When it comes to the consumption of alcohol we tread upon a hotly debated subject that often generates more heat than light. Regardless of where one falls on this issue, due to the nature of the debate many have allowed it to affect the practice of the Church. In particular, many, perhaps if not most, American churches do not use wine in the Lord’s Supper; they instead use grape juice. This practice should cause us to ask two questions. What does the Bible say about alcohol? In particular, what does the Bible say about wine? And, second, should we use grape juice or wine in the Lord’s Supper? Let us proceed to answer these questions.

There are many verses in the Scriptures with which people are familiar. Perhaps this is due to the desire to inculcate Scripture in the lives and minds of the people of God. Therefore, whether it is Sunday School memorization, or a personal desire to memorize Scripture, people gravitate towards the great verses of Scripture. One such verse, for example, is Romans 12.1-2: “I beseech you therefore, brethren, by the mercies of God, that you present your bodies a living sacrifice, holy, acceptable to God, which is your reasonable service. And do not be conformed to this world, but be transformed by the renewing of your mind, that you may prove what is that good and acceptable and perfect will of God.” Now, while many are familiar with this passage of Scripture, there are many who do not know what this verse looks like in real life. In other words, What does it mean to be a living sacrifice?

There are many within the evangelical community that confidently tell others that they are Reformed. They proudly declare that they are "five point Calvinists." Yet, what may come as a surprise to some, is that the Reformed Faith has more than five points. For example, can someone be Reformed if they do not affirm the doctrine of the church, covenants, or church discipline? The answer to this is a resounding, No! Why is this the case? Reformed theologians have always stressed the idea that the Reformed Faith is nothing less than biblical Christianity. The idea that a Reformed soteriology, or doctrine of salvation, can be divorced from the rest of the teaching of Scripture is therefore unacceptable. Now, with this in mind, we should therefore duly note that when the Westminster divines were setting forth the teaching of Scripture in the Confession and Catechisms, they devoted an entire chapter to the subject of Christian Liberty and Liberty of Conscience. What is the significance of this subject and why is it a cardinal doctrine of the Reformed Faith?

Christmas Day, December 25th, was originally part of the Roman festival of Saturnalia where there were festivities, gift exchanges, special food, the Yule log, greenery and fir trees, and wassail. The festival of Saturnalia eventually culminated on December 25th, the birth of unconquered sun. By the late 4th century Christians, on the other hand, did not want to participate in these pagan festivities and decided to celebrate the birth of Christ, the Son of God, on the 25th. Later, the day became known as the day for the mass to celebrate the birth of Christ, hence Christ mass, or Christmas.

One of the hallmark doctrines of the Reformed faith is the sovereignty of God. We take great comfort in Gods providential control over whatsoever comes to past (Eph 1.11; Dan 4.35; Mat 10.29; Acts 17.26; Psa 139.16; Rom 8.28 et al). The pinnacle of Gods sovereignty is found in our electionGods sovereign decision to save those whom He desires from sin and death. The most familiar passage of Scripture that communicates this doctrine is, of course, the ninth chapter of Romans.

Since the earliest days of the church the presence of music in worship has been a topic fraught with debate. Currently, there seems to be no abatement in the debate between hymns and praise choruses. There are those who argue that hymns are outdated, stodgy, and boring. This certainly seems to be the zeitgeist of most churches these days. Perusing church mailings one can find the following statements: "What do you look for in church music? You won't find pipe organs and massive choirs . . . but you will find a live band and contemporary music." Another church writes: "Our worship, music, video and lighting, will blow you away!" Churches typically advertise that they have "upbeat music," which, although not explicitly stated, implies that hymns are the antithesis - antiquated and arid anthems of a bygone era. Do most churches have it right? Are praise choruses, the staple of contemporary worship, superior to hymns?

Why must a man and a woman make a vow to one another in a public wedding ceremony in order to be married? Why can't a couple pledge their love for each other in private? Are we indentured to a cultural tradition or is there a biblical principle at work?

Ultimately, what underlies the wedding ceremony is a promise or an oath that the betrothed make to one another. They both promise to love one another until death separates them. This oath is taken in the presence of God and the church to hold the couple accountable to their promises. But what does a marriage ceremony have to do with church membership?

Are the Easter Bunny and accompanying eggs just harmless fun for children, or are we engaging in Syncretism? — “the bringing together of differing beliefs; particularly the assimilating of the views of one religion into those of another” (Erickson, Concise Dictionary, p. 163).

We often hear the word fundamentalism bandied about in the media.  We hear the phrase “right-wing Islamic fundamentalists” used in connection with terrorism.  What is disturbing is that sometimes the same adjective is used to describe Christians--“right wing Christian fundamentalists.”  The tactic is simple—try to identify Islamic terrorists with Christians to make people believe they will commit the same violence.  Yet, what we should ask is, What is fundamentalism?  Secondly, is the OPC a fundamentalist denomination?