Let me start by saying that I have no theological axe to grind on this issue, and I am not trying to protect or attack any particular doctrinal view in raising this question. I am simply trying to think and speak more biblically about the ordinances of baptism and the Lord’s Supper. With that said, [...]
Archive for August, 2007
30 Aug
Manhood & Womanhood from Genesis 3 (pt 3)
Before we end this lecture we must observe one more fact that is very important. Adam was given the responsibility to not only lovingly lead his wife (from Gen 2) but also to provide for her. Contrary to what I use to think, there was “work” even before the fall. It was some friends in [...]
30 Aug
Justification is a legal concept
“. . .justification is essentially a legal concept. It may well be that there are other spheres more important to Christianity than that of law, but that does not give us grounds for using the legal terminology to describe those other spheres. Justification is essentially concerned with the legal status of the believer, and we [...]
28 Aug
Fearing Man from the Pulpit
As a pastor, I find that I constantly need biblical instruction and reminders to keep me pointed in the right direction. Curtis C. Thomas’ book Practical Wisdom for Pastors (Crossway, 2001) often provides just what I need. In my reading this morning, here’s what I found: If we ever get to the point where our [...]
27 Aug
Manhood & Womanhood from Genesis 3 (pt 2)
In addition to this suffering, the curse of sin also brought great conflict into the marriage relationship (and more generally into male/female relations as well). Genesis 3:16b notes, Your desire shall be for your husband, and he shall rule over you. One of the reasons why conflicts exist in every marriage relationship is because the [...]
26 Aug
Sunday Prayers
Adapted from Alexander McLaren: O Lord, our merciful Father, we ask you to look upon us who are gathered here in your presence now, and shed upon us a congregation, and upon each of us individually, the helpful spirit of your grace, so that all our thoughts and desires now may be such that you [...]
24 Aug
The Purpose and Aim of the Warning Passages
(Our contributor Emeritus, Jerry Wragg, has made an appearance in the comment section with the following which I thought deserved a post of its own ~Paul) One wonders why God would bother giving a non-contingent warning to those who are non-elect. If He knows they won’t ever believe (“abide” ala John 15), what import does [...]
24 Aug
Biblical Motivations to Preach the Gospel:
A Jealous Delight in God’s Glory (Acts 17:16-17) A Heart of Compassion for Lost Souls (Matt 9:35-38) A Sober Awareness of the Need for Evangelism (Rom 10:14-15) A Profound Appreciation for the High Calling (2 Cor 5:18-20) An Irrepressible Excitement about Your Own Salvation (Matt 9:27-31) An Abiding Confidence in the Sovereignty of God (Acts [...]
21 Aug
Thoughts on the baptism/communion issue
Let’s think this through for a moment. There are a few things in all of this that have not been made very clear. What is the sign of the New Covenant (think carefully before you answer)? Let’s say for the moment that communion is the sign of the New Covenant then one must ask what [...]
20 Aug
Commentaries on the Gospel of Matthew
In light of Matt’s post on commentaries for John I thought I would offer my top four on the Gospel of Matthew which I am almost eleven chapters in at the moment. D. A. Carson. “Matthew” in volume 8 of The Expositor’s Bible Commentary. To the point, insightful and theologically lucid. He dives into higher [...]
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