A lot of Jesus’ leadership involved speaking the truth both in public and private settings. He was not afraid of confrontation and could get angry about the right things. He rebuked sin and spoke harshly to hypocrites. This is an aspect of leadership we sometimes shy away from for fear of being controversial. But peace... Continue Reading

In creation, we have the Spirit breathing His energy, releasing the power of God in the act of creation. We have the same thing in the act of redemption, and we see it again in the divine act of giving to us the record in the Scriptures themselves. The doctrine of inspiration is entirely related... Continue Reading

“Sola scriptura not only addresses our ultimate standard in knowing, but also alerts us to the power God’s word exercises in creating, governing and perfecting an historical process through which we come to know about knowing.”   Sola Scriptura affirms that Scripture alone is the supreme and final authority for human thinking and living. Since... Continue Reading

“Snelling, who lives in Kentucky, agrees with the official Answers in Genesis position — that Genesis is literally true, right down to the six-day creation and Noah somehow fathering the ancestors of all human beings alive today.”   All Andrew Snelling wants to do is collect some rocks from Grand Canyon in order to help... Continue Reading

As a priest, the believer is to cultivate holiness.  For example, in [I Peter] chapter 1, Peter exhorts these exiles to “be holy!”  In chapter 2, he encourages them “to offer spiritual sacrifices.”  And later he tells them to “keep your conduct among the Gentiles honorable.” With that in mind, I want to suggest that... Continue Reading

Samuel the prophet was God’s spokesperson to the nation of Israel. He was called and equipped by God to speak the words of God. Those who rejected the words of Samuel were actually rejecting the words of the one who called Samuel.   God’s people had rejected God’s prophet. For many years, Samuel had served... Continue Reading

Paul’s doctrine of justification shows clearly (1) that all humans are sinners, helpless to save themselves; (2) that only the perfect work of Jesus saves sinners; (3) that only faith—not works at all—receives the saving effect of Jesus’ work; (4) that God in Christ receives all the glory for justification; (5) that this justification brings... Continue Reading

Systematic theology excels at efficiently assembling what the whole Bible teaches on a given topic. Bible teachers who go to places experiencing theological famine often immediately teach systematic theology because it is such an efficient way to communicate core Bible teachings. It can package what the whole Bible says in clear, organized, succinct ways which... Continue Reading

Calvin makes it clear that the sacraments do not “confer anything” on those who are not the elect, but instead work to their destruction. Calvin states that the Reformers were agreed on these points. There is simply no way that the Federal Vision proponents can twist Calvin’s words to favor their position. The Reformers agreed... Continue Reading

Blindly following anything is usually not a good idea. We should know where we are and where we are going. There are parallels in this to our spiritual life. How often do we pick up a devotional to read before reading the actual Bible? How often do we let other people tell us what Scripture... Continue Reading