The Word at Westminster

How to avoid the polarizing effect of the internet

We live in a digital culture which can be very polarizing. This has to do with algorithms, echo chambers, profit margins (and more). This post and podcast episode includes one suggestion that should help. A blog (written) version of this episode can be found at MatthewRuttan.com.

Lord of all, not Lord of some--a prayer

You are Lord of all (not just some). Join in with this prayer of both praise... and confession. It is from our worship service on May 31, 2026.

A Real Definition of Hope (1 Peter 3:8-22)

When it comes to following Jesus, we need to think proactively about how to define the terms we use. What do we mean by faith or love? If were not careful, our thinking can become shallow or, even worse, unbiblical. The same is true for the word hope. Hugo Gryn remembers a time as a boy when he was in a concentration camp. His father used up their last bit of butter to make a Sabbath candle for a worship service. Without food we can live for weeks. But we cannot live for a minute without hope. This sermon explores 1 Peter 3:8-22. Peter is often called the apostle of hope. He encourages his readers both then and now to be prepared to share the reason for their hope, even in the face of hostility. But if we dont know the reason for our hope, we wont be prepared to share it. These days, hope is like water in the desert. Lets think seriously about what it means.

What Jonathan Haidt just said about A.I. and the next generation

Haidt has earned the right to be heard. He cares about his kids, and yours too. His recent comments deserve more attention. This post (and podcast episode) briefly explores the threat of silicon valley doing another experiment on your kids, to their detriment. Will we live with eyes wide shut, or open? You can find a text version of this episode at MatthewRuttan.com.

Honour everyone - emperors, slaves, masters, husbands, wives (1 Peter 2:13-3:7).

There are tough passages in the Bible. Perhaps youve come across verses about the necessity of forgiveness, or bloodshed in Canaan, or loving enemies, or sexual holiness, and thought to yourself, Um, I think Im just going to skip over that part and keep going. However, when we look at these passages seriously, it can deepen and mature our faith. Thats what we do in this sermon as we unpack a challenging text in 1 Peter 2:13 - 3:7. The fisherman-turned-apostle instructs his readers about challenging relationships between Emperors and subjects, slaves and masters, and wives and husbands. What if there was more happening in these ancient texts than we often realize? Tim Keller says that a sailboat moves swiftly because the sailor honours the boats design. In the same way, humans thrive in certain environments and break down in others. Lets honour everyone, and lets do so in a way that respects the Lords design for his people to thrive.