West Port Experiment

“Not where Christ was named”

November 25, 2020 by westportexperiment

“Yea, so have I strived to preach the gospel, not where Christ was named, lest I should build upon another man’s foundation: but, as it is written, To whom he was not spoken of, they shall see: and they that have not heard shall understand” (Rom. 15:21-22).

Not that Paul would have withheld the benefit of his instructions from those who were already Christians if they came in his way; but what he strove for and sought after, was to enter on altogether new ground, deeming it more his vocation to extend and spread abroad Christianity, by the planting of new churches, than to build up or perfect the churches which had been already founded. There seems to have been an emulation in these days among the first teachers of the gospel, which betokens that even they were not altogether free from the leaven which Paul had detected in his own converts, when he charged them with being yet carnal. There was something amongst them like a vain-glorious rivalship in the work of proselytizing—insomuch that the credit of their respective shares in the formation of a Christian Church was a matter of competition and jealousy. Our apostle wanted to keep altogether clear of this, and to be wholly aloof from the temptation of it—as indeed he himself intimates in 2 Cor. x, 15, 16, where he tells us that he would not boast of other men’s labours, or in another man’s line of things made ready to his hand. Certain it is, that while he refrained from building on another man’s foundation, he experienced no little disturbance from other men building on the foundation which he himself had laid-and these not only the false teachers, but even men who were true at bottom-yet would, like Peter at Antioch, have laid some of their wood and hay and stubble thereupon.

Posted in Missiology, Thomas Chalmers | Leave a Comment »

Dickson on the ineffable mystery of Christ’s soul-sufferings

February 7, 2026 by westportexperiment

The following are extracts of David Dickson’s (1583–1663) Therapeutica Sacra, Book 1, Chapter 4, “The Divine Covenants about the Eternal Salvation of Men; and in Special, Of the Covenant of Redemption,” etc. This chapter is both a high-water mark of Scottish federal theology and at the same time a tremendous glimpse into the high mystery of the psychological ordeal through which our Lord’s sinless soul had to pass. Behold, was there any sorrow like unto his sorrow? And truly, those vexed in their minds and even the psychologically tormented may take solace with the lengths to which God came down to “taste death for every man.”

I have also recorded the chapter here. Read or listen; then prostrate yourself before the “man of sorrows.”

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Objection. But did not this astonishing amazement of Christ’s soul, speak some imperfection of the human nature? Answer. It did no ways argue any imperfection, or lack of sanctity in him; but only a sinless and kindly infirmity, in regard of natural strength, in the days of his flesh. For the mind of a man, by any sudden and vehement commotion arising from a terrible object, may, without sinning, be so taken up, that the swift progress of his mind in discourse may for a while be stopped, and the act of reasoning suspended a while ; all the cogitations of the mind fleeing together to consult, and not being able to extricate themselves in an instant, may stand amazed, and sit down awhile, like Job’s friends astonished. Now our Lord, taking on our nature and our common sinless infirmities, became like unto us in all things except sin. Daniel’s infirmity at the sight of an angel, was not sin, (Dan. x).

Objection. But doth not this astonishing admiration, suddenly lighting upon Christ’s soul, prove that something unforeseen of him did befall him? Not at all; for he knew all things that should befall him, and told his disciples thereof, and \ras at a point, and resolved in every thing which was to come, before it came. But this astonishing amazement did only shew forth the natural difference between things preconceived in the mind, and these same things presented to sense: for there is in the mind a different impression of the preconceived heat of a burning iron, before it do touch the skin, from that powerful impression which a hot iron thrust into the flesh doth put upon the sense. In regard of which natural difference between foresight and feeling, between resolution and experience, this astonishment befell our Lord ; and in this regard, Christ is said to learn experimental obedience by these things which he suffered, (Heb. v. 8). . . .

Posted in Church of Scotland, Covenant Theology, Experimental Religion & the Cure of Souls, Mental Health, The Decrees & Federal Theology | Leave a Comment »

Jesus, the “First and the Last” | RPM September Quarterly Update

February 6, 2026 by westportexperiment

Here is the latest quarterly update. If you missed the last one from June, you can read it here. And visit Reformed Parish Mission to learn more about history and principles of this effort.

RPM Quarterly 2025-09 Download

Posted in Parish in American Context, Parish Theory & Practice, Reformed Parish Mission (RPM) Posts | Leave a Comment »

Interracial marriage & Jewish conspiracies

January 27, 2026 by westportexperiment

A couple of helpful podcasts on issues being raised on the Christian far right. Definitely worth listening to.

A Recent Debate on Christianity and Interracial Marriage – Pr. Chris Rosebrough, 1/23/26 (0233)

The Rise of Antisemitism – Dr. David Azerrad, 1/22/26 (0222)

Posted in Culture, Family & Family Issues, Israel; Calling of & Mission to the Jews, Natural Law | Leave a Comment »

Nicea today

January 27, 2026 by westportexperiment

Since 2025 was the 1700th anniversary of the momentous Council of Nicea, a lot of material online has been produced. This short series by the White Horse Inn was exceptionally good. I would highly commend every intelligent Christian wanting to deepen his knowledge and appreciation of this tremendous formula of faith that has stood the test of time and has left its print upon Protestant confessions and catechisms, not to mention the preaching and piety of the reformed catholic Church.

Posted in Confessional Subscription, Connectionalism & Conciliarism, Constantine, Establishments, Patristics | Leave a Comment »

Bursting the “poor narrow bounds of your time”

January 27, 2026 by westportexperiment

“Know ye not that your souls are created for eternity; that they will eternally survive all these present things? Now how do ye imagine they shall live after this life? Your thoughts and projects and designs are confined within the poor narrow bounds of your time. When you die, in that day your thoughts shall perish. All your imaginations and purposes and providences shall have an end then; they reach no farther than that time. And if you should wholly perish too, it were not so much matter. But for all your purposes and projects to come to an end, when you are but beginning to live, and enter eternity, that is lamentable indeed! Therefore I say, consider what ye are doing, weigh these in a balance,—eternal life and the present life; if there were no more difference but the continuance of the one, and the shortness of the other,—that the world’s standing is but as one day, one moment to eternity,—that ought to preponderate in your souls. Do we not here flee away as a shadow upon the mountains? Are we not as a vapour that ascends, and for a little time appears a solid body, and then presently vanisheth? Do we not come all into the stage of the world, as for an hour, to act our part and be gone; now then, what is this to endless eternity? When you have continued as long as since the world began, you are no nearer the end of it. Ought not that estate then to be most in your eyes, how to lay up a foundation for the time to come? But then, compare the misery and the vexation of this life with the glory and felicity of this eternal life. What are our days? But few and full of trouble. Or, if you will, take the most blessed estate you have seen and heard of in this world, of kings and rich men, and help all the defects of it by your imaginations; suppose unto yourselves the height and pitch of glory and abundance and power that is attainable on earth; and when your fancy hath busked up such a felicity, compare it with an eternal life: O how will that vanish out of your imaginations! If so be you know any thing of the life to come, you will even think that an odious comparison,—you will think all that earthly felicity but light as vanity, “every man at his best estate is altogether vanity.” Eternal life will weigh down eternally, 2 Cor. iv. 17, 18. O but it hath an exceeding weight in itself,—one moment of it, one hour’s possession and taste of it! but then what shall the endless endurance of it add to its weight?”

Hugh Binning, The Common Principles of the Christian Religion, Clearly Proved, and Singularly Improved; Or, A Practical Catechism.

Posted in Christian Life & Experience, Church of Scotland, Experimental Religion & the Cure of Souls, Light of Eternity | Leave a Comment »

Warfield’s “On the Emotional Life of our Lord”

January 12, 2026 by westportexperiment

B. B. Warfield’s “On the Emotional Life of our Lord” is simply a masterpiece of exegesis, theology, and psychology on the high mystery of the God-man’s emotions as the Gospels depict them. Especially profound are his insights on His holy anger and fear, where the “holy, harmless, undefiled” Savior gives full play to this side of His sanctified humanity without the slightest breach of God’s law. “Behold, and see if there be any sorrow like unto my sorrow!” And so we may appreciate all the more deeply the sympathy of our High Priest who can be “touched with the feeling of our infirmities, yet without sin.” This is an absolute must-read—I know of nothing else like it on the subject. You can read it below or listen to my recording here. Let me also suggest my recording of Richard Baxter’s “On the Government of the Passions;” and visit full WPE Audio library for more titles.

Warfield, On the Emotional Life of our Lord Download

Posted in Anthropology, Audio Resources, Christ Jesus, Christian Conduct, Christian Ethics, Christian Life & Experience, Conscience & Casuistry, Experimental Religion & the Cure of Souls, Mental Health | Leave a Comment »

Rutherford on the Jews: “Let us pray our elder sister home to Christ”

January 11, 2026 by westportexperiment

A portion of Samuel Rutherford’s masterful Trial and Triumph of Faith, a series of sermons in which he treats the Lord’s dealings with the Syro-phoenician “dog” who yet “ate the crumbs falling from the childrens’ table.” Here we see him waxing eloquent on the high privileges of Israel “after the flesh,” and then plying the Gentile church not to be hard-hearted but to pray for the conversion of these “lost sheep of the house of Israel.” Listen to the full sermon here; and check out the entire WPE Audio library here.

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“OF ISRAEL.” It was then a privileged mercy, that Christ was sent to the Jews. (1.) The Jew is the elder brother, and the native heir of Christ. Christ is of their blood and house. (Rom. 1:2,3, and 9:3.) They were Christ’s first bride. Alas! they killed their husband. There is a born Jew in heaven, in soul and body: it is sweet to have any relation to Christ. (2.) The catholic covenant of grace made with the great sister, the Church Universal, was first laid down in pawn in their hand; they put their hand first to the contract, in subscribing the marriage contract, (Jer. chapters 2 and 3). Israel was holy to the Lord, and the first fruits of his increase. Oh, sweet! the fallen race of mankind was Christ’s corn-field, and his wheat. The Jews were the first sheaf of the field, (Deut. 7:6). They got Christ’s young love, and, (to speak so,) the first handsel of free grace in a church-way. (3.) Christ, in the Jewish flesh, (yet not excluding Ruth, Rahab, and other Gentiles of the blood-royal,) acted the whole gospel. A born Jew redeemed the lost world, offered a sacrifice to God for sinners: a born Jew is heir of all things, is exalted a prince to guide and rule all, and shall judge men and angels. (4.) The Lord Christ, in the flesh, was first offered to them; they had the first gospel-love, (Matt. 10:5,6; Acts 13:46). (5.) The oracles of God were committed to them, (Romans 3:1; 9:4); the testator Christ’s written will, was in their keeping. (6.) God was their first crowned King. He gave Ethiopia, and Egypt, and Zeba, a ransom for them, and was their lawgiver. (7.) Every male child among the Jews did bear somewhat of Christ in his flesh, (Col. 2:11) when all the world was without Christ. (8.) Their land was Christ’s by a special typical right. God saith of it, “It is my land.” Christ was their sovereign landlord, and they the great King’s freeholders. (9.) The Lord never dwelt in a house made with hands, in a temple, as amongst them, having special respect to the true Temple, Jesus Christ, (John 2:19).

USE 1. Let us pray our elder sister home to Christ. They said, “We have a little sister, and she hath no breasts; what shall we do for our sister in the day that she shall be spoken for?” (Cant. 8:8.) Now, we have a greater sister, what shall we, the Gentiles, do for her? There is a day when “ten men shall take hold, out of all nations, of the skirt of a Jew, saying, We will go with you; we have heard that God is with you” (Zech. 8:23.) . . .

USE 3. The Jews had the morning market of Christ, and they would not pay the rent of the vineyard to the Lord thereof. We have the afternoon of Christ; and know we what a mercy it is, that “our Beloved feedeth amongst the lilies, till the day break, and the shadows fly away;” and that “the voice of the turtle is heard in our land”? God, for our abuse of the gospel, hath sent among us the bloody pursuivants, and officers of his wrath, men skilful to destroy; God is now in three kingdoms, arresting the carcases of men. We are owing much to God; he will now have husbands and sons from us, and legs and arms of wounded and slain men from us, for that rent we owe to the Lord of the vineyard,—for our contempt of the gospel.

Posted in Audio Resources, Church of Scotland, Israel; Calling of & Mission to the Jews, Samuel Rutherford | Leave a Comment »

Sibbes on Shem’s hope & Japheth’s rejoicing

January 9, 2026 by westportexperiment

“Christ and his church, when they are at the lowest, are nearest rising. His enemies, at the highest, are nearest their downfall. The Jews are not yet come in under Christ’s banner; but God who has persuaded Japheth to come into the tents of Shem (Gen. 9:27) will persuade Shem to come into the tents of Japheth. The ‘fullness of the Gentiles’ has not yet come in (Rom. 11:25), but Christ, who has the uttermost parts of the earth given to him for his possession (Psa. 2:8) will gather all the sheep his Father has given him into one fold, that there may be one sheepfold and one shepherd (John 10:16). The faithful Jews rejoiced to think of the calling of the Gentiles and why should we not rejoice to think of the calling of the Jews?”

-Richard Sibbes

Posted in Israel; Calling of & Mission to the Jews, Old Testament Theology | Leave a Comment »