I want to say something outrageous, but I need a moment to set it up. A number of years ago I heard a speaker quoting Eugene Peterson to the effect that there was something deficient in John Calvin’s theology, as evidenced by the fact that he was capable of writing all that high level theology …
Affected By the Time Stamp
My response to Jason’s next chapter will be a little bit different. In this chapter, he presents the “big picture,” which in his understanding is set forth in the book of Revelation 12. “My thesis for this chapter, therefore, is that in Revelation 12:1-6 the church is given a glimpse of Christ’s victory in His …
Adding and Subtracting
Book 4/Chapter 10 Corruption of ceremonies (section 15) 1. How does God accept the works of the law which we do? 2. Ceremonies are corrupt and harmless unless what? 3. What is a cunning craftsman? 4. What does Calvin mean by this? Multitudes of ceremonies (section 16) 1. How do ceremonies obscure the clarity of …
Our Culture Warrior Hinder Parts
Chapter 7 of Jason’s book is really quite good. His topic is “Reformed Piety,” and he does a good job in distinguishing the corporate nature of Reformed piety from the radical individualism of much of contemporary evangelicalism. He appeals, quite properly, to the contrast set by John Williamson Nevin and Charles Finney, a contrast that …
A Conference Corker
The pastors’ conference in Monroe, Looosianne this year looks to be a corker. Check it, as they say, out.
Half Buried Under Ceremonies
Book 4/Chapter 10 Papal constitutions (section 10) 1. What examples does Calvin use to show that the Romanists have developed the same inverted values that Jesus chastised the Pharisees for? Two objections (section 11) 1. What are the two other faults that Calvin finds with the papal constitutions? Worldly wisdom (section 12) 1. What does …
The End of the Law/Romans 37
INTRODUCTION: We have already seen that Christ is the foundation stone and the stumbling stone, depending. For the one who believes, He is the foundation of all. For the one who does not believe in Him, He is the rock of offense. THE TEXT: “Brethren, my heart’s desire and prayer to God for Israel is, …
The Stumbling Stone/Romans 36
INTRODUCTION: Why is the issue of faith and works so complicated? The answer is that it is not—it is the sinful human heart that is complicated. Because of that, we take something straightforward—trust God in all things—and tie it up into knots. But the issues outside the heart are simple. They binary. Either you will …
An Evening of Eschatology
Here is a lively discussion on eschatology. Many thanks to the folks at Desiring God for putting this together.
The Lord Knows
“At thy right hand there are pleasures for evermore” (Ps. 16: 11) “But avoid irreverent babble, for it will lead people into more and more ungodliness, and their talk will spread like gangrene. Among them are Hymenaeus and Philetus, who have swerved from the truth, saying that the resurrection has already happened. They are upsetting …