"Blogging the Institutes" is my on-going attempt to paraphrase John Calvin's work, the Institutes of the Christian Religion. You can find out more about the series in the Introduction. For all the posts in this series, check out the Master List. The Spirit Speaks Through the Word, Not Apart From It Some people reject Scripture in favor…
A Theology of Sex and Gender (Part 7): The New Covenant Fully Filfilled
God’s plan begins with man and woman living in His sacred space (Garden of Eden) under His rule (Genesis 1:26-28; 2:15-24). This is the kingdom of God. United in marriage, the man and the woman are “living pictures” of the coming union between Christ and His people (Ephesians 5:31-32). Human marriage not only testifies to…
A Theology of Sex and Gender–Pt. 6–Consummation
This is the sixth installment of A Theology of Sex and Gender. Parts: 1, 2, 3, 4, 5 Consummation God’s plan begins with man and woman living in His sacred space (Garden of Eden) under His rule (Genesis 1:26-28; 2:15-24). This is the kingdom of God. United in marriage, the man and the woman are “living…
A Theology of Sex and Gender (Part 6): The New Covenant and the Church
God created men and women in His image (Genesis 1:26-27). He also typically unites them in marriage for one lifetime under His rules (Genesis 2:18-24). Unfortunately, due to sin, all people now live in a corrupted world where they are sinners by nature and by choice. Naturally, the harmful effects of sin have infected and…
A Theology of Sex and Gender–Pt. 5–Church
This is the fifth installment of A Theology of Sex and Gender. Parts: 1, 2, 3, 4. God created men and women in His image (Genesis 1:26-27). He also typically unites them in marriage for one lifetime under His rules (Genesis 2:18-24). Unfortunately, due to sin, all people now live in a corrupted world where…
A Theology of Sex and Gender (Part 5): The New Covenant in Christ
God created men and women in His image (Gen 1:26-27). Both of them are fully equal in dignity and worth. Unfortunately, sin has broken God’s design. Jesus Himself recognized the profound effects of sin on sexuality and gender. In a discussion with the Pharisees, Jesus upholds God's original creational design for men and women. But…
A Theology of Sex and Gender–Pt. 4–Jesus & Redemption
This is the third installment of the series, "A Theology of Sex and Gender." Part 1, 2, 3 Jesus & Redemption God created men and women in His image. Both of them are fully equal in dignity and worth. Unfortunately, sin has broken God’s design. Jesus Himself recognized the profound effects of sin on sexuality and…
A Theology of Sex and Gender (Part 4): Covenant with Israel
The usual understanding of the Christian worldview proceeds along the lines of jumping directly from Creation and Fall to Redemption in Christ (see Creation Regained by Al Wolters for an example). Yet the majority of the Bible is actually concerned with Israel, not the church! To pass over the history of Israel and the covenant God…
A Theology of Sex and Gender–Pt. 3–Israel & Exile
This is the third installment of the series, "A Theology of Sex and Gender." Part 1, 2 Israel & Exile The usual understanding of the Christian worldview proceeds along the lines of jumping directly from Creation and Fall to Redemption in Christ (see Creation Regained by Al Wolters for a typical layout of a Christian worldview along these…
Raising Lazarus 