By Gordon Miller
Moderator, 34th EPC General Assembly
“Meanderings” definition: Rambling or passing from one topic to another.
I hope you find the following collection of articles, quotes, quips, and Scripture to be informative, edifying, and thought-provoking. This information is not as thorough or detailed as the other articles in the Plumb Line. But I hope to stimulate honest and open debate on a variety of topics and challenges facing the church — especially the Evangelical Presbyterian Church. With cultural changes coming at ever-increasing speed, all of us on the Plumb Line Editorial Board desire that believers will stand firm, rooted in Scripture. I pray that you read this content in the spirit intended: love for Christ and for each other.
Note: The views and opinions expressed here are mine alone, and do not necessarily represent the views and opinions of the full Editorial Board of the Plumb Line.
Books You Might Enjoy
Temptation and Sin
The Works of John Owen, Vol. 6. Banner of Truth Trust, 2020.
We all need a challenge from time to time. Owen’s writings are noted for their thoroughness, profundity, and rich spiritual insights. Example: “… be killing sin or it will be killing you.” The challenge we all face in the 21st century is our tendency to not take sin seriously. Owen will force you to look afresh at a scriptural understanding of sin and its deadly consequences, and demand that you be about the business of the mortification of sin. Especially relevant as we as a denomination give serious thought to how to look at temptation and concupiscence as we await the report of the AIC. Not an easy read, still striving to finish before the next General Assembly! “To master his works is to be a profound theologian” (Charles Spurgeon).
Van Til’s Apologetic: Readings and Analysis
by Greg Bahnsen. Presbyterian and Reformed Publishing, 1998.
What’s better than one challenging book for the upcoming holidays? Two challenging books! As the weather turns cold, what better way to spend an evening than sitting by the fireplace with your favorite beverage and a book which will stretch your mind. If you are into apologetics, Van Til and Bahnsen are “A-listers” whether you are a presuppositionalist or not.
Bahnsen takes selected portions of Van Til’s writings and guides the reader to a fuller understanding of Van Til. If it was the World Series, Bahnsen is the play-by-play guy as well as the color commentator as he explains and defends Van Til’s writings. The author dives deeply into the general topic of apologetics and Western philosophy as he builds the case for presuppositional apologetics.
Articles of Interest
Christianity’s Real Crisis Isn’t Atheism — But a Far more Sinister Deception
by Arch Kennedy
“Align, Lifestyle by Blaze Media” August 21, 2025
Synopsis: “Progressive Christianity molds faith to fit culture, rather than calling culture to repent and follow Christ.” Using language that sounds Biblical, it trades the authority of Scripture for the approval of culture. Kennedy gives several examples of how recent cultural trends infect the church. Suggested text for any number of issues facing the church is to ask yourself who or what is being appealed to. If it’s Scripture, proceed. If it’s theology or doctrine, proceed. If it’s a cultural trend or movement, tread carefully.
My Conversion to Christ & The Cost of Leaving My LGBTQ+ Lifestyle
by Rosaria Butterfield
“Institute for Faith and Culture” October 2, 2025
Dr. Butterfield tells of her incredible journey from same sex attraction to freedom in Christ. Following in Paul’s footsteps, not only had she been on the wrong side, she attacked those whose faith of which she was so critical. She was gay and gay was good. While her conversion was not as dramatic as Paul’s, she is now one of the leading speakers against Side B and its various mutations. Too often we doubt the incredible transformation that is possible when we are brought to the foot of the cross. Rosaria was gay, taught gay at the college level, lived the gay lifestyle — until she met Jesus.
Bowing to the Machine
by Jeremy England
“Tablet Magazine” October 23, 2025
Even as an old curmudgeon, I recognize advances in technology are most often useful to humanity. Useful and inevitable. Whatever one thinks of Artificial Intelligence, it’s here and is not going away. The author asks, “will it liberate and enrich us, or will it destroy us? Will we be served by AI or controlled by AI?” Drawing on the wisdom of the Old Testament, England points out how easily AI may become the next great golden idol.
Quotes
“Our virtues are, most often, only vices in disguise.”
—Francois de La Rochefoucauld, 17th century French moralist and author.
“Despite their professed principles, both liberal Christianity and militant secularism are in fact quite intolerant of traditional religion, which both regard as an unfortunate hangover from an earlier time, something which retards the maturity of the human race. Thus, public battles over morality and society—abortion, euthanasia, pornography, the nature of education, and many other things—will become sharper rather than diminish.”
—Touchstone Senior Editor James Hitchcock in an editorial he wrote for Touchstone in 1993. Quoted in Touchstone, September/October 2025.
(If you do not subscribe to Touchstone, A Journal of Mere Christianity, I recommend you give it a try.)
Humor
Your friends and I wanted to do something for your birthday. So we’re having you put to sleep. (I know, a little on the dark side.)
A man and his wife were sitting in the living room and he said to her, “Just so you know, I never want to live in a vegetative state, dependent on some machine and fluids from a bottle. If that ever happens, just pull the plug.” His wife got up, unplugged the TV and threw out all of his beer. (From the late, great Howard Shockley).
Opportunity may knock once, but temptation bangs on your front door daily.
Practical Observations Concerning the AIC
- I suspect the committee has received criticism from all sides of the debate. Moral of the story: no good deed goes unpunished.
- We have made much of what can or cannot fit within the “ethos” of the EPC. I love the fact we get along for the most part, and look forward to our meetings where grace abounds, for the most part. I do not doubt for one second it is the goal of our members to live in peace and unity. As a member of the New River Presbytery, I recognize some were troubled by the filing of our overture that eventually gave rise to the AIC. Yet I am puzzled that little discussion appears to take place concerning peace and unity when addressing the efforts to join our denomination that have lit the fuse of disunity and conflict. While I have mellowed with age, I still struggle with habits learned in years of practicing law in the courtrooms of North Carolina. With that said, I would not join a club where my presence would upset the ethos of that organization and disrupt its peace and unity.
- It pains me to think we may be headed to division. To those who sincerely believe Side B is acceptable, is it worth the cost to our denomination?
- I have tried to understand those who disagree with me or find my being an editor of the Plumb Line disagreeable. I commit to remembering the love all of us have for this denomination and to do the best I can to always act out of love for our denomination.
- Does anyone else find the recent letter from Moderator David Strunk and NLT Chairman Victor Jones confusing? While correctly recognizing the right of attenders at AIC/Presbytery meetings to comment on the work product of the AIC, they seem to be upset that Dr. Jeremiah has chosen to exercise the same right.
I welcome comments on the above reflections, including any criticism.
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