Category Archives: Reflections

I Give Thanks

Paul’s letter to the Philippians is filled with thanksgiving. Calvin writes that when Paul refers to things that are joyful he breaks forth in thanksgiving, which, Calvin observes, “is a practice we ought also to be familiar.” Thanksgiving is the … Continue reading

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Eschatology, Poythress, and the Hallelujah Chorus

I hope to write in the next 18 months a short booklet on eschatology. I have written some papers in the past, but have not been able to provide a general outline, specifically of the postmillennial hope, and its contrast … Continue reading

Posted in Eschatology, Music, N.T. Wright, Psalms, Puritans, Quotes, R.J. Rushdoony, Random Thoughts, Reflections, Reformed Theology, Theological Thoughts, Theonomy | Tagged , , , , , , , | 1 Comment

Authorship Thoughts

Over the years both in undergraduate and graduate studies I have been exposed to a host of New Testament authorship issues. I have been bombarded with alternative authorship theories on every New Testament book. From Mark to Paul, everything has … Continue reading

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The Ways of God

The ways of God confound the human mind. One would expect a divine finger to snap and create the world instantaneously. But he took his time and artistically prepared his home in six days. One would expect that God would … Continue reading

Posted in Deuteronomy, Dominion, Eschatology, Reflections, Reformed Theology, Theological Thoughts | Leave a comment

Book Review: Gods at War: Defeating the Idols that Battle for your Heart by Kyle Idleman

These days I rarely finish a book. I am currently reading through so many books I can barely keep track of which ones. I usually peruse a book, find what I want, and leave it buried in my increasing treasury … Continue reading

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The Ethics of Creation

When God made the world he made it in divine priority. He made all things with an agenda, and to use the oft-repeated line, “he saved the best for last.” He made man on day six, and at the end … Continue reading

Posted in Random Thoughts, Reflections, Reformed Theology, Resurrection, Revelation, Theological Thoughts, Trinity, Typology/Symbolism/Biblical Parallels, Wedding Homily, Word/Sacrament | Tagged , , , , , | Leave a comment

It’s Worth Defending

Evangelicals overall do a fine job at defending the trivial but struggle to defend the hard things. Machen observed long ago in his monumental Christianity and Liberalism that “it appears that the things that are sometimes thought to be hardest to defend … Continue reading

Posted in Apologetics, Cults/JW's & Mormons, Random Thoughts, Reflections, Reformed Theology, Resurrection, Revelation | Tagged , , | Leave a comment

Bring Out the Champagne! The Party Has Just Begun!

Easter is gone, right? Actually Easter has just begun! The Easter Season lasts for 50 days. It is glorified in the PENT-ecost season. According to the Christian Calendar, Easter lasts until May 19th (Pentecost Sunday). But didn’t we spend ourselves … Continue reading

Posted in Apologetics, Beer/Wine/Tobacco, History, Home, Hospitality, Humility, Humor, Lent, Links, Liturgy, Lordship, Random Thoughts, Reflections, Religious Art, Resurrection | Tagged , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , | Leave a comment

Maundy Thursday Meditation

Maundy Thursday comes from the Latin Mandatum. The word comes from Jesus’ command on the Last Supper to love one another just as He loved them (Lk. 24). The message of love is very much central to the Gospel message. Evangelicals are all too … Continue reading

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We Need New Ears and Eyes

I began my day reading through Jim Jordan’s magnum opus, Through New Eyes. Jim is a dear friend and we have worked together for three years (09-11). I have literally read and listened to hundreds of articles, sermons, & lessons. If Jim … Continue reading

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Preaching and the Prodigal Son

I often sit at my desk on Monday morning after a tiring and refreshing Sunday, and say to myself “Here I go again!” I just finished preaching and leading a liturgical service the day before, fellowshiped in the afternoon, and on … Continue reading

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Why Most Christians Should Use Facebook!

It is likely that you are a Facebook user. In fact, over one billion people are on Facebook. And of course, it is likely that you are reading this article because a friend linked to it on their Facebook page. … Continue reading

Posted in Lent, Links, Pictures, Politics, Prayers, Quotes, Random Thoughts, Reflections, Tolle Lege, Update | Tagged , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , | Leave a comment

Should Reformed People Read N.T. Wright?

It doesn’t happen quite often, but once in a while when I recommend a book or a quote by N.T. Wright on facebook, I will receive a question that goes something like this: “Do you approve of N.T. Wright? Do … Continue reading

Posted in Christian Living, N.T. Wright, Random Thoughts, Reflections, Reformed Theology, Theological Thoughts | Tagged , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , | 7 Comments

Lead Us Not Into Temptation, But Deliver Us From Evil

Satan’s gifts are easy to master. They come with first grade instruction manuals. They are made to be mastered quickly and enjoyed rapidly (sex, drugs, alcohol; various temptations). God’s gifts are a little harder to master. They demand self-control and … Continue reading

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Herod the Fox, Jesus the Hen, and the Exodus: Lectionary, Luke 13:31-35

In these few verses in St. Luke, the writer plays on the animal vocabulary to describe two opposing groups. In the process it also echoes the exodus motif. In this text, Herod is described as a fox. A fox is … Continue reading

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Jesus and Temptation: A Meditation on the First Sunday of Lent

As we embark in this Lenten Journey, we follow the footsteps of our Lord from His entrance into the wilderness and His entrance into death for three days. Luke 4 offers an extraordinary glimpse into the temptations Jesus endured in … Continue reading

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Better Than I Imagined…

I told someone recently that the pastorate is harder than I expected, but more rewarding than I imagined. As I continue to grow in wisdom I find myself more confident in counseling and exercising my daily pastoral duties. It is … Continue reading

Posted in Random Thoughts, Reflections | 2 Comments

You are a Sinful Wretch!

This is what sonship proponents and some extreme Calvinists have declared to their congregations again and again. But is this a true biblical teaching in light of the redemption of Christ? My old seminary friend, Jake Belder, has done a … Continue reading

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Liturgical Strategy

The worship of the Church accomplishes work in the world. Battles are won or lost as a result of how our churches worship God. Too often we act as though our differences over liturgy were simply differences over decoration, instead … Continue reading

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First Sunday in Lent: Psalm 25, David’s Distress and Deliverance

People of God, this is the first Sunday in Lent. And as we enter into this season we will take a look at Psalm 25. In fact, if you plan on meditating on a biblical book this Lenten Season, I … Continue reading

Posted in Prayers, Preaching, Psalms, Puritans, Reflections, Scriptures/Sola Scriptura, Sermons/Lent | 2 Comments

Election and Mission

I think it was N.T. Wright who once said that conversion is never separated from calling. In the same manner,  election is never separated from mission.

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The Story of the Bible

The Bible is about maturation. The story of Scriptures is the story of growing up into maturity. It begins in infancy in the garden and it ends with a mature man in a new world. The story of redemption is … Continue reading

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Festal Laughter

Peter Leithart quotes sections of Mikhail Bakhtin’s Dialogic Imagination and Rabelais and his World. In his discussion of laughter in the Medieval Ages, Bakhtin talks about how laughter invaded certain celebrations in the Church Year. In particular, he references the … Continue reading

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Catholics and Romans 13

In a recent conversation with a Lutheran pastor here in Milton, Florida we discussed the nature of the Roman Catholic revelations of abuse in the church,which has been going on for decades. In my mind, the issue boils down to … Continue reading

Posted in Ethics, Luther/Lutheranism, Lutheranism/Luther, One Minute Commentary, Reflections | 3 Comments

The Trinity and Feasting

The problem with ascetic traditions or traditions that highly exalt solitary contemplation as a way of life is that it is inherently Unitarian. On the other hand, Trinitarian theology calls for celebration and feasting in community as a way of … Continue reading

Posted in Reflections, Trinity | 4 Comments

Carl Trueman on “Should we respond when criticized on the blogosphere?”

Justin Taylor–who I am in the habit of visiting at least once a day–posted this interesting quote from Carl Trueman about responding to critiques on the blogosphere. Now Trueman and I would probably not drink beer in the same pub, … Continue reading

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Government and Hubris

David Brook’s Op-Ed piece in the New York Times is quite insightful. He argues that “humans are overconfident creatures.” They tend to assume that they are smarter than they really are. But it seems that this human overconfidence has been … Continue reading

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American Idolatry; Brief Reflection

I am one of those old fashioned evangelicals who believes God judges nations because of their iniquities (Amos 3:2). I also believe America is ripe for disaster. Why will we be punished? Because we have no sense of God’s judgment. … Continue reading

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What’s with the Blog?

This blog has been in existence for over five years. I probably average 120 hits a day. In the world of blogs, this is just average. As I look back to my early posts there is a progression of thought. … Continue reading

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Reflections on Water

I am quite fond of water. I grew up in a coastal city in Northeastern Brazil. The beaches were extraordinary. They were filled with poetry. Once you have seen Brazilian beaches it is not hard to imagine composing The Girl … Continue reading

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