Throughout my years as a believer, I have been told and taught that when one reads or studies the Bible that one should not come with any preconceived theology in mind but allow the Word of God and the Spirit of God to work as one reads and studies the text. This is, of course, … Continue reading Of Bible Reading and Theological Formulation
Why Celebrate the Reformation?
I grew up in a tradition in which I was largely unaware of the Protestant Reformation. I knew I wasn’t a Roman Catholic and I really was unsure why. But I knew to be “Catholic” was bad, and to be “Baptist” was good. Much to my shock one day as I read the Apostle’s Creed … Continue reading Why Celebrate the Reformation?
Who Can Stand? A Meditation on Psalm 130:1-3
Out of the depths I have cried to You, O LORD; Lord, hear my voice! … Continue reading Who Can Stand? A Meditation on Psalm 130:1-3
e-Sword 11.2.1 Is Available
I have been a long time user of e-Sword (alongside BibleWorks) and cannot recommend it highly enough. It is a free Bible study software program that rivals many that you would have to pay for and is better than most. This program also makes basic word studies a breeze and has been of great use to those … Continue reading e-Sword 11.2.1 Is Available
Responses to “The Secret History of Leviticus”
As many of the blog's readers may have heard, The New York Times recently published an article by Idan Dershowitz entitled The Secret History of Leviticus. In the article the author seeks to explain away the clear prohibition against homosexuality found particularly in Leviticus 18:22, but he really doesn't offer any new "arguments" beyond the … Continue reading Responses to “The Secret History of Leviticus”
The Other 5 Points of Calvinism
In the year 1610, Jan Uytenbogaert and forty-one other followers of Jacob Arminius crafted a remonstrance (a formal protest) consisting of five articles of opposition to the Belgic Confession and the Reformed faith. These five articles of the of the followers of Arminius, who became known as the Remonstrants, were officially reviewed and condemned by … Continue reading The Other 5 Points of Calvinism
An Example of the Way Scripture May Be Undermined in a Sermon
Following are notes taken as I listened to a June 21, 2015, sermon by Pete Cocco delivered at Minier Christian Church in Minier, Illinois. I had originally posted these notes not long after he had delivered the sermon and while he was still the director of a local campus ministry. I then took the post … Continue reading An Example of the Way Scripture May Be Undermined in a Sermon
Family Worship: Some Practical Guidelines
Having considered the decline of family worship, as well as some biblical principles and positive benefits to support its practice, I'd now like to offer several basic guidelines that should govern our thinking and practice as we endeavor to implement family worship in our homes. Be consistent and persistent To achieve consistency, we need to … Continue reading Family Worship: Some Practical Guidelines
Family Worship: Some Positive Benefits
Having considered the decline of family worship (Part 1) and some biblical support for its practice (Part 2), we look now at some positive benefits, which in turn supply another argument for its restoration. As Paul instructs us in 1 Corinthians 10:31, “Whether we eat, drink, or whatever we do, we’re to do all to … Continue reading Family Worship: Some Positive Benefits
Family Worship: Its Biblical Basis
In Part 1, we defined family worship as "the occasion in which the members of a given family gather together in order to participate in special acts of worship, such as the singing of praise, the reading and hearing of Scripture, and the offering of prayer to God." In this segment of our study, we'll … Continue reading Family Worship: Its Biblical Basis