The Unsuccessful Call of John Owen This letter was received by John Owen in 1663 from a congregation in Boston that wished him to come and be their pastor. In a day when churches are driven by public relationships methods, boasting of their many attractive qualities in their efforts to recruit both members and pastors, … [Read More...] The Church & Our Place in It: Week 7

John Calvin: "The Communion of the Saints" Calvin takes as his launching point here the Apostle’s Creed, and especially the phrases the Holy, Universal Church and the Communion of the Saints. While the Reformers were often characterized as anti-establishment, they indeed took the importance of the Church, both universal and local, very seriously.   We … [Read More...] The Church & Our Place in It: Week 6

Martin Luther: "The Marks of the Church" In On the Councils and the Church, Luther disputes (among other things) the claims that Protestant congregations cannot be true churches. While one could add to his seven marks which display a true congregation, one certainly would affirm these marks of the church as clear. I have left … [Read More...] The Church & Our Place in It: Week 5

J.C. Ryle: "The Family of God" J.C. Ryle had a love for God's Word and a sense of practical application which has kept his writings in print. His straightforward style remains refreshing. His works include Holiness, Expository Thoughts on the Gospels, and a 54 page "tract" called The Duties of Parents. True Christians are called … [Read More...] The Church & Our Place in It: Week 4

C.H. Spurgeon: "The Soul Winner" Spurgeon, in this sermon preached in 1869, talks about the excuses used by many to avoid joining a local church. Though the illustrations are part of the 19th century, the excuses are many of the same ones that we hear today. Now, I know there are some who say, “Well, … [Read More...] The Church & Our Place in It: Week 3

R.A. Torrey: "Church Membership" While How to Succeed in the Christian Life may sound too much like Your Best Life Now for comfort, it's really just a short book to help new believers. Torrey's words are quite basic, but they reinforce for us a truth which is often disregarded in today's church (and clearly was a problem … [Read More...] The Church & Our Place in It: Week 2

D.L. Moody: "Some Join Church at Once" Below we see Moody's thoughts, expressed in his inimitable fashion, on the church's importance, in asides to young converts found in two sermons. He had little patience for those who wouldn't join. He also references the fact that when he was first converted, the church was skeptical and … [Read More...] The Church & Our Place in It: Week 1