Category: Theology
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The Missional Puritan: On Mission With God
Hey, this Missional thing is nothing new! Listen to what the old English Puritan, John Owen, wrote in the 17th Century: God has work to do in this world; and to desert it because of its difficulties and entanglements, is to cast off His authority. It is not enough that we be just, that we…
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The Difference That Makes All the Difference
Francis Schaeffer, of his own testimony, writes: “I became a Christian once for all upon the basis of the finished work of Christ through faith; that is justification. The Christian life, sanctification, operates on the same basis, but moment by moment. There is the same base (Christ’s work) and the same instrument (faith); the only…
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Cotton Candy Christianity Scorecard
I don’t want to become one of those bloggers who becomes known for what he is against, or for pointing out how wrong other guys are, but this was just too funny to pass up. It is also important to distinguish the gospel from all its counterfeits. For as Paul warns in Galatians 1.6-7: I…
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Tough Questions From a Pre-Teen Girl
The following are answers to questions asked by a then-12 year old girl. This young lady had had a very, very difficult life, but was very bright and determined. At the time she wrote the note to me asking these questions, she had only recently come to live with her father – a godly man. Now twenty-something, she has grown…
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5 Strip Baconist
Are you among those people who find the 5 Points of Calvinism difficult to swallow? Perhaps you might find some bacon a little more tasteful than a TULIP. No, it’s not Kosher, but it is orthodox and Biblical: Bad people Already elected Completely atoned for Overwhelmingly called Never falling away
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Broken-Down House: Living Productively in a World Gone Bad
I began reading Paul Tripp’s Broken Down House earlier this week. I had read it before, or rather I should say I skimmed it before, but did not take the time to allow Tripp’s poignant insights to resonate in my soul. I raced through it last time, getting the general gist, but not digesting much…
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Recommended Reading: Holy Spirit
The Holy Spirit has garnered a few nicknames through the ages. Among the more appropriate and familiar: The Shy member of the Trinity The Forgotten member of the Trinity When considering the person of the Holy Spirit, there are few things that are vital to remember: The Holy Spirit is a person, a “He” not…
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Ordo Salutis Illustrated
John Bunyan has a wondrous grasp of the theology of the Christian Life. Pilgrim’s Progress is evidence of that. In this classic literary masterpiece, Bunyan uses allegory to illustrate the reality, and the perils, of life in this world for God’s redeemed people. And in the illustration above someone has taken Bunyan’s allegory and writings…
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Sabbath Rest: The Above All Commandment
Like many people, I get easily wearied by many of the Sabbath debates. What can you do? What can’t you do? While not unimportant, these questions miss the point. Jesus told us: “Sabbath was made for man, not man for the Sabbath.” (Mark 2.27) In other words, Sabbath is a gift made or established by…
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Our Great Shepherd
“The Lord’s my shepherd – I shall not be in want.” (Psalm 23.1) I am completely satisfied with his management of my life. Why? Because He is the sheepman to whom no trouble is too great as He cares for His flock. He is the rancher who is outstanding because of His fondness for sheep…
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John Piper is BAD
Michael Jackson asked: “Who’s BADD?” The answer, apparently: John Piper. I don’t know if it is because John Piper staunchly believes in the doctrine of Total Depravity (as do I) – which recognizes that as a consequnce of the Fall all humnaity is infected by sin in every aspect of our personality – or if there is…
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The Scandal of American Evangelicalism
I was not there, but I am now wishing I had been, at least for R.C. Sproul Jr.’s address. The Layman Online reports that Sproul prophetically challenged those gathered for 2012 Ligonier National Conference “… about the true scandal of the evangelical mind.” Developing his message from 1 Corinthians 1.18-31 Sproul briefly outlined the Christian faith,…
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Lord of Heaven & Earth
Michael Horton, in his book The Gospel Commission, offers this important corrective perspective of Christ: The privatized view of Jesus merely as ‘personal Lord and Savior’ does not really provoke controversy today. After all, our non-Christian neighbors shrug: ‘Whatever works for you’. However, these ascriptions of praise to Jesus Christ were subversive on the lips…
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Why We Need Jesus
According to Michael Horton: “Reason and morality cannot show us a good and gracious God. For that, we need the Incarnation.” *** A passenger on a recent plane trip happily divulged his spiritual views. Raised in a conservative religious home, he proudly dismissed traditional Christianity, with its radical claims about Jesus of Nazareth, because it…
