A Response to The Presbyterian Church in America (PCA) Study Committee Report on Women Serving in the Ministry of the Church

by WRF Member Dr. D. Clair Davis, Teaching Elder of the Presbyterian Church in America

I always thought it was a curious and lumbering name for a Christian organisation – but I never questioned it. It had always been there, or so it seemed to a six year old: the British and Foreign Bible Society. I knew for sure that I was British so, I wondered, who were the foreigners?

 We respectfully believe that the statement “Is the Reformation Over? A Statement of Evangelical Convictions” [WRF Member Dr. Leonardo De Chirico Shares "Is the Reformation Over? - A Statement of Evangelical Convictions"] is not a sufficient description of our present theological situation.

Orthodox (as in Russian Orthodox) author Rod Dreher’s new book, The Benedict Option, released on March 14, has rightly generated lots of discussion even among Reformed folks.  Based on the assumption that American culture is getting more hostile to the Body of Christ and to learning and civility, Dreher says that

Virtually Alone? by WRF Member Leah Farish, MA, JD

Occasionally I have the privilege of surveying church congregations to find out how to improve ministry.  In surveying the women of a PCA church recently, I felt the most intriguing response was the answer to this question:

In his book The Presbyterian Way of Life, published in 1960, John A Mackay described Presbyterians as ‘a theologically minded people’ (p 34).  For Presbyterians and all Reformed Christians, theology addresses the human mind.  But Calvin’s crest testifies that Reformed Christians also experience theology as energising the heart. 

WRF members know why this is a special year: It’s the 500th anniversary of Martin Luther’s nailing of the 95 Theses to the Wittenberg church door.  This milestone offers Reformed congregations around the world a chance to shine a spotlight on the grace of God and the value of reading the Bible.  

NOTE:   This particular blog was prepared by Peter Jensen, WRF member, former Anglican Archbishop of Sydney (Australia) and the plenary speaker at the 2006 WRF General Assembly in Johannesburg, South Africa. 

500 Years On - Does the Reformation Still Matter? 

When all is said and done, the fundamental question for every human being is, ‘How can a sinner like me stand before God on the Day of Judgement?’

Lord, Grant Us Your Salvation

Psalm 85 is tailor-made for prayers on behalf of the various nations represented in the World Reformed Fellowship.  It is a heartfelt prayer for a nation – specifically for the nation of Israel in the aftermath of returning from Babylonian exile.  Yet the psalm is general enough for the people of God to pray it in all ages and on behalf any nation.  In many ways it’s a remarkable fit for ANY nation today and offers us a great prayer template.

What does Jesus mean to you?

I have heard people in Africa say: “Oh. He is our first Ancestor. Thus he is very far. You cannot approach him or talk to him. He is not really concerned about us.”

 “Therefore the Lord himself will give you a sign: The virgin will be with child and will give birth to a son, and will call him Immanuel” (Isaiah 7:14).

Every year at this time the attention of Christians comes back again and again to one miracle in the Bible: the Virgin Birth of Jesus. Our Christmas carols repeatedly mention this miraculous event. Handel’s Messiah rather boldly proclaims the words of Isaiah. And every time we recite the Apostles’ Creed we mention this event twice, when we say “conceived by the Holy Spirit,” and “born of the Virgin Mary.”

 A Medical Dialectic: Ten Important Questions

David R. Haburchak, MD, FACP, is Professor of Medicine at the Medical College of Georgia (MCG), Georgia Regents University, Augusta, Georgia, where he has practiced academic medicine for over 20 years.  He is also a member of the Board of Directors of the World Reformed Fellowship.