Theology That Bites Back
The main category for book reviews and cultural interaction.
Introduction: One of the great characteristics of modern Reformed preaching and teaching is that there appears to be a deep and abiding aversion to making any concrete applications. Sometimes various things are decorated as though they might be a matter of possible application, but this is illusory, like a heat shimmer off a highway in …
“If God were to have my children turn out on the basis of my works—on one of my good days—they would all be in the penitentiary. But He offers to give me my children, and their children after them. What must I do? I must believe Him when He offers them to me. Now if I believe Him, this faith is organically connected to parental faithfulness. But we are solid Protestants, and so we do not try to have the ox push the plow. Faith first and faith foundationally.”
“Contrary to the assumptions of many, the Half-Way Covenant was not the result of covenantal lethargy, but just the reverse—covenantal rigorism. Everyone had to be ‘born again’ in a highly visible, demonstrable way, but there were a number among the settlers who were not regenerate, along with a number of others who were regenerate but who were unable or unwilling to gin up a credible testimony. But these people believed in Christ, they held to the truth of the Christian religion, and they wanted their children baptized. They lacked the revivalistic tremens, but wanted their children baptized. The Half-Way Covenant allowed for this, but maintained a high fence around the Table of the Lord. This was zeal run amok, not lethargy. Unfortunately, it was a zeal without knowledge.”
“This meaning of grace is its aroma. Having learned this, only then is it safe to learn the practical incarnation forms of grace—sacramental thanksgiving, true sabbath keeping, psalming from the heart, and the rest of a forgiven, righteous life. Practical Christianity without grace is legalism. Grace without practice is gnosticism”
"Oh, what a tangled web we weaveWhen first we practice to deceive . . ." Sir Walter Scott Introduction: How it started . . . This famous summary ...
Letter to the Editor: One thing is puzzling me. Since they can rig elections, why didn't they also rig 2024? Jennifer Jennifer, three things occur to me. One is that ...
“Our corporate justification as the Church was Pentecostal. God publicly vindicated us, owned us as His people, and established us in the world as His own righteous people. This means that the Church as the Church is justified, just as the Church is elect, and redeemed, and so forth. But this also means that non elect covenant members, while truly attached to the body, are nevertheless an incongruity—spots and blemishes that will be removed as the Bride is made radiant. But in the meantime, until they are removed, we have to learn to deal with non elect members of the Elect One, and unjustified members of the Justified Body.”
Introduction: Okay, so this was much less of an ordinary election, and much more like a richly deserved paddy-wonking. There are many aspects of this gaudy thing that need to be analyzed with loud hoots of joy, along with some aspects that need to be given the Burkean stink eye. So here goes. I have …
Introduction: I want to begin by explaining what I believe to be the import of a graph that I saw circulating last week, and which I also retweeted—while asking folks to stare at it while meditating thoughtfully. Now that was too quick and too glib for some needed context, which I want to provide now, …
