Pilgrims' Home

Today we, the Western Seminary Faculty, received news that one of the most brilliant minds belonging to a most hospitable heart has been diagnosed with cancer (multiple myeloma). He is not defeated in this diagnosis and neither is the Western Seminary Community. As a matter of fact, we are even more strongly rooted to the promises and laments in Scripture, and the convictions of our confession (yes, I did, as a Covenanter, include myself in the claim of a confession): Question 1. What is thy only comfort in life and death? Answer. That I with body and soul, both in life and death, am not my own, but belong unto my faithful Saviour Jesus Christ; Lindsay and I walked alongside a good friend two years ago who was diagnosed with multiple myeloma. We watched him survive and celebrate that he is in remission. We trust this same path now for our colleague. Yet we know that the path to remission and recovery is medically intense, physically complicated, and a great stress on a family. Thi...

One of the secrets of seminary life is that we worship together everyday. One of the keenest losses for students upon graduation is that the everyday community worship is gone, and they will experience this heavenly banquet only once-a-week in most places. I can joyfully say that one of the greatest blessings in joining the faculty at Western Theological Seminary is that I worship with others each and everyday. This includes glorious music, biblical preaching, and centering prayers. Today, during worship, I was overwhelmed by this worship gift. (I invite you to consider finding a local seminary in your area and occasionally stop by for the daily worship - most schools worship at least twice per week. This participation will both center your life in Christ but even more, you will have a new understanding of what exactly a seminary is concerned with - forming leaders to lead the church deeper in Christ). Today I was made new again - I was re-oriented. I want to borrow from President...