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Category Archives: Theological Thoughts
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
Posted in Random Thoughts, Reflections, Resurrection, Theological Thoughts
Tagged Paul, philippians, thanks, thanksgiving
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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 amil, Baptism, corinthians, discipled, eschatology, postmil, premil, reign
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Pronouncement and Process in the Pastoral Call
The pastoral task requires a prophetic and priestly vision. The prophetic dimension comes through proclamation in word. This proclamation fills the ministry of word with grace. Grace is riches in the Bible. So the pastoral proclamation is a form of … Continue reading
Posted in Counseling/Pastoral Issues, Theological Thoughts, Word/Sacrament
Tagged church, Counseling, faith, Grace, knowlegde, parish, parishioners, pastor, people, Preaching, priestly, process, pronouncement, prophetic, pulpit, rites. sacraments, rituals, Truth
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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
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
Posted in Book Notes, Book Reviews, Humor, Quotes, Random Thoughts, Reflections, Theological Thoughts
Tagged Battle of the gods Beale, G.K. Beale, gods, idleman, idols, Joshua, pastor, serve
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When a Greek Orthodox and a Protestant Reformed Pastor Agree
Over at Orthodox Bridge, Mr. Arakaki graciously interacts with some of my thoughts on the Ascension. He observes: Reading Rev. Brito’s reflection reminded me of the debt I owe to the Reformed tradition: how it led me out of the … Continue reading
Posted in Theological Thoughts
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This world is not my home…or is it?
Those who follow me on twitter may see several tweets with the hash-tag #Ruthproject. The Ruth project is a new work I am working with a fellow pastor from Birmingham. We are working on a commentary on Ruth. But this will … Continue reading
Imitative Theology
We are imitators by nature. God made us this way. We are, after all, image-bearers. To copy is human. We know this in a very profound way when we become parents. Children very early on begin to reflect our temperament … Continue reading
Posted in The Attributes of God, Theological Thoughts, Tolle Lege, Trinity, Typology/Symbolism/Biblical Parallels, Update
Tagged choose, God, idols, imitation, Joshua, life, second commandment, transfer, worship
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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
Not a Primitive Philosophy
Will Willimon writing for the Christian Century asserts that truthfulness is most clearly seen in its practical force. “How shall they know you are my disciples? When you love one another.” This was Jesus’ simple response. At the same time we … Continue reading
Posted in History, Miscellaneous, Politics, Preaching, Sermon Notes, The Attributes of God, The Law of God, Theological Thoughts
Tagged faith, history, John, life, Philosophy, Pilate, The Truth, True, Truth, Willimon
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The Evangelical, the Damning Statistics, and What To Do About It, Part I
The results are in and they don’t look good. Christianity Today reports on the Sex Lives of Unmarried Evangelicals. The two surveys offer differing numbers, but the conclusion is summarized in this manner: Bible Reading? Evangelicals who infrequently read the Bible were 70 … Continue reading
Posted in Education, Graduation, Philosophy, Poetry, The Law of God, Theological Thoughts
Tagged Bible, Catechism, Class, education, Fornication, Math, Sexuality, Story
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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
Posted in James Jordan, Psalms, Quotes, Random Thoughts, Reflections, Reformed Theology, Theological Thoughts
Tagged Bible, Body, books, church, communion, Culture, eschatology, faith, God, Hermeneutics, James B. Jordan, Jesus, love, Narrative, politics, psalms, Scriptures, Through New Eyes
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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 church, Jesus, John Piper, Justification, Kevin Vanhoozer, N.T. Wright, New Perspective, NTW, Old Perspective, Paul, politics, Providence Church, Reformation, Reformed, religion, Resurrection, Should we read N.T. Wright, spirituality, Theology, Trinity, unity, Wisdom, Wright said
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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
Authority of Word and Miracles
Arthur Just makes the simple observation that ἐξουσίᾳ (authority) is used in Luke 4:32 and 4:36. The first connects Jesus’ authority with his words/teaching and the second connects it with his miracles. Jesus’ words cannot be separated from his miracles. The … Continue reading
Posted in Luke, Theological Thoughts
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When was James Written?
Mark Horne makes a brief assessment as to why James was written before the death and resurrection of Jesus. He notes: Name any other “New Testament” epistle that encourages believers to endure through suffering without mentioning the death and resurrection … Continue reading
Posted in Theological Thoughts
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The Abuse of Introspection
Some people dwell so much on their sinfulness that they find themselves constantly bombarding their status with doubt. Am I really a Christian? Am I worthy? These questions are not atypical of those who grow up in environments where internalized … Continue reading
Posted in Counseling/Pastoral Issues, Psalms, Puritans, Reformed Theology, Theological Thoughts
Tagged Doubt, Instrospection, salvation
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Knowledge and Creation
Here is a brief summary of my argument in a lengthy exchange with a few friends on facebook. First, God is all wise. Wisdom and knowledge come from him. Second, this knowledge is dispensed in creation. Adam may have had … Continue reading
Posted in Theological Thoughts
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Greg Bahnsen’s Helpful Reminder
In the first introductory lecture on Political Ethics, Greg Bahnsen reminded his students that there are three main types of Christians: Doctrinarians, pietists, and transformationalists. Bahnsen reminded his students that if we isolate any one of those qualities we fail … Continue reading
Posted in Greg Bahnsen, Theological Thoughts
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We need a theology of rest
Marva Dawn has been one of the most gifted voices into my own life. Over the years I have been struck by her profound insights into worship, and her counsel to bathe our souls in the psalms. In preaching through … Continue reading
Posted in Book Notes, Theological Thoughts
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Sanders and Covenant Nomism
In one of the most scholarly works against Sanders’ thesis, entitled Justification and Variegated Nomism (two volumes), D.A. Carson concludes: “One conclusion to be drawn, then, is not that Sanders is wrong everywhere, but he is wrong when he tries to establish … Continue reading
Posted in N.T. Wright, Theological Thoughts
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No Such Thing as Solo Glory
Fellow CREC Pastor, Toby Sumpter, concludes: There is no such thing as solo glory. There is only glory in community, glory bestowed and received. When Jesus calls us to be light, He’s calling us to serve one another, and to … Continue reading
Posted in Theological Thoughts
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Glory
We have glory. We are image bearers, which means we share the glory of the Triune God. We are made partakers of the divine image. We are glory, and becoming glorified. Glory is given, not earned. Jesus takes this glory … Continue reading
Wilderness comes to Synagogue
The modern situation of the church can be summarized by the theme: “The Wilderness comes to the Synagogue.” This what we see in the inception of the kingdom ministry of Jesus (Mk.1). Jesus overcomes the devil in the desert. The … Continue reading
Posted in Mark, Theological Thoughts
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To Die
Our God is not a slave master seeking to work us to death, but rather to die in our working as we humble ourselves and learn to forsake our sins, and follow after Jesus.
Posted in Theological Thoughts
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Epiphany Re-Gathering
The Epiphany season is a babelic reversal. It does not contain the fullness of the Pentecost reversal, but it is the beginning of this undoing. Babel was meant to be a flood-proof structure and empire. Jesus opens the flood gates, … Continue reading
Posted in Christmas, Church Calendar, Theological Thoughts
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Theology of Patience
I have argued before–as have others–that the Church needs to develop a theology of patience. After all, the Edenic sin of impatience– that of taking something without being prepared–has plunged us into innumerable other sins. We are a future-oriented people, which … Continue reading
Posted in Creeds, Theological Thoughts
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The Messianic Bible
In preparation for this Sunday’s sermon on Genesis 3 I am reading James Hamilton excellent and lengthy essay The Skull Crushing Seed of the Woman. In it he observes that a proper biblical hermeneutic would mean that” from start to … Continue reading
Posted in Theological Thoughts
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Baptism Random Notes
A theology of Bridal maturation would not dichotomize, but rather strengthen the spiritual and fleshly nature of the covenant under a new creation. Also, covenant theology is also expansion theology. By making limitations to the New Creation one is decreasing … Continue reading
Resurrectio et Vita 
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 →