The video feed from the 2022 Ligonier National Conference in Orlando, Florida, is up! Here’s the trailer for the conference:

From the event page:

The holy character of God is the absolute standard of right and wrong. And He has spoken. Therefore, to reject Him and abandon His Word is to undermine the foundation of morality. How can Christians live with integrity as we engage a world where God is hated, immorality is celebrated, and the truth is suppressed?

Our 2022 National Conference will explore the crucial topic of Christian ethics. As we consider how divine revelation addresses the moral confusion that surrounds us, we can be better prepared to stand for the truth, love our neighbors well, and seek first the kingdom of God and His righteousness.

Synopses of each talk and seminar are below; they average about 30 minutes each and are perfect break time listening.

Listen to the conference on YouTube here.

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Stephen Nichols: The Image of God

One of the most foundational aspects of a faithful Christian ethic is the truth that we are made in the image of God. In this message, Dr. Stephen Nichols explores what it means for men and women to be made in God’s image and considers how this truth is one of the primary starting points for approaching all ethical questions.

Michael Kruger: The Truth About Marriage

In creation, God established the one-flesh marriage relationship of husband and wife for procreation, for companionship, and for carrying out His mandate to take dominion over creation to His glory. In this message, Dr. Michael Kruger examines the Bible’s teaching on marriage, considering the ethical implications of God’s design for marriage.

Michael Reeves:

The Bible & Ethics

The Bible is our only infallible guide to faith and practice, and therefore the Bible gives us the ethical principles by which we can bring glory to God. In this message, Dr. Michael Reeves considers how Scripture is the normative guide for ethics and how we are to use God’s Word to formulate ethical standards.

Standing Firm in the Truth

As Western culture becomes more overtly hostile to the Christian faith and to the freedom of believers to follow God’s Word in all of life, we face the temptation to compromise biblical teaching for the sake of peace and prosperity. In this message, Dr. Michael Reeves calls us to stand firm on God’s Word when we are asked to surrender biblical truth.

Steven Lawson:

Total Depravity

The reason why Christian ethics are needed in our day is because man is totally depraved. Though man knows what is right, he insists on what is wrong and even suppresses the truth (Rom. 1:18). In this message, Dr. Steven Lawson considers the sinfulness of humanity and identifies our only hope for righteousness in the finished work of Jesus Christ on the cross. It is only in being redeemed that we can understand the true foundation of ethics.

The Importance of the Word of God (Seminar)

If God had not given us His Word, we would be lost forever in sin and darkness. In this seminar, Dr. Steven Lawson considers the essential role that the Bible plays in the life of every Christian and exhorts us to cherish the Scriptures as God’s precious gift to us.

Pressing On (Seminar)

How do we press on faithfully in the work that the Lord has prepared for us? In this seminar, Dr. Steven Lawson addresses the challenge of persevering in faithful obedience to God for the good of His church and the glory of His name.

Harry Reeder: Gender & Sexuality

In our era of confusion regarding gender and human sexuality, there is a great need for Christians to understand what Scripture says about these core matters of human identity. In this message, Dr. Harry Reeder expounds on the Bible’s teaching about these ethical issues, emphasizing the truth of the gender binary, proper sexual desire and its right expression, and other related topics.

Leading Well (Seminar)

What does effective, godly leadership look like in the church and in the world? In this seminar, Dr. Harry Reeder presents biblical principles for leadership to help us honor the Lord and serve His people well.

W. Robert Godfrey:

Statism & Socialism

Throughout history, civil governments have frequently set themselves up as the final arbiters of right and wrong, demanding that people surrender all their rights and identities to the state. In this message, Dr. W. Robert Godfrey considers the threat of statism in general and its manifestation in socialism in particular, exploring ethical concerns related to the proper role of the civil magistrate according to Scripture.

The End of Ethics

As with every other aspect of life, we engage in ethical reasoning and make moral decisions not merely for our good and the good of others but ultimately for the glory of God. In this message, Dr. W. Robert Godfrey considers the glory of God as the end of ethics, considering how God’s free grace puts us in a right relationship with Him and then empowers us to seek the good of others in gratitude for our salvation and for the sake of the Lord’s final glory.

Derek Thomas: Showing No Partiality

God’s Word mandates equal justice for all, commanding us to show no partiality on the basis of external factors such as socioeconomic status or ethnicity. In this message, Dr. Derek Thomas examines what Scripture has to say about the sin of partiality, exhorting us to do unto others as we would have them do unto us, no matter their nationality or place in society.

Burk Parsons: The Sanctity of Life

Christianity has stood out historically for its high view of the sanctity of life, proclaiming that we must preserve and protect the lives of all people, including the most helpless among us. In this message, Dr. Burk Parsons guides us through the Bible’s ethical principles on the sanctity of life.

Sinclair Ferguson: A Holy City

Our holy, righteous, and triune God is the source of our ethics, and He is directing all of history toward His sure end. That end will not only glorify Him but also result in a new heavens and new earth—a perfectly ethical universe. Christians will dwell in the new Jerusalem, where righteousness dwells fully and finally. In this message, Dr. Sinclair Ferguson considers the hope that Christians have in the future because of God’s redemptive purposes.

Parsons and Thomas: Suffering, Assurance, and the Sovereignty of God (Seminar)

No matter what we endure in this fallen world, Christians can take comfort and courage in knowing that God is working all things together for the good of His people. In this seminar, Drs. Burk Parsons and Derek Thomas discuss the relationship between the sovereignty of God, human suffering, and the assurance of salvation.

Ferguson and Godfrey: The Christian Sabbath (Seminar)

How should Christians think of the Sabbath? Are God’s people required to keep the fourth commandment today? In this seminar, Drs. Sinclair Ferguson and W. Robert Godfrey speak on the significance of the Lord’s Day as the Christian Sabbath.

Ferguson and Godfrey: The Significance of Union with Christ (Seminar)

Central to our identity as Christians is the reality that we live in spiritual union with our Lord Jesus Christ. In this seminar, Drs. Sinclair Ferguson Godfrey and Derek Thomas expound on the importance of this union for our lives as believers.

Godfrey and Nichols: Standing Firm (Seminar)

How can Christians remain committed to the gospel and the Word of God in a world where they find themselves increasingly marginalized and belittled for their faith? In this seminar, Drs. W. Robert Godfrey and Stephen Nichols consider the necessity of remaining steadfast in our devotion to the faith once for all delivered to the saints.

Panel Discussions:

• Question & Answers with Ferguson, Godfrey, Kruger, Lawson, and Thomas
• Question & Answers with Nichols, Parsons, Reeder, Reeves
• Questions & Answers with Ferguson, Godfrey, Lawson, Nichols, Parsons, and Thomas

Please join us in welcoming Mr. Kenton Spratt to our leadership at Covenant Presbyterian.

Kenton is the pastor of Christ Church in Spokane, Washington. He had the privilege of studying under J.I. Packer at Regent College in Vancouver. Originally born in Edmonton, he immigrated to the United States in 2005, and came to Spokane in 2013. He is married to his wife, Sheryl, of 33 years and has two faithful grown children.

Kenton joins us in the role of Pro Tempore (Latin for “for the time being”) Elder, to help provide accountability and guidance for our days ahead as a new church plant.

Thank you, Kenton, for your time, commitment, wisdom, and attention to our little flock.

Please join us in giving him a warm welcome!

For more information on Christ Church, please visit https://ccspokane.com.

The Caldron Pool Show: #13 – Douglas Wilson

Evelyn Rae chats with Pastor Douglas Wilson about the church’s response to government-imposed mandates, the current state of evangelicalism, the importance of classical education, the need for a proper understanding of eschatology, and more.

I first started paying attention to Caldron Pool last year during the lockdowns; Evelyn Rae is a former police officer turned journalist living in Australia (New South Wales?). Her interviews primarily focus on the lockdowns from a Christian perspective, though you’ll find access to news coverage on current events as well.

This interview covers a lot of ground, but it’s primarily focussed on the North American church’s response to mandates as the fruit of its view of government, and one step back from that, its view of the humanity and the future.

An hour well spent.

As an added bonus, check out the C.S. Lewis-inspired story behind their name.

You may be feeling down today after what’s happened over the past few days in our Parliament buildings. I know I am. Why do I feel this way? I think it’s because, as a good friend of mine said, “We’re old enough to know what we’re losing.” 

Never in a million years would I have ever guessed that Canada would become what we are today. There is plenty of blame to go around, and so I’ll start with me. 

I am a sinner saved by the grace of God. In my sin, especially before coming to the Lord, I actively participated in the degradation of society. I broke pretty much all of the 10 commandments, and more importantly, I didn’t care. Even now, as a minister of the Word, I see areas in my life that need to be constantly killed, (Rom. 8:12-13) as the old me rears his ugly head from time to time. It has happened more and more lately as I have hatred in my heart for our government, and for our police. This is sin. The scriptures tell us “be angry but do not sin” (Eph. 4:26). Anger is an emotion that is appropriate at times, and this is certainly one of them. There is much to be angry about. However, just because anger is justified, Christians are not to indulge in sinful thoughts, words or deeds.

We are not to have hatred for our brother (1 John 3:15; Lev. 19:17). Each of us must repent when our anger carries us away into sin. Give it to God, He can handle it. When we give in to our fleshly desires, we contribute to the degradation of society, and make matters worse, not better. Christian, pray for wisdom (Jas. 1:5). Don’t act foolishly (Eph. 5:17). Know that the Lord is on His throne, ruling and reigning today (1 Peter 3:22).

Remember “If you’re not part of the solution, you’re part of the problem.”

John Maclean – Die Hard 1

As usual, the obvious question for the Christian is “What do we do?” Especially for those of us that are post-millenial in our eschatology, don’t we have something to do? Certainly. (Eph. 2:10).

First, what I found most helpful was the entire 5th chapter of Ephesians. There is a way in which all Christians should conduct themselves, and this chapter spells them out. Give it a read. 

Second, the spirit has given you gifts to build up and edify the body of Christ (Rom. 12:6-8). Do those things, concentrate on the responsibilities that Christ has given you, and be faithful in those. 

Third, be thankful in everything (1 Thess. 5:18). God has a purpose for all things, even evil things (Gen. 50:20). 

Fourth, pray for our politicians (1 Tim. 2:2). They need our prayer, badly. 

Fifth and final suggestion, reach out to those struggling. The church seems to advance the most when tyranny is at its highest. People know instinctively that there is something seriously wrong with what’s going on, but the foundations for their ethics and reasoning are being exposed as insufficient, leading to a feeling of hopelessness. This is where the church is supposed to shine! What greater hope can you have than the cross? (Psa. 33:22) What better protection can we have but under the wings of our Lord? (Psa. 17:8) Christian, we have what the lost world needs, and there is never a better time to offer that hope than when people are crying out, but do not know who they are crying out to! Give them the hope that you have (1 Peter 3:15). 

The Lord bless you and keep you;
the Lord make his face to shine upon you and be gracious to you;
the Lord lift up his countenance[a] upon you and give you peace. (Num. 6:24-26)

Chris Cousine, Pastor
Covenant Presbyterian Church

“Pure and undefiled religion in the sight of our God and Father is this: to visit orphans and widows in their distress, and to keep oneself unstained by the world.” James 1:27