A good friend of mine made a very important statement a number of years ago: “We need to learn to worship God with the mind.” Unfortunately, his statement was met with harsh criticism. The complaint reflected an all too common anti-intellectual approach that has gripped the church for decades. R.C. Sproul has rightly stated, “WeContinue reading “THINK: The Life of the Mind and the Love of God – John Piper (2010)”
Category Archives: Theology
THE DEEP THINGS OF GOD: How the Trinity Changes Everything – Fred Sanders (2010)
The Deep Things of God: How the Trinity Changes Everything by Fred Sanders is not the best book I’ve read on the Trinity. However, it is among one of the more interesting. The title grabbed my attention as so many Christian books tend to focus on the trivial. There is nothing trivial about Sanders’ work. Continue reading “THE DEEP THINGS OF GOD: How the Trinity Changes Everything – Fred Sanders (2010)”
THE GOD WHO IS THERE: Finding Your Place in God’s Story – D.A. Carson (2010)
This year I have been teaching my kids the game of baseball. When one stops to consider, there are a lot of rules in this game: three outs, nine innings, four balls, fly outs, tag outs, force outs, relief pitchers, pitch hitters, singles, doubles, triples, home runs, infield fly rule, ad infinitum. For years IContinue reading “THE GOD WHO IS THERE: Finding Your Place in God’s Story – D.A. Carson (2010)”
THE DOCTRINE OF THE CHRISTIAN LIFE – John Frame (2008)
The Doctrine of the Christian Life by John Frame is the third installment in his Lordship series. The preceding work, The Doctrine of God is the most influential book I have read to date, outside the Bible. Every seminary student and pastor should carefully read The Doctrine of God. The contents are sure to revolutionizeContinue reading “THE DOCTRINE OF THE CHRISTIAN LIFE – John Frame (2008)”
WHAT IS A TRUE CALVINIST?
Philip Graham Ryken continues the Basics of the Reformed Faith Series with his excellent work, What is a True Calvinist? Ryken does not rehash the traditional five points of Calvinism as formulated at the Synod of Dort. Rather, he seeks to set forth a “practical introduction to Reformed spirituality.” Six pillars comprise the edifice ofContinue reading “WHAT IS A TRUE CALVINIST?”
WHAT IS PERSEVERANCE OF THE SAINTS?
What is the Perseverance of the Saints? Michael A. Milton does an exceptional job in his attempt to answer the question. Milton’s tackles this important topic by considering four aspects: Defining the Doctrine The author cites Berkhof – “Perseverance may be defined as that continuous operation of the Holy Spirit in the believer, by whichContinue reading “WHAT IS PERSEVERANCE OF THE SAINTS?”
WHAT IS THE LORD’S SUPPER?
What is the Lord’s Supper? Richard D. Phillips answers this important question in a straightforward and biblical way. “The Reformers” writes Phillips, “emphasized that a sacrament – that is, a sacred mystery prescribed for our worship – must have been instituted immediately by our Lord.” Also referred to as the Eucharist (1 Cor. 11:24) orContinue reading “WHAT IS THE LORD’S SUPPER?”
WHAT IS JUSTIFICATION BY FAITH ALONE?
J.V. Fesko answers the all-important question, “What is Justification by Faith Alone?” The author begins, “All people must at some point in their existence stand in the presence of God and be judged. There are two possible outcomes, either a guilty or not-guilty verdict. Or, in biblical terms, God will either condemn or justify theContinue reading “WHAT IS JUSTIFICATION BY FAITH ALONE?”
WHAT IS TRUE CONVERSION?
We live in a culture where a majority of Americans make some kind of a faith commitment. Indeed, many Americans call themselves Christians. It is in this context that Stephen Smallman answers the question, What is True Conversion? Smallman’s work is somewhat autobiographical as he recounts his conversion experience. He notes the impulse to “reformContinue reading “WHAT IS TRUE CONVERSION?”
What Can a 508-Year Old Man Teach Us?
July 10, 2017 marks the 508th birthday of John Calvin. But the streamers and balloons are nowhere to be found. Simply put, we live in a day that is so wrapped up in technology and new inventions that we tend to forget the lessons of the past, especially the lessons of dead guy. Calvin’s lifeContinue reading “What Can a 508-Year Old Man Teach Us?”
Veritas et Lux 