“We won!” yelled the fan from his couch 1000 miles away from the stadium as he finally watched yesterday’s game that he had recorded. He sat there wearing his team colors, but he had never played in his life. How could he say “We won!”? The same way we enjoy the blessings of Christ. … Continue reading The Mystical Union in Christ
Shriveling of the Sacred and the Destruction of Culture
As went the university, so went catechism class. A typical religious education textbook from the post–Vatican II period wouldn’t deny basic Christian teachings like the Resurrection and the Atonement, or specifically Catholic concepts like purgatory and the intercession of the saints—but it would often ignore or minimize them, substituting the language of self-actualization and personal … Continue reading Shriveling of the Sacred and the Destruction of Culture
“SIMUL JUSTUS ET PECCATOR” THE DOCTRINE OF JUSTIFICATION: THE DOCTRINE UPON WHICH THE CHURCH STANDS OR FALLS
“Those whom he predestined he also called; and those whom he called he also justified” (Rom. 8:30). At the core of the Christian’s relationship with the holy God is the doctrine of justification. Concerning justification, Bavinck wrote, “Of all God’s benefits given in the covenant of grace, first place belongs to Justification, to forgiveness of … Continue reading “SIMUL JUSTUS ET PECCATOR” THE DOCTRINE OF JUSTIFICATION: THE DOCTRINE UPON WHICH THE CHURCH STANDS OR FALLS
Onward Christian Soldier
God has commissioned us, his ambassadors, to go forth in battle and free those subdued the tyranny of sin. Christians must be ever mindful of those who are looking for escape. Moses, in Numbers 11:29, said “Would that all the Lord’s people were prophets, that the Lord would put his Spirit on them!” Moses … Continue reading Onward Christian Soldier
The Preparation for and Application of Salvation
Why do some people want to become Christians and others do not? What role does God play in shaping our desire to be saved? Could I be saved if God did not want me to? Could I be saved if God did not help me? God has, from eternity, known those who … Continue reading The Preparation for and Application of Salvation
Feeling Lost?: Finding Our Focus in God’s Purpose
Photo by rawpixel.com on Pexels.com You are probably like me. We feel overwhelmed. We don’t really know which direction to go. We aren’t sure what to do next. Maybe, something as simple as finding a place for lunch can trigger our anxiety. American wealth has provided the miserable cloud of a thousand options which … Continue reading Feeling Lost?: Finding Our Focus in God’s Purpose
Who Did That?
Photo by Garon Piceli on Pexels.com Who did that? Parents are all too familiar with that question. Who broke the cup? Who did not do the dishes? Who hid their dinner under the plants? We struggle with this question in our relationship with God as well. Two theological extremes exist. One says that God is … Continue reading Who Did That?
The Doctrine of the Resurrection
Why does the Christian religion depend on Jesus’ resurrection? How could we prove the resurrection of Jesus? Did the Old Testament give us any reason to hope for Jesus’ resurrection? In the resurrection of Jesus, the doctrines of “God’s character and purposes, creation, humanity as the covenant servant, and Christ as Lord and Servant—converge.”[1] … Continue reading The Doctrine of the Resurrection
He Loved Us so He Made Us
Photo by Public Domain Pictures on Pexels.com If you have ever worried about your self-worth, remember that God made you and that he made the universe so you could live, flourish, and see his glory so that you could love Him and know you are loved by Him. Our Creator is a personal God. Furthermore, … Continue reading He Loved Us so He Made Us
Munus Triplex: Jesus is the Prophet, Priest and King
How can we describe all that Jesus has done? This seems like an impossible task, but the munus triplex has been a helpful way of summarizing all that Jesus has done. The munus triplex refers to Jesus’ work as Prophet, Priest, and King. The Old Testament sets up these Messianic expectations for the Messiah … Continue reading Munus Triplex: Jesus is the Prophet, Priest and King
Donnie's Dogmatics 