Author Archives: vanguardpresbytery

When I was in college, one of my professors, Dr. Newt Wilson, was in the habit of telling us who were Bible majors: “If you are going to be a pastor, you need to love people and to love books.” I know of ministers who love neither—they are anti-social. They also are not students andContinue reading “A Ministerial Reading Program”

Octavius Winslow (1808-1878), a contemporary of Charles Spurgeon and J. C. Ryle, was a Baptist minister in England and America. He was affectionately known as ‘The Pilgrim’s Companion’ because his writings were of a similar spiritual depth as those great men of old. One of his greatest works was Personal Declension and Revival of Religion inContinue reading “Personal Declension and Revival”

In Jeremiah 6:16, the Lord counseled His people as follows: “Stand by the ways and ask for the ancient paths, where the good way is, and walk in it; and you will find rest for your souls.” The last evangelical bishop of the Church of England, J. C. Ryle, wrote a book called Old Paths which wasContinue reading “The Ancient Paths”

During the Winter Theological Institute at Reformed Theological Seminary in January of 1975, I was conversing one evening with one of the professors of RTS and the editor of The Presbyterian Journal, Dr. G. Aiken Taylor. I had worked under Dr. Taylor the previous summer in helping to start a new church in Asheville, NC. InContinue reading “Why Presbyterian Denominations Fall, Number 2”

It has often been stated that Christianity thrives best in poverty, rather than riches. While there might be some truth to that statement, it is superficial in my opinion. There are many poor countries of the world where the gospel has been preached, but not well received. The truth seems to be that Christianity onlyContinue reading “Why Presbyterian Denominations Fail: 1”

Vanguard Presbytery: The Eighth Beatitude             When Christians speak about the Beatitudes, they often overlook the eighth, which says: “Blessed are you when people insult you and persecute you, and falsely say all kinds of evil against you because of Me. Rejoice and be glad, for your reward in heaven is great; for in the sameContinue reading “The Eighth Beatitude”

Anyone who knows me, knows that one of the great pursuits of my life has been researching and writing, Samuel Davies: Apostle to Virginia. Even if you have heard about Davies and think you know a lot about his ministry, I think you would enjoy  reading that biography—if   you like biographies; if you like reading about revivals; and,Continue reading “Samuel Davies on Preaching”

G. Campbell Morgan, the predecessor to Dr. D. Martyn Lloyd-Jones at Westminster Chapel in London, was one of the greatest preachers of his day. Towards the end of his ministry, he wrote a little volume called, The Answer of Jesus to Job. While the Book of Job is one of the oldest books of the Bible,Continue reading “When the Gospel is Your Only Consolation”

            At the May 2022 meeting of the Gospel Reformation Network in Birmingham, AL, Jon Payne was one of the speakers and he mentioned Vanguard Presbytery in a few of his remarks. After stating that he was in agreement with our principles, he said that we left too soon. That was not a criticism on hisContinue reading “Was Vanguard Presbytery Started Too Soon? No!”

The great Baptist minister, Charles H. Spurgeon, began preaching at a little thatched chapel in Waterbeach, England—a village about 6 miles north of  Cambridge in the district of Cambridgeshire—at the age of 16. He was a mere youth who had no advantages of a college education. Thus, he was strongly advised to go to the BaptistContinue reading “Ministers Should Have No Plans Concerning Themselves”