Desecration at St. Patrick’s Cathedral
One obvious question is why an atheist man convinced that he is a woman and committed to a life of prostitution would wish to have a funeral in a church.
As the Christian transformation of the Roman Empire was marked by the emergence of the liturgical calendar and the turning of pagan temples into churches, so we can expect the reverse to take place when a culture paganizes….Time and space are reimagined in ways that directly confront and annihilate that once deemed sacred. The... Continue Reading
Beauty and Harmony: The Holy Spirit’s Work in Creation
In the six days of creation, the Holy Spirit of God brought order to the cosmos—he brought to completion and perfection the creative activity of God.
Every work of the Spirit serves God’s eternal plan for his world and his people. In ordering God’s creation, beautifying Israel’s tabernacle, and bringing life to the First Adam and the Last Adam, the Spirit perfects and completes God’s eternal plan in history. The first instance of the Spirit’s work appears in the opening... Continue Reading
Christian: You Have Peace with God
Apart from Christ each one of us is at war with God.
Don’t ever let it cease to amaze you that you, Christian, have peace with God. Don’t let another day go by still an enemy of God. Turn from your sin and trust in Jesus. He offers peace and reconciliation through His cross. May God be praised for His incredible grace. Therefore, since we have... Continue Reading
Historical Theology for Systematic Theology
Scripture is our ultimate authority, but that does not mean that we do theology with our only reference being the Bible, ignoring everything else (such as creeds).
Given the long-established nature of creedal confessions and the unlikelihood that they will ever prove to be in error, the church should consider these affirmations as true and commendable, offering wisdom for its contemporary theological formulations. Over the course of the last several months, I’ve been engaging in a friendly dialogue about the proper... Continue Reading
On Consenting to Others’ Sins
Augustine and fellowship with sinners.
For Augustine, it is consenting to sin that is corrupting. What does this mean? Well, we could think of it in basic terms through the contemporary language of “complicity.” Augustine uses the example of criminals, and we could again think of thieves. Even if we do not walk into the bank and hold up the... Continue Reading
A Crisis of Leadership and the Elder Solution (Part 1): Theology Is Upstream
We need a return to the biblical doctrine of eldership.
We don’t muddle through life trying to make the best of things without a robust dependence on the Word of God as it proclaims the lordship of Christ, only at the end to say, “Oh yes, and one more thing, this is how you can be saved.” The grand redemptive narrative of our Trinitarian God,... Continue Reading
Mary’s Son, the Genius
When we think of great geniuses in history, Jesus’ name may not immediately come to mind. A new book insists it should.
The Parable of the Prodigal Son is striking in how it exemplifies Jesus’ overall mission and message. For Williams, Jesus was more than a religious talent and literary master. His teaching was part of a messianic career, climaxing in his death and resurrection, a career that was part of the story of God’s plan to... Continue Reading
What Is Typology?
People and events in Israel’s history offered prophetic glimpses of the coming Savior and His work, reassuring them of the promise of His coming.
The study of Old Testament types is not an end unto itself. It achieves its purpose, and we receive its benefit, only if the Lord Jesus Christ is exalted as He should be. The purpose of biblical typology may be discerned from two different outlooks—namely, from old covenant and new covenant vantage points. From the... Continue Reading
The Comfort of Conforming to Christ
We look beyond ourselves to the Christ for our true identity, His indwelling Spirit comforts us by assuring us of God’s steadfast love.
Why is it comforting that we have a new identity in Jesus Christ? The phrasing of the question shows that Gordon is making an appeal against the expressive individuals that we all are. We almost impulsively reject the notion that anything outside of ourselves could define our identity and that we would find that comforting.... Continue Reading
Mixed Fibres
When you wear clothes of mixed fibres, you’re saying something about yourself, about the nature of creation, and about the God who meets man.
The two fibres in question are linen and wool, and they are mixed on two occasions: in the High Priest’s ephod (Exodus 28 & 39) and in the tabernacle’s curtain (Exodus 26)—which are the same thing, because the High Priest’s outfit marks him out as a walking, talking tabernacle. You can’t mix because mixing is... Continue Reading
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