Introduction: This is categorized as one of the penitential psalms, but the heading lists it as a maskil, a teaching. In one of the other penitential pslams (51), David vows that as a result of his forgiveness, he will teach sinners the way (51:13). It is quite possible that this pslam is a fulfillment of …
Fourth Decade of Psalms/Psalm 31
Introduction: Periodically we spend ten weeks on a series of psalms, and we now come to Psalms 31-40. This psalm is notable in that Jesus quoted from it for His last words on the cross. He has been followed in this by many of His disciples, including Polycarp, Bernard, Huss, Luther, and Melancthon. The Text: …
Worldview Wheel VI
Introduction: Now we come to put everything together as we talking about worldview living. Not surprisingly, the thing to remember is the grace of God—the axle. The Text: “This I say then, Walk in the Spirit, and ye shall not fulfil the lust of the flesh. For the flesh lusteth against the Spirit, and the …
A Worldview Wheel IV
Introduction: We come now to a third “spoke” on our worldview wheel, which this week will be considered under the heading of ritual, liturgy and symbol. We have considered the value of propositional truth. We have considered the importance of practical lifestyle. Now we are going to reflect on the importance of the unspoken but …
A Worldview Wheel 3
Introduction: We are considering in turn each of the “spokes” on our worldview wheel. Thus far we have seen how all four spokes work together, and we have considered the spoke of revealed and objective propositional truth. We come now to the second spoke, which is the way we actually live. The Text: “But be …
A Worldview Wheel 2
Introduction: We have seen that a worldview consists of four basic elements—catechesis, lifestyle, symbol/liturgy, and narrative. We need to consider each of these in turn, and see the necessity of the right connection of each to the grace of God. The Text: “But what saith it? The word is nigh thee, even in thy mouth, …
A Worldview Wheel I
Introduction: “Worldview” language is very common among Christians, and particularly common among Reformed Christians. But what are we talking about? Where did this way of talking come from? And where is it going? The Text: “And one of the scribes came, and having heard them reasoning together, and perceiving that he had answered them well, …
The Day of Death
Our knowledge of the greatest journey we will ever undertake is lamentably sketchy. Some of this is obviously because of the nature of the case—death is a great barrier. But at least part of our ignorance is the result of not studying what the Scriptures teach us about this. “For we know that if our …
Bear With Me A Little In My Folly
Introduction: The apostle Paul was a polarizing figure. You either really loved him, or you really didn’t. Not only was this the case in his day, it remains the case down to the present. The Text: “Would to God ye could bear with me a little in my folly: and indeed bear with me. For …
Ezra Nehemiah 22
Introduction: We come now to the conclusion of the great story of the work of reformation conducted under Ezra and Nehemiah. And at the conclusion of this work, we find that there is still much to do. There is always much to do. Semper reformanda. The Text: “On that day they read in the book …