About This Blog
Gentle Reformation is a cooperative effort by friends in the R&P faith (Reformed and Presbyterian) to speak the Gospel of the Lord Jesus Christ in its many applications through the media of the internet. Our blog is intentionally styled:
- to be persuasive rather than polemical (seeking to avoid the condescending pride that is, sadly, too often seen in R&P circles among those who, of all people, should be able knowledgeably to say “by the grace of God I am what I am”);
- to speak in a tone that is pastoral rather than pejorative (though Biblical faithfulness demands that we cry “Wolf!” on occasion (see Matthew 7:15; Acts 20:29-31), we will be sure to do it only when warranted and not so often that we start sounding like that proverbial boy);
- and to consider the people in the pews rather than professors and pastors as our primary audience (though many of us, being such ourselves, love pastors and professors and invite them to read along!).
Austin Brown
Andrew Quigley
Brad Johnston
C.J. Williams
James Faris
Jared Olivetti
Michael LeFebvre
Nathan Eshelman
Barry York
Rich Holdeman
Rut Etheridge III
I am so grateful for Barry York’s introducing this blog to the R P ministers. You have a great group of bloggers. I am so zealous to complete my Commentary on the Psalms that I am jealous of spending time reading blogs. However, I must respond to thank C. J. Williams for his splendid commentaries on several Psalms. He is a man after my own heart! I especially loved his comments on Psalm 88 (Life and Death in the Psalms, really Worship and Death in the Psalms). May God bless you dear brothers in your witness and fellowship ministering the blessed Gospel of our Lord Jesus Christ! Verne Rosenberger, Ret. RPCNA Minister, Beaver Falls, PA
I did not read the two lines below “Post Comment” but I checked them both. Verne Rosenberger
Hi, Verne, So glad you’re working on Psalms commentary. Look forward to it. We miss you in New England!
So glad to see the GENTLENESS in Gentle Reformation. Especially online the rhetoric can get heated. You line up of authors are sharp thinkers who are skilled at speaking in love. I’ll be alerting others to this blog every chance I get! And Pastor Barry, thanks for investing a whole summer in this former intern in 2003!
I agree with you, Brad. I have just been through a challenging discussion with someone who posts on another Reformed blog where debate is key and I saw minimal gentleness. Going through the recent situation has made me aware of how gentle, wise counsel and discipline have to be hand in our openly sinful society.I can even more appreciate the difficulty and challenges of being a Pastor. Thank you all for praying for wisdom and spirits of gentleness and love and for sharing your gifts!
I’ve just come across your site and its blog intentions for the first time. Very laudable, refreshing, and timely. May the Lord spread the Gentle Reformation!
Welcome, Dr. Trumper. Thank you for your encouraging words!
I have found through thousands of exchanges, that discussions about the Sabbath as a rule are “intentionally styled:”
subtly “persuasive” rather than honestly “polemical”, and carefully selective with holy sounding but ever so condescending language.
I have found that discussions are never fair exchange of thoughts based on the Scriptures and Gospel, but like the above ‘presentation’, are one-sided “intentionally styled” showpieces of pejorative pastoral jargon about ‘love’ and ‘freedom’, the prime consideration being the opinion of the audience in the pews who slothfully and blindfolded follow their respectable professors and pastors — with Biblical faithfulness warranted to fly out the window.
Barry , excellent letter may our Lord bless it to the heart of this author. Blessings Pastor Terry Dowds