Blogs by Rick Phillips

It is always nice to receive constructive comments and questions from readers of ref21.  A question I received with reference to the sin of slavery (from my reply to Susan Wise Bauer) reads as follows: "Could someone kindly show me how this... continue

Thanks, Phil, for your helpful comments regarding feminism.  In light of this, I would like to say that I am sympathetic to the reasons why women are drawn in a feminist direction.  While I do not believe that patriarchy (biblically... continue

In the Jan/Feb 2007 issue of Books & Culture, respected home school guru Susan Wise Bauer laments criticism of her recent endorsement of John Stackhouse’s book Finally Feminist. Stackhouse follows the well-trod path of arguing that the Bible’s teaching on gender... continue

I want to thank everyone who is praying for Dr. D. James Kennedy.  His condition is improved, though very serious.  I spent a good deal of time with him today, praying and reading Scripture.  He recognized me and was clearly... continue

Please pray for Dr. D. James Kennedy, his wife and daughter, and Coral Ridge Presbyterian Church.  Dr. Kennedy is in grave condition following a heart attack last evening.  Jim's health has deteriorated markedly in the last several months, and he... continue

I took my family today to see The Nativity Story.  It is a tremendous movie.  It is not only reverent but extremely moving.  The script if faithful to the Bible, though with the usual artistic liberties (such as the three... continue

I have been preaching through the Gospel of John for the last couple of years, and this Sunday I complete John chapter 10.  This also concludes my study of the long confrontation between Jesus and the false teachers of Israel... continue

God bless you.  I believe that future history (whether in heaven or on earth) will look back on these present years and realize that the most valuable servants in Christ's kingdom were those humble, faithful, Spirit-filled men of God who... continue

The current phenomenon of ministers downloading or otherwise cribbing sermons is yet another symptom of a church that is spiritually out to sea.  The Bible says that the ascended Christ gave pastor/teachers to his church (Eph. 4:11), not that he... continue

While driving to and from a presbytery meeting tonight, I listened to Scot McKnight's address on the Emerging Church Movement from Westminster Theological Seminary's Emerging Church Forum.  I highly recommend the address as a friendly introduction to the topic.  Here... continue