John Calvin, Commentary on Matthew 19:10-12. 10 His disciples say unto him, If the case of the man be so with his wife, it is not good to marry. 11 But he said unto them, All men cannot receive this saying, save they to whom it is given. 12 For there are some eunuchs, which were so born from their… Read More Folly of a Celibate Life Without the Special Gift
I received this paper written by a church officer in a NAPARC congregation. He does not want this paper construed as binding church teaching, so he has chosen this platform and to write under a pseudonym. From his last paragraph, which expresses his heart on the matter: “Many ‘overwise’ Reformed brethren take it upon themselves… Read More To Beard or Not to Beard?
The question is not whether women may teach publicly in the church, for all orthodox Christians agree that Scripture prohibits women from holding office in the Church and from doing duties reserved for church officers (1 Cor. 14:34-35; 1 Tim. 2:11-15). Rather, the question is if women may otherwise exercise public authority over men. Secondly,… Read More May Women Teach? Public vs. Private Instruction
William Gouge Of Domestical Duties Of husbands and wives helping forward the growth of grace in each other. Hereunto must be added an helping forward of the growth thereof: which man and wife must mutually endeavour to effect one in another. The care which Elkanah had to carry his wives along with himself unto the… Read More Helping Your Spouse Grow in Grace
A Complementarian parachurch group, the Council on Biblical Manhood and Womanhood (CBMW), recently published a statement of affirmations and denials regarding biblical sexuality, The Nashville Statement. This brief post will express my thoughts on the statement itself, as well as the manner in which it was put forward. Praise for the Nashville Statement Despite the… Read More Thoughts on the Nashville Statement
A Discourse For The Comfort of Childbearing Women Stephen Charnock, Works, vol. 5, pp. 399-414. “Notwithstanding she shall be saved in childbearing, if they continue in faith and charity and holiness with sobriety” (1 Timothy 2:15). I shall not take my rise any higher than verse 12, where the apostle orders that a woman should… Read More Discourse For The Comfort of Childbearing Women
Some otherwise conservative Christians are beginning to take a compromising stance on homosexuality. They claim that only homosexual behavior is sinful and that same sex attraction (SSA) is a “sign of brokenness” similar to feelings of grief or sadness, or as one proponent put it, that having SSA is being “born in a broken condition… that does… Read More Is Same Sex Attraction Sinful?
Finally, we have before us one big, strong objection to answer. Yes, they say, it would be a fine thing to be married, but how will I support myself? I have nothing; take a wife and live on that, etc. Undoubtedly, this is the greatest obstacle to marriage; it is this above all which prevents… Read More Financial Objections to Marriage and Child Bearing | Martin Luther
Recently, in the United States, all military positions have been opened up to women, including the most dangerous combat roles. Shortly thereafter people began to call for women to be forced to register with the Selective Services to be conscripted in case of a draft. The issue of women in the military and in combat has… Read More Women in the Military and in Combat
In our last post we saw that barrenness and being elderly do not preclude marriage, and that barrenness or impotence after marriage do not nullify the marriage. Additionally we examined the four lawful reasons Scripture gives for married couples to abstain from sexual intercourse. Abstaining is not a sinful act per se, but can be… Read More Contraception pt. 4: Onanism
Purely Presbyterian 