Blogs by Phil Ryken

Summer vacation (as well as a teaching trip to Regent College in Vancouver) begins next week.  As I anticipate laying down many of the burdens of pastoral care, at least for a little while, here is a salutary reminder of... continue

Writing in the Journal of the Evangelical Theological Society, David Wells explains what our church and our culture need: "The renewal of which we stand in need, I believe, is of both the understanding of truth and of our knowledge... continue

As promised, a gem from The Beauty of God.  Here is a stanza from Jill Pelaez Baumgaertner's "Nunc Dimittis" -- part of a series of post 9/11 poems based on a funeral liturgy: We will follow the coffin back down... continue

Alas, things have been so busy that I have not really entered into the mode of summer reading yet -- at least what I would call summer reading.  But I did have some long airplane flights last week, so I... continue

Over the past week I have had the opportunity to review advance proofs of the ESV Study Bible that is planned for publication in October of 2008.  Although I have not participated in this project, I have watched it unfold... continue

I am also reading The Faithful Preacher this week, a book by Thabiti Anyabwile that presents selections from Lemuel Haynes, Daniel Payne, and Francis Grimke, three African-American pastors from the Reformed tradition.  The African American church generally is not associated... continue

With a road trip this week, I have finally had the opportunity to read The Jesus Gospel by my friend Liam Goligher, who preaches at the historical Duke Street Richmond Church in London.  Liam wrote this book out of a... continue

James MacDonald (Harvest Bible Chapel, Rolling Meadows, IL) gave us this zinger at The Gospel Coalition this week: "Sometimes our presentation of the gospel is so watered down that even the non-elect can't reject it."... continue

Like Ligon, I am spending most of the week at the Pastor's Colloquium sponsored by The Gospel Coalition -- 40+ pastors from across the country who are committed to evangelical essentials and who gather once a year to encourage one... continue

I'm grateful for Ligon's reminder of Ezra 7:10 as providing an ABC for basic discipleship (study, live, teach) -- especially since this is one of my life verses for ministry.  To take the thought one step farther, it is only the grace... continue