The Promise Is for You and Your Children
God is not only the God of Abraham, but also the God of Isaac and Jacob.
That is why Abraham was to circumcise his children: they needed to know they were not free to choose their own gods. They were to receive the sign of the covenant to show them that they were part of the covenant people. They belonged to the one true God, and they were to submit to... Continue Reading
The Tragedy of Dumbing Down Christianity
Ask most American Christians today any question deeper than “Does God love everyone?” and you’re bound to get some sort of response suggesting that that sort of discourse should be reserved for theological universities.
We have replaced rich, robust theology in the Church with emotional music and constant reminders that “God is love and loves you and He’s your personal Savior and loves your soul …” These words are great at bringing outsiders through the doors (because they’re true by and large) but poor at growing believers into mature... Continue Reading
Westminster Larger Catechism Q. 109 and Representations of Deity
A visual representation of Jesus is not necessarily an immoral object. It becomes immoral if it is regarded or treated superstitiously or used as an object of worship.
According to this fourth possible view, a visual representation of Jesus in His humanity is no more than an external image and a visual metonymical representation. It is therefore not necessarily an immoral object. It becomes immoral if it is regarded or treated superstitiously, if it is used as an object or channel of worship,... Continue Reading
10 Theological Tenets for Covenantal Apologetics
10 tenets to keep in mind as you begin to have apologetic conversations with unbelieving friends and neighbors.
Every fact and experience is what it is by virtue of the covenantal all-controlling plan and purpose of God. The facts of the world display God’s glory (Ps. 19:1ff; Rom. 1:20). To take those facts for selfish use is to twist them and pervert them. This is culpable rebellion against God, and it takes place... Continue Reading
Have You Heard The Great News From God?
Do you have a relationship with God, one that will last into eternity?
When you confess you are a sinner, that you need Jesus Christ to save you from your sin, God is faithful to forgive you from your sin and to cleanse you from all unrighteousness (1 John 1:8-10). At that time He applies Jesus Christ’s work to you, forgiving you of your sins and giving to... Continue Reading
Three Trinitarian Controversies Every Christian Should Know
These three controversies don’t exhaust the Trinitarian disputes of the last two thousand years, but they give us a glimpse into how important this doctrine is for the health of the church.
In order to rightly worship God, we need to properly describe how he has revealed himself! The orthodox taught that the Son was equal to the Father (unlike the Arians), but that he was also distinct from the Father (unlike the Modalists). They based their teachings on the Scriptures, and the apostolic faith they had... Continue Reading
Our Savior: The Author of Salvation
That is the God whom we serve: the Savior who works in us. He is the author of our salvation, and because He is the Savior, He will save.
The salvation that we have from our Savior is not only for this life and it is not only for the life to come. We are saved already, and yet the full consummation of the ages is still ahead of us, when we will dwell with Him for all eternity. Yet we need not fear... Continue Reading
Are Husbands Supposed to “Get Their Wives Ready for Jesus”?
There is nothing missing with women’s salvation that requires husbands to complete it.
Let’s say a guy who genuinely wants to follow Jesus reads this article, and now feels that he is being passive if he fails to correct his wife (and Stoudt does accuse men who don’t correct their wives of passivity). After all, his job is to sanctify his wife and get her ready for heaven,... Continue Reading
An Open Letter to Those Nonchalant about Their Sexual Sin
You may be sure of this: everyone who is sexually immoral has no inheritance in the kingdom of Christ and God.
Is something not right with your sexual behavior? You are a child of light—don’t walk in darkness! God’s point of view is good, right, and true. He beckons you. Walk as a child of light—for the fruit of light is found in all that is good, right, and true. The God who invites us into... Continue Reading
6 Cracks in a Secular Worldview
The idea that atheism is the default setting for educated people is simply untenable.
When our friends hear the claims of Jesus, they wonder why we’d believe such fantastical things when there is a perfectly rational, coherent view of the world available to us. But if we look at the secular ground on which we supposedly all stand, we’ll realize it’s more like pack ice floating away from land. ... Continue Reading