The First and Second Resurrection
The Scriptures say that God raises spiritually dead people through His effectual call in the gospel.
The sequence is identical to Rev. 20:4–6: the dead come alive, are raised, and are enthroned in heaven to share Christ’s reign. Yet Paul is not describing believers’ future bodily resurrection, ascension, and enthronement. Rather, he speaks of grace received in our past and in our present, when God’s Holy Spirit applies to us the... Continue Reading
N. T. Wright on Resurrection Justification
The notion of a resurrection justification of Christ has an intriguing exegetical and theological history.
In the end, these seem to be separate verdicts, the congruence of which is maintained by the sanctifying work of the Holy Spirit. But this then poses the question of assurance in a fundamental way. Wright deals with this in two ways. First, he suggests that moral perfection is not required but that “the signs... Continue Reading
Is “Virgin” The Correct Translation Of Isaiah 7:14?
What does the Hebrew text of Isaiah 7:14 really mean?
The Lord promised a sign to the house of David, a virgin bearing a son, who would represent the presence of God with his people—God with us. Isaiah 7:14 does not stand in isolation, but must be read in light of Isaiah’s broader outlook. The whole scenario and context points to something quite special which... Continue Reading
Bible Reading Plans for 2018
For your convenience, we’ve compiled a list of Bible reading plans for you to choose from
“This plan does not have set readings for each day. Instead, it has set books for each month, and set number of Proverbs and Psalms to read each week. It aims to give you more flexibility, while grounding you in specific books of the Bible each month.” Many Christians take the beginning of a new... Continue Reading
Days That Bring Weeping And Rejoicing
While some weep, others rejoice. And some of us do both at the same time.
“My best friend from high school’s mother celebrates her birthday on the 21st. God has given her another year of life, and today they rejoice in that gift. Today was also my father’s birthday. It has been four years since dad died. December 21st brings with it a flood of memories.” “Rejoice with those... Continue Reading
Don’t Be Yourself
In today's culture we are often taught that the self — whoever it may be — is to be celebrated and never censured.
Ever since the fall, being yourself is the opposite of what God desires. Since the fall, our authentic selves are unsurpassed in self-absorption; they hate God by refusing to treasure him above all things. Therefore, the authentic you is worthy of death. She struck terror in all who met her. Her voice, like an... Continue Reading
4 Things You Can’t Do without Systematic Theology
Systematic theology builds on the results of biblical theology which is the exegetical discipline that seeks to grasp the entirety of Scripture as the unfolding of God’s plan from Genesis to Revelation.
Systematic theology constructs a well-thought-out worldview that enables the church rightly “to think God’s thoughts after him” and to set biblical truth over against its worldview competitors. The goal of systematic theology is “to bring every thought captive to Christ” (2 Cor. 10:1–5) for our good, for the life and health of the church, and... Continue Reading
History: Covenant & History
What we call “history” is dependent on God, both for its existence, purpose and outcome.
While many debate which terms are best to use in naming God’s covenant (works, law, grace, creation, life and redemption etc.) and which ways the Old and New Covenant relate, we should recognize that history can only rightly be understood according to God’s making and keeping his covenant. Thus, the Bible as well as history, is structured according... Continue Reading
Expository Preaching and Redemptive-Historical Models
One of the most crying needs in our day and age is to put the Bible together for the person in the pew.
If, however, we mean that every sermon on an Old Testament text takes into account the fact that the entire Old Testament is about Jesus Christ, and gives us a history that culminates in the person and work of Jesus Christ, then all Old Testament preaching (and NT too, for that matter!) must be redemptive-historical.... Continue Reading
Navigating the Christian Sabbath Day
Those worshiping in confessionally Reformed churches frequently struggle with how to observe the Sabbath.
“When Christians ask: ‘Is it ok for me to do X on Sundays?’ the first response should normally be not ‘yes’ or ‘no’ but ‘Why would you be doing it?’ The most common answer to that question is probably ‘Because I don’t have time for it in the rest of the week.’ This highlights the... Continue Reading