This Day in History: The Death of John Owen
By 1642 Owen was convinced that the final source of authority in religion was the Holy Scriptures and moreover, that the doctrines of orthodox Calvinism were biblical Christianity.
The preacher took as his text that morning Matthew 8:26: “Why are ye fearful, O ye of little faith?” It proved to be a message that Owen needed to hear and embrace. Through the words of a preacher whose identity is unknown, God spoke to Owen and removed once and for all his doubts and... Continue Reading
Maximus the Confessor and The Two Wills of Christ
To save humanity, Jesus had to be fully man, in body and soul, which included the will.
In the 6th century, the Byzantine Patriarch Sergius came up with several convenient solutions to the problem of Christ’s divided natures. First, he suggested that Jesus had only one energy, an idea opposed by Sophronius, an elderly and well-respected monk (later patriarch of Jerusalem) said that “one energy” sounded too much like “one nature.” Sergius then proposed... Continue Reading
After 50 Years of Ministry, 7 Things I Would Tell Ministerial Candidates Today
From an older pastor to younger ones: some wise counsel from a pastor who served the Church faithfully for 50 year.
Be prepared for disappointment, failure and brokenness, for that is the only path that leads to resiliency and steadfastness. Always remember that Christ is the Head of the Church, and not men, and He knows what He is doing. It you are not positively sure God has called you to ministry, get out! You... Continue Reading
John Calvin: Who He Is, What He Did, and Why He Matters
Who is John Calvin, you ask? I have intentionally studied Calvin’s life over the years and this post is somewhat of a brief biography of his life.
“When I was as yet a very little boy, my father had destined me for the study of theology. But afterwards, when he considered that the legal profession commonly raised those who followed it to wealth, this prospect induced him suddenly to change his purpose . . . but God, by the sweet guidance of... Continue Reading
America Soured on My Multiracial Family
After adopting their daughter from Ethiopia, this family faced ugliness from many Americans that robbed them of their joy and optimism.
When my wife and I adopted our daughter from Ethiopia in 2010, we did so full of hope. In the years since, we’ve faced ugliness that has robbed us of our optimism—and left us fearful for the future of our country. We love our daughter more than we love our own lives. But the idealism... Continue Reading
Thomas Aquinas: Not Just for Catholics Any More
Significant points of overlap exist theologically between classical, confessional Protestantism and the theology of which Aquinas was a representative, particularly on the doctrine of God and orthodox Trinitarianism.
The times they are certainly a-changing, at least for thoughtful Protestants. Thomas Aquinas, for centuries the object of fear and dread among the followers of Luther and Calvin, is finally receiving his due among the “separated brethren” as a key Christian thinker. And I say this as one of those separated brethren. The times... Continue Reading
Pierre Durand – Huguenot Martyr
“I pray to the Lord that all will be to the glory of His name, to the furthering of His reign, and to the destruction of Satan’s empire.”
He could have fought back. In fact, he instinctively reached for his gun, but let go when he realized these were government authorities. One of the tenets of the newly reformed church – in contrast with the Camisards’ tactics – was respect for the civil powers. The guards took him for questioning, then led him to... Continue Reading
I Am Not My Own – Orlena Lynn Boyle (1922-2018)
On August 18, 2018, Orlena Lynn Boyle entered the joy of her Master. She was not her own; she was bought with a price, and she lived like it.
She continued to wrestle with a call to missions internally even as she went to work for the Federal Reserve Bank in Chicago as a research statistician. Though she had tentative plans to marry, she sensed that God was calling her to go to China, and she obeyed. It would be the first of several... Continue Reading
A Soul-Refreshed Life
True evangelical humility is the supreme path upon which a true Christian can obtain the knowledge of the glory and excellency of God.
Edwards described the Christian pilgrimage as one of practical outworking, in practice, of the life that has been given to us by God. In other words, if God resides in the heart and is vitally united to it, “he will show that he is a God, by the efficacy of his operation. For in the... Continue Reading
33 Going On 83—and Then Home to Glory
A testimony of trusting God’s faithfulness though many and painful illnesses.
Jennifer turned 33 on August 7 and was called home to glory on August 20, 2018. She wrote this in her blog: “This is a journey of my story. From cancer at age three, through heart disease, a stroke, more cancer, and every little ailment in between. From the tears and heartache to the laughter of... Continue Reading
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