John Calvin's famous motto, Cor meum tibi offero, Domine, prompte et sincere ("My heart I offer to you, Lord, promptly and sincerely"), expresses his personal devotion to God. This phrase encapsulates Calvin's understanding of Christian life as one of wholehearted consecration to God. Calvin did not see Christian devotion as a mere duty but as … Continue reading Christian Giving as a Grace-Filled Act of Worship: An Exegetical and Theological Study of 1 Corinthians 16:1–2
religion
Compatibilism in Relation to Calvin’s Theology: A Deeper Exploration
Defining Compatibilism Compatibilism, or "soft determinism," is the philosophical view that human freedom and determinism are not mutually exclusive. Rooted in early modern thought, this position has been defended by thinkers such as Thomas Hobbes (Leviathan, 1651) and David Hume (An Enquiry Concerning Human Understanding, 1748). More recently, Harry Frankfurt’s theory of second-order volitions (The … Continue reading Compatibilism in Relation to Calvin’s Theology: A Deeper Exploration
The Loving God and the Foolishness of Idolatry
Idolatry has plagued humanity from its earliest days. Whether crafted in gold or conceived in the heart, idolatry is the soul’s attempt to reimagine God according to its own desires. The Israelites, newly redeemed from Egyptian slavery, needed this warning: "You shall not make for yourself a carved image" (Deut 5:8). They had seen idolatry … Continue reading The Loving God and the Foolishness of Idolatry
Christ’s Reign and Resurrection Hope: An Exegetical and Theological Analysis of 1 Corinthians 15:24–34
The tension between inaugurated victory and eschatological fulfillment shapes Pauline theology, particularly in 1 Corinthians 15:24–34. In this passage, Paul addresses a Corinthian community grappling with the implications of Christ’s resurrection, articulating its significance for cosmic order and Christian ethics. This text situates believers in a liminal space—between Christ’s triumph over death and their future … Continue reading Christ’s Reign and Resurrection Hope: An Exegetical and Theological Analysis of 1 Corinthians 15:24–34
Aseity and Simplicity
Divine aseity is the doctrine that God is self-existent and independent, deriving his being from no source but himself. Divine simplicity, on the other hand, teaches that God is not composed of parts; everything that is in God is God, unified in his singular essence. The link between aseity and simplicity lies in the fact … Continue reading Aseity and Simplicity
The Scriptures and Authority: Christ’s Example and Machen’s Warning to Modern Christianity
The question of the inspiration and authority of Scripture is a central issue in Christian thought. The doctrine of inspiration forms a bit of wedge between religious conservatives and religious liberals. In his classic work Christianity and Liberalism, J. Gresham Machen argued 'According to the Christian view, the Bible contains an account of a revelation … Continue reading The Scriptures and Authority: Christ’s Example and Machen’s Warning to Modern Christianity
Beyond The Believers Lingering Atheism
In every human heart lurks a shadow of doubt. The Puritan theologian Thomas Ridgley captured this well when he said, “There is a great deal of atheism in our hearts; by reason of which we are prone sometimes to call in question the being, perfections, and providence of God. The devil also frequently injects atheistic … Continue reading Beyond The Believers Lingering Atheism
Can the Divine Attributes Be Distinguished from the Divine Essence?
Understanding the nature of God is a complex endeavor. One of the most intriguing aspects of Christian theology is the relationship between God’s essence and his attributes. Can we really separate God’s attributes from his essence, or are they fundamentally the same? Is God’s essence identical to his attributes? Exploring this topic not only enriches … Continue reading Can the Divine Attributes Be Distinguished from the Divine Essence?
WHAT ARE WE SUPPOSED TO DO? On the Enjoyment of God
Not knowing what to do makes me quite nervous. If it is a game, social situation, or some assignment, I need to know what I am supposed to do or anxiety takes over. To avoid the anxiety I give up or do something else or just go about it my own way with my own … Continue reading WHAT ARE WE SUPPOSED TO DO? On the Enjoyment of God
Debating God’s Perfect Knowledge: Theological and Philosophical Perspectives
The nature of God's intellect has been a profound topic of theological discussion throughout Christian history. When Herman Bavinck boldly said of God’s knowledge, “The notion that something should be unknown to him is dismissed as absurd,” he stood in line with the great tradition of Christian thought.[1] This assertion no longer represents the views … Continue reading Debating God’s Perfect Knowledge: Theological and Philosophical Perspectives
Donnie's Dogmatics 