[Note that the following is a lesson outline for a Life Group at McIlwain Presbyterian Church] The Beatific Vision The Transforming, Joy-Inducing, Infinitely Overwhelming, Frightening, Hope of all Christians ------------------------------------- The Objective Our task is “simple.” Figure out what this passage means. “Beloved, we are God's children now, and what we will be has not [...]
[The following post is taken from my book "Satan's Awful Idea" which is available for free as a PDF. See link. It is taken from appendix B.] Appendix B Satan’s Awful Idea and Theodicy If God knew that Lucifer was going to fall, why did He create him? Our answer has been that God did [...]
Hospitality is the fertile soil in which relationships grow. This is true for friendships both new and unexpected as well as old and established. Show me a gathering of believers where there is warmth and love expressed through hospitality, and I will point and say, “Look there! On that hill! Shining brightly, as if a [...]
[I have no idea who to credit this picture to. But I stumbled across it on the web]
[This is a followup to my previous article] Point One: If we agree that sin is inherently destabilizing, misery inducing, and corrosive, and that a man's character is the benchmark for assessing how likely a person is to indulge the sinful nature, then it follows that an evaluation of character is crucial for determining the [...]
When it comes to the world of mixed martial arts, you'll hit someone in one of two ways. The first occurs in the gym while sparring. Here the idea is to sharpen each others' skills without intentionally crippling the other. The second happens in the ring. Here the intent is to take your opponent's head [...]
[I wrote the following for my sons after my wife notified me afresh of a number of infractions they had committed in the area of cleanliness.] To my sons, As a parent of young men, one is often confronted with the unenviable task of maintaining order and cleanliness. These twin concepts are different but inseparable; [...]
The following is a lesson plan for a small group of which I am a part. If you aren't a part of the small group and happen to read the questions and wonder how one might tackle the issue, I would point you to the following helpful volume: The Race Set Before Us. With that [...]
Everyone has an innate awareness that there exists a gloriously sublime podcast. And I am here to point you to it 🙂 Allow me to introduce Sensus Divinipodcastis; a new podcast by yours truly. I've always wanted to theologize about movies, other podcasts, and books; to use these mediums as springboards to discuss ethics, philosophy, [...]
Dear Reformed reader, I have no idea how to convince you that a tumor has been growing on the underbelly of Calvinism for some time now. Quotations from Reformed stalwarts have been amassed. Compelling arguments have been marshaled. Videos have been produced. Reasoned exegesis has been offered. But 9 out of 10 times it falls [...]
The idea is simple enough: the guilt of Adam is passed on to all the inhabitants of the human race. Therefore, infants who die need to be saved just as much as adult sinners. So far so good. The real fork in the road occurs when some go on to say that since the Scriptures [...]
Imagine two men sitting at the bottom of two pits. They love the filth and darkness and are more troll like than human. In short time, both will die in their diseased pits. Because of God's love for both of the men, He drops a rope down to them and calls out, “Grab the rope! [...]
Here's my attempt to state as clearly and succinctly as possible the logical problem that exists between limited satisfaction and the universal gospel offer. Note that this problem cannot be resolved by appealing to our ignorance of who is elect and non-elect in evangelism. What we know or do not know about the people around [...]
Hyper-Calvinism is not only often misunderstood, but elements of it have unwittingly crept into the thinking of various Calvinists. Perhaps the most common aspect is a denial of the well-meant offer, which is the teaching that God desires the salvation of the non-elect. Hyper-Calvinists robustly deny this claim. They maintain that God does not desire [...]
Introduction In this paper I will be presenting several arguments against the position known as exclusive psalmody no instruments (EPNI, hereafter). Having been a member of the RPCNA for approximately ten years, I am not coming at this from an outsiders' perspective. I love singing the Psalms, and I appreciate the sobriety and godliness and [...]
Section 1. Various Quotes from Reformers and other Notable Theologians Indicating Moderate Calvinism Section 2. Quotes from Moderates and High Calvinists Concerning God's Universal Desire for all to be Saved ----------------------------------------- The first section is largely concerned with the extent of the atonement and/or matters pertaining to universal sufficiency. I have tried to limit myself [...]
John 3:16 A Litmus Test in the Moderate Calvinist and Strict Particularist Debate The Issue The principle issue dividing Moderate Calvinists from (certain) Strict Particularists in their understanding of John 3:16 can be boiled down to a simple question: Are the non-elect included within the scope of the term “world” in John 3:16? If [...]
Do Muslims and Christians worship the same God? It seems to me that when the relationship between Islam and Christianity is engaged on this level, theologians of a more liberal bent are provided a delicious opportunity to flatten the antithesis between Christ and Allah. The question so framed allows for subtleties in metaphysics to rise [...]
Paedobaptist: So let me get this straight, one your biggest objections to infant baptism rests on the understanding that the New Covenant is comprised of only the elect/regenerate? Credo: That’s right. Hebrews 8 (citing Jeremiah 31) makes this plain. Everyone in the New Covenant knows the Lord. That’s what makes it unlike the Mosaic Covenant. [...]
The answer is quite simple: encouragement. Now not just your own encouragement, which is important enough, but the encouragement of others. That’s the aim. That’s where the emphasis falls. In a section like 1 Corinthians 12-14, where Paul addresses spiritual gifts, and the attendant misuse among the Corinthian saints, the apostle exhibits both a clear [...]
re we currently living in something like The Matrix? Can we know? And if not, then doesn’t agnosticism eat away at certainty? In this first video, the problem of all-consuming agnosticism is set up, leaving us wondering if knowledge is forever crushed under the weight of ignorance. If you find these helpful and enjoyable, please [...]
The latest installment has arrived! If you missed the first two videos, be sure to check out my channel. You can find it here. This video asks a very straightforward question: If sin is in fact ironic in nature, why is this so? https://youtu.be/mxFukRi0MD4
Here’s another installment of Theology in View! This one is all about the ironic nature of sin. Ever think about that? It’s a curious little truth. If you find the videos enjoyable and helpful, please share them with your friends. https://youtu.be/DOiavNk3360
And this is eternal life, that they know you the only true God, and Jesus Christ whom you have sent.” (John 17:3) It’s an amazing concept. To know God is to have eternal life. Of course, one can immediately puzzle over the thought. Demons know God but do not have eternal life. So the knowing [...]
So here we go. I’m beginning a new project, one that involves much scribbling and theology. Yes. That’s right. A video blog designed to communicate theology in a short, fresh, generally tasty, and slightly humorous fashion. I have many topics I would like to cover, but as you can imagine, the process of coordinating voice to [...]
When God ordains the reprobation of a sinner, some believe that this choice must mean that God cannot greatly love the reprobate in history. If God passes over an individual, it must follow that God cannot entreat that sinner to repent, or love that sinner, or send Christ for that sinner. But this is far [...]
I am of the opinion that C.S. Lewis’ book Perelandra is a work of genius. The rich allegory, theological depth, and masterful literary style all combine to make this one of the greatest books I have ever read. But not all share my opinion. It is not hard to find reviews that, while enjoying the more fanciful [...]
A young girl gets pregnant. She is not married. She has no safety net. She suddenly fears the future. She feels the burden. The stigma. She wants to end the pregnancy. She does not have access to an abortionist. She takes matters into her own hands. She finds a crude instrument. She ruptures and bleeds [...]
In the early hours of morning, when the sun was beginning to stretch its gaze across the dusty roads of Damascus, Saul sat silent, blind to the eastern glow. His companions sat nearby in the stillness, regarding him with uncertainty. “Do you want something to eat?” “No,” said Saul. “It would be good for you [...]
Movie recommendations are fickle. Not only do interests vary, but so do consciences. So if you do not want to have your emotions pulled in painful directions, and if you harbor concerns about the content, which isn’t disqualifying in my mind, then save yourself a few dollars and do not stream this movie. But if you [...]
The Sound of Doctrine 