Book 1/Chapter 13 Difference Within the Godhead (section 18) 1. Why must we be cautious in discussing this subject? 2. What are the characteristics of each person within the Trinity? 3. What Scripture does Calvin use in defense of the filioque? Relations Within the Godhead (section 19) 1. Is the Father the same person as …
Some Olive Branch Talks in the UK
Later this week, I will be giving a couple of lectures in Oxford on the Federal Vision. This is not any kind of attempt to stir up trouble, but rather the opposite. The FV has been promising to become something of a controversy over there, and in these talks I will be attempting to explain …
Replacing the Hall of Idols
The Church and the Kingdom are not the same thing, and let me explain why this is important as we continue to address the question of violence. As Peter Leithart shows in his book Against Christianity, the Church is presented to the world, not as an alternative club for religious people meeting on Sundays, but …
Still More on the Trinity
Book 1/Chapter 13 Miracles (section 13) 1. What is Calvin’s argument from the miracles of Christ? 2. What does he say about the fact that prophets and apostles also did miracles? 3. Is this response satisfying? 4. Would Calvin be willing to say that Christ did miracles because He was miracle? Is this parallel to …
The Kingdom of God is Like an Inner City Soup Kitchen
A commenter named Tapani raised a question about the Eucharist in a previous thread, and I would like to address it by talking about something else first. Systematic theology, rightly applied, is really nothing more than the art of being able to remember what you have learned from all of Scripture as you encounter any …
Unless They Don’t Need It
Once there was woman who would get overwhelmed with her housework from time to time. She was industrious, and not lazy at all, but there were times when it just got away from her. Her husband was considerate and thoughtful, and so he surprised her one day with the news that he had hired someone …
Free and Full Forgiveness
As we have told you many times, the designated time for confession of sin is not here at this Table. If you are walking with the Lord, you will confess sin whenever you commit it, and you will put it right with anyone you need to put it right with immediately. As we all need …
The Sin of Secularism
Our Father and God, You have established Your Church as a royal priesthood in this world, and so we intercede for the nations of men now, confessing on their behalf so that the grace of Your forgiveness will soon be extended to them all. Father and God, we confess to You now that nations of …
The Averted War of Malchus’ Ear
In the early eighteenth century, there was a war between England and Spain called the War of Jenkins’ Ear. In the New Testament, there was almost a conflict called the War of Malchus’ Ear, but it was averted because Jesus put the ear back (Luke 22:51). “Then Simon Peter having a sword drew it, and …
Our Particular Table
Yesterday I gave a talk to the Logos secondary as part of their Knights Festival, as a lead-in to their banquet. The text I was using was Luke 14, and I noticed something there I had not seen before. Jesus is breaking bread with one of the chief Pharisees (Luke 14:1). That is the context …