John Owen, a towering figure in Puritan theology, articulates a profoundly Christocentric vision of Christian worship, one that is inseparable from the person and work of Jesus Christ. He contends that "the glory, life, and power of Christian religion" derive their meaning, vitality, and efficacy from their direct relation to Christ, who is the foundation … Continue reading John Owen’s Vision of Christocentric Worship
worship
The Goodness of God: Divine Blessedness and Our Salvation
The doctrine of divine blessedness, or beatitudo Dei, affirms that God is perfect in himself, lacking nothing, and eternally fulfilled. This is grounded in scriptural exegesis of passages that describe God’s perfection and self-sufficiency. In Psalm 16:11, the psalmist declares, “You make known to me the path of life; in your presence there is fullness … Continue reading The Goodness of God: Divine Blessedness and Our Salvation
Is God One or Three?
Trinity? Christians worship the one God who exists as three persons. The doctrine of the Trinity is, indeed, a mystery. However, the doctrine is essential. The Scriptures describe the one God who is three persons—Father, Son, and Spirit. These three persons are distinct from each other, but the three persons are also one God. The … Continue reading Is God One or Three?
Resurrected Worship
Quoting Psalm 116.10, Paul said, "I believed, and therefore I did speak; we also believe, and therefore we also speak; knowing that he that raised up the Lord Jesus shall raise us up also with Jesus and present us with you" (2 Cor. 4:13-14). Psalm 116 is a most beautiful hymn of thanksgiving that shows … Continue reading Resurrected Worship
What Does it Mean to Be a Believer?
Leon Morris described Romans 3:21-22 this way, "In what is possibly the most important single paragraph ever written, Paul brings out something of the grandeur of Christ’s saving work. He speaks of the righteousness of God, the sin of man, and the salvation of Christ. He views this salvation in three ways: as justification (imagery from … Continue reading What Does it Mean to Be a Believer?
A Biblical Theology of Singing
(Speical thanks to Everett Ferguson's The Church of Christ: A Biblical Ecclesiology for Today) D. L. DeBord, M.Div What does a life look like when it is filled with God? It overflows with Godliness. We sing praises to God because we are filled to overflowing with his word and thankfulness to him. Our text in Ephesians … Continue reading A Biblical Theology of Singing
Give Me the Bible
Give me the Bible– holy message shining, Thy light shall guide me in the narrow way. Precept and promise, law and love combining, ‘Til night shall vanish in eternal day. We love the Bible. We love the Bible because of its author—2 Timothy 3:16. We love the Bible because it connects us with its author—1 … Continue reading Give Me the Bible
Holy Ambitions
Ambition for worldly prizes is attractive but vain. Jesus said, “do not lay up for yourselves treasures on earth where moth and rust corrupt and thieves break through and steal. But lay up for yourselves treasures in Heaven” (Matthew 6:19-20). God commends holy ambitions. God’s people are to look for every opportunity to “abound … Continue reading Holy Ambitions
Don’t Forget the Charger!
Isn't that one of the worst things you can see! Low battery, my phone is about to die. We all get that way on occasion. Sometimes we are tired and need a vacation. But sometimes we are tired and need a revival. Ezekiel 37 reminds us that there is hope for the hopeless in … Continue reading Don’t Forget the Charger!
Jehovah Cares
The headlines have been filled with news of "Obama Care" or the "Affordable Care Act". When asked, 47% approve of "The Affordable Care Act", but only 37% approve of "Obama Care". Whatever you think of the new health care laws, we know that God cares and has implemented the greatest health care plan available. GOD'S … Continue reading Jehovah Cares
Donnie's Dogmatics 