Blogs by Rick Phillips

Today is All Saints Day, the super-bowl Sunday of sacred relics in the Roman Catholic Church.  Not many people realize that this is the reason why Reformation Day is the same as Halloween (All Hallows Eve).  Luther was specifically protesting... continue

... the more I understand why I preach.  While there are many good and important motivations for preaching Christ which I keenly feel -- the salvation of the lost, the edification of God's people, the building-up of the Church --... continue

Like millions of Americans, I have become thoroughly addicted to Animal Planet's Meerkat Manor.  If you haven't seen it, you are just missing out big time.  Meerkat Manor chronicles the life and death exploits of the little meerkat species in... continue

Now, Carl, you don't have to take the Edwardian (as in Longshanks) stance towards all non-English cultural expressions.  Your point about the commercialization of football is well taken (which is why the true American game is now seen only at... continue

As a public announcement to our non-native Ref21 contributors, I point out that the great American Octoberfest begins today: the major league baseball playoffs.  There is no more American cultural phenomenon than baseball.  And there is no baseball like the... continue

Great comments on porn, Phil and Carl.  My pastoral experience dealing with this issue has taught me that this issue is tied to a broader issue of idolatry that becomes practically an entire worldview of porn.  Time after time, men... continue

Like Phil, I got a copy of The Great Exchange, kindly sent to me by Jerry Bridges.  I'm very glad to see it, having been told of it by Jerry during a dinner we had during last year's PCRT conference. ... continue

I am seriously bumming because it is overcast here in Portland, so in my first visit to this lovely city I cannot even see Mt. Hood.  But we had a great morning anyway at the first meeting of the Reformation... continue

I see that Phil has revealed his true character by kicking us Wolverines when we are down (or should I say, by blocking the kick?).  And this after I so graciously refrained from finishing a Rick Ankiel steriods post that... continue

I have received a couple of emails from my post on Roger Olson's frightening words regarding "the God of Calvinism," asking if I was declaring the man to be unsaved.  I do want to go on record as saying that... continue