Anatolios’s commentary on the effect of Christ’s work on death itself is, on its own, worth the price of the book: “We who have been raised up with Christ and made alive together with Christ know that death is no longer our master but our servant, who has been commissioned to lead us to the... Continue Reading

Floridians voted on an amendment to their constitution that read: “… no law shall prohibit, penalize, delay, or restrict abortion before viability or when necessary to protect the patient’s health, as determined by the patient’s healthcare provider” (italics added). The amendment failed to reach the 60% threshold required for a constitutional amendment. However, 57% of Florida voters supported... Continue Reading

No matter the circumstances, the Christian can always utter the words of hope, “But you, O Lord.” Who God is and what he promises is always a resounding answer to whatever we face. Here, David is likely meditating on the Scriptures from Exodus 34:5–8. Who is this for? It’s not to remind God as if he... Continue Reading

Mathison’s argument doesn’t seem very persuasive to me. Mathison’s use of “compromising” in the first instance pertains to Van Til’s belief that theologians compromise the truth of RT by employing CA. In other words, Van Til believed that CA was inconsistent with the theology it is intended to defend (when employed by Reformed theologians). In that sense, CA “compromises” (i.e.,... Continue Reading

If you are not a member of a church, Jonathan Landry Cruse makes an extremely compelling argument to become one. If you are a member, it will fill you with further joy as you consider the beauty of belonging to God’s people. “It is all about Christ! We belong to the church because we belong to Him, and... Continue Reading

In coming into the world as a man, being raised from death, ascending to heaven, Jesus has become the human king we can all relate to, as well as the divine and sovereign king who doesn’t get in the way or need to deflect attention elsewhere. He is the king who isn’t flawed, the one who can... Continue Reading

Contentment is about resisting the temptation to play the “comparison game” and refusing to define my satisfaction by any measure other than Christ. My happiness is not tied to the material possessions or circumstances I have received, my pleasure and joy are bound up in a person, the triune God, who is sovereign, who has... Continue Reading

Vern S. Poythress (VSP): I was grateful for the conference being held at all. In the completed statement, I was grateful also for several things. First, there was a clear positive statement of what the doctrine of inerrancy is. Second, there were statements designed to head off misunderstandings and caricatures. For example, some opponents have... Continue Reading

You can do some very significant things. You can be conscious of the judgment to come, and you can live in the light of that reality. Secondly, you can build an ark for the saving of your family. You can set a priority on bringing your children, your grandchildren, your great grandchildren to Jesus Christ.... Continue Reading

Reformed theologians embrace the tensions and difficulties in Scripture, digging deeper to understand it. The rigor of Reformed theologians to argue from Scripture alone has always struck me as their greatest strength and is far and away the most compelling piece for believing the doctrines of Reformed theology.   On this Reformation Day, I’m reflecting... Continue Reading

For if the Son of God be man, then he understands me and will have a fellow feeling for me. He knows my unfitness to worship sometimes—he knows my tendencies to grow weary and dull my pains, my trials, and my griefs: He knows what fierce temptations mean, For he has felt the same. Man,... Continue Reading

Christians can sing a re-formatted version Psalm 139:19 by using the NT expression of justice, judgment, and vengeance in this way: “Lord, destroy the enemies of your church, either in your wrath or in the waters of baptism.” Like the saints of Revelation 6, Christians today are free to desire and invite the vengeance of God. Contrary to... Continue Reading

In Spurgeon: A Life, Alex DiPrima provides an updated and accessible biography of the Prince of Preachers. Few of Spurgeon’s many biographies accurately portray his life or reflect the scholarly precision his legacy warrants. This new portrayal serves the church because it “makes some improvements over previous accounts of his life and also takes into view... Continue Reading

Jesus doesn’t ask us to change our behaviour, he promises to give us a new heart and that will cause us to change. WWJD puts the emphasis on our doing and changing to copy Jesus whereas scripture puts the emphasis squarely on Jesus changing us so that we might be more like him. In the end,... Continue Reading

Prayer does not preclude action, but often includes it. Indeed, prayer is the first action, and that first action sets the tone and establishes the direction for what follows. In the model prayer Jesus taught His disciples to pray, He has us ask God for our daily bread. Yet, to the church at Thessalonica Paul writes:... Continue Reading

I cannot now see him, I can be certain that he is blooming there, on the other side of the wall, where the sun is brighter, where all shadows are gone. And I can anticipate the day when, I, too, will pass through the garden gate to finally see him in that place where he... Continue Reading

Our tragic mortality never feels so real as when a parent or spouse or child dies. Losing my father left me feeling untethered….And nothing can fix this untethered-ness. Nothing can repair the loss that death deals out in cruel doses. Nothing, that is, except resurrection and the death-defeating love of Christ.   In the summer... Continue Reading

God’s knowledge reaches to our thoughts, desires, intents, and inclinations….The God “who knows the heart” (Acts 15:8) knows the sin of all people, and they will give an account for their disobedience to Him. But there is hope and comfort for all who believe in Jesus Christ because God’s covenant promise is to “remember their sin... Continue Reading

All those found in Jesus Christ—those who trust in Him—are clothed in His perfect righteousness. His obedient life is seen to be theirs….Go to Jesus, and you will find all that you need.   I have had on occasion the opportunity to preach on Luke 23:39-43, and I have titled that sermon, “The Merciful Christ.”... Continue Reading

The man of conviction is going to be criticized. The man who speaks his mind, even with humility and love, is likely to be assaulted. However, we must be concerned first to honor God by faithfulness to all his revealed truth, in its proper place, perspective, and proportion, and to serve men by speaking that... Continue Reading

As the only way to salvation, Jesus is worthy of our love, trust, and worship. He is also worthy of our gospel witness. May our recognition of Jesus’s uniqueness burden our hearts for the lost and stir our feet to take the good news about him to our universities and through them to the nations.... Continue Reading

We should still work towards explaining the gospel message. But as a starting point, people are often genuinely interested in our personal testimony.   Traditionally, apologetics has been concerned with defending and commending the truth claims of the Christian faith. In the 1990s Christian apologist Alister McGrath, in response to changing social attitudes, suggested that... Continue Reading

In Isaiah 40, and in the Lord Jesus, we see a God who is mighty enough to overturn the idols of a culture that fails to recognise that life belongs to him. We see a God who is compassionate enough to draw close to those who are deeply suffering. And to draw close to their... Continue Reading

These four books were a lifeline of much needed comfort, wisdom, and encouragement for me, and it is my hope they will be the same for my brothers and sisters in Christ who are struggling to hold on to their faith amid devastating grief.   When my son died in 2006, it was hard—even painful—for... Continue Reading

While we should read the books of the Bible in their literary context, we mustn’t forget that God has inspired every word. He is the ultimate ‘series’ editor. This means that we should expect greater depth and more connection between books of the Bible than might be expected if they were only written by humans.... Continue Reading

God has most clearly shown us His goodness in the death and resurrection of His Son, Jesus. The Goodness of God is the Goodness of Jesus. He has saved us apart from our works. He regenerates us, renews us, gives us His Spirit, and justifies us freely. Now we are heirs of heaven and have... Continue Reading

[After twenty-two years of imprisonment. Marie offers to manage Anne’s finances, urges her to work hard, to be wise and godly, and not to rush into marriage.] “to Mademoiselle [Anne] Durand, at Onex, near Geneva, The Tour de Constance, April 27, 1752. The time must seem very long to you, my darling daughter, and no... Continue Reading

We tend to look at gratitude the way we look at honesty, you either have it or you don’t. However, neither of these virtues works this way. As with all the fruit and characteristics of the Spirit, thanksgiving grows in us through dedicated focus and pursuit. Appreciation for God’s goodness to us is a learned... Continue Reading

Graham has been criticized by some Reformed observers for embracing “revivalism” and “decisionism.” Opinions will vary on those questions, but regardless of their soteriological preferences, most evangelicals still believe that God used Graham to contribute to the salvation of thousands of sinners over his ministry. The L.A. Crusade lets us reflect on the mysterious relationship... Continue Reading

Pride isn’t just the bombastic statements like the boxer Muhammad Ali declaring, “I am the greatest.” It comes out in making God a footnote to our accomplishments. Pride always lowers our estimation of God. Charles Spurgeon’s peer Archibald G. Brown preached on pride and said, “The proud man is simply one who bends the knee... Continue Reading