Don’t miss out on the glories of salvation--what God has done for you in Christ! In fact, the book of Hebrews warns us about neglecting “so great a salvation” (2:3). Neglect brings condemnation and disaster upon us (2:2). Moreover, the author of Hebrews repeatedly points out the dangers of "neglect" or "drift": "We must pay closer attention…
Blogging the Institutes–1.11.8–The Origin of Idols
"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 Origin of Idols Where do idols come from? The teaching by the Book of Wisdom…
Blogging the Institutes–1.11.9–Idolatry is Idolatry is Idolatry
"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. Idolatry is Idolatry is Idolatry After an idol is made, worship will ensue. Once people imagine…
Blogging the Institutes–1.11.7–One Gospel More Powerful than a Thousand Crosses
"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. One Gospel More Powerful than a Thousand Crosses If Catholics have any sense, they should stop…
Blogging the Institutes–1.11.6–Theologians Against Images
"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. Theologians Against Images Moreover, you should read Lactantius and Eusebius on this subject of images. These…
Blogging the Institutes–1.11.5–Images Don’t Substitute for Scripture
"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. Images Don't Substitute for Scripture Gregory the Great has said that, "Images are the books of…
Blogging the Institutes–1.11.4–Idols are Self-Defeating
"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. Idols are Self-Defeating The Psalms show that idols are nothing: "Their idols are silver and gold;…
Blogging the Institutes–1.11.3–Angels Ain’t Images
"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. Angels Ain't Images It's true that the Lord sometimes would reveal Himself in certain signs so…
Blogging the Institutes–1.11.2–Images Condemned in Moses and Isaiah
"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. Images Condemned in Moses and Isaiah Moses not only condemns the making of images but also…
In Defense of Youth Ministry
I never wanted to do youth ministry. I never had any experience doing youth ministry. Yet, I now find myself three years in with leading my church's youth ministry. While I was in seminary, much discussion centered on the need to "rethink" youth ministry. I got the sense that there was a lot of angst surrounding youth ministry.…
Raising Lazarus 