“(1) there was a core canon from a very early time, (2) there was dispute about some of the smaller books that took some time to resolve, (3) Christians continued to find some non-canonical books to be orthodox and helpful, though not Scripture, and (4) some books were so theologically off the mark that they... Continue Reading

“In this brief article I want to contend for five affirmations with which any confessional believer – let alone any gospel minister – would be happy.  First, the historic confessions (Westminster, Heidelberg, Belgic, etc.) are safe.  Now, I can just see the eyes of some begin to roll.  But hear me out.”   Today theology... Continue Reading

“As we read the Bible and seek to grow in our understanding of God and ourselves, the best and clearest teachers from the past can show us the most biblical path forward.  They can alert us to dangers, showing where there is space for creative thinking, but also where to be exceptionally watchful and cautious.”... Continue Reading

In a letter sent in early June to Safe Haven Baby Boxes, the nonprofit organization that installed the boxes, Indiana’s Department of Child Services (DCS) said the boxes are not a legal way for mothers to give up their babies. Women who use the boxes could face child abandonment charges, the agency warned. But Safe... Continue Reading

The greatest ideal animating the American experiment is here: the notion of equality by creation. In other words, whatever our social standing, we all stand equal before God as created beings. Earlier statements like the Virginia Declaration of Rights had spoken more vaguely of people as being “by nature” equal, but here Jefferson and his... Continue Reading

“God is sovereign over all history. Not just the religious parts. Redemptive history and post-biblical history are a subset of universal history. Understanding how economics, religion, politics, and social movements (like educational reform) operate in God’s world does not rule his existence and activity out of order.”   The chapters on God and his relation... Continue Reading

“Being a part of a church that aligns itself with an historic confession is being in a church that aligns itself within an historical identity. In other words, the church is saying that they are not coming up with anything new. They are saying that God’s people have always been bigger and older and broader... Continue Reading

“We went to Canterbury out of a desire for unity,” the GAFCON primates wrote in a statement issued after the meeting. “In our hearts we desire to see the tear in the fabric of the communion mended. The sanctions passed at that meeting were the mildest possible rebuke to only the worst of the offenders,... Continue Reading

“Of course there are plenty of other documents that can help with this study. It’s likewise true the Shorter Catechism goes a bit beyond the core on some matters. Nevertheless, the first 38 questions and answers offer a succinct, clear, and heartwarming summary of central Christian beliefs.”   My first encounter with the Westminster Shorter Catechism... Continue Reading

“The doctrine of imputation—the crediting of our sin to Him and of His obedience to us—is essential to this gospel. It shows us why the gospel is such good news—Christ really has done it all. He has met our Creator’s standard of perfection for us, so we never need to fear the Lord’s wrath if... Continue Reading