Does God Want Everyone to Be Saved? (1 Timothy 2)
What does this verse mean in light of the fact that, in the end, not all will be saved?
Paul tells Timothy not only that the congregation needs to pray; he also tells him for whom they should pray: “for all people.” Included in the “all people” would be those spreading error within the church. For them, the church ought to pray that God might grant them repentance (2 Tim. 2:25). But they must... Continue Reading
The Biblical Story of the Body
I want to encourage you as we look together at what the Bible has to say about the story of the body, starting at creation and culminating in the resurrection body.
The doctrine of creation tells you what you are: A body/soul unity. God made the body of Adam from the dust of the ground. It was a biodegradable corpse, but then into this corpse, he breathed the breath of life. So the life of Adam is a body/soul union. There is a good, better, best pattern... Continue Reading
Van Mastricht, Edwards, and the Economic Trinity
Where was the scholastic theologian of the Great Awakening influenced by the great scholastic theologian of the Dutch Second Reformation?
As I have been reading through volume 2 of Mastricht’s work, I have been struck by the way in which both men constantly dealt with the importance of the economic Trinity. For instance, Edwards dealt extensively with the idea of the economic Trinity when speaking of the ad extra work of God in redemption. In a... Continue Reading
Is It Wrong to Draw Moral Lessons from OT Figures?
This use of the Old Testament is certainly in keeping with Paul’s view of inspiration and the use of Scripture.
The God-breathed Scriptures are profitable for doctrine (teaching), reproof (exposing our errors—mental and moral), correction (restoring to an upright position), and instruction in righteousness. This last phrase is particularly interesting. The word Paul uses, usually translated as “instruction” or “training,” literally means “child training”—referring to the patient, repetitive, and illustrative manner in which children learn.... Continue Reading
The Proverbs
Proverbs anticipates the One who will vindicate the righteous and reward them for their service.
A single proverb is not designed for every circumstance in this life. We do not expect an uninspired proverb to apply at all times. The same maxim applies to the Spirit-inspired Proverbs of Solomon. Dr. R.C. Sproul uses the English proverbs “look before you leap” and “he who hesitates is lost” to illustrate this point.... Continue Reading
What Is the Bible, Anyway?
The Bible is a lamp that guides us through and out of this world.
The Bible is solid food that strengthens the mature. “For though by this time you ought to be teachers, you need someone to teach you again the basic principles of the oracles of God. You need milk, not solid food…” (Hebrews 5:12) We Christians spend a lot of time reading the Bible, hearing it... Continue Reading
Probably Not Your Life Verse: Considering Hate in Psalm 139:21-22
For even one sinner to be acquitted, a just price must be paid.
It’s not hard to be upset at the evils and ungodliness around us in the culture. But, walking with this holy God is not only relevant for the world around me. It has implications upon my thoughts and attitudes inside of me. It’s easy to turn on the TV and get mad at everything going... Continue Reading
The Psalms
From the Psalms the Christian will learn what it is to sing praise to our gracious Savior God.
Not only are many of the Psalms examples of prayer, but even those that are not give us wonderful resources for opening our own hearts to God. Look, for example, at the opening verses of Psalm 18. David calls God his strength, his rock, his fortress, his deliverer, his refuge, his shield, the horn (that... Continue Reading
Jesus is Bigger than Your Fear
We have a hope greater than our fear, the hope that Jesus has sent us the Helper.
If you are a follower of Christ, the same Spirit who hovered over the waters of creation now dwells within your heart, guarding your fragile spirit and bringing the Truth to bear upon your mind. Dwelling within you now is the same Spirit who emboldened Peter and John—those uneducated and common men—to powerfully proclaim the... Continue Reading
God Created Family to Picture His Truth
God has given us family as a way to picture other things, a way to understand other realities.
The good news of the gospel is that God has a family, and we are invited to become part of it. When we put our faith in Jesus, we are adopted by the Father and become his children. Ephesians 1:4 says, “In love, he [the Father] predestined us for adoption to himself as sons through... Continue Reading