The joy of ’30 Key Moments in the History of Christianity’ is that it introduces a period of history most Christians know little about. Even Reformed Christians, who tend to put a premium on knowledge of church history, still often skip quickly from the Apostles to the Councils to the Reformation (probably also pausing to cover... Continue Reading

‘The End of the Gay Rights Revolution’ is a heartfelt attempt by an insider to honestly assess the movement. Yet as he points toward sexual autonomy as an essential good, McCrea demonstrates why unfettered freedom can never be the lodestar for personal and societal well-being. He worries about external backlash, but the evidence shows that the... Continue Reading

Mathison highlights classics like Roland Bainton’s Here I Stand, substantial works like Martin Brecht’s three-volume set, and more recent accessible titles by authors such as Scott Hendrix, Eric Metaxas, and Herman Selderhuis.   There are probably more books written about Martin Luther than any other prominent figure of the Reformation. In 2017, the anniversary of... Continue Reading

Gad Saad urges ordinary people to stop being bystanders in the battle of ideas and to boldly defend reason, truth, and Western values against the spread of “idea pathogens” like woke ideology and political correctness.   Let me begin with a disclaimer: If you know anything about Gad Saad—and about me—you might be thinking, ‘OK,... Continue Reading

We’ve been set free from bondage to sin. We’re not ensnared or enslaved by it anymore. Sin does not rule over us. Christ rules over us now. In that freedom we have real power, real ability, and real responsibility to run hard after holiness and righteousness.    Our Position in Christ Union with Christ refers... Continue Reading

The Westminster Assembly began the debate with Matthew 16:19 and the power of the keys, but they “quickly realized that there was no settled reformed position regarding to whom church power passed after Peter—whether it was visible saints, elders, presbyteries, synods, national assemblies etc.” (242–243).   A review of The Crisis of British Protestantism: Church... Continue Reading

[Brauns] argues that repentance is not only the way into the Christian life but the ongoing way of the Christian life. Progressive sanctification requires daily, specific repentance, not merely general confession. He introduces the ordinary means of grace as the God-ordained channels through which repentance is worked out. He teaches us how to evaluate repentance,... Continue Reading

Humanity’s capacity to desire is not necessarily sinful. If we succeed in eliminating the wrong desire without giving the heart a better desire, we are setting ourselves up for failure. Pointing out the vanity of alcohol, pornography, gambling, etc., is not enough.    I began a book study on Thomas Chalmers’ excellent sermon, “The Expulsive... Continue Reading

In the United States, many pastors never speak of God’s discipline or God’s judgment. God expects pastors to care for people’s souls. We must do so in a Biblical way. Sin is rebellion against the King of the universe. It is disrespect for his person. Despite such disrespect, God still loves people. He does forgive... 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