HERE is a wonderful article by Thabiti Anyabwile on the validity of formal (local) church membership.

My Hope is Built on Nothing Less A hymn written in the 19th century per my quick web research has been a favorite of mine for some time, but it was all the more sweet this morning as I was singing these precious words of worship and adoration to my God and King with a … Continue reading Martin in England #7 – Worship

This video is a good reminder to me (as I prepare) and to you (as you pray for your pastor), especially on a night when I've traveled, and dealing with quite a bit of fatigue... Now, back to the study!

Today marks the 500th anniversary of John Calvin's birth.  John Calvin is often referred to as the theologian of the Reformation.  It is true that he seemed to put into written form the key doctrines (sola scriptura, sola gratia, sola fide, solus Christus, and soli deo gloria) of the Reformation more than anyone.  His Institutes … Continue reading Happy 500th Birthday, John Calvin!

Today we spent our day in Cambridge where we are staying for the next few days; Dr. Magnuson is an alum of the Cambridge system so he is well versed in many things here in Cambridge. We visited many historical sites today, but there were a few of extreme interest and importance to me. The … Continue reading Martin in England #6 – Darwin / Calvin

We had a quite a train ride from Edinburgh with a couple of really wild train exchanges, but we made it safely to Sydney Sussex College in Cambridge where we are staying for the next few days and nights. All the colleges here are part of the Cambridge University system, so I suppose I can … Continue reading Martin in England #5 – Grudem @ Cambridge

I am sitting on a train to Cambridge right now meandering through the beautiful countryside from town to town. I just finished reading a little booklet on the life and ministry of Charles Simeon titled, Simeon, by Max Warren. Simeon was a faithful pastor in Cambridge for 54 years where he died in 1836. This … Continue reading Martin in England #4 – The Good Confession

Today marked the end of our longest stay in any one place, we departed London and headed for Edinburgh, Scotland. The train ride was awesome and beautiful as we passed the wonderful English countryside and headed for Scotland. However before we left London, we had the privilege of worshiping at East London Tabernacle Baptist Church. … Continue reading Martin in England #3 – Worship in England

Give me Preaching or give me death! "Give me liberty or give me death!" is the powerful quote by Patrick Henry in 1775 that helped bring the Virginia Commonwealth into the fight for independence.  It is one of several important statements that were both symbolic of the fight for independence and instigating to garner actual … Continue reading Last Independence Weekend thoughts…

First, Independence Day (July 4th) is a wonderful celebration of the freedoms that are afforded us in this great country, preserved through the lives and deaths of great politicians and soldiers through the last 233+ years.  Ultimately, God has seen fit to give our country a common grace of democratic freedoms, which are most clearly … Continue reading Independence Day thoughts…