Mis_ _ _ g
The whole notion of ‘sin’ has gone from our diagnostic toolkit.
The British philosopher C.E.M. Joad said, as he journeyed away from agnosticism, “It was because we rejected the doctrine of original sin that we on the Left were always being disillusioned by the behaviour of the peoples, nations, and politicians and by the recurring fact of war. Because I didn’t believe in original sin I... Continue Reading
Creeds, Confessions and the Development of Doctrine: Some Thoughts on Systematic Theology as Poor Relation, Part Two
We need to see how and why the church has come to confess Christ in the way she does.
Proper Christian theology is always speculative, in the specific sense that it has to address matters not only of economy (how God acts in history) but also of ontology (who God is in eternity). The great creeds of the ancient church, and the confessions and catechisms of the Reformation which affirm their teachings, are the fruit... Continue Reading
You Will Die Someday
In this post I want to reflect on why believers need to think about the end of their own lives, and the fundamental difference our death makes to living here and now.
I will die someday, and so will you. I will not rage against the dying of the light but reach toward the dawning of the day, to so repent, and plan, and live that eternity is the welcome realisation of where my eye has been fixed in time. I will need God’s daily grace and... Continue Reading
Canons Of Dort (21): The Atonement Is Not Universal But The Offer Of The Gospel Is
The whole of salvation, deliverance from the wrath to come and reception of Christ and all his benefits, is God’s gift.
There is no fault in the gospel because it announces not merely the hypothetical possibility of salvation but rather its accomplishment. The good news is that Christ has done it all and further that he freely gives it to his people as a free gift. It is not conditioned upon their obedience and perseverance. It is received... Continue Reading
Christian Good Works are by the Grace of God
What should our attitude be toward God when we have an opportunity to serve Him?
Instead of being all wrapped up in trying to please people, the genuinely humble believer is concerned only about their relationship with their Saviour. It is the only one that truly matters. When Christians do this they let everything else go as they cling to their Saviour at all costs. It is these believers that... Continue Reading
You Are Not Your Own
With God’s wonderful grace in mind, we can take a good, honest look at ourselves and ask: do we really believe that we are not our own?
Since all of us redeemed short-fallers are in this fight of faith together, we can keep encouraging and exhorting one another every day to press on towards the Great Goal (Philippians 3:14), so that none of us becomes hardened in deceitful, habitual sin (Hebrews 3:13). Your body does not belong to you. Do you... Continue Reading
How Anxiety Can Feed Anger, Irritability, and Frustration
Martha’s anxiety caused her to miss out on spending time with the most important visitor to ever grace her home!
There are many tasks to complete before welcoming someone into your home, but once your guest arrives he or she should be made to feel valued. Your guest is more important than the details surrounding their visit. This is where Martha went wrong, but her sister Mary got it right. Mary knew whose presence she... Continue Reading
Better Late than Never – Thoughts on Deathbed Conversions
Today if you hear his voice, do not harden your heart.
It is clear from the example of the bandit on the cross that while his understanding was very limited, he understood enough to be saved – there was true repentance and faith in Jesus Christ. If these are real then salvation is guaranteed by God himself, for ‘whoever calls upon the name of the Lord... Continue Reading
Come to Me and Rest
Rest, child. Let it go. Put it off. Gather with God’s people.
God gave the Sabbath so that man would know that Jesus is coming. He pours the water. He sheds the blood. He gives the Spirit. He gives rest to the weary soul. And he gave us very practical instructions. One day in seven, rest. God gives you your daily bread. Your significance is found only in... Continue Reading
Is Christianity a Life of Love, not a Doctrine?
God’s saving love for His people in the gospel of Jesus Christ is the essence of Christianity.
The Bible never minimizes the importance of love. The Ten Commandments are all about how we should love God and love others. Jesus set an example of love and taught us to love. We must preach that true faith in Christ and repentance of sin leads to love for God and love for others. But... Continue Reading