If everyone was persuaded of the truth of Scripture that human nature possesses none of the gifts that the elect receive from their heavenly Father through the regeneration by the Spirit, then there would be no need to argue about these things. In Psalm 36:9, the congregation of faith believers by the mouth of the…
Blogging the Institutes | 2.2.19 | We See by the Spirit
As human beings, we are intoxicated with a high opinion of our own discernment. We think we can understand divine things, even though we are completely ignorant of them. Therefore, the best way to demonstrate our spiritual blindness won't be made through logical arguments but by Scripture. One of the clearest passages that speak to…
Is Prioritizing Doctrine Biblical?
A few years ago, theologian Albert Mohler popularized the idea of "theological triage." Just as hospitals prioritize patients in an Emergency Room, Mohler argues that Christians need to prioritize which doctrines are the most important, and which ones, while still important, are not the core truths of the Christian faith. While Mohler captures well the…
Lead Better: Get Organized
Trying to lead while being disorganized is like running a marathon with bricks strapped to your feet. Doable, but unnecessarily difficult. Get organized to lead better. Most definitions of “organization” focus of things being orderly. That’s a good start. But I look at being organized this way: having easy access to what you need to get the…
Blogging the Institutes | 1.13.11 |New Testament Proof Jesus is God
"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. New Testament Proof Jesus is God The New Testament gives us many passages proving Jesus' divinity.…
Blogging the Institutes | 1.13.7 | The Eternal Word of God is God
"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 Eternal Word of God is God Before I go any further, I need to prove…
Unchanging and Changing
Just as my assurance of salvation rests in the fact that God cannot change, my hope of sanctification rests in the fact that I can. What a greater disavowal of the gospel of grace than to claim it is capable of changing every sinner's heart but mine? Jen Wilkin, None Like Him
Blogging the Institutes | 1.13.10 | The Angel of the Lord is Jesus
"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 Angel of the Lord is Jesus If the previous arguments don't satisfy the Jews, I…
Shepherd God’s Flock: Our Job as Pastors
As pastors, we're called to shepherd the flock (1 Peter 5:2). In fact, God holds us accountable for our shepherding (Hebrews 13:17). What does it look like to shepherd? Read the whole thing over at Rookie Preacher.
Blogging Beale | The Temple and the Church’s Mission | Eden as Temple, Chapter 2, Pt. 3
This post continues the discussion of G.K. Beale's book, The Temple and the Church's Mission. As we finish summarizing chapter two, we will look at Beale's arguments for believing that Eden was a temple mountain-sanctuary. This part of Beale's work has been especially influential on biblical scholars. Peter Gentry follows many of Beale's conclusions about Eden as…
Raising Lazarus 