Through Jesus’ parable and Mark’s illustrations, we are meant to sober up to the reality of affliction for the sake of Christ. We must never be content with an initial joy of the gospel. The true test comes when the waves of woe crash against us from those who seek to shipwreck our faith. Through... Continue Reading

In the prologue to John’s gospel, when John tells us that the Word became flesh and “dwelt” among us, he chooses a verb related to the Greek noun used to describe the tabernacle: Literally, we might say, the Word “tabernacled” among us (John 1:14). Jesus truly is “Immanuel” (God with us; Matt. 1:23), experiencing all... Continue Reading

The reason the Father gave his Son is so that we might not perish but have everlasting life. Or as 1 John 4:9 says, “God sent his only Son into the world, so that we might live through him.” Paul says in Galatians that if the law could have given life, then Christ died in vain.... Continue Reading

As God says to his people through the prophet Hosea, “My people are destroyed for lack of knowledge.” And later, “So the people without understanding are ruined.” In other words, Scripture is profitable for teaching the knowledge of God.  As Paul says in Romans 6:17, there is a form of teaching, which must be known by... Continue Reading

Even though modern evangelicalism often treats Reformed theology as if it were simply Calvinistic soteriology, the Westminster Standards describe something far richer and deeper. They describe a covenantal Bible, a governed church, a regulated worship, a sanctified Lord’s Day, a robust moral theology, and a Christianity built upon the ordinary means of grace.   In... Continue Reading

Jesus, in saving us, reveals God to us. He makes known the unknowable God as the image of the invisible (Col. 1:15). He is the light of God (Heb. 1:1–3), who reveals him who dwells in unapproachable light (1 Tim. 6:16). Jesus can do these things because—and only because—he, as the Word, is preexistent Being:... Continue Reading

The most significant consequence of the dispensationalist decline is the collapse of the theological firewall that historically shielded the relationship between conservative Protestants, Jewish Americans, and Israel. Viewing Jewish political sovereignty in the Holy Land as an essential gear in the clock ticking toward the Second Coming of Jesus Christ; for the dispensationalist, this was... Continue Reading

The biblical reality of total depravity shouldn’t push us away from showing compassion to sinners, but should push us too them. We know the world is wicked and that’s even more reason to show compassion; not only because we, too, can act wicked at times—since we’re still in our flesh—but we once too were opposed... Continue Reading

Salt’s power is found in its purity. …not its appearance or application or production. And so it is in the Christian life as well.   “You are the salt of the earth” is one of Jesus’ most familiar descriptions of His people. Yet, what He says immediately after may be one of His most peculiar... Continue Reading

In the life, death, and resurrection of Jesus Christ, God has revealed his power, displayed his wrath against sin, and manifested his righteousness in saving sinners without compromising his righteousness. The gospel, therefore, summons all people—Jew and Gentile alike—not merely to seek personal salvation but to behold, trust, and proclaim the radiant righteousness of God... Continue Reading