Apologetics Denny Burk – Standing Against a Destructive Misogyny Threatening our Children "The...
Apologetics
Weekly Dose of Apologetics – 25 Jun – 1 Jul 2017
Apologetics Bruce Ashford – A Dozen (or So) Things We Will Never Regret Doing with Our Kids...
Do Not Stretch the Truth
“You shall not steal; you shall not deal falsely; you shall not lie to one another.” (Lev. 19:11)...
Weekly Dose of Apologetics – 11-17 Jun 2017
Apologetics Justin Buzzard – Create a Plan to Date Your Wife "Husbands who learn to be intentional with their marriage, just as they are in other domains of life, can be used of God to bring fresh flourishing to their one-flesh union." Paul Tripp – Why Are Stories In...
Weekly Dose of Apologetics – 4-10 Jun 2017
Apologetics Tom Ascol – Give Them Law and Gospel "What God requires in His law, He provides in His gospel. That is the message of the Bible and it is what everyone needs to hear and believe. The earlier children are taught this the better off they will be. God’s truth...
Let There Be Light
“And God said, ‘Let there be light,’ and there was light” (Genesis 1:3). Here, at the beginning, is the creation of light. Yet people sometimes stumble at this revelation. How can there be light three days before the sun is created? (Genesis 1:14-19). This, however,...
Weekly Dose of Apologetics – 28 May – 3 Jun 2017
Apologetics Dan Fisher- An Impersonal Creator: Understanding Deism "Like all other religious/philosophical persuasions, there is a core conviction that drives deists to believe what they believe. In the final analysis, their rejection of divine revelation appears to...
Weekly Dose of Apologetics – 21-27 May 2017
Apologetics John Tweeddale – A Theology of the Home "The home front is the forlorn battlefield of the cultural wars. In our strivings to defend the gospel against doctrinal decline in the church and increasing secularism in the culture, we must not forget the...
Weekly Dose of Apologetics – 14-20 May 2017
Apologetics Colin Noble – Better Than Busy: Recovering Rest in a Burnout Culture "We take a day of rest not by obligation, but out of a greater desire to pause, to remember, to look forward, and to worship. Declaring that we freely choose to celebrate freedom is a...
Weekly Dose of Apologetics – 7-13 May 2017
Apologetics David Mathis – Bible Reading is an Art Alistair Begg – Five Truths About the Holy Spirit "The Spirit is the parakletos, the one who comes alongside. Jesus said He would “be with you forever … he dwells with you and will be in you” (John 14:16-17). In other...
Weekly Dose of Apologetics – 30 April – 6 May 2017
Apologetics Erik Raymond – Am I Sinning When I’m Not Content? Jon Bloom – Judge Not? What the Bible Really Says About Love "It’s not wrong to lovingly help our brother remove a harmful speck from his eye. It’s wrong to self-righteously point out a speck in our...
Weekly Dose of Apologetics – 23-29 April 2017
Current Issues Joe Carter - 5 Facts About Sexual Assault "In the United States, April is Sexual Assault Awareness Month, an observance to raise public awareness about sexual violence and to educate communities on how to prevent it." Apologetics Joel Beeke – Should We...
Weekly Dose of Apologetics – 16-22 April 2017
Current Issues Joe Carter - Supreme Court Hears Oral Arguments in Major Religious Liberty Case "The outcome of the case will determine whether the government can discriminate against religious organizations and exclude them from receiving a generally available public...
Weekly Dose of Apologetics – 9-15 April 2017
Current Issues Joe Carter - Basic Bioethics: Why Christians Should Care about Bioethics "Some of the most contentious and disputed issues of our day are matters of bioethics, an interdisciplinary field that addresses what we should and should not pursue in matters of...
Weekly Dose of Apologetics – 2-8 April 2017
Current Issues Joe Carter - Explainer: What You Should Know About Supreme Court Nominee Neil Gorsuch Helpful information on the latest addition to the U.S. Supreme Court. Bible Study/Preaching/Family Issues/Apologetics Fred Sanders - 10 Things You Should Know about...
The Puritanical Genius of Mike Pence
A recent Washington Post article revealed some fascinating tidbits about Vice President Mike Pence and his wife, Karen. At the top of the list, was Pence’s proclamation in 2002 that, “he never eats alone with a woman other than his wife.”1 The article revealed what...
Truth Unhinged in Edinburgh Square
My wife and I recently spent five days in Edinburgh, Scotland. While there is much to commend in this very beautiful city, it did not take long to realize that God is no longer welcome for many of the inhabitants there. On the last evening in Edinburgh, I watched a...
Weekly Dose of Apologetics – 26 March – 1 April 2017
Current Issues Joe Carter - Why it’s so Difficult to Defund Planned Parenthood "Until there are more pro-life members in the Senate, Planned Parenthood will continue to collect more than $60,000 an hour, every hour of every day of every year, from the American...
Weekly Dose of Apologetics – 19-25 March 2017
Current Issues Albert Mohler - The Gathering Storm: Religious Liberty in the Wake of the Sexual Revolution "Human rights and human dignity are temporary abstractions if they are severed from their reality as gifts of the Creator. The eclipse of Christian truth will...
Take Care How Far You Go Down the Rabbit Hole
I love to research. In fact, what I am often drawn towards when it comes to matters of theology are what some would label as more fringe topics such as the Nephilim for example. The command given to us in Scripture to “Test all things; hold fast what is good” (1...
Weekly Dose of Apologetics – 12-18 March 2017
Bible Study/Preaching/Family Issues/Apologetics Owen Strachan – Scandalized by the Substitute: A Response to Young and Gungor "The atoning work of Christ is not an optional add-on to our doctrine of God. The cross displays the very heart of the divine. It shows us the...
Weekly Dose of Apologetics – 5-11 March 2017
Current Events Albert Mohler - The Shack: The Missing Art of Evangelical Discernment "The popularity of this book among evangelicals can only be explained by a lack of basic theological knowledge among us — a failure even to understand the Gospel of Christ. The...
Weekly Dose of Apologetics – 26 February – 4 March 2017
Current Events Ken Ham and Avery Foley - Is It Time to Kiss Disney Goodbye? "Disney is putting homosexuality into children’s shows and movies, like Beauty and the Beast, to indoctrinate children into celebrating and seeing homosexuality as normal. But, in fact, it is...
Weekly Dose of Apologetics – 12-18 February 2017
Current Events Joe Carter - Washington Supreme Court Rules Against Christian Florist in Same-Sex Marriage Case "The Washington State Supreme Court ruled against a Christian florist who refused to serve a same-sex wedding because of "her relationship with Jesus...
Weekly Dose of Apologetics – 5-11 February 2017
Current Events Aaron Judkins - Hebrew University Archaeologists Find 12th Dead Sea Scrolls Cave "Hebrew University archaeologist Dr. Oren Gutfeld: “This is one of the most exciting archaeological discoveries, and the most important in the last 60 years, in the caves...
Weekly Dose of Apologetics – 29 January – 4 February 2017
Current Events Joe Carter - Explainer: What you should know about Judge Neil Gorsuch "President Donald Trump has announced his nominee to replace the late Justice Antonin Scalia. Here is what you should know about the latest nominee for associate justice of the...
Weekly Dose of Apologetics – 22-28 January 2017
Current Events Joe Carter - Planned Parenthood’s Most Misleading Statistic "Almost a decade ago, Planned Parenthood began telling a monstrous lie, one so light and airy that it continues to fly around the globe: that abortions represent only three percent of the...
If My People Who Bear My Name: Exposition of 2 Chronicles 7:14
“then, if my people, who bear my name, will humble themselves, pray, seek my face and turn from their evil ways, I will hear from heaven, forgive their sin and heal their land.” (2 Chronicles 7:14) A new leader has assumed the office of the Presidency of the United...
Weekly Dose of Apologetics – 15-21 January 2017
Current Events President Trump Takes Office Regardless of one's opinion on President Trump, we did experience on 20 Jan a peaceful transition of political power. Russell Moore - You Should Pray for Donald Trump No Matter How You Voted "With the inauguration of a new...
Weekly Dose of Apologetics – 8-14 January 2017
Current Events Joe Carter - American Pastor Imprisoned in Turkey on Terrorism-related Charges “The government of Turkey—led by an Islamic party—has begun increased crackdowns on Christians,” said Jordan Sekulow, executive director of the ACLJ, “and Pastor Andrew, if...
Is the Reformation Over?
In the past year, this is a familiar question I’ve heard repeatedly asked by many different theologians, pastors, seminary students, and even a handful of laymen and women. Is the Reformation over? Well, some would answer this emphatically “Yes!” while others would be...
Weekly Dose of Apologetics – 1-7 January 2017
Current Events Nepal: Persecuted Christians See Bodies of Dead Loved Ones Dug Up, Dumped on Streets "A Christian group in Nepal lobbying the government to establish rights for believers says Christians face major hardships in the Hindu-majority nation, such as not...
Weekly Dose of Apologetics – 25-31 December 2016
Current Events Samuel Smith - 90,000 Christians Killed in 2016, 1 Every 6 Minutes: Study "Despite the unprecedented numbers, the international human rights watchdog Release International stated in a report released Thursday that it expects Christian persecution to...
Weekly Dose of Apologetics – 18-24 December 2016
Current Events ISIS Targets Thousands of US Churches, Wants to Turn 'Christian New Year' Into 'Bloody Horror Movie' "The Islamic State terror group has published the names and addresses of thousands of churches in the United States on its social media outlets, calling...
Weekly Dose of Apologetics – 11-17 December 2016
Current Events Joe Carter - What You Should Know About the Aleppo Crisis Joe Carter outlines important facts about the ongoing crisis in Aleppo, Syria. Stoyam Zaimov - 12 Recent Cases Where Christians Were Punished for Their Beliefs on Marriage: FRC "The Family...
Weekly Dose of Apologetics – 4-10 December 2016
Current Events 5 Facts About International Human Rights It is Human Rights Day and Joe Carter shares some facts about international human rights. Ken Ham Decries Secular 'Witch Hunt' Against 'Fixer Upper' Christian Couple Chip and Joanna Gaines I agree with Ken Ham on...
Weekly Dose of Apologetics – 27 November – 3 December 2016
Current Events Castro’s Death Won’t End Repression of Cuban Church "The death of Cuba’s revolutionary leader Fidel Castro will not reduce the harassment and surveillance to which the Church is already subjected, an analyst at the charity Open Doors has warned." Travis...
Weekly Dose of Apologetics – 20-26 November 2016
Current Events Former Cuban leader Fidel Castro dies at age 90 "Longtime Cuban leader Fidel Castro, the bearded, cigar-smoking Communist revolutionary who infuriated the United States, inspired both loyalty and loathing from his countrymen and maintained an iron grip...
Weekly Dose of Apologetics – 13-19 November 2016
Current Events Pakistan Bans All 11 Christian TV Stations, Arrests Cable Operators in Crackdown "Pakistan's television regulatory body has banned all 11 Christian TV channels airing in the country and arrested at least six cable operators for defying the order,...
Weekly Dose of Apologetics – 6-12 November 2016
Current Events North Korean Defectors Say Over 75 Percent of Christians Do Not Survive Persecution "Human rights groups are reporting on new grim statistics from North Korea and its treatment of religious minorities, including Christians, revealing that more than 75...
Weekly Dose of Apologetics – 30 October – 5 November 2016
Current Events BBC Slammed for Pro-Child Transgender TV Show Aimed at 6 Year Old Kids "The more we promote the idea that a boy can be born into a girl's body and a girl can be born into a boy's body, and that drugs and surgery can put things right, the more children...
World Religions and Cults: Moralistic, Mythical and Mysticism Religions
It is readily accepted that Walter Martin’s classic Kingdom of the Cults is the standard work on the plethora of cult religions across the globe. While I certainly recommend Martin’s contribution to this topic, the recent multi-volume release from Master Books on...
Weekly Dose of Apologetics – 23-29 October 2016
Current Events LifeWay No Longer Selling Jen Hatmaker Books After She Affirmed Gay Marriage "LifeWay Christian Resources has announced that it is no longer selling books and materials written by Christian author and reality TV star Jen Hatmaker after she opened up...
Weekly Dose of Apologetics – 16-22 October 2016
Current Events Top 5 International Stories of the Week ERLC outlines some important international headlines from this past week. Scientists locate site where ancient Roman armies breached Jerusalem walls "Recent excavations revealed a section of the so-called "Third...
Weekly Dose of Apologetics – 9-15 October 2016
Current Events Top 5 International Stories of the Week ERLC outlines some important international headlines from this past week. US and Russia 'Will go to War' Unless Proxy Syria Conflict Resolved, Turkey Warns The conflict/civil war in Syria is something for which we...
Weekly Dose of Apologetics – 2-8 October 2016
Current Events Top 5 International Stories of the Week ERLC outlines some important international headlines from this past week. Albert Mohler - Findings from the New Atlantis Report on Sexuality and Gender Albert Mohler unpacks an important report and its findings on...
Weekly Dose of Apologetics – 25 September – 1 October 2016
Current Events Top 5 International Stories of the Week ERLC outlines some important international headlines from this past week. Christians 'Crushed Under Steamroller' and 'Hung on a Cross Over Fire' in North Korea "A new report released last week by the British-based...
Gossip: An Insidious Cancer
"The words of a gossip are like choice morsels; they go down to the inmost parts"(Proverbs 18:8 - NIV). "You brood of vipers! How can you speak good, when you are evil? For out of the abundance of the heart the mouth speaks" (Matthew 12:34 – ESV). "Let no corrupt...
Addressing Cultural Issues in the Pulpit
How do pastors preach on contemporary cultural issues? Or should they? This is a question every pastor faces as he contemplates both the spiritual needs of his congregation, the questions swirling in society, and the weighty commission to preach the Word of God. When...
Wise Financial Living: Removing the Heavy Burden of Debt
A focus in my home for 2016 is that of getting out of debt. Now we are not drowning in the throes of piles of unpayable debts; however, things such as car payments, credit card payments, and other bills of that nature are becoming continuous “ankle-biters” we have...
Weekly Dose of Apologetics – 31 July – 6 August 2016
Current Events 'Gender Unicorn' Cartoon Teaches Transgender Issues With Optional Parental Involvement in NC Public School District "A North Carolina school district's pro-LGBT character the "gender unicorn" is being used for a training session in which faculty are...
Why Apologetics is Applicable to all of Life and a Calling for all Believers
1 Peter 3:15 – “But in your hearts honor Christ the Lord as holy, always being prepared to make a defense to anyone who asks you for a reason for the hope that is in you; yet do it with gentleness and respect” Apologetics is a term that unfortunately seems to be...
Weekly Dose of Apologetics – 24-30 July 2016
Current Events More Bug Spray, Less Dining Al Fresco in Zika Zone "More than 1,650 people in the mainland U.S. have been infected with Zika in recent months, nearly all while traveling abroad. The four people in Florida are believed to be first ones to contract the...
Pride Goes Before a Fall
“Pride goes before destruction, and a haughty spirit before a fall.” (Prov. 16:18) The word “pride” has been bantered around quite a bit of late, specifically in relation to the recent SCOTUS decision on gay marriage. Social media has been awash with “support pride”...
Weekly Dose of Apologetics – 17-23 July 2016
Current Events Munich Attack: 18-Year-Old German-Iranian Dual Citizen Kills 9 at McDonald’s, Mall "At least nine people have been killed and 21 wounded after a gunman opened fire on shoppers in the German city of Munich before killing himself. Police have identified...
Weekly Dose of Apologetics – 10-16 July 2016
Current Events Joe Carter - Explainer: What you should know about the coup in Turkey "On late Friday night (10 PM EDT) Turkish government officials said the coup appeared to have failed. Speaking on national television, Erdogan said the government was arresting coup...
Weekly Dose of Apologetics – 3-9 July 2016
Current Events Russell Moore - Police Shootings, Racial Justice, and the Church Some pertinent thoughts from Dr. Moore on the recent tragic events plaguing our nation. "The path ahead will be difficult, but it will require the body of Christ—the whole body of...
Mike Riccardi – Suffering Well: Trusting God’s Absolute Sovereignty
Several years ago, Justin Taylor linked to a moving and encouraging account of a pastor coming to grips with the fact that his second child, like his first, would be born with spina bifida. Amazingly, this man has found great comfort in rejecting the common notion...
Daniel Hyde – Predestination: How Does It Reveal the Glory of God?
Christians must talk about predestination, and the Bible provides us with certain ground rules to do so. In addition, we’ve also considered how predestination relates to why some believe in Jesus Christ and some don’t. But how often have you heard from pious and...
Charles Spurgeon – The Gospel’s Power in a Christian’s Life
“Only let your conversation be as it becomes the gospel of Christ.” Philippians 1:27 The word “conversation” does not merely mean our talk, one with another, but the whole course of our life and behavior in the world. The Greek word signifies the actions and the...
John Hartnett – Where Materialism Logically Leads
First there was dark matter, then came dark energy, then dark photons and now there is talk of dark stars, dark planets and even dark intelligent life, in a whole dark galaxy within our Milky Way galaxy. In an article musing on such claims,1 where the van Gogh...
A. W. Pink – Evangelical Obedience
This article is designed chiefly for the enlightenment and comfort of those of God's people who are deeply exercised over their own obedience, and are often cast down by the defectiveness of the same. There is a real need for a Scriptural opening-up of this subject,...
Tony Reinke – Know When to Walk Away: A Twelve-Step Digital Detox
The goal of the web is to engage you, to get you to click, scroll, double tap, laugh, cry, and share, to get you to stay up late online and then wake up in the morning and do it all over again. And I would be dishonest if I said I didn’t want the articles on...
D. A. Carson – Why Pray to an All-knowing God?
Prayer changes things. You find plaques promulgating this notion everywhere. You may have one in your home. Countless sermons have been preached, countless prayers prayed, under this assumption: “Prayer changes things.” Or does it? If prayer changes things, how can we...
Nathaniel Jeanson – Which Animals Were On the Ark with Noah?: Stepping Back in Time
As we observed in our previous post in this series, for many readers of Genesis 6–9 the account of Noah’s Ark contains deep mystery. Which animals boarded the Ark with Noah? Did any of them fail to make it? Could millions of animals really have squished themselves in...
Sinclair Ferguson – Oh How I Love Your Law!
At a PGA Tour tournament in October 2015, Ben Crane disqualified himself after completing his second round. He did so at considerable financial cost. No matter — Crane believed the personal cost of not doing it would be greater (encouraged by a devotional article he...
Adam McLendon – Teaching Our Children God-Honoring Sexuality
Exposure to sexual content is inevitable in today’s society. In addition to this reality, if you have any desire to raise your child in a Christ-honoring way, then it is necessary to deal with the cultural issues that could cause stumbling and result in long-term...
Sinclair Ferguson – Satisfaction and Contentment
In 2004, Rolling Stone magazine listed “The 500 Greatest Songs of All Time.” At the top was Bob Dylan’s “Like a Rolling Stone.” Second on the list (presuming no bias in the choices made by the magazine) came the Rolling Stones’ “(I Can’t Get No) Satisfaction.” This...
John Piper – James 3:17–18: What Does It Mean to Meditate?
Do you ever stop to meditate on the Bible? Do you even know what it means to meditate? If we’re ever going to get the most out of our Bible reading, we have to learn to slow down and really think while we read. In this lab, Pastor John models one technique for...
Patrick Ramsey – Good Works and Sola Fide
In my last article I discussed that the puritans believed that good works are more than the fruit of faith, justification and salvation in that they are the way to eternal life and an antecedent condition of glorification. The minority of puritans labelled as...
Ryan McGraw – Wilhelmus à Brakel on Damnation by Faith
Can faith damn us? The Dutch “Puritan” theologian Wilhelmus à Brakel (1635-1711) argued that the first sin of Adam and Eve was unbelief. To state this differently, they exchanged faith in the Word of God for faith in the word of the Serpent (The Christian’s Reasonable...
Christopher Love – How May I Know If I Am in a State of Mortification?
How may I know whether the Lord has brought me into a state of mortification or not?...It may be that some of you are very desirous to be satisfied in it, so I shall give you six revealing characteristics of it and go over them very briefly. Would you know whether God...
Aaron Menikoff – Is Meek Weak?
What’s the first word that comes to your mind when you hear the title “pastor”? My guess is it’s not “gentle.” The Iron Giant notwithstanding, our popular heroes are not known for their meekness. They tend to accomplish great feats through sheer might, skill, and...
Dan Doriani – How Do I Preach Expository Sermons from Proverbs?
The expository preacher aims to preach both single books of Scripture and the canon as a whole. He may turn to Proverbs for the summer because it’s practical, fills a unique slot in the canon, and suits months when people come and go, making self-contained messages...
Nancy Pearcey – Do Biological Facts No Longer Matter?
The pushback has been swift and strong against Target’s unsafe bathroom policy, along with the Obama administration’s demand that all public schools adopt pro-transgender policies for showers and locker rooms. But for long-term success against these impositions, the...
Joe Holland – God-Shaped Comfort
Practical atheism thrives on deficient views of God, eroding the joy that Christians should experience in their everyday lives, enveloping the disciple in a mist of uncertainty, confusion, and anxiety. The habits of Christianity (its diverse rituals and liturgies) can...
Charles Spurgeon – Recruits For King Jesus (1 Chronicles 12:16-18)
“And there came of the children of Benjamin and Judah to the hold unto David. And David went out to meet them, and answered and said unto them, If you have come peaceably unto me to help me, my heart shall be knit unto you: but if you have come to betray me to my...
Stephen Nichols – The Nicene Creed and the Importance of a Single Letter
Time Wasted? We believe...in one Lord Jesus Christ, the only begotten Son of God, begotten of his Father before all worlds, God of God, Light of Light, very God of very God, begotten not made, being of one substance with the Father. —The Nicene Creed You might have...
Martyn Lloyd-Jones – How Pentecost Stands as a Pattern for the Church’s Life
The God Who Acts In Acts 2 God starts the Christian church: “And when the day of Pentecost was fully come, they were all with one accord in one place. And suddenly there came a sound from heaven as of a rushing mighty wind, and it filled all the house where they were...
David Prince – Our Respectable Sin: Laziness
What if you have a child who is well-mannered, makes straight A’s at school, and is successfully involved in all sorts of extracurricular activities, but one day, that child comes home and begins cursing like sailor and curses at you in the process? I wonder, how...
Danny Faulkner – Is the Origin of Life a Scientific Question?
The Origin of Life: What Are the Possibilities? The origin of life has been debated for a long time. Basically, there are four possible explanations for the existence of life on earth: Life on earth arose spontaneously. Life on earth has always existed. Life on earth...
Michael Horton, Tim Keller, and Alan Hirsch – How to Teach God’s Law in an Authority-Averse Culture
Scripture is Not a Choose Your Own Adventure Book
I remember as a child reading numerous books in the Choose Your Own Adventure Series. This collection of books has a variety of options for the reader. At certain points, there is a choice to be made – choose option one and you get to go to page twenty-three. If you...
Marc Ambler – One Small Step: Link Between Compromises on Origins and Marriage
After the abolition of apartheid, under the new ‘broom’ African National Congress Government, in 2006 South Africa became one of the first countries in the world to legalize the ‘mirage’ of same sex marriage. As Creator, God has the right to, and has already defined...
John Piper – 1 Peter 3:13: Would a Sovereign God Ever Harm Us?
If you are Christ’s, no one in this world can ultimately harm you. They can only serve God’s good purposes for you and bring you greater blessing. In this lab, John Piper talks through the most difficult line in 1 Peter, explaining the role of pain in the Christian...
Sinclair Ferguson – What Is the Prayer of Faith?
Years ago, the editor of a publishing company asked me to write a book on prayer. The theme is a vitally important one. The publishing house was well known. To be honest, I felt flattered. But in a moment of heaven-sent honesty, I told him that the author of such a...
A. W. Pink – The Heroes of Faith
CHAPTER 1 The Excellency of Faith: (Heb. 11:1-3) Ere we take up the contents of the 11th chapter of Hebrews, let us very briefly review the Epistle itself. Chapters 1 and 2 are more or less introductory in their character. In them the wsondrous Person of the God-man...
Charles Spurgeon – Fear Not
"Fear not, thou worm Jacob, and ye men of Israel; I will help thee, saith the Lord and thy redeemer the Holy one of Israel." Isaiah 41:14 I SHALL SPEAK this morning to those that are discouraged, depressed in spirit, and sore troubled in the Christian life. There are...
Nathan Busenitz – Speaking the Truth in Love
We live in a world where people love to talk. Studies suggest that the average American adult speaks approximately 16,000 words per day. Multiply that by a lifespan of 70 years, for a total of nearly 409 million words, and suddenly Christ’s warning in Matthew 12:36...
Dominic Statham – Only the Bible Explains the Diversity of Life
Evolutionists often misrepresent biblical creationists, saying that we claim that one species cannot change into another—that we believe in the ‘fixity of species’. They then present undeniable evidence that species can change and argue that they have shown us to be...
Sinclair Ferguson – Jesus Is the Author
Since the letter to the Hebrews specifically urges Christians to “fix your thoughts on Jesus” (Heb. 3:1, NIV; cf. 12:2), it should not surprise us that the author describes Him in more than a dozen different ways. Jesus is “Son” (Heb. 1:2); “Lord” (Heb. 2:3); “Apostle...
Stuart Burgess – Beauty: The Undeniable Witness
When we share evidences for creation, we can get so caught up in obscure details that we miss the obvious. God made his handiwork so clear that even a child can see it (Romans 1:18–20). The beauty of His work is inescapable—and an undeniable witness to His existence....
Simon Turpin – How Do Some Among You Say There Is No Adam?
1 Corinthians 15: Adam and the Gospel Introduction: Greek Philosophy and the Rejection of Adam The Apostle Paul often found himself in a cultural context in which he had to deal with many objections to the Christian faith. In 1 Corinthians 15, for example, the...
Jeremiah Johnson – Stop Complaining (Part 2)
Most people assume they are generally agreeable and easy-going. Few people would proudly say they were hard to get along with or difficult to be around. But if you added up every argumentative, complaining, and frustrated word you spoke this week, along with all your...
J. C. Ryle – Fear of Man’s Opinion
"The fear of man" will indeed "prove to be a snare" (Proverbs 29:25). It is terrible to observe the power which it has over most minds, and especially over the minds of the young. Few seem to have any opinions of their own, or to think for themselves. Like dead fish,...
Jeremiah Johnson – Stop Complaining (Part 1)
What would you say is the defining characteristic of our society? Maybe pride, selfishness, lust, vengeance, materialism—all dominant features of twenty-first century life. But here’s one you might not have guessed—discontentment. So much of modern life is bound up in...
John Bunyan – A Discourse Touching Prayer
“I WILL PRAY WITH THE SPIRIT, AND I WILL PRAY WITH THE UNDERSTANDING ALSO” (1 Cor 14:15) Prayer is an ordinance of God, and that to be used both in public and private; yea, such an ordinance as brings those that have the spirit of supplication into great familiarity...
Calvin Smith – Fishing with Compromised Nets
While walking by the Sea of Galilee, he saw two brothers, Simon (who is called Peter) and Andrew his brother, casting a net into the sea, for they were fishermen. And he said to them, “Follow me, and I will make you fishers of men.” Immediately they left their nets...
Russell Grigg – Morning has Broken … but When?
The Creation movement has increasingly caused many to face up to the powerful, Biblical arguments for such things as: All living things were created (about 6,000 years ago) in six literal Earth-rotation days. There was no death, bloodshed or suffering before Adam’s...
Charles Spurgeon – My Lord And My God (John 20:28)
“And Thomas answered and said unto Him, ‘My Lord and my God!’” John 20:28. When the Apostles met on the first Lord’s Day after Jesus had risen, Thomas was the only disciple absent out of the eleven. On the second Lord’s Day, Thomas was there and he was the only...
Russell Grigg – Creation: How did God do it?
The first chapters of Genesis leave us in no doubt whatsoever about how God created the universe. On the six successive days of creation, God spoke and what He said happened. That is to say, the means that God used to create the universe and all things in it was His...
Ryan Reeves – Who Was Athanasius and Why Was He Important?
Athanasius is the theologian people have always loved, though in recent years it has become fashionable to grudge him. Some of this anger is theologically motivated (he felt heresy in priests was grounds for excommunication) and some is culturally motivated (we sniff...
Jen Wilkin – 10 Things You Should Know about God’s Incommunicable Attributes
1. They describe how God is not like us. His incommunicable attributes belong to him alone. They are true of him and no other. His immeasurability, incomprehensibility, self-existence, self-sufficiency, eternality, immutability, omnipresence, omniscience, omnipotence...
Tim Chaffey – Ark Tales: 10 Popular Misconceptions about the Flood
The human mind has the uncanny ability to fill in details that simply don’t appear on the page. While this skill helps us digest information quickly and fill in gaps, it has a downside. We can miss important details or see things that aren’t there. That’s why...
Justin Harris – Ministerial Malpractice
The Problem with Preaching That Fails to Prescribe In 2014, victims of medical malpractice received $3,891,743,050. Such a monetary figure cannot even begin to compensate for the untold number of victims who suffered painful and sometimes fatal consequences by...
John Piper – Colossians 2:13–14: The Heart of the Christian Faith
How would you describe the core of the Christian faith? Do you have a place you would turn in the Bible? In this lab, John Piper walks us through two verses that give us the good news, showing us all that God does when he brings us to life.
Jared Wilson – No Trinity, No Love
“The Beatles said all you need is love,” Larry Norman sang. “Then they broke up.” Love is the thing we all know we need. And yet love is the thing we struggle so much to get right. We think of it largely in terms of feelings, of “being in love” or “falling in love,”...
John Piper – Should We Try to Avoid Money, Sex, and Power?
John Piper, author of Living in the Light: Money, Sex, and Power, answers this question in this short video:
Archibald Alexander – Sinners Welcome to Come to Jesus Christ
Our blessed Lord knew how prone convinced sinners are to unbelief as it regards the reception which he is disposed to give them if they come to him, and therefore he graciously uttered, and has left on record this precious encouragement, "Him that cometh unto me I...
James Buchanan – The Work of the Spirit as the Spirit of Holiness
The general work of the Spirit of God consists of two parts — the regeneration of sinners, and the edification of his people. Under the latter, several special operations of his grace are included, which are distinctly mentioned in sacred Scripture, and which may be...
Owen Strachan – The Key to a Strong Marriage
Every marriage is under attack. Marriage is given to humanity by God as, ultimately, an expression and picture of his love for his people. Satan, the anti-aesthete and anti-tutor, wants to tear this living image down. There is much to work on in marriage, but it...
Jerry Bergman – The Miracle of Tears
Evidence of our Creator is all around us—from the miracle of the atom’s intricate internal structure, to the design of the most complex piece of matter in the universe, the human brain. Scientists have found God’s greatness even in one of the most minute...
Martyn Lloyd-Jones – Faith On Trial: The Problem Stated
The great value of the Book of Psalms is that in it we have godly men stating their experience, and giving us an account of things that have happened to them in their spiritual life and warfare. Throughout history the Book of Psalms has, therefore, been a book of...
Leon Morris – The Authority of the Bible Today
All Christians agree that their ultimate authority is God. But to the question, “How is this ultimate authority mediated to men?” various answers are given. Broadly speaking, these reduce to three according as most weight is given to the authority seen within the...
John Gerstner – Adoption: Belonging to God’s Family
The first problem we have with being adopted into God's family is that we are born into another family, and we are not up for adoption. As a matter of fact, our father is very much opposed to our adoption and does everything he possibly can to keep us where we were...
Thomas Brooks – Christ’s Love for Us
Let us stand still, and admire and wonder at the love of Jesus Christ to poor sinners; that Christ should rather die for us, than for the angels. They were creatures of a more noble extract, and in all probability might have brought greater revenues of glory to God:...
Todd Beall – In the Beginning: Seven Principles for Marriage and Family Relationships from the Book of Genesis
As the book of beginnings, Genesis has much to say about a multitude of topics, many of which revolve around this year's Evangelical Theology Society conference theme of marriage and family. The purpose of this paper is to discuss seven timeless principles for...
A New Feature on Servants of Grace Apologetics
At Servants of Grace, we provide a lot of content for our readers to peruse. Knowing there can be information overload especially when it comes to all the information available on social media, we have decided to try something new. Beginning the week of July 5th on...
Derek Thomas – The Christian and Joy
“The Holy Spirit has exhorted the faithful to continue clapping their hands for joy until the advent of the promised Redeemer,” wrote John Calvin in a comment on Psalm 47:12. Paul would heartily concur! Writing from a prison cell from which he had no certain knowledge...
Jon Bloom – Die to Your Flesh and Live
In Gethsemane, after agonizing prayer, Jesus came looking for his friends whose prayerful attentiveness would have been such a comfort to him. But he found them sleeping. What he said to them was gracious but firm: “Watch and pray that you may not enter into...
Thoughts on Godly Discipline and Instruction
Proverbs 1:8-9 (CJB), My son, heed the discipline of your father, and do not abandon the teaching of your mother; they will be a garland to grace your head, a medal of honor for your neck.” This passage has long been one utilized as a springboard for a discussion...
J. C. Ryle – The Gospel of John
John Chapter 1 JOHN 1:1-5 The Prologue to the Gospel In the beginning was the Word, and the Word was with God, and the Word was fully God. The Word was with God in the beginning. All things were created by him, and apart from him not one thing was created that has...
John Piper – Psalm 67: God Blesses You to Bless the World
Why does God love and bless his undeserving children like he does? These seven verses unlock several reasons, including one that should shape the direction and purpose of your life. In this lab, John Piper highlights what God wants from the world, as well as his plan...
Douglas Wilson – Surveying the Text: James
Introduction: This short letter is famous for its instructions on “the tongue,” as well as for its emphasis on practical religion, visiting widow and orphans. There are a number of practical instruction on showing no partiality between rich and poor, as well as a...
Is It Wrong to Have an Opinion?
“I have my own opinions about things in the Bible.” This was a statement my daughter noted to me in a recent chat. At first, this took me a bit by surprise. What did she mean by having her own opinion? Doesn’t she believe what the Bible says is true? Or is she perhaps...
John Calvin – Sermon on 1 Timothy 1:18-19
Now to the king of worlds, immortal and invisible, to God only wise, be honor and glory forever. Amen. 18 Son Timothy, I commend this commandment to thee, that according to the prophesies which were before (made) of thee, thou fight by them a good battle. 19 Having...
James Montgomery Boice – On Sola Scriptura & Solus Christus
Andrew Sibley – Exploring Intelligent Design language in Genesis 2 and Acts 17: yatsar and poieō
This paper will look at two examples of design language in the Old and New Testaments that speak of God’s creative activity in terms of human craftsmanship. Given the approach of the Intelligent Design movement, which seeks to find evidence of divine intention as...
Don Whitney – The Christian Life Isn’t Meant to Be Effortless (Part 2)
When God saves people, He doesn’t make them less human, but more fully human. And He intends for us to use all that He created us with—our minds, our bodies, our will, and all that’s part of being human—to live for His glory. Who is to do the obeying? Some teachers,...
Louis Berkhof – The Operation of the Holy Spirit in General
A. TRANSITION TO THE WORK OF THE HOLY SPIRIT. As already intimated in the preceding, in passing from Christology to Soteriology, we pass from the objective to the subjective, from the work which God accomplished for us in Christ and which is in its sacrificial aspect...
Douglas Wilson – Surveying the Text: Hebrews
Introduction: There are seven Old Testament passages quoted in the first chapter of Hebrews alone, and five of those seven passages have to do with the submission of the nations to Christ. That is what the entire book is about—and we are taught this through the author...
John Piper – 2 Timothy 2:8–10, Part 3: Election Gives Evangelism Power
If God chooses some for salvation, why do we risk our lives to share the gospel? God’s sovereignty does not replace human effort in ministry; it fills it with power. In this lab, John Piper pulls at the tension and draws several conclusions about our personal ministry...
Mark Dever – Living an Others-Oriented Life
Oriented Toward Others Being a disciple of Jesus means orienting our lives toward others, just as Jesus did. It means laboring for the sake of others. This love for others is at the heart of discipling. We set our sights on serving others for Christ’s sake, just as...
Don Whitney – The Christian Life Isn’t Meant to Be Effortless (Part 1)
When we’re born again from above by the Spirit of God, the Lord makes a “new creation” of us (2 Cor. 5:17). But when He accomplishes that radical, regenerating transformation of us, He does not eliminate our minds, our bodies, our emotions, our will or anything that’s...
Timothy George – Reading the Psalms with the Reformers
In the fourth century, St. Athanasius wrote a letter to a certain Marcellinus, who was likely a deacon in the church in Alexandria. During a long illness, Marcellinus had turned to the study of the Bible and was especially drawn to the Book of Psalms, striving “to...
Lewis Guest – A Husband’s Manual for Marriage
Husbands, when was the last time you stared into the face of a task that you thought you could tackle, only to find out it was basically impossible? It might have been when you confidently opened up the box hoping to assemble that new two-in-one double bike trailer...
John Piper – 2 Timothy 2:8–10, Part 2: The Gospel Triumphs Through Suffering
When Paul says the word of God is not bound, what does he mean? Can the word work and spread apart from workers willing to suffer for it? In this lab, John Piper talks about the power of the gospel and the power of suffering to spread and confirm the gospel.
R. C. Sproul – Does God Change His Mind?
To “change one’s mind,” in the New Testament means to repent. When the Bible speaks of my repenting or your repenting, it means that we are called to change our minds or our dispositions with respect to sin—that we are to turn away from evil. Repent is loaded with...
John Piper – 2 Timothy 2:8–10, Part 1: Remember Jesus in All You Do
How often do you think about Jesus throughout the day? If we really understood what the Bible says about this Savior and King, he would come to mind much more often. In this lab, John Piper highlights a couple of truths about Jesus to help anchor our minds in him.
Graeme Goldsworthy – Why Read the Old Testament?
Why Read the Old Testament? Before commencing to build our bridge, we must ask a more basic question: why bother bridging the gap in the first place? For many Christians, the problem is not how to read the Old Testament but why it should be read at all. Why Some...
B. B. Warfield – Righteous Anger Against Evil
“Be ye angry, and sin not: let not the sun go down upon your wrath: Neither give place to the devil.” — Ephesians 4:26-27 There is a righteous anger, as well as an unrighteous. Else we would not read, “Be ye angry, and sin not.” If to be angry were already sin, we...
Thomas Goodwin – The Greatness of God’s Love to His Elect
"But God, who is rich in mercy, for his great love wherewith he loved us, even when we were dead in sins, hath quickened us together with Christ, (by grace ye are saved;) and hath raised us up together, and made us sit together in heavenly places in Christ Jesus."...
John Murray – The Fall of Man
Man was created upright and therefore with the character that constituted him for, and endowed him with the ability to perform, righteousness. Such a position is demanded by the fact that he was very good and was created in the divine image. If he was very good, he...
Jon Bloom – How to Resist Temptation’s Mirage Moment
Temptation is not sin. We know this because Eve was tempted before she fell and Jesus was tempted, “yet without sin” (Hebrews 4:15). Temptation is a disorienting, defiling experience when evil is presented to us as good. Destruction comes dressed up to look like...
Douglas Wilson – Surveying the Text: Philemon
Introduction: In the New Testament, God highlights and empowers a new principle of identification. This identification is called koinonia or fellowship, and by it God intends to transform the world. And we are given a small glimpse in microcosm of how this is to work...
Dr. David Menton – Responds to “Proof of Evolution That You Can Find on Your Body”
Anatomist, biologist, and creation scientist Dr. David Menton responds to popular YouTube video "Proof of Evolution That You Can Find on Your Body" (posted by VOX) from a biblical and scientific worldview. Are certain features like goosebumps, of the human body really...
Nathan Busenitz – Sola Scriptura and the Church Fathers
In his denial of the deity of Christ, Arius was arguably the most notorious heretic of the early church. Though Arius’s heretical views were soundly condemned by the Council of Nicaea (in A.D. 325), the controversy he sparked raged for another fifty years throughout...
Christ or Chaos
Fundamentally, all worldviews are based on a set of assumptions. When it comes to atheism and its backbone theory of evolution as compared to Christianity and its backbone of a belief in the truth of Scripture, those aforementioned assumptions are vital in assessing...
Joel Beeke – Jesus’ Threefold Office as Prophet, Priest, and King
Reformed theology affirms that Scripture and its teaching on grace and faith emphasize that salvation is solus Christus, “by Christ alone”—that is, Christ is the only Savior (Acts 4:12). B.B. Warfield wrote, “The saving power of faith resides thus not in itself, but...
John Piper – 1 Thessalonians 1:2–7, Part 3: Invincible Joy Confirms Our Election
That someone experiences joy when they hear the gospel does not necessarily confirm that they are elect. But a certain kind of joy does. In this lab, John Piper talks about what happens when true believers experience suffering because of their faith.
Ryan Reeves – What is Antinomianism and Who Teaches It?
Steve Furtick used a bad sermon analogy, saying ‘God broke the Law for love’. Blogs have come out about it. At this point it is unclear to me if this is a case of sloppy sermonizing or bad theologizing (the two are not always the same). Let’s assume it’s the latter....
Erik Raymond – Fighting Lust With Lust
Like any pastor I find myself talking with men about pornography and other expressions of sinful lust. Through the years I have found that there is a biblical framework that is often neglected when counseling through this issue. I have laid it out in some detail here,...
Justin Taylor – An Interview with Donald Whitney
In this video, Justin Taylor sits down with Donald Whitney to discuss his new book, Family Worship.
Thomas Boston – The Divine Authority of the Scriptures
2 Timothy 3:16 - All scripture is given by inspiration of God, and is profitable for doctrine, for reproof for correction, for instruction in righteousness. THE next head which falls to be touched is the holy scripture, the rule which God has given to direct us how we...
A. W. Pink – Sins of the Saints
In every believer there remains the liability to sin. The new birth is not, as so many suppose, a change of heart, nor the removal of the carnal nature, but is the reception of an entirely new nature. The new birth is neither the elimination nor the transformation of...
40 Questions About The Historical Jesus
The Quest for the Historical Jesus. Seems like a legitimate pursuit and in many respects, it is one. With that said, its legitimacy depends on how the foundations of the quest one embarks upon are established. For some scholars, this quest has been a journey of the...
R. C. Sproul – Wisely Handling the Book of Proverbs
Every culture seems to have its own unique, collected wisdom, pithy insights of the wise. Oftentimes, these tidbits of wisdom are preserved in the form of the proverb. We have proverbial sayings in American culture. I am thinking of sayings such as “A stitch in time...
Keith Welton – Six Ways God’s at Work in You: At Work
You showed up to work today, but it feels like God didn’t. He feels remote and absent from what you do all day long. There are temptations all around, opportunities for cutting corners. No one else cares one wit about serving God. Conversations are all banal. And yet...
John MacArthur – What Is True Love?
“All you need is love.” So sang the Beatles. If they’d been singing about God’s love, the statement would have a grain of truth in it. But what usually goes by the name love in popular culture is not authentic love at all; it’s a deadly fraud. Far from being “all you...
Matthew Holst – 12 Things to Know About the Anti-Christ
One of the Apostle Paul’s great preoccupations in both of his letters to the church at Thessalonica is the second coming of Christ. He was not only concerned with getting the doctrine “right” but also with the great pastoral implications of such teaching. In 1...
Anthony Hoekema – The Struggle Between Old and New Natures in the Converted Man
Most of us would indignantly resent the suggestion that we bear any resemblance to the notorious Dr. Jekyll-Mr. Hyde of Stevenson's famous novel - the man who, though a respected and competent physician by day, committed fiendish crimes by night. However much we may...
George Ladd – Faith and History
The question of the nature of history has been raised in a recent article inBulletin which demands further discussion.! In this article the present writer was quoted because he refuses "to accept the resurrection as objective Historie." "The New Testament does not...
Lita Cosner – The Creator’s Relationship with Israel and the Church
As we saw in Parts 1 and 2, Israel’s understanding of Yahweh as the Creator of the universe was foundational for their understanding of who He is and fundamental to how they worshipped Him, and this is the case even when explicit creation references are not present....
Joel Beeke – 5 Methods for Fighting Half-Hearted Prayer
The Puritans were prone to give five methods for fighting our natural tendency to lapse into half-hearted prayer: 1. Give priority to prayer. Prayer is the first and most important thing you are called to do. “You can do more than pray after you have prayed, but you...
John Piper – A Peculiar Glory
Introduction Is the Bible true? I am not asking if there is truth in it, say, the way there is truth in Moby Dick, or Plato’s Republic, or The Lord of the Rings. Aspects of truth can be found virtually everywhere. What I am asking is this: Is the Bible completely...
Marc Ambler – Is, Ought or Enemy?: Making Sense of Death and Suffering
I began writing this article in the Olifants rest camp in Kruger National Park; a nature reserve 20,000 sq km (7,000 sq miles) in size, almost as large as Wales in the UK. It is traversed by hundreds of kilometers of roads where, though tens of thousands of people...
A. W. Pink – The Blessed Man (Psalm 1)
"Blessed is the man who does not walk in the counsel of the wicked or stand in the way of sinners or sit in the seat of mockers" (Psalm 1:1) We have been much impressed by the fact that the wondrous and precious Psalter opens with the word "Blessed," and yet a little...
Thomas Manton – Zealous for Good Works
“Who gave himself for us, that he might redeem us from all iniquity, and purify unto himself a peculiar people, zealous of good works”—Titus 2:14. We should be forward and cheerful in well doing. Zeal is “a higher degree of love”: the more love, the more forward in...
R. C. Sproul – What Do Expiation and Propitiation Mean?
When we talk about the vicarious aspect of the atonement, two rather technical words come up again and again: expiation and propitiation. These words spark all kinds of arguments about which one should be used to translate a particular Greek word, and some versions of...
John Colquhoun – The Establishment of the Law by the Gospel
Although in the preceding chapter I have anticipated some of the thoughts which will be expressed here, yet the subject of this chapter is of such inexpressible importance that I cannot forbear considering it by itself. After the Apostle Paul had, in the third chapter...
Alfred Edersheim – The Temple: Its Ministry and Service
'And when He was come near, He beheld the city, and wept over it.'— Luke 19:41 The Charm of Jerusalem In every age, the memory of Jerusalem has stirred the deepest feelings. Jews, Christians, and Mohammedans turn to it with reverent affection. It almost seems as if in...
Thomas Watson – The Eternity of God
The next attribute is, 'God is eternal.' 'From everlasting to everlasting thou art God' (Ps. 90:2). The schoolmen distinguish between aevun et aeternum, to explain the notion of eternity. There is a threefold being. 1. Such as had a beginning; and shall have an end;...
Lita Cosner – Praising the Creator in the Psalms
When considering how creation is used in the Psalms, it is not enough to only cite the places that are obviously retelling the creation account, because the psalmists use the fact of God as Creator to spur Israel on to worship and trust God in all sorts of other ways....
John Piper – 1 Peter 3:7, Part 3: Your Wife Is an Heir of the Universe
If your wife loves Jesus, you are living with a queen of the universe, an heir of infinite glory. You should be amazed that you get to live with her. In this lab, John Piper explores the beauty and glory of a believing wife, and discusses the implications for husbands.
J. C. Ryle – The Gospel of Mark
Mark Chapter 1 Mark 1:1-8 The Gospel of Mark, which we now begin, is in some respects unlike the other three Gospels. It tells us nothing about the birth and early life of our Lord Jesus Christ. It contains comparatively few of His sayings and discourses. Of all the...
J. C. Ryle – The Gospel of Luke
Luke Chapter 1 Luke 1:1-4 LUKE'S INTRODUCTION The Gospel of Luke, which we now begin, contains many precious things which are not recorded in the other three Gospels. Such, for instance, are the histories of Zachariah and Elizabeth, the angel's announcement to the...
J. C. Ryle – The Gospel of Matthew
MATTHEW 1:1-17 The book of the genealogy of Jesus Christ, the son of David, the son of Abraham. Abraham became the father of Isaac. Isaac became the father of Jacob. Jacob became the father of Judah and his brothers. Judah became the father of Perez and Zerah by...
Voddie Baucham – 3 Reasons You Need Expository Apologetics
Expository apologetics — the practice of answering objections with the power of God’s Word—is for everyone. First, it’s for unbeliever. This is the person both ignorant of and antagonistic toward the gospel. This audience requires an evangelist. Second, it’s for the...
Thomas Goodwin – The Wisdom of Patience
An Exposition of James 1:5 If any of you lack wisdom, let him ask of God, that giveth to all men liberally, and upbraideth not; and it shall be given him. The discouragement I know is: Oh, how remote are and have our hearts been from this perfect work of patience!...
Danny Hyde – Meet a Puritan: Thomas Watson
Life Thomas Watson (1620–1686) was probably born in Yorkshire. He studied at Emmanuel College, Cambridge, earning a B.A. in 1639 and a M.A. in 1642. Then he lived for a time with the Puritan family of Lady Mary Vere, the widow of Sir Horace Vere, Baron of Tilbury. In...
John Piper – 1 Peter 3:7, Part 1: Love Your Wife for the Lord’s Sake
Husbands are called to love their wives differently than wives love their husbands, but not completely differently. For instance, the Bible calls husbands to submit in marriage, too. In this lab, John Piper lays the groundwork for several labs addressed to men about...
Richard Baxter – The Reformed Pastor
CHAPTER 1 THE OVERSIGHT OF OURSELVES SECTION 1 — THE NATURE OF THIS OVERSIGHT Let us consider, what it is to take heed to ourselves. 1. See that the work of saving grace be thoroughly wrought in your own souls. Take heed to yourselves, lest you be void of that saving...
Thoughts from The Theocratic Kingdom: Proposition 106
In Proposition 106, George Peters states: "Our doctrine of the Kingdom sustained by the temptation of Christ." When Jesus was led to the wilderness to be tempted, the enemy purposefully chose his tactics thinking they would trip and trick Jesus into sinful behavior....
Josh Squires – A Recipe for Repentance
There are fewer deceptions that are more confounding than that of false repentance. When someone pretends to confess and turn away from sin, but in the depths of his heart means only to appease anger and escape consequences, it leaves in its wake an especially...
Dustin Messer – The Whole Bible in One Verse
hen asked which verse best summarizes the whole of Scripture, Edmund Clowney famously pointed to Jonah 2:9, “Salvation belongs to the LORD.” I’ve heard Bryan Chapell answer a similar question with the same verse. In terms of one verse standing on its own, I doubt a...
Thoughts from The Theocratic Kingdom: Proposition 105
In Proposition 105, George Peters states: "The Lord's Prayer, is indicative of the fact that the Church is not the covenanted Messianic Kingdom." How many times have we prayed this prayer and overlooked the meaning of "Thy Kingdom come". What is this Kingdom we are...
Trust but Verify: Prove All Things, Hold Fast to What is Good
"Prove all things; hold fast that which is good." (1 Thess. 5:21) We live in an age that has a lot of ideas about a great many things even when it comes to matters of theology. Peruse many of the latest titles in your Christian bookstore and you will find series of...
David Mathis – Will You Be a Lifelong Learner?
The Stakes Are High Wisdom does not come automatically with age (Job 32:8–9). You’ll find plenty of foolish old fogies out there. For many aged saints, gray hair and a good head go hand in hand. But for others, far too many others, length of life only entrenches...
Thoughts from The Theocratic Kingdom: Proposition 104
In Proposition 104, George Peters states: "The Christian Church is not denoted by the predicted Kingdom of the Prophets." Peters dives a bit further into Scripture by noting the church is not denoted in the prophetic writings as the predicted, covenanted, promised...
Thoughts from The Theocratic Kingdom: Proposition 103
In Proposition 103, George Peters states: "This Kingdom is not a Kingdom in the third heaven." As has been repeatedly demonstrated, the promised Kingdom is a visible earthly kingdom. While there is no doubt our Lord rules from heaven, the covenanted Kingdom is an...
Dr. William VanDoodewaard – The Quest for the Historical Adam
The traditional literal interpretation of the opening chapters of the book of Genesis is under assault from within and outside the church. In this session, Dr. William VanDoodewaard explains why the “quest for the historical Adam” is essential for understanding human...
Lita Cosner – David the Young Earth Creationist
Biblical creationists interpret Genesis as a historical record of creation because that is what the Bible does, over and over. We have shown both the Old Testament and New Testament teachings rely on Genesis as a historical record of creation in six normal-length days...
John Piper – John 11:1–6, Part 3: God’s Love Allows Pain and Loss
If Jesus loved Lazarus enough to let him die, what can we learn from this story about true love? John Piper looks at Jesus’s love and unfolds three important principles for how we should love one another.
Thoughts from The Theocratic Kingdom: Proposition 102
In Proposition 102, George Peters states: "Neither the visible nor the invisible church is the covenanted Kingdom." This proposition is really a summation of the preceding few arguments made by Peters. Here, he concludes his thoughts on the visible and invisible...
R. C. Sproul – Don’t Pray like a Pagan
Jesus was saying in Matthew 6:7 that we must not regard prayer as some kind of magical incantation, for that is how pagans pray. They recite certain phrases over and over again, with no understanding of what the words mean. In these contexts, prayers are used as...
Danny Hyde – Meet a Puritan: Lewis Bayly
Life Lewis Bayly (1575-1631) was born around 1575 at Carmarthen, Wales, where Thomas Bayly, who probably was his father, was serving as curate at that time. Bayly secured the living of Shipston-on-Stour, in Worcestershire, in 1597, and three years later was presented...
Thoughts from The Theocratic Kingdom: Proposition 101
In Proposition 101, George Peters states: "The invisible Church is not the covenanted Kingdom of Christ." If the visible Church is not the covenanted Kingdom of Christ, then the question must also be asked if the invisible Church can be construed to be the covenanted...
John Piper – John 11:1–6, Part 2: Why Did Jesus Let Lazarus Die?
Jesus loved Lazarus, and Jesus let Lazarus die. Is that possible? In this lab, John Piper applies some basic principles for reading the Bible to the story about Lazarus’s death. In the end, we see that love does not always look like what we expect.
Dominic Statham – Mistakes About Mistakes
If two students hand in an assignment containing exactly the same mistakes, their teacher will rightly suspect that one (or both) has been copying the other’s work. This is because the chance of them independently making the same mistakes is very small. Similarly,...
Thoughts from The Theocratic Kingdom: Proposition 100
In Proposition 100, George Peters states: "The visible church is not the predicted Kingdom of Jesus Christ." If the early church and the pages of Scripture do not teach that the church is the predicted Kingdom of Christ and if that was a later insertion into church...
David Mathis – My Breakthrough in Scripture Memory
When It Just Won't Stick Perhaps you’ve heard the pitch for Scripture memory a thousand times. You’re persuaded the benefits would be incalculable, and that there may be no better use of your time than to hide God’s Word in your heart and store it away for future use....
Douglas Wilson – Surveying the Text: 1 Thessalonians
Introduction Thessalonica was a principal city in Macedonia, the region that was the home of Philip and the great Alexander. This letter was written around 50 A.D. which would make it, with the exception of Galatians, the earliest record of Paul’s writing. While the...
Thoughts from The Theocratic Kingdom: Proposition 99
In Proposition 99, George Peters states: "The opinion that the church is the predicted Kingdom of Christ was of later origin than the first and second centuries." If it was not being taught in the NT or in the early church that the Kingdom of God was equated to being...
Thoughts from The Theocratic Kingdom: Proposition 98
In Proposition 98, George Peters states: "That the church is not the Kingdom promised to David's Son was the belief of the early church." If it often declared and rightly so that in order to best understand the writings of something, one must understand what was...
Erik Raymond – 3 Ways the Gospel Changes Marriage
When a new leader is appointed in an organization change is inevitable. The incoming boss will set policy, establish tone, and reflect an attitude in their organization. The same is true for our marriages. The new leader I am referring to here is not a new husband but...
Thomas Boston – The Humble and the Proud
Better it is to be of an humble spirit with the lowly, than to divide the spoil with the proud " Prov. 16:19. Could men once be brought to believe that it is better to have their minds bend to the crook in their lot, than to force the crook to their mind, they would...
Lessons From the Garden: Existence, Relationships, and Processes – The Tragedy of Sin
Something happened in Genesis 3 that shifted the course of history and impacted the entire universe. It seemed like such an innocent or unimportant action as after all, what is the big deal with eating something? We all need to eat right? Shouldn’t we as humans be...
Thoughts from The Theocratic Kingdom: Proposition 97
In Proposition 97, George Peters states: "The various forms of Church government indicate that the Church is not the promised Kingdom." One King and one form of government is the construct predicted in the coming Kingdom. We certainly do not see that as the current...
John Piper – John 11:1–6, Part 1: How Do We Read the Bible’s Stories?
The New Testament letters are some of most straightforward books in the Bible to interpret and apply. Should we read the other parts of the Bible, like the stories, differently? In this lab, John Piper begins a short series on how to read narrative parts of the Bible,...
John Murray – The Fourth Commandment
A perusal of the statements of the Westminster Confession of Faith and of the Larger and Shorter Catechisms bearing upon the fourth commandment will show that the position taken in these Standards is that of the universal and perpetual obligation of the Sabbath and...
Charles Barrett – The “Light” Motif in Isaiah
Light is an extremely significant motif in Scripture. We first read of it in Genesis 1:3 as the word of God breaks into the darkness of a world not yet created: “Let there be light.” Such is the power of the divine command that we are not surprised to read next, “and...
Thoughts from The Theocratic Kingdom: Proposition 96
In Proposition 96, George Peters states: "The differences visible in the Church are evidences that it is not the predicted Kingdom of the Messiah." Evidence is always an important point to consider when comparing two entities such as in this case the church and the...
Thoughts from The Theocratic Kingdom: Proposition 95
In Proposition 95, George Peters states: "If the church is the Kingdom, then the terms "church" and "kingdom" should be synonymous." This is a simple yet true statement from Peters. In order for the church to be the kingdom and vice versa, then both terms should be...
Paul Maxwell – Seven Things to Do After You Look at Pornography
A lot of Christian advice about porn addicts is unhelpful — meaning, it doesn’t contribute to real progress in repentance, healing, restoration, and recovery. Most of all, it fails to address the issues that underlie porn use. Often, Christian advice either has its...
Danny Hyde – Meet a Puritan: William Bates
William Bates (1625–1699) Life William Bates was one of the most popular and esteemed preachers among the Nonconformists. A master of the Puritan "plain style" of preaching, his stress on piety earned him the name “silver-tongued.” He graduated from Queen’s College...
Thoughts from The Theocratic Kingdom: Proposition 94
In Proposition 94, George Peters states: "The overlooking of the postponement of this Kingdom is a fundamental mistake, and a fruitful source of error in many systems of Theology." I give this proposition a hearty amen and amen. Why? I give it an amen because we have...
Robert Dabney – The Decalogue, or Ten Commandments
Definitions. The word "Law," (hr;/T, nomo" ) is employed in the Scripture with a certain latitude of meaning, but always carrying the force of meaning contained in the general idea of a regulative principle. First, it sometimes expresses the whole of Revelation, as in...
Louis Berkhof – The Divine Decrees in General
I. The Divine Decrees in General A. The Doctrine of the Decrees in Theology. Reformed theology stresses the sovereignty of God in virtue of which He has sovereignly determined from all eternity whatsoever will come to pass, and works His sovereign will in His entire...
Albert Mohler – Everything That is Solid Melts Into Air: The New Secular Worldview
Impossible to Believe: The Endgame of Secularism In his important Massey Lectures delivered in 1991, Canadian philosopher Charles Taylor spoke of The Malaise of Modernity. The Modern Age, he argued, is marked by two great intellectual moves. The first intellectual...
Thoughts from The Theocratic Kingdom: Proposition 93
In Proposition 93, George Peters states: "The Covenanted Kingdom is not the Christian Church." If the Jewish Church is not the Kingdom, then it has to be stated (and it has repeatedly thus far by Peters either by Proposition or observation), that the Christian Church...
Jeremiah Burroughs – The Evils of a Murmuring Spirit
Thus we have showed in many respects the excellence of this grace of contentment, laboring to present the beauty of it before your souls, that you may be in love with it. Now, my brethren, what remains but the practice of this? For this art of contentment is not a...
Douglas Wilson – Surveying the Text: 2 Peter
Introduction In his first epistle, Peter is equipping his readers for the persecution that will soon be upon them. In this letter, he is equipping his readers to deal with the problem of licentious false teachers. The Text: “According as his divine power hath given...
Thoughts from The Theocratic Kingdom: Proposition 92
In Proposition 92, George Peters states: "This Kingdom is not what some call "The Gospel Kingdom." The application of the term gospel seems to be one of the latest buzz words in theological circles. Check out your local Christian bookstore and note the number of books...
What Is Pro-Life? Not Just a Label but a Lifestyle and a Life-view
Recently we have seen a gross misunderstanding in the popular culture on what it means to be pro-life. From political candidates caricaturing the position to political liberals crying foul against conservatives, we have all seen this movie play on loop over and over...
Thoughts from The Theocratic Kingdom: Proposition 91
In Proposition 91, George Peters states: "The Kingdom of God is not the Jewish Church." Just as Peters has made the case that the Kingdom of God is not what is understood as the NT Church, he also makes the proposition that the Kingdom of God is also not the Jewish...
John Piper – 1 Peter 3:1–6, Part 5: Husbands Should Be Heads, Not Idols
Submission is a controversial and sensitive subject in our society. As we define what it is, it is just as important for us to clarify what it is not. In this lab, John Piper walks carefully through 1 Peter 3:1–6 one more time to address potential objections to...
Archibald Alexander – The Cross
Whence came the tree from which the cross was made? What has become of the particles of which it was composed? What hands were employed in preparing this instrument of a cruel death? To such questions no answer can be given--and none is needed. The cross was a common...
Christina Fox – What the Bible Says About Suffering
The Bible has a lot to say about suffering. I think we can all quote or reference any number of passages that speak to the suffering we face in life. We all know the story of Job. We've probably memorized Romans 8.28. We might even have a list of go-to passages that...
Thoughts from The Theocratic Kingdom: Proposition 90
In Proposition 90, George Peters states: "Members of the Church, who are faithful, are promised this Kingdom." Faithfulness should be a hallmark of the ekklesia. Faithful to what is the obvious question. If we are in a peculiar and special relationship with Jesus as...
Jordan Standridge – 5 Truths We’re Keeping from Our Youth Groups
When I do campus evangelism, I often start the conversation this way: “What are two reasons you stopped going to church?” I’ve asked hundreds of students that question, and the most common responses make me think that church youth groups have failed dramatically. I...
John Piper – 1 Peter 3:1–6, Part 4: Holy Women Are Fueled by Hope
Underneath a wife’s submission to her husband must be the anchor of fearless hope in God. Where does that come from and where do we see it? In this lab, John Piper looks at a pathway to faithful submission and examines one example in the Bible.
David Mathis – The Red Herring of Bible Application
Aringa Rossa In Dan Brown’s (in)famous The Da Vinci Code, Bishop Aringarosa is the intentional distraction. Throughout the story, he is carefully presented as a suspicious character, but in the end, we discover he is Brown’s pawn to tempt his readers toward wrong...
Thoughts from The Theocratic Kingdom: Proposition 89
In Proposition 89, George Peters states: "Christ in view of this future Kingdom, sustains a peculiar relationship to the Church." As a peculiar people, it should be understood that our Savior has a special relationship with those who have been called by the Father to...
Jonathan Edwards – Faith
1. FAITH is a belief of a testimony: 2 Thes. 1:10, “When he shall come to be glorified in his saints, and to be admired in all them that believe (because our testimony among you was believed) in that day.” It is an assent to truth, as appears by the 11th of Hebrews,...
D. A. Carson – Are You Sure You Want God’s Justice?
When we suffer, which we will, there will often be mystery. Will there also be faith? In Christian thought, faith is never naïve or gullible, but rather relies on the strength of its object. Faith that depends on a God who is a cruel tyrant or cheap trickster will be...
Troy Lacey – What Makes a Christian Martyr Different from Other Faiths’ Martyrs?
“He was a martyr for a good cause.” A person may be put to death (often quite brutally) because he refuses to recant his beliefs and teachings when he is demanded to do so by angry opponents. So we have Muslim martyrs, Jewish martyrs, communist martyrs, Christian...
Thoughts from The Theocratic Kingdom: Proposition 88
In Proposition 88, George Peters states: "The Church is then a preparatory stage for this Kingdom." This statement is a natural extension of the previous proposition. It the ekklesia is not the promised Kingdom, it must serve another purpose within the doctrine of the...
Thoughts from The Theocratic Kingdom: Proposition 87
In Proposition 87, George Peters states: "The postponement of the Kingdom is the key to the understanding of the meaning of this dispensation." To understand where we presently are in salvation history, it is always vital to look back in time and to the future,...
Whitney Woollard – 5 Effortless Ways to Be Formed by God’s Word
Five years ago if you would have told me I would be susceptible to the black hole of social media and Netflix, I would have laughed. But these days I find myself increasingly formed by hours of screen time rather than God’s Word. I might spend ten minutes on Facebook...
Danny Hyde – Meet a Puritan: William Ames
William Ames (1576-1633) Life William Ames was born in 1576 at Ipswich, Suffolk, then a center of the robust Puritanism. Ames’s father was a well-to-do merchant with Puritan sympathies; his mother was related to families that would help to found Plymouth Plantation....
Joe Thorn – How We May Glorify God
Christians have long understood that we exist for the glory of God. That our purpose in life is found in our Maker and Redeemer. The well known Westminster Shorter Catechism puts it this way: Q: What is the chief end of man? A: Man's chief end is to glorify God, and...
Thoughts from The Theocratic Kingdom: Proposition 85
In Proposition 85, George Peters states: "Neither Abraham, nor his engrafted seed have as yet inherited the Kingdom; hence the Kingdom must be something different from "piety", "religion", and God's reign in the heart." Peters walks down the through process one step...
Don Batten – How a Biblical Worldview Makes Best Sense of the Evidence, Such that the Unbeliever has ‘No Excuse’
‘Prove to me that God created everything!’ Have you had anyone say that to you? Or ‘Prove to me that God exists’? Have you ever tried to do that, but encountered a brick wall of resistance where the challenger dismisses anything you have to offer? Your friend might...
Scott Oliphant – Persuasion: Beyond the “Burp Effect”
I am not at all sure exactly when or why the topic of persuasion began to preoccupy my thoughts. I am sure that there must be a number of influences in my past that, cumulatively though somewhat subconsciously, were catalysts in my own thinking. The one event that I...
Thoughts from The Theocratic Kingdom: Proposition 84
In Proposition 84, George Peters states: "As this Kingdom is specially given to the Son of Man as the result of his obedience, sufferings, and death, it must be something different from His Divine nature, or from "piety", "religion", "God's reign in the heart", etc."...
Wilhelmus a Brakel – The Efficacy and Benefit of Christ’s Resurrection
In the third place we must consider the efficacy and benefits of the resurrection of Christ. This is most extraordinary, and therefore Paul was so desirous and continually occupied in reflecting upon the resurrection of Christ. “That I may know Him, and the power of...
Jim Hamilton – Preaching and Biblical Theology
Biblical theology helps us get our arms around the big picture that ties together everything from Leviticus to Esther, and we see how Amos, John, Romans, and Revelation fit, too. Knowing what the forest looks like enables understanding of the individual trees. If we...
Thoughts from The Theocratic Kingdom: Proposition 83
In Proposition 83, George Peters states: "This Kingdom is given to the Son of Man by God, the Father." This is no small statement. The Son of Man will be given the Kingdom by God the Father. This statement, based on the facts previously investigated regarding the Son...
John Piper – 1 Peter 3:1–6, Part 3: Beauty Is Not in Makeup or Clothing
Women have often been deceived into thinking that beauty is about how they look or what they wear — their clothing, jewelry, or hair style. But God defines beauty very differently. In this lab, John Piper introduces a distinct, supernatural, and imperishable beauty,...
Clint Archer – Contagion of Complaint: The Seditious Sin of Grumbling (Part 2)
The US Center for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) has on its website an article on what to do to prepare for a zombie apocalypse. I’m not making this up. In a blog post titled “Preparedness 101: Zombie Apocalypse” the director of the CDC wrote: “Take a zombie...
Matthew Holst – The “Hate Speech” Card
Western society, as it slips inexorably into greater unbelief and alienation from God, has created new laws--both written and unwritten--concerning what is and what is not permissible to say in public. “Hate speech," as it is called, seems to be the only intolerable...
John Piper – What Is the Source of Biblical Love?
“Love is a decision.” “You have to choose to love.” We’ve heard statements like these inside and outside of the church. Perhaps we understand what many are attempting to communicate. The sentiment is a reaction to the widely accepted notion that love is a feeling. But...
Thoughts from The Theocratic Kingdom: Proposition 82
In Proposition 82, George Peters states: "This Kingdom is a complete restoration in the person of the Second Adam or Man, or the dominion lost by the First Adam or Man." The gospel in a nutshell - restoration and redemption of what was lost under the First Adam. Man...
Mitch Stokes – The Problem with Human-Centered Morality
Who's to Say? Let’s say moral value is just whatever we say it is. If this were true, we would have to give up the way we normally think about morality. Say you had a disagreement. Let’s say 50% of the people on the planet thought that lying was OK and 50% thought...
Thoughts from The Theocratic Kingdom: Proposition 81
In Proposition 81, George Peters states: "This Kingdom, thus covenanted, belongs to Jesus as "the Son of Man." The title of Son of Man is a fascinating study that all should embark upon and understand. The covenanted Kingdom is promised to the seed of David. Jesus, as...
Jon Bloom – How Can We Be Angry and Not Sin?
“Be angry and do not sin” (Ephesians 4:26). Is this even possible? Not if perfect, sinless anger is the requirement, since sin infects everything we think, say, and do. But I don’t think Paul had perfect, sinless anger in mind when he quoted King David from Psalm 4:4...
Thoughts from The Theocratic Kingdom: Proposition 80
In Proposition 76, George Peters states: "This Kingdom of covenant promise and prediction, is to be distinguished from the Sovereignty which Jesus exercises by virtue of His Divine nature." Just as there is a need to differentiate between the universal sovereignty of...
Trevin Wax – Can We “Agree to Disagree” on Sexuality and Marriage
The biggest issue confronting evangelicalism today is not over homosexuality and marriage, but whether or not these are “agree-to-disagree” issues. The question takes various forms: Can progressive evangelicals who advocate same-sex marriage share a measure of unity...
John Piper – 1 Peter 3:1–6, Part 2: The Saving Power of a Fearless Wife
What hope does a wife have of saving her unbelieving husband? In this lab, John Piper explains how fearlessness and purity might make all the difference for her husband’s faith. As is often the case in the Bible, the principles applied to wives here can and should be...
Jared Wilson – Theological Study Is for Everyone
Every Christian must be a theologian. In a variety of ways, this is something I tell my church often. And the looks I get from some surprised souls are the evidence that I have not yet adequately communicated that the purposeful theological study of God by lay people...
Thoughts from The Theocratic Kingdom: Proposition 79
In Proposition 79, George Peters states: "The Kingdom of God, promised by covenant and prophets, is to be distinguished from the general and universal Sovereignty of God." God is Sovereign and His Kingdom is eternal. These are basic theological facts that cannot be...
Danny Hyde – Meet the Puritans: Isaac Ambrose (1604–1664)
Life Isaac Ambrose was the son of Richard Ambrose, vicar of Ormskirk, Lancashire. Entering Brasenose College, Oxford, in 1621, he graduated B.A. in 1624, and was ordained to the ministry. He became vicar of the parish church in Castleton, Derbyshire, in 1627, then...
Thoughts from The Theocratic Kingdom: Proposition 78
In Proposition 76, George Peters states: "The early church doctrine was revived after the Reformation." We should be thankful for the individuals who recognized what was taking place and who bravely rejected the mandates presented by the Papacy in favor of getting...
Ed Welch – How to Slay the Dragon of Pornography
Pornography raises many questions, but two of the most simple are also the most important. Why fight temptations? And how? So many resolutions to avoid porn fail with this first question. The how question is the easier one—we can quickly identify steps such as...
Thoughts from The Theocratic Kingdom: Proposition 77
In Proposition 77, George Peters states: "The doctrine of the Kingdom, as held by the early church, was finally almost exterminated under the teaching and power of the Papacy." I am not the most astute student of church history. With that said, it can rightly be...
David Schrock – Theology is Not Just for Theologians
In other words, Theology is practical: especially now. In the old days, when there was less education and discussion, perhaps it was possible to get on with a very few simple ideas about God. But it is not so now. Everyone reads, everyone hears things discussed....
Thoughts from The Theocratic Kingdom: Proposition 76
In Proposition 76, George Peters states: "The doctrine of the Kingdom was changed under the Gnostic and Alexandrian influence." This is a huge and important statement that I hope Peters digs into deeper as the propositions go along. If you are not familiar with...
Martyn Lloyd-Jones – Why Do the Heathen Rage?
Psalm 2:1 - Why do the heathen rage, and the people imagine a vain thing? I should like to call your attention this evening to the message of the second Psalm. One of the two readings at the beginning of the service. The second Psalm which begins with these words:...
John Knox – A Treatise on Prayer
A Treatise on Prayer, or, a Confession, and Declaration of Prayers A declaration what true prayer is, how we should pray, and for what we should pray; set forth by John Knox, preacher of God's holy word. Unto the small and dispersed flock of Jesus Christ. How...
Thoughts from The Theocratic Kingdom: Proposition 75
In Proposition 75, George Peters states: "The doctrine of the Kingdom, as held by the churches established by the Apostles, was perpetuated." When it comes to discussing the perpetuation of a doctrine within church history, it is not enough to simply trace back a...
John Frame – Law and Gospel
It has become increasingly common in Reformed circles, as it has long been in Lutheran circles, to say that the distinction between law and gospel is the key to sound theology, even to say that to differ with certain traditional formulations of this distinction is to...
Tony Reinke – Going Deep on Our Smartphone and Social Media Habits
Ah, the enigmatic smartphone. We are still just beginning to realize the layers of questions and implications related to our all-pervasive devices. How are they changing us? What are the spiritual consequences of our digital addictions? Why do we compulsively check...
Thoughts from The Theocratic Kingdom: Proposition 74
In Proposition 74, George Peters states: "The belief in the speedy Advent of Christ, entertained both by the Apostles and the churches under them, indicates what Kingdom was believed in and taught by the first Christians." The very fact that there was an expectation...
Daniel Hoffman – Seven Reasons Men Have a Right to Speak Out Against Abortion
In the fight over abortion, some claim that men have no right to an opinion on the matter. This is about a woman’s choice and health, they say; men have no grounds to speak into the issue like women. However, from a biblical standpoint, such a claim lacks foundation....
John Piper – 1 Peter 3:1–6, Part 1: To Wives with Unbelieving Husbands
Some women are exiles within their own marriage. They want to follow Jesus, but their husbands have rejected the gospel they love. In this lab, John Piper wades into very delicate situations, asking what the Bible says about submitting to unbelieving husbands. He will...
Thomas Watson – The Mercy of God
The next attribute is God's goodness or mercy. Mercy is the result and effect—of God's goodness. So then this is the next attribute, God's goodness or mercy. The most learned of the heathens thought they gave their God Jupiter two golden characters when they styled...
Thoughts from The Theocratic Kingdom: Proposition 73
In Proposition 73, George Peters states: "The doctrine of the Kingdom preached by the Apostles and Elders, raised up no controversy with the Jews." Peters continues to make note of the acceptance of the doctrine of the Kingdom by the Jews as promulgated by the...
Thoughts from The Theocratic Kingdom: Proposition 72
In Proposition 72, George Peters states: "The doctrine of the Kingdom, as preached by the apostles, was received by the early churches." This is a simply yet important proposition. Since it has been established on a recurring and ever expanding basis by Peters that...
Christina Fox – What it Means to Pray “Our Father”
For many believers, The Lord's Prayer is something you can recite in your sleep. Perhaps you learned it as a child in Sunday School. You may say it in church every Sunday. It may even be a prayer that has formed and shaped your personal prayers. But have you ever...
Clint Archer – What is Grumbling? The Seditious Sin of Grumbling (Part 1)
Early in 2007 Pastor Will Bowden of Kansas City realized his church had a chronic problem with complaining. (Welcome to the pastorate Will). He felt that the congregation was carping mainly about trivial issues - choice of hymns, informal dress code, and the like. So...
Thoughts from The Theocratic Kingdom: Proposition 71
In Proposition 71, George Peters states: "The language of the Apostles confirmed the Jews in their Messianic hopes of the Kingdom." Given that we can clearly affirm the Apostles did not teach anything different than what had been declared for centuries in the Old...
Zack Eswine – Does God Need Anger Management?
Two dear friends of mine reject the God of the Bible because of passages like this one. It don’t blame them. Over the years I too have grown fatigued with callous doctrinal academics or simplistic Christian clichés. I feel like a child trying to describe mysteries,...
Ray Ortlund – That Part of Gospel-Centeredness We Avoid
The resurgence of a gospel-centered paradigm of life and ministry in our time has the makings of historic revival. Clearly, God is doing great things, and we are glad (Psalm 126). But one aspect of gospel-centrality remains under-emphasized among us: interpersonal...
Barton Gingerich – The Millennial Generation’s Acceptable Sin
Every human institution and society has its own list of sins and virtues that contradict the law of God. With the rise of the Millennial generation in evangelical churches, a vice is creeping up into the realms of acceptance, indifference, or at least resignation:...
John Piper – Should Christians Tolerate False Religious Beliefs?
First, let’s distinguish between the old tolerance and the new tolerance, which is a form of intolerance. And I am going to point people to Don Carson’s book on tolerance, on the new form of intolerance. But the old tolerance is the kind I want to defend. The answer...
Thoughts from The Theocratic Kingdom: Proposition 70
In Proposition 70, George Peters states: "The apostles, after Christ's ascension, did not preach, either to Jews or Gentiles, that the Kingdom was established." This is an easy enough proposition to confirm given all one has to do is investigate the book of Acts,...
David Mathis – How to Commune with Christ on a Crazy Day
A Common Experience We’ve all been there. Maybe even today is one of those days for you. The crazy day. At least spiritually speaking. Hopefully you have your regular routine and go-to “habits of grace,” your own when and where and hows for seeking daily communion...
Thoughts from The Theocratic Kingdom: Proposition 69
In Proposition 69, George Peters states: "The death of Jesus did not remove the notion entertained by the disciples and apostles concerning the Kingdom." The death of Jesus certainly impacted the psyche of the disciples and apostles. The Messiah had just been...
Joel Littlefield – Shaping Your Child’s Discipline With Biblical Doctrine
Raising children is a matter of discipleship and good stewardship. We have a short time as parents to impart the tools, wisdom and basic skills that are necessary for their adult life. But one thing that may get overlooked by Christian families is the importance of...
Thoughts from The Theocratic Kingdom: Proposition 68
In Proposition 68, George Peters states: "This Kingdom is then essentially a Jewish Kingdom." This goes without saying based on all the evidence presented by Peters thus far from Scripture. The covenant promises were made by God to the Jewish people and by the grace...
John Frame – Presuppositional Apologetics: An Introduction (Part 2)
A. Sin, Grace, and Knowledge The Bible teaches that we are not only God’s creatures, but also sinners (Rom. 3:23). Sin distorts all areas of human life (Gen. 6:5; Rom. 3:10-18); therefore it affects our knowledge of God in important ways. We have already discussed the...
Douglas Wilson – Surveying the Text: 1 Peter
Introduction There are three great themes in the epistle of 1 Peter. Those three themes are not unrelated—they tie together harmoniously. As you read through the epistle, meditate on these three things. The three things I have in mind are holy living, suffering, and...
Thoughts from The Theocratic Kingdom: Proposition 67
In Proposition 67, George Peters states: "The Kingdom could not therefore have been set up at that time, viz.: at the First Advent." Peters has noted this proposition before, but as with many statements, this bears repeating at this juncture in his argument. There are...
John Frame – Presuppositional Apologetics: An Introduction (Part 1)
In defending the Christian faith, the most important question before us is “What sort of defense will best glorify our God (cf. 1 Cor. 10:31)?” God forbid that in seeking to defend the faith before others we should in that very act compromise it. The so-called...
Joel Beeke – My Indebtedness to the Puritans
My life has been profoundly shaped and enriched by men who died long ago, but whose ministries live on through their books. As a theologian I have read a lot of books about the teachings of the Bible, but none affect me more than the writings of the Puritans, and its...
Lessons From the Garden: Existence, Relationships, and Processes – State of Perfection in the Original Creation
In the book of Genesis, we find God as Creator. The first two chapters of Genesis outline God’s creative activity, most notably His description of that activity as being good with the conclusion by God that everything He had created was very good. It is vital to...
John Piper – 1 Peter 2:21–25, Part 2: By His Wounds You Have Been Healed
The Bible says that when Jesus went to the cross, he bore our condemnation and purchased our healing. What does his sacrifice mean tangibly for a life now lived for the glory of God? In this lab, John Piper explains what kind of healing and transformation we...
Thoughts from The Theocratic Kingdom: Proposition 66
In Proposition 66, George Peters states: "The Kingdom that was nigh at one time (viz.: at the First Advent) to the Jewish nation, is now removed to the close of its tribulation, and of "the times of the Gentiles." It is quite clear (just look at the world around us on...
Alvin Reid – The Advantages of Informal Mentoring
Jimmy arrived at my house promptly at 8 a.m. to take me to the airport. He has often done this for me. Jimmy and his wife, Natalie, head overseas later this year as missionaries. He has been in a small group that I lead; he and Natalie also lead a small group at our...
Albert Mohler – Secularization and the Sexual Revolution: Evangelical Theology and the Cultural Crisis (Part 1)
In the face of the sexual revolution the Christian church in the West now faces a set of challenges that exceeds anything it has experienced, of a similar magnitude, in the past. This is a revolution of ideas—one that is transforming the entire moral structure of...
Carl Wieland – Living for 900 Years
In the book of Genesis, the Bible routinely records human lifespans which seem outrageously different from our experience today. Adam lived to 930 years; Noah even longer, to 950 years (see graph below). These long lifespans are not haphazardly distributed; they are...
Thoughts from The Theocratic Kingdom: Proposition 65
In Proposition 65, George Peters states: "Before this Kingdom can be given to this elect people, they must first be gathered out." The cart cannot come before the horse. The very definition of being elect or the ekklesia is being called out from among the nations. It...
Joe Holland – Chief of Sinners
I am an inerrantist. I believe that the Bible is truthful and without error in every part. But there are two verses that challenge my inerrantist views. No, I’m not quibbling with Metzger or Aland on a textual-critical issue. And I’m not falling prey to some sort of...
Thoughts from The Theocratic Kingdom: Proposition 64
In Proposition 64, George Peters states: "The Kingdom being given to the elect only, any adoption into that elect portion must be revealed by express Divine Revelation." An inheritance is simply not given to anyone without the permission of the father. In the case of...
Joseph Franks – Dead and Obese Substitutes
When I go to eat at one of the local Chinese restaurants in my city, a statue of Buddha can be seen perched near the front door. This pagan idol shows the allegiance of the business owners. It presents to their patrons that in which they trust. Sadly, their statue...
Thoughts from The Theocratic Kingdom: Proposition 63
In Proposition 63, George Peters states: "The present elect, to whom the Kingdom will be given, is the continuation of the previous election, chiefly in another engrafted people." If there is any question as to whom the present elect are, it consists of all believers...
Greg Gilbert – Debunking Silly Statements About the Bible
One American tabloid recently said this about the Bible: No television preacher has ever read the Bible. Neither has any evangelical politician. Neither has the pope. Neither have I. And neither have you. At best, we’ve all read a bad translation—a translation of...
Thoughts from The Theocratic Kingdom: Proposition 62
In Proposition 62, George Peters states: "This people, to whom the Kingdom is to be given, gathered out of the nations, becomes the elect nation." Peters again notes the reality of the gathering out of many nations of a people into one nation with the engrafting into...
Joel Beeke – John Calvin’s 4 Rules of Prayer
For John Calvin, prayer cannot be accomplished without discipline. He writes, “Unless we fix certain hours in the day for prayer, it easily slips from our memory.” He goes on to prescribe several rules to guide believers in offering effectual, fervent prayer. 1. The...
Douglas Wilson – Surveying the Text: Chronicles
Introduction Like Samuel and Kings, the books of 1 and 2 Chronicles were originally one book. While it covers much of the same material as Kings, the purpose and point of the book is decidedly different. Written over century after Kings, the book covers down to the...
Thoughts from The Theocratic Kingdom: Proposition 61
In Proposition 61, George Peters states: "The Kingdom which by promise exclusively belonged to the Jewish nation, the rightful seed of Abraham, was now to be given to an engrafted people." Again, this does not mean a complete and thorough rejection of the Jewish...
Frost Smith – Your Body—A Gift from God—Your Most Precious Gift to Your Spouse
Nobody likes a regifter. Have you ever received a gift that you either didn’t like or had no use for? It sat unopened in your closet or drawer for months. Then your best friend’s birthday came up — he or she could really use the item. Should you give it to your...
Kim Cash Tate – A Social Media Heart Check
Before social media, life seemed simpler, uncluttered. You knew what you alone were having for dinner, not twenty others. Hours in a day were more productive. Focused. No scroll-and-click distractions. No blog hopping. You hunkered down and worked — or played with...
Thoughts from The Theocratic Kingdom: Proposition 60
In Proposition 60, George Peters states: "This Kingdom of God is given, not to nations, but to one nation." This is a very important point. We are the people of God, a holy called nation. From out of many nations into one nation. This is after all what the word...
Louis Berkhof – The Doctrine of God
I. The Existence of God A. Place of the Doctrine of God in Dogmatics WORKS on dogmatic or systematic theology generally begin with the doctrine of God. The prevailing opinion has always recognized this as the most logical procedure and still points in the same...
John Piper – Proverb 22:17–19, Part 3: God’s Bigger Purpose for Proverbs
You probably know the book of Proverbs as a collection of practical advice for God’s people. Proverbs itself, though, defines its purpose in a deeper, more significant way. In this lab, John Piper looks at the purpose and lays it onto several proverbs to see how the...
Archibald Alexander – Thoughts for Young People
It is a matter of serious regret that young people are commonly so little disposed to listen to the advice of the aged…But it is greatly to be desired that the lessons of wisdom taught by the experience of one set of men should be made available for the instruction of...
Thoughts from The Theocratic Kingdom: Proposition 59
In Proposition 59, George Peters states: "This Kingdom of God, offered to the Jewish nation, lest the purpose of God fail, is to be given to others who are adopted." If God stopped with no longer offering the Kingdom per His covenant promise, we would have a huge...
Lessons From the Garden: Existence, Relationships, and Processes
We spent some time last year engaging various issues I labeled as “Lesson from the Garden”. Why start at the beginning and focus so much on the book of Genesis? I firmly believe that until a proper and well-rooted foundation is built from those formative pages of...
Thoughts from The Theocratic Kingdom: Proposition 58
In Proposition 58, George Peters states: "Jesus, toward the close of His ministry, preached that the Kingdom was not nigh." Peters notes that at the end of the ministry of Jesus, in particular right before the events that led to his death, the message regarding the...
Scott Redd – The Reformation: A Bible Movement (Part 3)
In the first two posts in this series, we considered the way in which the Reformers viewed the Scriptures as to its authority and clarity. In this final installment, we turn our attention to the need for clarity in the propagation of Scripture for reformation today....
Reginald Heber – Holy Holy Holy
Holy, holy, holy! Lord God Almighty! Early in the morning our song shall rise to Thee; Holy, holy, holy, merciful and mighty! God in three Persons, blessed Trinity! Holy, holy, holy! All the saints adore Thee, Casting down their golden crowns around the glassy sea;...
John Piper – Proverb 22:17–19, Part 2: Fix Your Eyes and Heart on the Bible
Our Bible reading is about much more than reading. Proverbs calls us to incline our ears and apply our hearts. In this lab, John Piper highlights these two major principles for getting the most out of your time in God’s word.
Maltbie Babcock – This is My Father’s World
This is my Father’s world, and to my listening ears All nature sings, and round me rings the music of the spheres. This is my Father’s world: I rest me in the thought Of rocks and trees, of skies and seas; His hand the wonders wrought. This is my Father’s world, the...
Thoughts from The Theocratic Kingdom: Proposition 57
In Proposition 57, George Peters states: "This Kingdom was offered to the Jewish nation, but the nation rejected it." From the larger perspective, when we look at the nation during the time of Jesus, it is clear the leadership and many of the people rejected the...
Thoughts from The Theocratic Kingdom: Proposition 56
In Proposition 56, George Peters states: "The Kingdom was not established during the ministry of Christ." Peters noted earlier that the Kingdom was not established during the ministry of John the Baptist even though John declared the Kingdom was at hand. The Messiah...
Douglas Wilson – Surveying the Text: Kings
Introduction We begin by noting that our books entitled 1 and 2 Kings were originally one book, just as we saw with the Book of Samuel. The reason for this is plain enough—the break happened with the translation of the Hebrew Old Testament into Greek, and the Hebrews...
William VanDoodewaard – The Lost Word, and the Lost World
In 2009, John Walton, professor of Old Testament at Wheaton College, challenged the evangelical world with the publication of his The Lost World of Genesis One. He argued that contrary to a traditional, literal reading of Genesis, essential clues to understanding the...
John Piper – Ten Biblical Truths on the Obedience of Children
Two years ago, I must have struck a nerve with the article “Parents, Require Obedience of Your Children.” It has proved to be one of our most visited resources. In view of that, I thought it might be helpful to go behind that article, and give a deeper, wider biblical...
Thoughts from The Theocratic Kingdom: Proposition 55
In Proposition 55, George Peters states: "It was necessary that Jesus and His disciples should at first preach the Kingdom as night to the Jewish nation." We covered this proposition to large degree in the previous post. It makes perfect sense and thus it was...
R. C. Sproul – The Secret to a Happy Life
James is sometimes called the “New Testament book of Proverbs.” That’s because of passages such as James 4 that give us a series of loosely linked aphorisms of practical, godly wisdom. This chapter begins with our universal concern about conflict: What causes quarrels...
Thoughts from The Theocratic Kingdom: Proposition 54
In Proposition 54, George Peters states: "The preaching of the Kingdom by John, Jesus, and the disciples, was confined to the Jewish nation." With this type of statement, some will be tempted to go down the road to declare the message of the Kingdom was solely for the...
John Piper – Proverb 22:17–19, Part 1: Enjoy, Apply, and Share
Proverbs is one of the most ruthlessly practical books in the whole Bible. In this lab, John Piper breaks down several lines, asking what they mean and how they relate to each other. Before getting into one specific example, he makes some observations about the nature...
Derek Thomas – The Necessity of Expository Preaching
According to the legendary golfer Jack Nicklaus, the best thing he ever did was to discover the “fundamentalist” teacher Jack Grout, who taught him the basics that he has followed ever since. Great preachers, like great golfers, follow basic rules. The more they...
Thoughts from The Theocratic Kingdom: Proposition 53
In Proposition 53, George Peters states: "The genealogies of our Lord form an important link in the comprehension of this Kingdom." Ahh...those genealogies. Raise your hand if you skip past those sections of Scripture. I admit my hand is raised (at least after I typed...
David Helm – Why Good Works Are Crucial for the Christian Life
Living As Worthy Citizens What is required of us to live in this world as citizens worthy of all the wonders and relationships belonging to the next? The Apostle Peter gives us his answer in two simple words in 1 Peter 2: abstain (v. 11) and keep (v. 12). Abstain from...
Jon Bloom – How to Have Intimacy with God
Intimacy with God is available to you. It is as accessible to you as God’s promises. And God’s invitation to you to enjoy intimate fellowship with him is that thing that is putting your faith to the test more than anything else (James 1:2–4). The Heart of Intimacy...
D. A. Carson – Faith or Christ?: The Ground of All Human Assurance Before God
John Piper – 2 Timothy 2:11–13: If We Are Faithless, He Remains Faithful?
“If we are faithless, he remains faithful.” In this lab, John Piper asks whether this popular phrase was written to be a comfort or warning. He believes that many misunderstand these words because they have taken them out of context and made them something they do not...
Thoughts from The Theocratic Kingdom: Proposition 52
In Proposition 52, George Peters states: "The promises pertaining to the Kingdom, as given in the covenants, will be strictly fulfilled." Covenants follow very strict rules and requirements on the part of both parties. The covenants made by God, in particular the ones...
Thoughts from The Theocratic Kingdom: Proposition 51
In Proposition 51, George Peters states: "The relation that the Kingdom sustains to "the covenants of promise," enables us to appreciate the prophecies pertaining to the Kingdom." If the doctrine of the Kingdom hinges on the covenants of promise in their totality,...
Nathan Finn – How to Spot a False Teacher
False teachers come in all shapes and sizes, ranging from the most deranged cult leader to the most winsome television preacher. Too many professing Christians are duped into embracing heretical ideas or endorsing spiritually dangerous movements. Some of these...
Michael Kruger – Was the Divinity of Jesus a Late Invention of the Council of Nicea?
One of the most common objections to Christianity is that the divinity of Jesus was “created” by later Christians long after the first century. No one in primitive Christianity believed Jesus was divine, we are told. He was just a man and it was later believers, at...
Kevin DeYoung – Desiring Knowledge and Maturity
All else being equal, I’d rather have a mature Christian with simple theological knowledge than an extremely knowledgeable, well-read Christian without a lot of maturity. But, of course, neither situation is desirable. Let me explain. A Tale of Two Corners In this...
Thoughts from The Theocratic Kingdom: Proposition 50
In Proposition 50, George Peters states: "The Kingdom will be the outgrowth of the renewed Abrahamic covenant, under which renewal we now live." Peters already established the reality that the Kingdom, when fully implemented, will be a renewal of the Abrahamic...
Joseph Franks – The Nurture and Admonition of Lucifer
It is highly offensive and dangerous for one to complacently and rebelliously live in sin before the Holy God. According to the Bible, God is angry with such wicked individuals each and every day. His condemnation is promised; it will be severe when poured out by the...
Thoughts from The Theocratic Kingdom: Proposition 49
In Proposition 49, George Peters states: "The covenants being in Revelation, the foundation of the Kingdom, must first be received and appreciated." Now by the word "Revelation", Peters is not referring to the Revelation of John found at the conclusion of Scripture....
Joel Beeke – 7 Ways to Grow in the Art of Communication
We need to understand that communication is an art that we all must learn better. It does not come naturally. Here are seven principles to help you to grow in this art, that you might teach your children: 1. We should draw out the thoughts of others. Communication...
Donald Whitney – Husbands, It’s Time to Start Leading Family Worship
8 Reasons to Start The worthiness of God to receive your family’s worship each day is reason enough to start practicing family worship today. But in addition to that, consider these other good motivations: 1. What better way to speak the gospel into your children’s...
John Piper – 1 Peter 2:18–20, Part 3: God Will Reward Every Wrong Endured
Jesus says that those who follow him will suffer, and many of you will suffer for doing good. In this lab, John Piper reminds us of God’s love for us in every trial, and uncovers the promise that one day he will make every wrong right.
Aimee Byrd – Why We Should Read Books
I read a disturbing article the other day that wasn’t really all that shocking, but rather a sad reaffirmation of the signs that are all around me. Fewer and fewer people read books these days. Affirming that we are now part of a postliterate society, Peter Denton...
Thoughts from The Theocratic Kingdom: Proposition 48
In Proposition 48, George Peters states: "The Kingdom being based on the covenants, the covenants must be carefully examined, and (Prop. 4) the literal language of the same must be maintained." Seems simple enough right, yet so many fail to recognize the important...
Albert Mohler – The Scandal of Biblical Illiteracy: It’s Our Problem
While America’s evangelical Christians are rightly concerned about the secular worldview’s rejection of biblical Christianity, we ought to give some urgent attention to a problem much closer to home – biblical illiteracy in the church. This scandalous problem is our...
Thoughts from The Theocratic Kingdom: Proposition 47
In Proposition 47, George Peters states: "The Jews had the strongest possible assurance given to them that the Kingdom based on those covenants would be realized." Their assurance was rooted in the fact that God keeps His covenant promises. An oath was a serious...
R.C. Sproul and Derek Thomas – Theology in Dialogue
Thoughts from The Theocratic Kingdom: Proposition 46
In Proposition 46, George Peters states: "The Kingdom anticipated by the Jews at the First Advent is based on the Abrahamic and Davidic Covenants." This proposition is somewhat of another restatement by Peters and again a necessary one given he is now interacting with...
J. Ligon Duncan – The Covenant of Redemption
The phrase, The Covenant of Redemption (and I am not speaking of Robertson’s Covenant of Redemption, no), historically in the Reformed tradition refers to the intertrinitarian covenant, especially the covenant between the Father and the Son before the foundation of...
Thoughts from The Theocratic Kingdom: Proposition 45
In Proposition 45, George Peters states: "The phrases 'Kingdom of heaven,' 'Kingdom of God,' 'Kingdom of Christ', etc., denote the same Kingdom." This proposition is a restatement of earlier propositions from Peters. It seems necessary at this juncture in his argument...
John Piper – 1 Peter 2:18–20, Part 2: Trust God When You Are Mistreated
What happens when someone is mistreated for doing good? In this lab, John Piper teaches us how to respond to and endure injustice. He takes Peter’s words about slavery to call all of us to fear God and to persevere in loving and serving others for His sake, even when...
Thoughts from The Theocratic Kingdom: Proposition 44
In Proposition 44, George Peters states: "The preaching of the Kingdom, being in accordance with that of the predicted Kingdom, raised no controversy between the Jews and Jesus, or between the Jews and His disciples and apostles." We typically think of the message...
Tim Keller – 4 Lessons for the Bedeviling Sanctification Debate
The Whole Christ: Legalism, Antinomianism, and Gospel Assurance—Why the Marrow Controversy Still Matters is not just a helpful historical reflection; it’s also a tract for the times. The Marrow Controversy was a debate within the Church of Scotland in the early 18th...
Scott Swain – On Happiness: A Theological Outline
I. Christian theology addresses the topic of happiness by addressing, first, the being and works of "the happy God" (1 Tim 1.11; 6.15) and, second, the happiness of the people whose God is the Lord (Ps 33.12). II. God is happy because he possesses infinite riches of...
Thomas Schreiner – Romans 7 Does Not Describe Your Christian Experience
Romans 7:13–25 is one of the most disputed and controversial passages in the Bible. Augustine changed his mind about its meaning, so we have precedent for swinging back and forth in our own interpretation. I recognize that I can hardly give the last word on a text...
John Piper – Romans 7 Does Describe Your Christian Experience
When I teach on Romans 7, I expect there may be pushback to my argument that Romans 7:14–25 refers to Paul’s—and thus to our—Christian experience. Good friends, like Tom Schreiner, think that when Paul says “I delight in the law of God, in my inner being (esō...
Thoughts from The Theocratic Kingdom: Proposition 43
In Proposition 43, George Peters states: "The disciples sent forth by Jesus to preach this Kingdom were not ignorant of the meaning to be attached to the Kingdom." This proposition is a logical extension of a previous one made by Peters regarding John the Baptist. If...
Thoughts from The Theocratic Kingdom: Proposition 42
In Proposition 42, George Peters states: "Jesus Christ, in His early ministry, preached that the Kingdom of God was nigh at hand." This particular observation is rooted in passages such as Matthew 4:17 where Jesus declared, "From that time on Jesus began to preach,...
Derek Thomas – Finding God in the Darkness
Four times in Genesis 39 we read that God was with Joseph (39:2-3, 21, 23). The statements form a set of pillars at either end of the story of Joseph’s initial experience of Egypt. On the one end, they come at the beginning of the story after Joseph has been sold by...
Kevin DeYoung – Answering the Abortion Question that is Sure to Come
You are a staunch opponent of abortion rights. Many have argued, even members of your own party, that your position is too extreme for most Americans and could hurt your chances in the General Election. Would you really tell a rape victim that she must carry to term a...
Thoughts from The Theocratic Kingdom: Proposition 41
In Proposition 41, George Peters states: "The Kingdom was not established under John's ministry." As we look at the message declared by John the Baptist as well as the period of his ministry, it is readily apparent the Kingdom, in particular the fullness of it, has...
Douglas Wilson – Surveying the Text: Daniel
Introduction: The theme of the book of Daniel is the universal sovereignty of Jehovah over all the nations of men. This sovereignty was active through God’s providential oversight of historical events in the time of the Old Testament. But the book is also rich in...
Joe Holland – 2 Minute Theology
There was a community service requirement for my high school, designed to make us well-rounded individuals, padding our college applications, and ensuring that local community organization didn’t think too poorly of “kids these days.” As a soon-to-graduate senior I...
Thoughts from The Theocratic Kingdom: Proposition 40
In Proposition 40, George Peters states: "The hearers of John believed that he preached to them the Kingdom predicted by the Prophets, and in the sense held by themselves." Peters, in this proposition, is hearkening back to early propositions while using the example...
R. C. Sproul – The Secret Things of the Lord
“What is the will of God for my life?” In this excerpt from his Foundations teaching series, R.C. Sproul distinguishes between the decretive and the preceptive wills of God.
A. W. Pink – Gleanings in Exodus
Introduction In commencing the study of any book in the Bible it is well to remind ourselves that each separate book has some prominent and dominant theme which, as such, is peculiar to itself, around which everything is made to center, and of which all the details...
Thoughts from The Theocratic Kingdom: Proposition 39
In Proposition 39, George Peters states: "John the Baptist was not ignorant of the Kingdom that he preached." This seems like a rather obvious proposition to make; however, it is apparent that some believe John the Baptist preached something and urgent people to...
J. I. Packer – Where There’s Hope, There’s Life
The Quest for Hope “Where there’s life, there’s hope” is a deep truth. Deeper, however, is the converse: “Where there’s hope, there’s life.” We humans are hoping creatures; we live very largely on and in our anticipations, things we know are coming and we look forward...
Thoughts from The Theocratic Kingdom: Proposition 38
In Proposition 38, George Peters states: "John the Baptist preached that this Kingdom, predicted by the Prophets, was "nigh at hand." Being the forerunner of the Messiah, John the Baptist was the one called by God to prepare the way for the Messiah. The message was...
David Beck, Benjamin Merkle, Tracy McKenzie, and Dougald McLaurin – The Importance of Studying Biblical Languages
John Piper – 1 Peter 2:18–20, Part 1: Slaves, Obey Your Masters
Slavery is a sensitive topic with a horrific history. So what does the Bible say for slaves? Or does the Bible say “so little”? In this lab, John Piper explores one place where freedom is found, looking at a couple key passages that address the tragedy of human...
Thoughts from The Theocratic Kingdom: Proposition 37
In Proposition 37, George Peters states: "The Kingdom, thus predicted and promised, was not in existence when the Forerunner of Jesus appeared." What Peters is proposing here is that the church did not replace Israel or take the place of the Davidic Kingdom. He is of...
Joy Knight – Do Not Procrastinate in Killing Sin
We’re all familiar with the aftershock. Those precious seconds after sinning (whether it’s a thought, an action, or a habit). It feels as though the whole universe could fit in the cavity of our guilt, and it would still be hungry. Then busyness quickly begins...
John Piper – 1 Peter 2:13–17, Part 3: Fear God, Not the Government
What does freedom in Christ look like in subjection to a human government? In this lab, John Piper explains five key principles. He touches on our attitude toward one another, toward hardened criminals, and to ungodly government rulers. He ends with Jesus being...
Thoughts from The Theocratic Kingdom: Proposition 36
In Proposition 36, George Peters states: "The Prophets, with one voice, describe this one Kingdom, thus restored, in terms expressive of the most glorious additions." In the promise of the return to the Garden outlined in Scripture, it is clear that the kingdom will...
Sam Storms – Taming the Tongue
I want to draw our attention to the many ways that human beings have distorted some of the most precious of God’s gifts to us. Take, for example, our minds. God has given us brains and minds that we might understand him and grasp his truth and delight in his...
Thoughts from The Theocratic Kingdom: Proposition 35
In Proposition 35, George Peters states: "The Prophets describe but one Kingdom." Peters builds on his previous proposition, more specifically stating here that there is but a single Kingdom, the Theocracy. While the Davidic Kingdom was certainly in existence and that...
Denny Burk – Seven Reasons Why You Shouldn’t Read 1 Timothy 6:1-2 as an Endorsement of Slavery
Have you ever faced a skeptic—maybe a family member or a friend at work—who threw slavery at you as evidence that the Bible can’t be trusted? They argue that if you are using the Bible as your authority on what is right and wrong, then you are basing your deeply held...
John MacArthur – Why Integrity Matters
As I regularly read in and through Scripture all the time, there are certain passages that, for whatever reason, maybe the Holy Spirit sort of causes to jump off the page to me. And there is such a passage in 2 Corinthians – 2 Corinthians, admittedly, one of my very...
Calling Evil Good: A Lesson From the 2016 Super Bowl Halftime Performance
Another Super Bowl has come and gone. All the hype over the actual game and all the excitement over what company produced the most entertaining commercial will soon be a distant memory. What might remain somewhat vivid in our memories is the halftime show which again...
Jamie Dew and Derek Hicks – What Happens When Culture Gets Confused with Christianity?
In this episode of Exploring Hope, Jamie Dew sits down with Derek Hicks to talk about culture and Christianity.
John Piper – Who Is There to Harm You?
It is astonishing to hear Peter say, “Now who is there to harm you if you are zealous for what is good?” (1 Peter 3:13). What could he possibly mean? No other book in the Bible addresses the issue of Christian, non-retaliating, unjust suffering more than 1 Peter. For...
Thoughts from The Theocratic Kingdom: Proposition 34
In Proposition 34, George Peters states: "The Prophets describe this restored Kingdom, its extension, glory, etc., without distinguishing between the First and Second Advents." This proposition is an interesting one and a statement I honestly had to think about for a...
Thoughts from The Theocratic Kingdom: Proposition 33
In Proposition 33, George Peters states: "The Prophets, some even before the Captivity, foreseeing the overthrow of the Kingdom, both foretell its downfall and its final restoration." As Peters has noted in this proposition, God, through His prophets, not only...
Tony Reinke – Three Questions to Ask Before Listening to Any Sermon
It’s easy to become a passive sermon consumer. As a young Christian, I started to sense this tendency in my own sermon listening. One Sunday I brought a notebook to church and devised a simple little practice to get my discernment juices flowing before listening to...
Douglas Wilson – Surveying the Text: Esther
Introduction: In the book of Esther, God is never mentioned, but is everywhere present. His providence surrounds all the events and characters. If we think about it carefully, we can perhaps see why a human author is not mentioned. This account has a very plain way of...
John Piper – 1 Peter 2:13–17, Part 2: Obey as People Who Are Free
Thoughts from The Theocratic Kingdom: Proposition 32
In Proposition 32, George Peters states: "This Theocratic Kingdom, thus incorporated with the Davidic, is removed when the Davidic Kingdom is overthrown." Upon the exile of Israel and Judah into captivity, the Davidic kingdom had been overthrown. Thus, the...
Resisting the Vitriolic Urge
A trend I have noticed over the past several years since social media has taken hold of society is the tendency for vitriol and biting comments. The unfortunate reality is some of the worst offenders are Christians or those at least professing faith in Christ. Usually...
R. C. Sproul – What Does “Simul Justus et Peccator” Mean?
William Tyndale – A Pathway Into the Holy Scripture
I marvel greatly, dearly beloved in Christ, that any man would ever contend or speak against having the scripture available in every language, for every man. For I would have thought no one so blind as to ask why light [the light of the word of God] should be shown to...
Thoughts from The Theocratic Kingdom: Proposition 31
In Proposition 31, George Peters states: "This Theocracy or Kingdom was identified with the Davidic Kingdom." This is another undeniable fact. God made a covenant with David and the Messiah was stated to come from the line of David. Peters notes the Davidic and...
Thoughts from The Theocratic Kingdom: Proposition 30
In Proposition 30, George Peters states: "The Prophets, however, without specifying the manner of introduction, predict that the Gentiles shall participate in the blessings of this Theocracy or Kingdom." This is something for which we should continually thank God. He...
Sinclair Ferguson – Our New Affection
In 2004, Rolling Stone magazine listed “The 500 Greatest Songs of All Time.” At the top was Bob Dylan’s “Like a Rolling Stone.” Second on the list (presuming no bias in the choices made by the magazine) came the Rolling Stones’ “(I Can’t Get No) Satisfaction.” This...
Eric Davis – Safely Navigating Inevitable Relationship Battles
It’s inevitable. Like every year, this is going to be a year where relationship struggle will not be absent. While we are here on earth, it will not be heaven, which also means that there will be not-so-heavenly people around you. Whether a relationship with a spouse,...
Tim Keller, Russell Moore, and Collin Hansen – Following Jesus in an Age of Authenticity
Thoughts from The Theocratic Kingdom: Proposition 29
In Proposition 29, George Peters states: "This Theocracy or Kingdom is exclusively given to the natural descendants of Abraham, in their corporate capacity." Peters reiterates in this proposition points he had been driving home already, namely that the people of God,...
Dan DeWitt – Atheism and the Problem of Evil
What Is Good? The biblical explanation of the cosmos is a theme emphasized in the opening verses of Genesis, where each day of creation is stamped with the words “it was good.” But can an unguided world governed by mere chance, as the atheistic worldview suggests,...
Douglas Wilson – Surveying the Text: Ezra & Nehemiah
Introduction: We have before us the books of Ezra and Nehemiah, which were probably one book originally. Moreover, it is also quite possible that Chronicles/EzraNehemiah was originally one book. As we consider this, it would obviously be helpful for you not only to...
Thoughts from The Theocratic Kingdom: Proposition 28
In Proposition 28, George Peters states: "God makes the Jewish King subordinate to His own Theocracy." Despite the yearning by Israel for a human ruler like that of the other nations and God within His divine plan making that request happen, God is still the King. As...
Tim Chester – You Can Change
What Would You Like to Change? Maybe you’d choose to change your appearance, or find a partner, or have better-behaved children. Perhaps you’re seeking one more step up the career ladder, or maybe just to get onto a career ladder. Maybe you’d like to be more confident...
Ken Ham – What is the Gospel?
Understanding the foundational aspects of the gospel in Genesis is a vital key to unlock a powerful method of evangelism to reach the world for Christ. Surely the answer to this question is obvious to the average Christian. The word gospel means “good news.” When...
Thoughts from The Theocratic Kingdom: Proposition 27
In Proposition 27, George Peters states: "The demand of the nation for an earthly king was a virtual abandonment of this Theocratic Kingdom by the nation." If you recall, Israel had been led by God from the calling of Abraham as the father of the nation, through their...
Thoughts from The Theocratic Kingdom: Proposition 26
In Proposition 26, George Peters states: "The Theocracy thus instituted would have been permanently established, if the people, in their national capacity, had been faithful in obedience." The covenant promises made by God to Israel were intimately connected to...
Thoughts from The Theocratic Kingdom: Proposition 25
In Proposition 25, George Peters states: "The Theocracy was an earnest, introductory, or initiatory form of this Kingdom." What Peters means by the "Theocracy" is the nation of Israel to include the various legal regulations of that time. These included the ceremonial...
John Piper – 1 Peter 2:11–12, Part 3: Will Others Worship God Because of You?
The Bible says that some will be saved through the witness of our faithfulness. But how does that happen? What makes our living in line with the gospel compelling to nonbelievers? In this lab, John Piper explains how our good deeds win others to Christ.
Thoughts from The Theocratic Kingdom: Proposition 24
In Proposition 24, George Peters states: "The Kingdom is offered to an elect nation, viz.: The Jewish nation." There can be no argument against this Proposition; however, its application regarding the doctrine of the kingdom is quite profound. If we are to lay claim...
Vern Poythress – 3 Reasons Jesus’ Miracles Still Matter Today
Relevant for Today The miracles of Jesus were relevant to the people back then. But what about now? The Gospels record the miracles in order to indicate what happened, but they also have a religious purpose. Through understanding who Jesus is and what he did, we are...
Lessons From the Garden: The Sabbath
Genesis 2:1-3, "Thus the heavens and the earth were finished, along with everything in them. On the seventh day God was finished with his work which he had made, so he rested on the seventh day from all his work which he had made. God blessed the seventh day and...
John Piper – 1 Peter 2:11–12, Part 2: Silence the World with Good Deeds
Many Christians today cannot stand being maligned, and so they cave to what the world wants. In this lab, John Piper helps us win the world by living differently. Many Christians today cannot stand being maligned by the world, and so they cave to what the world wants....