In the tension-filled room full of systematic theologians and biblical theologians, it is perilously easy to juxtapose “timeless truths” to “story.” But this is not necessary, and this is another plea to all get along. It should go without saying that I affirm what the Reformed systematicians have distilled out behind their magisterial barn. And …
Men From James
The ancient church, like the modern church, was not without its tensions and differences. Those tensions existed even among the apostles, and how they were addressed gives us direction and guidance. But of these who seemed to be somewhat, (whatsoever they were, it maketh no matter to me: God accepteth no man’s person:) for they …
False Brothers
In the Christian faith, particular events, schedules, persons and conversations matter. They matter because we are talking about God’s intervention in history. The gospel is not a detached and abstracted affair—a set of timeless truths in the heavenlies. Particularity matters a great deal. Then fourteen years after I went up again to Jerusalem with Barnabas, …
Avoiding the Precipice
The law of the Lord is perfect, the psalmist says, converting the soul. For the one who receives the word of God in faith, the law teaches us to stay away from the precipice of sin, apostasy, and damnation. The law of God makes the simple wise. Hear then, this warning from the law. The …
How Many Trips to Jerusalem?
The apostle Paul now gives a detailed account of his trips to Jerusalem. This was not important in itself, but it had become important because of the false accusations that had been leveled at him. But when it pleased God, who separated me from my mother’s womb, and called me by his grace, To reveal …
The Secret Pavilion/Psalm 31
The Thirty-first Psalm is notable in that Jesus quoted from it in His last words on the cross. He has been followed in this by many of His disciples, including Polycarp, Bernard, Huss, Luther, and Melancthon. In thee, O LORD, do I put my trust; let me never be ashamed: deliver me in thy righteousness …
The Conversion of Saul
We have all heard about the conversion of Saul on the road to Damascus. But what exactly was he converted from? The answer to this question is highly significant, and we need to get it right if we are to understand the rest of this epistle. For ye have heard of my conversation in time …
Plug and Chug Legalism?
Kevin Johnson quotes from an article in the most recent Credenda, and admonishes me for something I didn’t say in it. “Correspondingly, the Reformation was first about our repentance and embracing of Christ something which Wilson never mentions in this article. This was curious on two counts. First, it should be possible to write an …
A Widow’s Cruse of Oil
Minister: Lift up your hearts! Congregation: We lift them up to the Lord! Father and God over all, we gather before You to honor Your name, and so that You might bless us, Your people, as we seek to honor Your name. We come before You as an empty people, but we come in order …
Mutual Indwelling
Jesus explicitly prays for His followers to be one, just as He and the Father are one. This is the basis for the likemindedness that we find frequently commended in the pages of the New Testament. But too often we just glide over this, thinking that the unity we are to have is a mere …