"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. God Speaks in the Scriptures Understanding that God is the author of Scripture establishes the church’s…
When “Safety First” Wasn’t a Drag on Christians
We are unlike the Christians of the New Testament. Our approach to life is conventional and static; theirs was not. The thought of 'safety first' was not a drag on their enterprise as it is on ours. By being exuberant, unconventional, and uninhibited in living by the gospel, they turned their world upside down...Why are…
Blogging the Institutes–1.7.3–Even Augustine Thinks Scripture Supports the Church (Not Vice Versa)
"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. Even Augustine Thinks Scriptures Supports the Church (Not Vice Versa) Some people object to my argument…
Blogging the Institutes–1.7.2–Sugar is Sweet; Scripture is Truth
"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. Sugar is Sweet; Scripture is Truth The belief that the church has authority over the…
Blogging the Institutes–1.7.1–Scripture’s Authority rests on the Holy Spirit
"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. Scripture's Authority Rests on the Holy Spirit Before we go any further, let’s talk about the…
Blogging the Institutes–1.6.4–Scripture is the School
"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. Scripture is the School In Psalm 19, the author declares that creation shows the glory of…
Blogging the Institutes–1.6.3–Error Cannot Be Erased Until the Truth is Planted
"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. Error Cannot Be Erased Until the Truth is Planted God had to enshrine the truth in…
It only takes one chapter to crash and burn: Reflections on 1 Kings 1-11
The establishment of God’s kingdom in Israel takes ten long chapters to describe (1 Kings 1-10). But it only takes one chapter for the kingdom to begin to fall apart; the crash and burn is inevitable (1 Kings 11). 1 Kings opens up following the exploits of David from 2 Samuel: David is clearly king,…
Blogging the Institutes–1.6.2–We Must Embrace Scripture to Know 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. We Must Embrace Scripture to Know God God has revealed the truth to His people with…
Blogging the Institutes–1.6.1–The Bible is Our Glasses
"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 Bible is Our Glasses The glory of God revealed in creation leaves all people without…
Raising Lazarus 