Thank you to all who participated in the drawing.  I had a cute little video of my daughters pulling the names out of the hat, but it didn’t turn out, so I have this less exciting picture of the three names that were drawn.

As you can see, the picture isn’t that great either.  So, for [...]

The following is from my correspondence with a dear friend on the issue of faith and works.
The question you raise about the historical reformed and conservative contemporary reformed  understanding of justification and its relation to works/obedience is often misunderstood and not well represented, especially by its opponents.
I first would like to say, that I find [...]

And most of the brothers, having become confident in the Lord by my imprisonment, are much more bold to speak the word without fear… (Philippians 1:14)
why?  This doesn’t make much sense if you think about it.  If I see someone park in a handicap parking spot and get a ticket for it, it doesn’t encourage [...]

I have just posted a new revision of an old paper that I would appreciate your feedback on.  Critical feedback welcomed!  Click on the “papers” tab, and then click on the Understanding Esther: A Tale of Two Feasts link… or just click here.

We moved to the city of Minneapolis on Wednesday.  We live in the heart of the city, in the Elliot Park neighborhood, which is very diverse.  We were on our way out the door to our new church for the first time when we were alerted to the fact that the passenger side window to [...]

do not forsake your mother’s teaching; indeed, they are a graceful wreath to your head, and ornaments about your neck. (Proverbs 1:8-9)
My mother has taught me…
that it is more blessed to give than to receive.
how to give joyfully and sacrificially.
that God is a God of beauty.
how to enjoy God’s beauty.
what it truly means to be [...]

The latest (and the first) Lacine Family Newsletter can be read here.

My most recent sermon is posted on the sermons page.  Or you can download it here.

I have a new post up on Paul and Timothy in which I review the first post of a new blog started by Steven Marquardt.  Both the title of my post on Paul and Timothy and the title of Steven’s new blog is Theology Meets Life, and I encourage you to check it out.

I just posted part 2 to this series on the Paul and Timothy Blog. 
I have always had difficulty when academic institutions acknowledge that they are not a local church (no church polity, no church discipline, etc. ) yet claim to be accomplishing a task that only the church is given the authority to do; namely, [...]