Author Archives: vanguardpresbytery

Georg William Frederick Hegel (1770-1831) was a German philosopher whose dialectical method has become the dominant thought pattern for most people in the world today—including so-called evangelical pastors and theologians in the United States. His methodology is non-evangelical to the core and it is a dangerous inconsistency for any Christian to hold to it. ItContinue reading “Synthetic Christianity”

Perhaps the greatest book ever written on the Christian ministry was Charles Bridges’ The Christian Ministry. Bridges (1794-1869) was a Church of England minister and one of the leaders in the Evangelical party that witnessed a revival of sound ministers in that denomination during the nineteenth century. When the godly Robert M. McCheyne went to IsraelContinue reading “Rise Up and Evangelize!”

After writing last week’s article about the friendship that is developing between Doug Wilson and some Reformed Baptist pastors, I received thanks from many corners and rebukes from a few corners. I was accused by one person of slandering a “dear brother”, Doug Wilson, by one person. Anyone who has read either one of myContinue reading “None Dare Call It Heresy? “

One of my best friends, a member of Denomination X, visited with my wife and me in Destin a few weeks ago. He was on his way to a gathering of college students. The next morning we went to breakfast before he had to head on his way. During our conversation he asked me thisContinue reading ” Can Denomination X Be Saved?”

Yesterday was Pentecost Sunday—an annual reminder to the Church of the importance of the outpouring of the Holy Spirit. I am afraid that Presbyterian and Reformed people are sadly some of the most prone to forget the work of the Holy Spirit. We tend to be cerebral and to think that we can present theContinue reading “Never Give Up—Never”

In Personal Declension and Revival of Religion in the Soul, Octavius Winslow wrote:  An uncharitable spirit towards other Christians, marks a low state of grace in the soul. The more entirely the heart is occupied with the love of Christ, there will be less room for uncharitableness for his saints. It is because there is soContinue reading “Jesus of Nazareth—Jesus’ Backsliding Disciples (Matthew 17:24-27 and Mark 9:33-37)”

There are two questions of great importance concerning the visible church on this earth. The first question is this: Should I join a church? The second question is: What church should I join? Yet, church membership is not a rite of passage or a natural right for every person. There are terms of membership thatContinue reading “Should I Join a Church?”

Acts 16:6-10 gives us an account of the Macedonian call to Paul to come over to Philippi and help the western world. Paul wanted to go east, but he writes that he “was forbidden by the Holy Spirit” (Acts 16:6) and that “the Spirit of Jesus did not permit them” (Acts 16:7) to do so.Continue reading “The Missionary Nature of the Church”

In his Institutes of the Christian Religion, the great John Calvin wrote the following concerning the various modes of baptism: But whether a person being baptized should be wholly immersed, and whether thrice or once, whether he should only be sprinkled with poured water—these details are of no importance, but ought to be optional to churchesContinue reading “Shall I Be Baptized?”

I frequently get emails or telephone calls from people asking questions about Vanguard Presbytery—how we got started, what is our relationship with other reformed denominations, what we believe, how we are governed, etc. The questions are usually similar enough that there is value in writing some general answers to them for this email.  Q 1. WhyContinue reading “Questions that Deserve Answers”