Blogs by Rick Phillips

We praise the Lord for a tremendous weekend in the Philadelphia Conference on Reformed Theology, meeting at the jam-packed Byron Center First CRC in Grand Rapids.  Saturday was one of those unforgettable PCRT days that the Lord so often provides... continue

Things have sure heated up here in South Carolina over the move by the ARP general synod to ensure doctrinal fidelity at its denominational college and seminary, Erskine.  As usually happens, the continuing conflict has only shown how necessary that... continue

Derek cites a Dutch professor, Ellen van Wolde, who is presumably of liberal persuasions, for her novel assertion that bara in Genesis 1 does not mean "create".  But is this really much different from the tactics currently en vogue in our... continue

Our poor friend Tim Keller suffers the fate of having his every word parsed over a thousand times, which is the inevitable result of the vast influence his every word exerts over the Neo-Evangelical, Young, Restless, and Reformed.  For this... continue

In my sermon on John 14:16-17 last week, I introduced the important topic of the Holy Spirit as the "other Paraklete".  I talked at some length about how the Spirit carries forward Christ's work as the Spirit Anointed Messiah in... continue

Our church has been enjoying a terrific Vacation Bible School (thanks to our ladies!).  We have especially enjoyed the musical contributions of Lig Duncan's mom, wife, and the wives of his two brothers.  I have dubbed them the "Duncanesses".  But... continue

In my most recently published article on Ref21, Five Arguments Against Future Justification According to Works (see part 2 here), I expressed the position that the judgment of believers in Christ on the last day will consist only of reward and... continue

I thank Carl for providing the link to the Church of Scotland on-line petition, which I signed yesterday.  Like Phil, I thought it was well-written and compelling.  I think there are some good matters for reflection here, including points already... continue

Derek, I too am preaching through 1 Samuel.  In fact, I was up late last night reading probably the very same commentaries you are reading.  I also find that if you want doctrinal insights and applications, you need to look... continue

Let me add my congratulations to Sean Lucas, and to First Presbyterian Church of Hattiesburg, MS, for his call to their pulpit.  I am always delighted when our best men go to the pulpit, because preaching is always the first... continue