Blog 240: 4.20.2 – 4.20.7
Calvin has already established his understanding of “a twofold government” to which human beings are subject: an inward government in which God rules over the individual human soul for eternal…
Sean Lucas
Christmas Books
Since I inevitably blog about books I’m reading, many of you already know the books about which I think highly. You can read my thoughts about Introverts in the Church;…
Introverts in the church
As a confirmed INTJ (that’s Myers-Briggs personality speak for introvert, intuitive, thinking, judgment), I’ve struggled at time with my personality. For example, my wife loves to entertain large groups of…
Ray Ortlund at Gospel Coalition
Glad to see my friend, Ray Ortlund, senior pastor at Immanuel Church in Nashville, Tennessee, is now blogging at the Gospel Coalition. Thankful for his passion for Christ and his…
Counsel from the Cross
As I’ve transitioned from teaching back to congregational ministry, I find myself reading widely in the “practical theology” field–whether pastoral theology, preaching, worship, or counseling. One of the better books…
Counterfeit Gods
As I’ve grown in my knowledge of the Reformed faith, I’ve come increasingly to appreciate the Heidelberg Catechism. In its exposition of the Ten Commandments, the Catechism wisely notes that…
Beauty will rise
This is an amazing interview with Steven Curtis Chapman about his new album, Beauty Will Rise. Written as “personal psalms” in the aftermath of the tragic death of his five-year…
Blog 211: 4.15.1 – 4.15.8
Having discussed the nature of the sacraments generally, Calvin moves to unpack the sacrament of baptism. He defines baptism as “the sign of the initiation by which we are received…
Blog 210: 4.14.20 – 4.14.26
Calvin argues that the Old Testament sacraments “looked to the same purpose to which ours now tend: to direct and almost lead men by the head to Christ” (4.14.20). In…
Blog 209: 4.14.14 – 4.14.20
While the sacraments are wonderful gifts given to us by God, we have to say that they are not required for salvation. Nor are they even required for assurance of…