Canons Of Dort (15): The Death Of Christ Is Of Infinite Worth
Do not the Reformed affirm that Christ died only for the elect whereas the Remonstrants affirm that Christ died for all men and every man?
We need to stop and consider how the Remonstrants limited the value and efficacy of the atonement since in their doctrine that Christ died for all men and every man, what do they say that he accomplished by that death? In their Opinions (2.2) the Remonstrants confessed: “Christ has, by the merit of his death, so reconciled... Continue Reading
How Jesus Conquered the World and Why it Matters
Jesus described his death as a victory over the ruler of the world, as being lifted up from the earth, as drawing all people to himself.
Much of Israel’s hope was well placed. God did intend to save his people. God did intend to end tyranny and oppression. But God had chosen to do it contrary to their expectations. Jesus would establish his kingdom through becoming a crucified king. John makes this point by the way he paints the crucifixion story... Continue Reading
The Growing Christ
Perhaps this year, we could continue focusing our attention on the incarnate Son of God--especially with respect to what the Scriptures tell us about his growth from an infant to a boy to an adult in his work as the Redeemer.
Of the four Gospel records, only Luke’s tells us about the days between the birth and infancy of Jesus and the inauguration of his public ministry when he was 30 years old. In just 4 verse (Luke 2:39-42), 12 years have passed from the birth of the Savior. The only things that we know about... Continue Reading
A Prophet like Moses
One of the most amazing things about the Christian faith is the reality that the eternal and holy God of the cosmos chose to condescend to speak to us.
Moses’ significance in redemptive history cannot be overstated, and the shadow of the exodus stretches throughout the entire corpus of Holy Scripture. The exodus was a redemptive event that typified the future redemption secured by Jesus Christ. This means that the primary role of Moses in revelation was to set the stage for Jesus Christ,... Continue Reading
Canons Of Dort (14): Only We Sinned But Only God Saves
Believer, you have been saved by the blood of the lamb and not because Christ made salvation possible for those who do their part.
The doctrine that, in the atonement, God intended to save his elect, is not a Reformed peculiarity.1 It is a mainstream doctrine which has been held by some of the greatest teachers in the Christian tradition, among them Augustine, Prosper of Aquitaine, Gottschalk, Peter the Lombard, Thomas Aquinas, Thomas Bradwardine, Gregory of Rimini as well as... Continue Reading
When Our Waiting Will Be Over
"You’ll gather us together in Your arms of endless grace, as Your Bride forever when we see Your face."
My soul very much needs this song’s reminder, especially as another year passes and I am another year older, still fighting against the relentless darkness, still waiting, still desiring something that has never actually appeared in my experience. Not yet. It remains a desire for a promised appearing — an appearing I’m growing to increasingly... Continue Reading
The Theologian
Of all of the thinkers of the sixteenth century, Calvin was most noted for his ability to provide a systematic theological understanding of Christian truth.
It was left to one who knew Calvin and his work more extensively, namely, Philip Melanchthon, Luther’s assistant and an impressive scholar in his own right, to give Calvin the sobriquet “the Theologian.” Thus, if one mentions “the Philosopher,” we understand that to mean a reference to Aristotle. On the other hand, if one mentions... Continue Reading
For Instruction, Doctrine, and Morals: Not the God of the Dead
There is significant biblical precedent for deducing good and necessary consequences from Scripture.
Sound doctrine also requires that we reckon with what is taught implicitly. That is, what may be deduced from Scripture by good and necessary consequence is equally authoritative with what is stated in black and white and so is therefore equally binding. Deduction of good and necessary consequence involves getting at the background of a... Continue Reading
The Second Christmas
God promised the first Christmas and he promised the second Christmas too.
Jesus’ first coming was promised to God’s people thousands of years before Jesus was born. In the same way, though it’s been 2,000 years since Jesus and the apostles affirmed Jesus’ second coming: he will return. God will fulfill his promise, but he is patient toward us, not wishing that any of us should perish,... Continue Reading
Why Apologetics?
The Bible commands it, the culture demands it, the Church needs it, and the results confirm it.
We are presenting an absolute truth to a relativistic culture, an exclusivist message to a pluralistic culture, and a supernatural view to a naturalistic culture. It is no surprise that Christians are confronted with questions like, How can Jesus be the only way? Has science proven that miracles are impossible? and Who are you to force your morality on me? These questions grow out of the... Continue Reading