INTRODUCTION After a brief introduction and greetings, Paul raises the issue that is troubling him, and that is the fact that someone is troubling the Galatians. Not only this, but they are not being troubled on some secondary issue. The gospel itself is at stake. THE TEXT: I marvel that ye are so soon removed …
Galatians 1
INTRODUCTION This Lord’s Day we are commemorating the beginning of the great Reformation of the 16th century. It is fitting, therefore, that we take this opportunity to begin our study of the book of Galatians, that great charter of Christian freedom. We need to stand fast in the liberty Christ brought to us, and we …
Bestminster Best
Once two seminary professors at Bestminster Theological Seminary were walking together, heads bowed as they were deep in theological conversation. Their topic concerned the depths of the wisdom of God in the salvation of sinful man, and it was consequently slow going, as though they were try to paddle a canoe across a lake of …
The Irenic Bombshell
The Auburn Avenue Hubbub (AAH) of course has a number of texts going. But those who are theologically astute have no doubt noticed some subtexts also. One of those subtexts is the question about the covenant of works and the covenant of grace, and the grounding of those covenants. Fundamentally, what is the relationship of …
Structure and Content
Growing Dominion #2 We must seek to understand the tasks assigned to us by God as we exercise dominion in the world. In doing this, we have to remember the basic “creation, fall, redemption” structure. But there is a pitfall here, to which Christians in the West are particularly prone. We like structures and outlines, …
The Rod of Iron/Psalm 2
In this psalm we have a wonderful prophecy of the reign of Messiah the Prince. The prophecy does not concern the reign of God in His sovereignty, which is the necessary result of the Creator’s relationship with the world He created, but rather a reign that results from His sovereign decree—the mediatorial reign of the …
Divided Loyalties
We know from the Word of God that the ways of the flesh and the ways of the Spirit cannot be reconciled. They are mortal enemies, and can be nothing but mortal enemies. As long as God is holy, and as long as sin is filthy, the two will be at odds, that is to …
Eat and Be Satisified
The Word of God promises that the suffering Servant will come to see of the travail of His soul, and He will be satisfied. We too often draw the wrong conclusions from the doctrines of depravity, or from our distress over the current conditions of the Church. We are fallen, and the Church is in …
Another Foundation Week
Our Father and God, We thank You for the arrival of yet another Lord’s Day. We are grateful for the opportunity to rejoice before You, and build another week on the foundation of this day. We remember that Your Son and our Lord rose from the dead on this day, and was seen by His …
Effectual Means of Salvation
A young ministerial candidate was asked whether his sacramental views comported with those of the Westminster Standards. This line of questioning was a novelty to him, and so he asked for a copy. One was quickly produced, but when it became apparent that he was not going to swear on it, but on the contrary, …