Theodore Beza on the Law and Gospel, Part 3
Theodore Beza on what end (purpose) the Holy Spirit uses the preaching of the Law....
Keep ReadingThe Kingdom is the Gospel and the Gospel is the Kingdom
Michael Horton on the gospel and kingdom....
Clarifying, “ecclesia reformata, semper reformanda”
Martin Davie clarifying the often misunderstood post-World War II Latin phrase, “ecclesia reformata, semper reformanda."...
There Are No “Non-Liturgical” Churches
There is no such thing as a “non-liturgical church.” The choice is not between liturgy or no liturgy, but between having an agreed-upon, well-thought-out liturgy or leaving things to the spur of the moment and the discretion of the leader. As one wag has rightly observed, if you think “organized religion” is bad, try disorganized religion....
The Protestant Reformation: A Two-Front War
The Protestant Reformation was waged on two fronts: the errors of Rome and the errors of the radical Reformation (i.e., so-called Anabaptists)....
The Double-Edged Nature of the Gospel and Sacraments
The Double-Edged Nature of God's Revelation- The sacraments are means of grace. However, because they are linked to the covenant and more broadly to divine revelation, they are not always means of grace but sometimes means of judgment apart from a Spirit-wrought faith....
Christ has Redeemed us through His Obedience
John Calvin: Christ has Redeemed us through His Obedience, which He practiced throughout His Life (Institutes of the Christian Religion, 2.16.5)...
"Christ is not divided. You cannot have half a Christ."
Walter Marshall on how true saving faith embraces Christ for both justification and sanctification. He shows that God's grace is twofold (i.e., the duplex [twofold] beneficium [benefit]). Justification is the first benefit (beneficium) and sanctification is the second benefit (beneficium). ...
Andy Stanley, Marcion, and the Bible
According to Andy Stanley, the 21st century church must “unhitch the Christian faith from their Jewish scriptures.” Is this correct? No! We know this from Jesus' attitude towards the Old Testament, as well as the Apostles' and NT writers. We also object to Stanley's suggestion because of the nature of progressive revelation and the Scriptures central witness to Christ and His saving work....
How Do I Know I'm A Christian?
Assurance lies in the very direct act of faith as one is presented with Christ, the object of faith. The reflex act of faith can support our profession but it cannot become the ground our assurance....
The Mountain of Law vs. The Mountain of Grace
In Hebrews 12:18-24, the author of Hebrews expresses deep concern about where his readers stand in relation to the God who asks, “Adam, where are you?” To prevent his readers from a calamitous reversion to Jewish beliefs and practices, the author of Hebrews sets forth two contrasting relationships with God, determined by two antithetical covenants. By contrasting the old and new covenants, the author demonstrates the superiority of the new covenant over the old covenant. This superiority not only stresses the disastrous consequences of reverting under the old covenant (10:26-31; 12:25-29) but also provides the motivation for his readers to progress and move forward rather than drift and fall away from God (2:1-3; 3:12)....
Theodore Beza on the Law and the Gospel, Part 4
Theodore Beza on the Gospel and its authority, why, how and for what end (purpose) it was written....
Keep ReadingTheodore Beza on the Law and Gospel, Part 5
Theodore Beza on the manner in which the Gospel includes, in substance, the books of the Old Testament....
Keep ReadingTheodore Beza on the Law and Gospel, Part 1
Theodore Beza on the two parts of the Word of God....
Keep ReadingDr. James DeYoung Revisiting The Shack & Universal Reconciliation
Dr. James B. DeYoung, Ph.D., Professor of New Testament Language and Literature at Western Seminary (Portland Campus), provides a much needed and helpful review of the widely popular but misleading book, The Shack. Like the book, the movie continues to exert a great deal of influence within Christian as well as non-Christian circles. Before Evangelicals rush out to watch a...
Keep ReadingConfusing Law and Gospel: A Review of David Platt's book, Radical.
A review of David Platt's book, Radical: Taking Back Your Faith From The American Dream....
Keep ReadingDispositional Soteriology: Jonathan Edwards on Justification by Faith Alone
George Hunsinger shows how Jonathan Edwards crosses the fine line laid down by the Reformation concerning justification sola fide. Edwards taught that works are not simply external evidence that faith exists. Rather, works are necessary to the efficacy of faith. Works, as the external expression of faith, play a role in justification....
Keep ReadingAbba is not Daddy
James Barr carefully argues for the correct meaning of the Aramaic term, "abba," showing that this word doesn't mean, "daddy." Since “abba” doesn’t mean “daddy or papa” one must not use these infantile ideas when addressing his or her heavenly Father in prayer. Otherwise, one may be addressing God the Father without the honor that is due Him....
Keep ReadingThe Role of Music in the Worship and Witness of the Church
The Bible sets forth a high view of the role of music in the church’s worship and witness and believers should as well. Why then does the church gather to sing? What is the role of music in the worship and witness of the church? This paper seeks to explore and answer this question....
Keep ReadingEvangelism and the Sovereignty of God
There often exists a widespread suspicion that belief in the sovereignty of God”"particularly election”"undermines or even inhibits zeal for missions and evangelism. Dr. J.I. Packer in his book, Evangelism and the Sovereignty of God, persuasively demonstrates that such a misunderstanding is, in his words, “nonsense.” Election, faith, the gospel and evangelism go ...
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