How to Do Everything to the Glory of God
Use your freedom to pursue the ultimate spiritual good of your neighbor.
To Paul, this was true Christian freedom: to do whatever it takes to love one’s neighbor for the sake of Jesus. This is what Paul had in mind when he wrote, “So, whether you eat or drink, or whatever you do, do all to the glory of God” (1 Corinthians 10:31). We glorify God when, out... Continue Reading
Five Main Points of Doctrine
The Canons of Dort, affirmed five main points of doctrine in response to the errors of the Arminians.
This article will follow the sequence of the canons. Though it is often forgotten, this sequence was already established by the time the Synod of Dort convened in 1618. Before the meeting of the synod, the Arminians had presented their teaching in the form of five opinions. The five points of the Canons of Dort... Continue Reading
Canons Of Dort (16): Scripture Teaches Both Definite Atonement And The Free Offer Of The Gospel
The Reformed confession may be wrong but it cannot be called rationalist.
Arminius and the Remonstrants, though they protested that they were merely following Scripture (as someone, somewhere said, “all heretics quote Scripture”) were, in the judgment of the Reformed churches, guilty of subtly placing reason above Scripture. It is not that there is no place for reason in Reformed theology. None of the magisterial Protestants (least of all... Continue Reading
[Danger!] 5 Signs You’re Legalistic (and Probably Miserable)
It sucks the life out of you, drains your joy, and makes your relationship with God an absolute nightmare. And more than anything else, it’s displeasing to God.
While you may know the technical, dictionary definition, I’m beginning to learn that legalism (and being legalistic) is much slimier and more slippery. It shows up in odd places, unexpected and unwelcome. It slides into the nooks and crannies of my heart. It’s an expert con man, pretending to be my friend and convincing me to... Continue Reading
God Moves in a Mysterious Way
God Moves in a Mysterious Way
By the beginning of 1773, successive blows had left Cowper staggering. His brother died in 1770, followed by two of his cousins the following year. In 1772, neighbors’ whispers suggested that Cowper’s relationship with his landlady was something short of innocent. The grief and the slander soon gathered into clouds too dark for his sanity.... Continue Reading
The Rhythms of Grace
The end of a year provides a natural opportunity to look back and remember the ups and downs of the year and all the grace received.
To look back and remember requires faith. It requires believing that God sovereignly determined everything you experienced this year. Such exercise of faith is easier to say than to do. In fact, knowing that God was behind everything that happened this last year is the kind of answer that raises other questions. For we don’t... Continue Reading
Humiliation and Exaltation
Before sin came into the world, there was no shame, no embarrassment; no humiliation; then along with the first experience of sin came burden of personal shame and embarrassment.
In common language, the terms exaltation and humiliation stand as polar opposites. One of the most magnificent glories of God’s revealed truth and most poignant ironies is that in the cross of Christ these two polar opposites merge and are reconciled. In His humiliation, we find our exaltation. Our shame is replaced by His glory. It just hangs... Continue Reading
When the Category of Evil Disappears
A helpful discussion of evil, truth, and the “new tolerance.”
…we are told that 62 percent of evangelical Christians are homophobic. The evidence? People were asked whether they agreed or disagreed with the statement, “I believe that homosexuality is immoral.” If they agreed, they were classified as homophobic. In other words, there was no moral engagement with the complexities surrounding human sexuality, but merely a... Continue Reading
Don’t Reap to the Edge of Your Field
Even though I’m not a farmer, the principles that seem to relate only to the farming society of Israel are applicable in the 21st century, one driven by technology and business.
“When you reap the harvest of your land, you are not to reap to the very edge of your field or gather the gleanings of your harvest. Do not strip your vineyard bare or gather its fallen grapes. Leave them for the poor and the resident alien; I am the Lord your God” (Lev. 19:9-10). I’m not a farmer. I’ve wondered... Continue Reading
Abraham’s Seed
The promise of a righteous seed is the thread running through every covenant promise.
Abraham’s seed was physical. God promised that Abraham would be a father of many nations (Gen. 17:5). Nations arose from his offspring with Hagar and Keturah, but the seed of promise was Isaac, the son of Sarah. From Isaac came Jacob and then the nation of Israel. The development of this physical seed was essential to... Continue Reading