) with regard to a specific action. In short, it’s how things change in our denomination. Each year, dozens of Overtures are submitted, considered, and voted upon. If an Overture passes at the General Assembly, it must then be approved by 2/3’s of the Presbyteries, before returning at the following year’s General Assembly for final approval.  

In June, the General Assembly voted to send down 12 overtures to be considered by the Presbyteries. Most of these overtures are not controversial, but several are in response to controversies in our denomination, and have caused much discussion. While others have written about how best to prepare for these upcoming discussions at the Presbytery level, my desire is to simply share my opinions regarding these matters, and how I think the PCA should respond. I’ll skip over the overtures that passed the Overtures Committee with 90+%, or passed the General Assembly in Omnibus(without debate), in order to focus my thoughts on the 4 overtures which have been deemed the most “controversial”. 

ITEM 4 (Overture 29) - Amend BCO 16 by adding 16-4 Regarding Qualifications for Church Office

This Overture would add the following paragraph to chapter 16 of our Book of Church Order, on the subject of qualifications for Church Officers:

16-4 Officers in the Presbyterian Church in America must be above reproach in their walk and Christlike in their character. While office bearers will see spiritual perfection only in glory, they will continue in this life to confess and to mortify remaining sins in light of God’s work of progressive sanctification. Therefore, to be qualified for office, they must affirm the sinfulness of fallen desires, the reality and hope of progressive sanctification, and be committed to the pursuit of Spirit-empowered victory over their sinful temptations, inclinations, and actions.

This overture is a “re-do” of Overture 23 from last year. Many of the arguments against the previous versions of this overture had to do with the language of “identity”, which has been removed here. I voted for Overture 23 last year, as I did not agree with the concerns surrounding the identity language. I voted for Overture 29 this year, as the qualifications listed here are consistent with a biblically orthodox, and confessionally faithful understanding of how a church officer is to understand his battle against sin, and the work of progressive sanctification. I believe Overture 29 should be passed, as it is a helpful overture, which really shouldn’t be controversial. 

ITEM 5 (Overture 31) - Amend BCO 21-4 and 24-1 by adding the following paragraphs regarding requirements for ordination:

21-4.e In the examination of the candidate’s personal character, the presbytery shall give specific attention to potential notorious concerns. Careful attention must be given to his practical struggle against sinful actions, as well as to persistent sinful desires. The candidate must give clear testimony of reliance upon his union with Christ and the benefits thereof by the Holy Spirit, depending on this work of grace to make progress over sin (Psalm 103:2-5, Romans 8:29) and to bear fruit (Psalm 1:3, Gal. 5:22-23). While imperfection will remain, when confessing sins and sinful temptations publicly, the candidate must exercise great care not to diminish the seriousness of those sins in the eyes of the congregation, as though they were matters of little consequence, but rather should testify to the work of the Holy Spirit in his progress in holiness (1 Cor. 6:9-11).

 

24-1 In the examination of the nominee’s personal character, the Session shall give specific attention to potential notorious concerns. Careful attention must be given to his practical struggle against sinful actions, as well as to persistent sinful desires. The nominee must give clear testimony of reliance upon his union with Christ and the benefits thereof by the Holy Spirit, depending on this work of grace to make progress over sin (Psalm 103:2-5, Romans 8:29) and to bear fruit (Psalm 1:3, Gal. 5:22-23). While imperfection will remain, when confessing sins and sinful temptations publicly, the nominee must exercise great care not to diminish the seriousness of those sins in the eyes of the congregation, as though they were matters of little consequence, but rather should testify to the work of the Holy in his progress in holiness (1 Cor. 6:9-11).

 

Similar to Overture 29, Overture 31 this year was a “re-do” of last year’s Overture 37. I voted for Overture 37 last year, as I felt it was helpful and necessary given the issues surrounding biblical sexuality that the PCA has faced in recent years. This year, Overture 31 has been refined, and gives helpful instruction to Candidates and Credentials Committees on how to examine a man for ordination. This is very important, as it instructs these committees to put into practice what is being codified in Overture 29. As the Chairman of my Presbytery’s Candidates and Credentials Committee, I can say I find this language to be helpful in guiding our process. I would also add, that my members have responded unanimously to both of these overtures with overwhelming support, as they see both Overtures 29 and 31(as well as last year’s O23 & O37) as common sense measures towards protecting the church. I believe Overture 31 should be passed and implemented within our denomination. 

ITEM 7 (Overture 8)  Amend BCO 33-1 and 34-1, establishing a percentage threshold for Original Jurisdiction requests.

Overture 8 might be one of the most important overtures in recent years. It seeks to address a serious issue which exists currently in our Book of Church Order. The overture would seek to change BCO 33-1 and 34-1, resulting in the following paragraphs:

33-1. Process against a church member shall be entered before the Session of the church to which such member belongs. However, if the Session does not indict in either doctrinal cases or instances of public scandal and the Sessions of at least ten percent (10%) of churches in the same Presbytery request the Presbytery of which the church is a member to assume original jurisdiction for a case of process, the Presbytery shall do so. The Presbytery may assess the costs thereof equitably among the parties, including the petitioning Sessions and the Session of the church member.

 

34-1. Process against a minister shall be entered before the Presbytery of which he is a member. However, if the Presbytery does not indict in either doctrinal cases or instances of public scandal and at least ten percent (10%) of Presbyteries request the General Assembly to assume original jurisdiction for a case of process, the General Assembly shall do so. The General Assembly may assess the costs thereof equitably among the parties, including the petitioning Presbyteries and the Presbytery of the minister.

In short, Overture 8 seeks to address the issue regarding Original Jurisdiction. Can a higher court (Presbytery or General Assembly) rectify clear and obvious errors with regards to the discipline of members or pastors, especially in the cases of scandal? As of right now, the language of the BCO reads that a higher court only can do so when there is a “failure to act”, which is a low threshold to meet. This has resulted in effectively no way for the denomination to address any clear and obvious errors made by local sessions or presbyteries. The new language here would allow for a legitimate path forward, and to balance out this new procedure, the threshold for instituting Original Jurisdiction has been raised to 10% of churches or presbyteries for their respective courts. This would result in a high bar for Original Jurisdiction requests, which would not come easily, but would allow a genuine way for issues to be handled and addressed. I believe Overture 8 is very much needed in the PCA, and I hope to see it pass. 

ITEM 1 (Overture 15) Amend BCO 7 to disqualify from office men describing themselves as homosexual.

Overture 15 represents perhaps the most controversial item before us this year. Overture 15 passed as a Minority Report, and passed the General Assembly with 54% of the vote. As a matter of self disclosure, I served on the Drafting Committee which wrote the Minority Report for Overture 15, and so I have some obvious bias in favor for Overture 15. This overture would result in the following paragraph being added to our Book of Church Order:

7-4 Men who describe themselves as homosexual, even those who describe themselves as homosexual and claim to practice celibacy by refraining from homosexual conduct, are disqualified from holding office in the Presbyterian Church in America.

Martin Luther has been famously attributed with saying “Though we be active in the battle, if we are not fighting where the battle is the hottest, we are traitors to the cause.” In our current cultural moment, the battle over sexuality and gender is where the fight is hottest. We have seen the peace and purity of the church disturbed over recent years by those who want to give allowances in this area that the Bible simply does not permit. If the PCA is to remain faithful, we must win this fight. One major concern before us is the matter of ordination, and whether or not those who describe themselves as homosexual(or “gay”) can be ordained in the church. Overture 15 would answer this in a way which is clear, helpful, and needed. 

It is clear because, unlike Overture 29 and 31, it directly speaks to this most pressing issue. It’s helpful, because it locates the issue with how a man describes himself. This is a public measurement, that can be evaluated and determined objectively. It is needed, because the peace and purity of the church have been disturbed greatly over this issue, by the allowance of men to persist in teaching errant views which do not conform to Scripture and our Westminster Standards.  

I have heard several objections for Overture 15, but they have not been convincing. Some will say it is uncharitable that the overture uses the language of “even those who…claim to practice celibacy”. The overture is not seeking to evaluate motives, but rather, is trying to focus on the fact that such a claim does not disregard the main issue. Another objection is that it is possible that this new language will be misused and even possibly abused towards some men pursuing ministry, who are truly walking in holiness, though they may occasionally battle temptation in this arena. While it is always possible that some portion of our polity may be misused, the reality is that this represents a hypothetical problem. If this were to arise, there are ways to go about rectifying it. The greater issue before us, however, is an actual disturbance of the peace and purity of the church. We ought not hinder ourselves from rectifying a clear and present problem today, on the possibility that it might not be a perfect solution. I believe Overture 15 is clear, helpful, and needed, and I pray it will pass.

Most Helpful: 

1.) Revelation: A Shorter Commentary by G.K. Beale (Eerdmans)

Every time I preach through a book of the Bible, I read through about a dozen commentaries. Soon into the process, however, I find myself identifying the strongest/most helpful of the commentaries, and I lean on it a bit more during my study each week. For Revelation, it was clear which commentary was the most helpful- G.K Beale's. This commentary is a shorter version, of his well known longer volume in the NIGTC series. This commentary still comes in over 500 pages, and is rich in detail. Still, despite being a long commentary, it is very accessible, and helpfully hones in on the most important aspects of a given passage. If I could only have 1 commentary on Revelation, it would be this one hands down. 

2.) More Than Conquerors by William Hendriksen (Baker)

 Hendriksen's short commentary on Revelation is a classic. The first half of this book lays out background detail on Revelation, and it is where so much of this volume's value comes from. Having all the Old Testament allusions laid out by chapter was incredibly helpful. His walk through exposition of the text is brief, and pastorally oriented, lending it to be easily accessible and helpful. If you want a short book, which gets you a great overview of the entire background, book, and application of Revelation, this is an excellent resource. 

3.) Triumph of the Lamb by Dennis Johnson (P&R)

A friend and mentor of mine recommended I pick up Johnson's commentary before I preached through Revelation. I am so glad he made the recommendation. This book is a treat, and is pastorally rich. This comes as no surprise for those who know Johnson's writing, but this commentary is especially engaging and balanced. Lots of depth, and practical application. If you want a "middle" between Hendriksen and Beale, this is a great resource.  

Honorable Mentions:

The Returning King by Vern Poythress (P&R)

 This short volume by Poythress is widely recommended and has many helpful aspects to it. I cited Poythress often, and found his perspective to be particularly elucidating. Poythress calls for readers to see Revelation more as a picture book than a puzzle book, and invites those who would study it to be caught up in the wondorous picture of the Lamb triumphant. 

Revelation by Richard Phillips (P&R)

This collection of Phillip's expositions through Revelation is excellent.  Seeing how Phillips handeled difficult interpretive decisions, and applied some of the bleaker sections of Revelation was insightful. This is not meant to be a technical commentary, but rather focuses in on the task of expositionally preaching the book, showing how one faithful pastor handeled that very task. If you wanted a devotional resource to walk through Revelation with, I would recommend this one. 

Some Other Helpful Commentaries

Let's Study Revelation by Derek Thomas (Banner of Truth)

Revelation by Joel Beeke (Reformation Heritage)

ESV Expository Commentary: Hebrews-Revelation by Thomas Schreiner (Crossway)