Scott Clark recently was critical of what we are reportedly trying to do here in Moscow. “The culture reacted to the early Christians in official and unofficial ways. 1 Peter 4 reflects this. The apostolic Christians suffered social stigma not for trying to “take back” or “take over” the Roman empire (or small towns in …
No Complaining in the Streets
God is pouring out His material blessings on this community of saints. We rejoice in this, we thank Him for it, and yet we must labor to understand these blessings biblically—as we earnestly seek for continued multiplication of them. These blessings necessarily include our businesses, and so how should we pursue His continued kindness here? …
Westminster Thirteen: Of Sanctification
1. They, who are once effectually called, and regenerated, having a new heart, and a new spirit created in them, are further sanctified, really and personally, through the virtue of Christ’s death and resurrection (1 Cor. 6:11; Acts 20:32; Phil. 3:10; Rom. 6:5–6), by His Word and Spirit dwelling in them (John 17:17; Eph. 5:26; …
Westminster Twelve: Of Adoption
1. All those that are justified, God vouchsafeth, in and for His only Son Jesus Christ, to make partakers of the grace of adoption (Eph. 1:5; Gal. 4:4–5), by which they are taken into the number, and enjoy the liberties and privileges of the children of God (Rom. 8:17; John 1:12), have His name put …
Westminster Eleven: Of Justification
1. Those whom God effectually calls, He also freely justifieth (Rom. 8:30; 3:24); not by infusing righteousness into them, but by pardoning their sins, and by accounting and accepting their persons as righteous; not for any thing wrought in them, or done by them, but for Christ’s sake alone; nor by imputing faith itself, the …
A Fourth Decade of Psalms/Psalm 38
Introduction: This is a striking psalm, and is listed among the penitential psalms. It begins with virtually the same words as Psalm 6, the first of the penitential psalms. But the repentance shown by David here is quite distinct from what many Christians call repentance, and this is something we really need to deal with. …
Buckets of Blog Water
Some time ago, I posted a note on my invitation to a debate over Auburn Avenue issues. I did that here. And now, on The Puritan Board, there is an ongoing discussion of that invitation. The consensus appears to be that a debate with me would be a bad idea, with a few folks questioning …
Inscribed on the Gates
The first commandment has been given in the context of the others. Now Moses begins a detailed exposition of this foundational commandment in chapters 6 through 11. “Now these are the commandments, the statutes, and the judgments, which the LORD your God commanded to teach you, that ye might do them in the land whither …
Too Big for One Mouth
We are a large congregation, and this means that we must take great care with our tongues. Many in the modern world have drifted into the view that when an institution gets large enough, the basic patterns of godly speech no longer apply. Within a small group, slander and gossip can readily be identified as …
He Will Destroy All Battle Gear
Minister: Lift up your hearts! Congregation: We lift them up to the Lord! God is known through Judah’ hills, His Name is great in Israel. Salem holds His dwelling place, His tent of praise on Zion’s mount. He breaks the arrows and the bows, The shields and swords, all battle gear. Our God is greater …