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Articles:

The articles posted here were written for a variety of publications. The Celtic is the monthly newsletter for Chula Vista Presbyterian Church. The Westpres is the monthly newsletter for Westminster Presbyterian Church in Escondido. The Shorter Catechism devotionals were a weekly e-mail we tried -- but discontinued after we discovered that it was more than our congregation wanted to read in their inbox.

The other thing to note is that I have not included citations to the source materials I have used in researching these topics. I do not claim independent knowledge or to have been the source of the thoughts here; however, these were designed to be devotional pieces, not scholarly work. I do not take for granted the scholarship that others have done -- if you would like information about the sources I have used in preparing this material, let me know. I am glad to provide it and give credit where credit is due.

 

Minor Prophets Series

January, 2009: Hosea

July, 2009: Nahum

February, 2009: Joel

August, 2009: Habakkuk

March, 2009: Amos September, 2009: Zephaniah
April, 2009: Obadiah October, 2009: Haggai
May, 2009: Jonah November, 2009: Zechariah
June, 2009: Micah December, 2009: Malachi

Essential Tenets and Reformed Distinctives
Study Guide and Questions

Introduction Reformed Distinctive #1: Election for salvation and service

Essential #1: Authority of Scripture

Sample answer

Reformed Distinctive #2: Covenant and covenant life
--alternate question
Essential #2: God
(Trinity, Creation, Providence, Sovereignty)
Reformed Distinctive #3: Sacraments
--alternate question
Essential #3: Humanity
(Original righteousness/fall into sin)
-- alternate question
Reformed Distinctive #4: Sanctification
(and the works of the Holy Spirit)
Essential #4: Jesus Christ
(Incarnation of the Eternal Word)
--alternate question
Reformed Distinctive #5: Priesthood of all believers
--alternate question
Essential #5: Jesus Christ
(His atoning work)

Reformed Distinctive #6: Mission of the Church
--alternate question

Essential #6: Salvation by Grace through Faith
--alternate question

Reformed Distinctive #7: Stewardship
alternate question

 

Confessions in the Book of Confessions
Presbyterian Church (U.S.A.)

Nicea Barmen Declaration
Apostles' Creed C- 67 (Confession of 1967)
Scots Confession Brief Statement of Faith (1983)
Reunion of the UPC(USA) and PC(US)
Heidelberg Catechism  
Second Helvetic Confession  

Westminster Confession
(Confession, Shorter Catechism, Longer Catechism)

 

 

 

Twelve Disciples
(minus one for now)

(Missing: Thaddeus) July, 2005: Bartholomew
February, 2005: Peter August, 2005: Thomas
March, 2005: John September, 2005: Matthew
April, 2005: James October, 2005: James the Lesser
May, 2005: Andrew November, 2005: Simon the Zealot
June, 2005: Philip December, 2005: Judas Iscariot