Despite the impairment of humanity's reasoning ability, people's efforts are not always completely futile. Especially when they direct their minds to non-spiritual things, they usually get some results. Even when people investigate spiritual matters, they will make at least a little progress. Yet, people's abilities are more limited in spiritual matters. People are never made…
Blogging the Institutes | 2.2.12 | The Corruption of Mind and Will
I think Augustine's well-known saying is correct: humanity's natural gifts were corrupted by sin and humanity's supernatural gifts were withdrawn. The supernatural gifts would have included faith and righteousness, which would have been sufficient for people to attain eternal life and happiness. When humanity rebelled against God, they were deprived of the spiritual gifts which…
Better than Boring: How to Deliver Engaging Christ-Centered Sermons. Pt. 3: Preaching the Text
Engaging preaching is the kind of preaching that stays true to the Scriptural text, connects the passage to the person and work of Jesus and speaks to the heart of the audience with sincerity and authenticity. The "base" of every sermon, then, must be attention to the passage itself, gleaning from the passage its meaning.…
Better than Boring: How to Deliver Engaging Christ-Centered Sermons. Pt. 2: Preaching the Text
Some preachers treat the Bible like a trampoline: they "bounce" from the verse they read to the topic they really wanted to talk about. Handling the text of Scripture like an afterthought elevates the words of a mere human (the preacher) and denigrates the most important words, the words of the living God. Therefore, it…
Better than Boring: How to Deliver Engaging Christ-Centered Sermons. Part 1: What is Boring Preaching?
I have a confession to make: I used to fall asleep during sermons. I know, I know, that's terrible. Especially since now I give sermons. But I was in middle school. Does that make it better? Ok, so, maybe being a middle school boy doesn't justify falling asleep during a message from God's word. But…
Blogging the Institutes | 2.2.11 | The First, Second, and Third Principle of Our Faith
I have always loved the words of Chrysostom, "The foundation of our philosophy is humility." I have also loved Augustine's words even more, "When an orator is asked, 'What is the first principle of being eloquent?' He will say, 'Delivery.' 'What is the second principle?' Answered, 'Delivery.' 'What is the third principle?' Answered: 'Delivery.' But…
Blogging the Institutes | 2.2.10| The Deeper the Need, The Greater the Grace
The people who know the depth of their sin, inability to please God, and spiritual misery know themselves the best. People don't harm themselves in thinking of themselves completely devoid of any spiritual good, as long as they realize that everything they need is recovered through God. Unfortunately, most people cannot think about themselves for…
Blogging my Institutes | 2.2.9 | What the Church Fathers Really Said About Free Will
Now, you might be thinking that I have prejudiced my case by claiming that all the Church Father, except Augustine, have taught ambiguously or inconsistently on the subject of free will. Some people will think my interpretation of their writings aims to deprive them of their ability to make a choice because they hold views…
Blogging the Institutes | 2.2.8 | Free, But Not Freed: Augustine’s Problem with ‘Free Will’
The Church Fathers constantly use the term "free will," but thankfully, they often what they mean by it. In particular, Augustine calls the will a slave. In another passage, he is offended by those who deny free will. But he explains the reason for his offense, "Some who deny freedom of will use it as…
Blogging the Institutes | 2.2.7 | Free Will is Prone to Misunderstanding
We can define free will this way: free will is not the ability to freely choose good or evil, but rather the fact that people can choose voluntarily and not under compulsion. Such a definition seems almost self-evident. Why should such a small matter be given such a profound title? This is an admirable freedom…
Raising Lazarus 