I hope it is possible to say this with all reverence, but Jesus was a tough customer. Contrary to popular opinion, the Lord of the gospels was not the original flower child, and He did not come in order to make us all feel better about ourselves. The image that many have of the Lord’s …
The Song of Moses
We have been anticipating this song, but the time has now come to learn it. The theme of the song echoes many of the themes of the entire book of Deuteronomy. Give ear, O ye heavens, and I will speak; and hear, O earth, the words of my mouth . . . (Dt. 32:1-52). The …
Contra Mundum?
Contra mundum is a nice slogan if you can get it. I have been watching some of the internet discussion in the aftermath of the PCA decision at GA, and I decided I needed to say a little something about the following argument: “All these venerable alphabet combinations have condemned the Federal Vision — URC, …
Grace Has No Handles
Grace has no handles and is impossible for sinners to pick up. But grace does have hands and consequently has no difficulty picking us up. As long as we cling to our very natural (and sinful) tendency to have some kind of righteousness that we can call our own, this is impossible for us to …
The Law of Liberty
Although Israel will ultimately fail in their invasion of Canaan, the second Israel will never fail in His invasion of the world. Although the ancient people of God were corrupted by idolatry, the people of God today cannot ultimately fall in the same way. Jesus Christ is victor. “And Moses went and spake these words …
Ghost Town Denominations
As the ancient preacher pondered the futility of our existence here under the sun, one of his complaints pointed to the problem of inheritance. Each of us will die, and each of us will leave behind us the fruit of our labors. And who knows, the preacher wondered, whether these heirs will be wise or …
The Rebirth of Israel
This chapter, filled with promise, brings hope to all those battered by the curse of the law. Christ has redeemed us from the curse of the law by becoming a curse for us. And in this place Moses points to the coming glory. “And it shall come to pass, when all these things shall come …
Not Whether, But Which
Next time you are shut up in the house — say it is a rainy day with nothing much to do — a pleasant and instructive afternoon could be spent with a world atlas. The cartographical exercise I have in mind would perhaps reveal something about the world which is well worth knowing. While staring …
Timelines and Gaps
A wag once commented that the difference between Americans and Englishmen is that Englishmen think that one hundred miles is a long way, and Americans think one hundred years is a long time. And of course in one sense a hundred years is a long time, or, put more accurately, time enough. Much can happen; …
The Secret Things
The covenant is now presented to the people. They will not be faithful to it, and this defection is important in the teaching of the New Testament. “These are the words of the covenant which the Lord commanded Moses to make with the children of Israel . . .” (Dt. 29:1-29). The first nine verses …