“A Great Awakening” portrays Whitefield as a faithful proclaimer of the good news of liberty in Jesus’ blood and righteousness, and makes the organic connection between The Great Awakening, the American Revolution, and the Constitutional Convention quite apparent.   Lesley and I just returned home from seeing the premier showing of the movie, “A Great... 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

Reeves and Chester have distilled the Reformation into its most basic distinctives and presented vital biblical doctrines within their historical context in a way that is informative and interesting, accurate and accessible, educational and edifying. The final product is a book, a little over 200 pages, that will feed the soul of Christians who are... Continue Reading

Over the years, my wife and I have often encountered ministry couples who had no one else to confide in. Hearing from them highlighted just how much we all need care. No matter what type of ministry you’re in, you’ve probably experienced some of the stressors and pressures that come with this work. You may... Continue Reading

We should not choose music randomly, as though the service were a playlist. There should be an internal coherence to what we are doing: we gather before God, confess faith, confess sin, hear the Word, respond in praise, and depart with blessing. Song selection should serve that movement.   When modern Christians talk about “worship,”... Continue Reading