“In Horton’s terms, the main themes of the book can be summarized in four words: a) the drama of redemption, b) the doctrine of Scripture, c) doxology (praise/worship), and d) discipleship.”   Michael Horton’s newest book, Core Christianity, is not exactly a systematic theology.  Neither is it exclusively a biblical theology or a book on... Continue Reading

“Since 2014 there has been a significant increase in attacks on Christians and Christian communities by radical Hindu forces in India,” Open Doors USA CEO David Curry told FoxNews.com. “The central government has refused to speak out against the atrocities – thus further encouraging radical Hindus to step up their discrimination against Christians.”   Hindu... Continue Reading

“Just as Eve took the fruit and Achan took the plunder, so covetousness also leads us to take from our neighbor. The act of taking may include outright stealing, but Kruger wisely and pointedly directs readers to think beyond that simple box.”   Are you guilty of coveting? In her book, The Envy of Eve:... Continue Reading

Until recent years, in every sense of its use, the prefix ortho- touted positive vibes. Though orthodontists and orthopedists today remain the standard expectation, their etymological cousin “orthodoxy” has fallen on hard times.   When my children need braces, I do not dole out $5000 to a heterodontist to wire their teeth randomly and recklessly.... Continue Reading

For many, contemporary adjectives intend to improve orthodoxy, or at least to give it a fresh face. Purportedly innocuous qualifiers seek to correct the alleged problems by those who wish to cling to the “orthodox” label: neo-orthodoxy, generous orthodoxy, humble orthodoxy, and even beautiful orthodoxy. But do these qualifiers disqualify orthodoxy?   As orthodoxy[1] itself... Continue Reading

“The next time someone starts saying that you’re arbitrarily picking and choosing from the Bible, arm yourself with the civil/ceremonial/moral. You aren’t being arbitrary. You’re being faithful. You’re reading the Old Testament how the New Testament teaches you to.”   It’s pretty common these days for people to dismiss Christians as inconsistent because “they follow... Continue Reading

The ministry has to help the congregation understand difficult and hard things in Scripture. But without learning this will not be possible. Unless ministers themselves have studied these “difficult” and “hard” things they will not be able to help their congregation understand the scriptures and so grow in grace.   In our first and second... Continue Reading

“At the heart of the biblical answer is the fact that baptism is primarily God’s sign and seal of his covenant of grace rather than an action we perform when we believe.   If a person is baptized in the name of the Triune God, according to the command of Christ, it’s an objective sign that... Continue Reading

“When child abuse happens in a church, it has a significant impact on everyone involved and can tarnish the reputation of a church body. Imagine the impact a reported case could have on your church; the loss of trust among members, the damaged reputation in the community and the impact on the victim.”   Stories... Continue Reading

“One of the most common distinctions used in regard to the will of God is the distinction between his secret will and his revealed will. His secret will, or sometimes it’s called his sovereign will, is what God according to his good pleasure has willed from eternity past.”   I’ve heard it and you’ve heard... Continue Reading