Blogs by Phil Ryken

Like Carl, I have a warm appreciation for Machen's Christianity and Liberalism.  On a personal and biographical note, the book had a very important influence on my father's theology and discipleship when he was in college and trying to sort... continue

In case some of our readers may have missed it, the August sermon series at The Oaks Fellowship in Red Oak, Texas, featured four messages on four books by Theodor Geisel (better known as Dr. Seuss).  "Sometimes we get way... continue

According to The Sunday Times (9/14/08), the British government has incorporated Islamic law into the British legal system by establishing five sharia courts.  The judgments of these courts are now enforceable with the full power of British law, running all... continue

As some readers may know, the role of women in the mercy ministry of the church is a live issue in the Presbyterian Church in America (PCA).  At Philadelphia's Tenth Presbyterian Church, where I serve as senior minister, our practice... continue

For my first post since June (so long I could hardly remember how to find the window for posting), I share a couple of apt turns of phrase from my friend and colleague Paul Tripp, who is just finishing a... continue

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