Book 3/Chapter 2 Is our future unknown (section 40)? 1. What other argument against assurance is brought? 2. Did Paul say what he did in Romans 8:38ff by special revelation in his own case? 3. What does Calvin say doubt about our future reveals instead of modesty? The substance of faith (section 41) 1. What …
The Jitney Gods of Washington
As the Obama saga gets weirder and weirder, Christians shouldn’t forget to interpret all the news in the fundamental terms of who we want to be our god, and who wants to be the embodiment of that god. Worship is always the key to everything. And it is not the “key to everything” because we …
The Top of the Brain
Book 3/Chapter 2 Unfit for belief (section 35) 1. What does our corruption of nature do to our capacity for faith? 2. Can man initiate faith? 3. What then is necessary for belief? Top of the brain (section 36) 1. What is not true faith? 2. What is greater than the mind’s blindness? Shaken, not …
Faith in the Word
Book 3/Chapter 2 The Word needed (section 31) 1. Can faith latch on to nothing? 2. What must God do to bring about faith? Fulfilled in Christ (section 32) 1. What is the testimony of God’s love toward us? 2. Did the ancient Jews know of Christ? Real faith (section 33) 1. How do the …
That He Might Listen
As we continue to meditate on the role of music in our worship of God, we need to settle something early on. We worship God using means that He has given us in order to worship Him. When we worship God, we are returning something. Nothing appropriate that we offer to Him originates with us. …
The Death of Death and the Life of Nations
The Lord gives us rich food, and we must take a moment to consider how this can be. At first glance, it appears very plain—simple bread and red wine. How is this a banquet? The Lord declared through the prophet Isaiah (25) that in the time of the new covenant, on the mountain of the …
No Empires Without a Cross
Our Father and God, You have established Your Church as a royal priesthood in this world, and so we intercede for the nations of men now, confessing on their behalf so that the grace of Your forgiveness will soon be extended to them all. Father, we live in a time when men turn naturally and …
Kinder, Gentler Principalities and Powers
Craig Blomberg has a post here, reviewing N.T. Wright’s book-length response to John Piper’s book. Justin Taylor has some good comments on the related issue of active obedience here. And now I have some comments, with no link necessary, because as it turns out, you are already where you need to be. Just scroll down. …
Foundation of Faith
Book 3/Chapter 2 Fear and honor (section 26) 1. What do our duties of fear and honor relate to? True and false fear (section 27) 1. What distinguishes childlike and servile fear. What God promises (section 28) 1. Does God guarantee believers earthly prosperity? 2. What does He promise then? The basic foundation (section 29) …
Two Kinds of Fear
Book 3/Chapter 2 Right fear (section 22) 1. What are the two kinds of fear? 2. What might happen among the Gentiles that had happened among the Jews? The right kind of constant fear (section 23) 1. What kind of man does Solomon pronounce a blessing on? Union with Christ (section 24) 1. What does …