Paul describes those whom the Son redeems as those under the law. By that phrase Paul characterizes all whom the Son came to redeem. Whether God’s law reaches us by special revelation as Jews (Rom 2:17–3:1) or by general revelation as Gentiles (Rom 2:12-16), it shows no partiality in its judgment: God’s law judges all to be under... Continue Reading

As scenic and nostalgic as the nativity scene may be the fact that the Jesus, the Word of God, was made man doesn’t entitle us to make pictures of him. To do so actually detracts from the true meaning — not of Christmas — but of the incarnation. It cheapens the sublime and practical truth... Continue Reading

The biggest challenge is when the church wants to transform the world or the culture. It’s one thing if you want to make the whole world Presbyterian (which might put a dent in Christmas festivities). But if you let changing the world overwhelm your teaching and polity, you are headed for liberalism or modernism. The... Continue Reading

This is a major shift in where we are as a nation, and one that many conservatives don’t yet seem to recognize. The rule of law used to be assumed on both the left and the right, but we can no longer take that commitment for granted—on the left or the right. Our first question about any... Continue Reading

Life is hard and full of painful and frightening circumstances. We may lose our jobs or get sick. Our family and friends may die or abandon us. We may experience war or civil unrest. All of these have happened to Christians since Jesus ascended into heaven. And we can expect them to continue until He... Continue Reading

The Athanasian Creed does not add any new interpretations on the Trinity or the nature of Jesus Christ (part of the creed, but not analyzed here)—for the most part, it is a summary of the decisions of the past councils. However, it takes the Trinity seriously. It is refreshingly straightforward in that it challenges the... Continue Reading

In Fratelli Tutti (“All Brothers”), Francis argues that a common bond unites all of humanity and creates a brotherhood among us as children of God. Our brotherhood, then, is rooted in our humanity, not in the spiritual inheritance we receive when we place our faith and hope in the risen Christ. According to the letter, if... Continue Reading

It was actually the advent of Christianity in the Roman Empire that changed all this. The Christians, with their high view of all life as created in the image of God, began saving exposed infants and providing for sick and elderly slaves who had been forced out of their households. They started orphanages, attempted to... Continue Reading

Jesus did not come to take—to pursue His own agenda or to seek to increase His own stature—but rather to give: to give eternal life to lost sinners and to give glory to the Father who sent Him on His life-giving mission. In having regard for others, as already demonstrated at the foot washing, Jesus serves as... Continue Reading

I am not religious, so it is not my place to dictate to Christians what they should and should not believe. Still, if someone has a faith worth following, I feel that their beliefs should make me feel uncomfortable for not doing so. If they share 90 percent of my lifestyle and values, then there is nothing... Continue Reading