INTRODUCTION: God the Father is prominent in the first three chapters of Romans. God the Son figures largely from the middle of three to the end of five. And then the Holy Spirit is central from chapters five through eight. We have the wrath of the Father, the propitiation of the Son, and the liberating …
Don’t Force It . . .
Lane and I continue on. First, Lane says, “The instrumentality of obtaining the glorified state was works in the first covenant, and faith in the second covenant. This is non-negotiable.” Suppose I were to say something like this — would Lane find it acceptable or not? I am honestly asking. “The instrumentality of obtaining the …
Arguing High Theology with the Hot Dog Vendor
One of the testing points of wisdom is the matter of identifying what the real issue is. In ancient rhetoric, this is what stasis theory was about — what is really at issue? What is the hinge upon which all turns? Luther complimented Erasmus at the conclusion of The Bondage of the Will because he …
Principles and Methods
The Bible tells us to strive to maintain the unity of the Spirit in the bond of peace (Eph. 4:3). The many aspects of this require much thought, study and work. One particularly important area is the important distinction between principles and methods. “Receive one who is weak in the faith, but not to disputes …
The Stimulus Packages Headed Your Way
I was thinking about the financial monkeyshines of the really smart people who have been running our major insurance companies, brokerage houses, and banks, and I was also thinking about the solons who are passing these lunatic bailouts, and a passage of Scripture came to me. It is not talking about high finance, but it …
The Gospel for All Nations/Romans 1
INTRODUCTION: The book of Romans is a first century, apostolic fund-raising letter, and the fact that it almost never strikes us this way simply demonstrates how divergent our practices are from the biblical practices. The apostle Paul was seeking to minister in Spain, and he wanted the help of the Roman church. As part of …
Ten Things to Keep in Mind After the Election
I write at the very beginning of election day, not knowing the outcome. These are things that we should remember regardless, and they will be applicable regardless. 1. God is still Father, Christ is still at His right hand, and the Holy Spirit is still abroad in the world, recreating that world according to the …
Blessed Are the Fleeced
This last Lord’s Day, something occurred to me in the course of the sermon, something which I mentioned in passing. But then as I was reading the Scriptures this last week, the same point jumped off the page at me, and in a far more explicit way than what I had seen before. I was …
Paul and Kari
In the name of the Father, Son, and Holy Spirit, welcome. We have gathered in the name of the triune God of Scripture. We are gathered under the Father Almighty, who made heaven and earth. We are gathered in the name of Jesus, as members of His body. We are gathered by the Holy Spirit …
Luke and Elizabeth
In the name of the Father, Son, and Holy Spirit, welcome. Let us pray together now, seeking God’s blessing on this joyful event. Our Father in heaven, You are God of all weddings, the Father over all Your children, and the Lover and Giver of life. We pray in the name of Your Son Jesus, …