Old and New Perspectives on Paul: A Third Way?
A review of John Barclay's book, Paul and the Gift
I certainly appreciate Barclay’s titanic effort, and I suspect scholars will wade into the ocean of first-century literature on gift giving to confirm, challenge, or modify elements of Barclay’s claims. I welcome Barclay’s work since it casts light on the world of the New Testament that can help pastors and academics refine their exegesis and understanding... Continue Reading
Evangelical Protestants Moving to Liturgical and Sacramental Traditions
Reflections on Evangelicals on the Canterbury Trail : Why Evangelicals are Attracted to the Liturgical Church by Robert Webber
When I first began reading Webber’s book, which was written several decades ago, I was worried that it would be a bit dated, only in terms of its evaluation of the current attitudes and dynamics in Evangelical Protestantism. Turns out, most of his insights about church culture and worship practice are still very relevant. ... Continue Reading
John Bunyan: Pilgrim’s Piety – Bunyan’s Practical Christology
Bunyan is able to help us in our sanctification today because he was well-versed in the biblical teachings of how believers receive Christ’s benefits.
Although Christian is the protagonist of Bunyan’s allegory, Christ is undoubtedly the central figure. Jesus is not only the Wicket Gate, but He is the Lord of the Hill, who was the topic of Christian’s discussion with the Virtues at Interpreter’s House, and He had preceded Christian and Faithful through Vanity Fair. In fact, Christ... Continue Reading
Where Is the Law/Gospel Distinction?
One aspect of legalism, Roman Catholicism, neo-nomianism, and Federal Vision theology is a denial of the Reformation law/gospel distinction (or a blending of the law/gospel)
To paraphrase Holy Scripture, specifically Paul in Galatians 2-3, the law does not give life; obedience does not bring justification; works do not earn the inheritance; the promise does not come by performance. Life, justification, and the inheritance come only by faith in the promise – in Christ alone. To distinguish the law and gospel... Continue Reading
Review: “One Kingdom: The Practical Theology of John M. Frame”
There is one kingdom, ruled over by one Lord, who governs the affairs of all people by a single rule of faith and practice, and everything is related perspectivally.
Frame, on the other hand, focuses primarily on using apologetics as a tool for evangelism, in line with his interest in the practical nature of theology. In this respect, Frame is willing to use logical proofs and evidences to commend the faith, similar to classical apologists (such as Ligonier Ministries). According to Barber, where Frame... Continue Reading
An Attempt at a Gospel-Centered Canon
The gospel-centered movement is (largely) healthy in that it reads good books full of old wisdom
“You will note that not every book is old, of course, but these are the books that I believe have shaped and continue to shape our movement (assembled based purely on anecdotal evidence). Every carpenter has a set of trusty tools he must have in his workshop; these are the same tools for the maturing,... Continue Reading
My Favorite Bible in a Year Reading Plan
Here are the five reasons why I like it so much:
In past years, I’ve used Bibles that apportion the texts out for me. It makes it simple to just open and read without a lot of flipping between texts. However, I find this plan preferable because it allows me to read through the Bible in my own Bible. This fact also meant I can choose... Continue Reading
The Popes Of Evangelicalism
While social media is new, this anti-confessional and pro-popular leader mindset is not new
“A striking result of the rise of the popular leader was the displacement of the theologian from the place of preeminence in the evangelical movement. The new leaders of the movement were popularizers of the gospel message, revivalists, and Bible conference preachers. This tradition persists today; the theological leadership of the movement is provided by... Continue Reading
Douglas Bond Hit It Out Of The Park In ‘Grace Works!’
Bond wrote ‘Grace Works!’ for real people in real pews, easily digestible yet powerful in its defense of the gospel of grace.
RE Bond deals with current errors creeping into the conservative Reformed denominations, including the mythical “objective covenant”, confusion on the sacraments, and final justification. He does so without naming names, although anyone who has been paying attention to the last 20 years or so can easily fill in the blanks. RE Bond clearly demonstrates the... Continue Reading
The Forgotten History of Black Calvinism and Haunting of American Folk Music
Black Calvinism was at once organizationally dynamic and theologically orthodox
“It has long been a given among historians of religion in the South that Calvinism had little, if any, purchase among the enslaved or their descendants, that the doctrines of predestination were invariably arms of the status quo, and that a sin-obsessed Calvinism was simply inimical to the emancipationist energies coursing through black America in... Continue Reading
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