I read on Reformed News that Sam Duncan, former moderator of the PCA, has provided a summary of the FV in preparation for the big doings at the General Assembly of the PCA this week. But before I start in on my war dance, let me just say that you ought to check out Reformed …
Middle-Aged Congregations
By the grace of God, our church has grown significantly over the years. Also by the grace of God, our church has actually survived through these years. We are now facing the temptations and obstacles that churches our size and our age have always faced. When we were young and small, and no one had …
A Double Order of Golden Brown Buttermilks
A reply to some of the (very deserved) criticisms of the PCA study committee on the Federal Vision can be found here. The PCA will be addressing this issue at their GA in the coming days, and so I would urge everyone to pray that God would protect that denomination from an act of theological …
Fear of Being Blessed
In this chapter, we come to the covenant sanctions. The first part contains the blessings which follow obedience, the latter portion, four times as long, contains the curses. The terms have been set out, the covenant renewed. What will happen if Israel keeps covenant? What will happen if they do not? “And it shall come …
Live in the House, Not on the Mantle
I am continuing to interact with Greenbaggins’ review of my book, “Reformed” Is Not Enough. When I draw a distinction between a law/gospel hermeneutic (which I reject) and a law/gospel application (which I accept), this is what I mean. With a law/gospel hermeneutic, each text is either demand or promise, and it is the job …
Good Stuff
For those who are following the Auburn Avenue fracas, and especially those who are going to be attending the General Assembly for the PCA, I heartily commend to you Joel Garver’s interaction with the PCA study committee report. You can find that here.
The Mountains of the Covenant
The exposition of each of the ten commandments has now been concluded. Once the terms are established and made clear, the covenant is made (Dt. 27-30). One of the great features of covenants, the blessings and curses, is now set plainly before the people. The blessings and curses are mountains on either side of the …
Give to Get to Give Again
In the hearts and minds of the faithful, the prohibition of covetousness is grounded in a right relationship of grace, obedience, and blessing. This blessing is of course grace, which leads to grateful obedience, and more blessing. We receive, and we give, in order to receive again, so that we might grow mighty in giving. …
Getting the Right Lid for the Jigsaw Puzzle Box
Now that my schedule has recovered some of its equilibrium, perhaps I can catch up on answering some of Greenbaggins’ questions. On the law/gospel distinction, Lane says of me that “if there is any distinction, it is in the person, and not in the text, whereas I hold that there is a distinction in the …
Heart Lusts
The tenth commandment excludes covetousness—of anything. In this portion of Deuteronomy, we see many different ways in which covetousness will work its way out if the command is not heeded. The eighth commandment prohibited stealing. The ninth commandment prohibited “legalized” stealing through false witness. The tenth commandment prohibits “legalized” stealing through false motives. “Thou shalt …