Evangelical Maturity
Be not Blown about by Every Fad
One reason Christians today are losing the cultural battle is that they are fighting on yesterday’s front. Athanasius was fighting for Christology. Luther fought for soteriology. The fight today is over anthropology. Yes, all truth everywhere matters, but the battle today rages over what is a human. This issue has implications for sexuality, natural law,... Continue Reading
The Biggest Problem in Worship Education
Invest in Worship Ministries, not just Worship Services
Remember the next generation of worship leaders. Of course, it is urgent to be concerned with what is happening on your platform this Sunday, but what seeds are being planted by your church in the children’s and youth ministry that will be harvested in the future? Public education is abandoning music. The children in your... Continue Reading
Exceptionalism in the PCA
The most common exceptions are differences with the Standards’ teachings on the Fourth Commandment, the Second Commandment, and Creation.
The bottom line is that evaluating candidates and judging differences is not an empirical question, but a theological one. Each court has the right to declare the terms of admission into its membership (Preliminary Principle #2). Simply because a stated difference is commonly granted as an exception does not mean the same difference must be... Continue Reading
Burying the Talents of the Great Rewarder
His commendation awaits. I must not bury his talents, but invest and risk them.
What was the servant doing all those years when the other servants were busy trading for the increase of their master’s wealth? Presumably, looking out for his own wealth. And why? Because he did not believe that it would be worth it to risk spending all those years and all that sweat, only to have his... Continue Reading
Little by Little – Progressive Sanctification
Thank God for his patience with us.
Our Lord is very forbearing with us, not exposing us to all of our sin, selfishness and fleshliness in one go. Yes, the beginning to the Christian life involves a conviction of sin, and repentance and faith in Christ as we seek to turn from that sin. But it will take a lifetime to keep... Continue Reading
Warfield on the Religious Life of Seminary Students
Excerpts of B. B. Warfield’s tract published in 1911.
The importance of the intellectual preparation of the student for the ministry is the reason of the existence of our Theological Seminaries. Say what you will, do what you will, the ministry is a “learned profession”; and the man without learning, no matter with what other gifts he may be endowed, is unfit for its... Continue Reading
Who has Given to God?
In Psalm 50, Asaph instructs us about the true spirit of thanksgiving.
Asaph therefore highlights just one sacrifice as essential: “Offer to God thanksgiving” (Ps. 50:14). Literally, he says, “make a thank offering.” According to OT law, a thank offering was offered in the context of a believer’s gratitude, when a person was grateful for deliverance from enemies or for healing or for some other answered prayer.... Continue Reading
Satan, Samson and the Saviour of the World
“The Holy One of God”
The title “the Holy One of God” not only recalls the divine Sonship of Jesus’ baptism (1:11), but apparently likens Jesus to Samson, the mighty vanquisher of the Philistines, who is the only other person in the Bible to be called “Holy One of God” (Judg. 16:17). There may be an added correlation between Samson’s... Continue Reading
10 Essential Lessons about Money from the Book of Proverbs
The book of Proverbs gives us a treasure trove of insights into how Christians should view and use wealth.
Diligent, thoughtful planning leads to “abundance” (21:5). Planning involves being realistic about your financial situation. Idle talk (14:23) and wishful thinking (28:19) lead only to poverty and want. The wise plan ahead to avoid dangers into which the simple keep going (22:3). Since “riches do not last forever,” careful thought and attention are required to... Continue Reading
What Is the Kingdom of God?
The kingdom of God will continue to grow until Christ’s second coming.
Christ is building his church at this very moment by the power of the Holy Spirit (Matt. 16:18; John 3:5-8; 16:5-15), and the kingdom of God will mercifully continue to grow until Christ’s second coming: The Lord is not slow to fulfill his promise as some count slowness, but is patient toward you, not wishing... Continue Reading
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