In Sum. Cont. Gent. 2.15, Aquinas explains how it is that “God is the Cause of All Being.” This fundamental truth is affirmed in passages like Genesis 1, Acts 17:28, and Romans 11:36. I have summarized Aquinas’ argument below. So we can appreciate what it means for God to be the Cause of All Being. … Continue reading The First Cause: Aquinas and the Nature of Existence
religion
John Owen’s Vision of Christocentric Worship
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
The Holy Spirit: Divine Creator, Life-Giver, and Teacher
The theology of the Holy Spirit entails three profound areas of focus: his deity, his work as Life-Giver, and Teacher. Firstly, the Holy Spirit is recognized as true God. This divine essence shines through from the very outset of Scripture, where the Spirit of God is seen moving over the waters during creation (Genesis 1:2). … Continue reading The Holy Spirit: Divine Creator, Life-Giver, and Teacher
What Happened When Jesus Died?
Jesus' sacrifice of himself on the cross is one of the richest moments of history. We could never exhaust everything that God accomplished through Christ on the cross. Herman Bavinck helps us out a bit. Bavinck gave offered a helpful list of what Christ has accomplished for his own glory: What Christ acquired by this … Continue reading What Happened When Jesus Died?
THE INTIMIDATING GOD WORTH FINDING
Paul approached the scholarly philosophers on Mars Hill to free them from their vain philosophies and introduce them to the true God. He warned the Colossians against falling to vain philosophies (Col. 2:8). Now he worked to free the Epicureans and Stoics from their own error so they could know the true God. The Epicureans … Continue reading THE INTIMIDATING GOD WORTH FINDING
Ministry Commission
Luke 3:3 When John received the word, he went with the word. No greater testimony could be given of man that he received the word and went with the word. So much is said in the simple phrase “he went.” O’ that we would all go. I am amazed at how many can hear the … Continue reading Ministry Commission
The Sacred Text Message–The Doctrine of Inspiration
John Locke said: “The Bible is one of the greatest blessings bestowed by God on the children of men. It has God for its author; salvation for its end; and truth without any mixture for its matter. It is all pure.” The importance of the inspired text is seen in Moses’ words: “And these words … Continue reading The Sacred Text Message–The Doctrine of Inspiration
Priorities
What to do? What to do first? What is most important? What are our priorities? A priority is defined by Webster as "a thing that is regarded as more important than another." Jesus identified his proper priorities when he said, "But seek first His kingdom and His righteousness, and all these things will be added … Continue reading Priorities
Lord, Help Me to Trust You–Salvation by Faith
Trust is the root of faith and the basis of our religion and life. We must learn to trust Him. We strive not just to trust him more, but to trust him completely. Mark 9 records a wonderful illustration of growing trust in Jesus. When they came back to the disciples, they saw a large … Continue reading Lord, Help Me to Trust You–Salvation by Faith
On Christian Love
Love is patient, love is kind and is not jealous; love does not brag and is not arrogant,does not act unbecomingly; it does not seek its own, is not provoked, does not take into account a wrong suffered, does not rejoice in unrighteousness, but rejoices with the truth; bears all things, believes all things, hopes all … Continue reading On Christian Love
Donnie's Dogmatics 