TULIP and Reformed Theology: Irresistible Grace
God, and God alone, has the power to change the disposition of the soul and the human heart to bring us to faith.
If, indeed, we are dead in sins and trespasses, if, indeed, our wills are held captive by the lusts of our flesh and we need to be liberated from our flesh in order to be saved, then in the final analysis, salvation must be something that God does in us and for us, not something... Continue Reading
Why the Lord’s Prayer Is So Offensive
Anyone who thinks that isn’t offensive simply hasn’t been paying attention.
The Lord’s Prayer is not mild, inoffensive, vanilla, listless, nominal, wishy-washy, or wallpapery. If you don’t worship the God and Father of the Lord Jesus Christ, it is deeply subversive, upsetting, and offensive—from the first phrase to the last. Several months ago there was a kerfuffle over an advertisement in which the Lord’s Prayer is prayed by... Continue Reading
Whatever You Do, Do It to the Glory of God
If we think that the God of Scripture has no relation to plastic or political elections, we err and rob God of his glory.
The Bible is sufficient for the purpose God gave it. It is concerned with our redemption. But it is not only concerned with our redemption. It is also concerned with God’s glory and our faith and life. Paul also tells us that what is not of faith is sin (Romans 14:23). If we study the... Continue Reading
A High School Counselor’s Tips on Parenting Teenagers
Persevere in loving, praying, and trusting that God loves your children even more than you do.
Implement basic counseling principles into your parenting during these years. Ask lots of questions, but also study body language and mood (remember the raging hormones), and realize that sometimes simply your presence and listening ear are all that is required, while at other times you will find golden opportunities for conversation. I have had... Continue Reading
Preachers: God Will Make the Dents
Don’t get discouraged preacher, study-pray-and preach…God will make the dents.
This is where Jonathan Edwards is very helpful. When talking about his goal or objective in preaching he says this: “The main benefit that is obtained by preaching is by impression made upon the mind in the time of it, and not by the effect that arises afterwards by a remembrance of what was delivered….Preaching,... Continue Reading
Regularly Pray For Your Pastor
Do your pastor a true kindness today. Pray for your pastor.
In some ways, pastors are sustained by the prayers of their people. Obviously, God is the one who ultimately sustains pastors, but one of his primary means is through the prayers of pastors. When it comes to why you should pray for your pastor, take the words of Charles Spurgeon to heart: “No man can do... Continue Reading
Christ’s Love For God’s Folk
If you’re through with local saints does it not wave a red flag and set alarm bells off?
Among this ‘band of brothers, ’ I’m sure there were many irritating personalities and not a few frustrating friends. Yet in this time of stress petty annoyances disappeared. Their delightful excellent traits of a gracious godly disposition came out in their true colours as they fought for their lives and leader and the advancement of... Continue Reading
The Church Of The Holy Elaboration
In principle, the Reformation was rejection of well-intended but unauthorized elaborations.
When we say sola Scriptura we are saying, in part, that Scripture is enough and that, unless God has commanded it, the church has no authority to impose a doctrine or practice, however beneficial it may seem at the time. The unique magisterial authority of Scripture means that we are free from ostensible additions to Christ’s finished... Continue Reading
Is the Enemy of My Enemy My Friend?
Mormons, Roman Catholics, Orthodox Jews, and a host of others share many of our enemies in this respect. But, to what extent is there a unity among us?
At a second level, we certainly see all those who defend human life and human dignity, marriage and gender, and the integrity of the family as key allies in the current cultural struggle. We listen to each other, draw arguments from each other, and are thankful for each other’s support of our common concerns. We... Continue Reading
The Uniqueness of Christian Service
Christian service is unique for three reasons
“Christian service is about how our redemption in Christ comes into flower in this world. It is what puts hands and feet and lips to God’s holy-love. Once we had as our life’s goal only ourselves. Our self-interest defined our worldview. Now this has changed.” Serving is not, of course, uniquely Christian. Indeed, the... Continue Reading