Calvin apparently lived with a profound awareness of the potential for death that constantly accompanies us as human beings. In 1.17.10 of his Institutes of the Christian Religion, the Reformer provided a rather sobering catalog of the “innumerable … deaths…
During the sixteenth century there were many religious colloquies involving Protestant and Roman Catholic theologians. These all sought the elusive goal of a religious settlement that would enable both sides to coexist in a united church. The most famous of…
During the sixteenth century there were many religious colloquies involving Protestant and Roman Catholic theologians. These all sought the elusive goal of a religious settlement that would enable both sides to coexist in a united church. The most famous of…
In a remarkable scene at the end of David’s life, the sweet singer of Israel reflects on his life and his hope for the future. We can well understand that David would be concerned for the future well-being of his…
In his book, The God We Worship, Nicholas Wolterstorff defines worship as the “Godward acknowledgement of God’s unsurpassable greatness . . . whose attitudinal stance toward God is awed, reverential, and grateful adoration.” According to Wolterstorff, worship is “Godward” in…
‘Puritan’ has been co-opted by many Reformed evangelicals to mean ‘whatever I think is good, noble, and true’. So, Edwards becomes a Puritan because of his Reformed piety and maybe Ryle also. Definitely Piper. And obviously Packer. And, well, if…
Erasmus and the Greek New Testament This year marks the 500th anniversary of the publication of Erasmus’ Greek New Testament. It was a landmark publication for biblical studies, though we may tend to forget its role in the Reformation. 2016…
“Beauty will save the world.” – Fyodor Dostoyevsky, The Idiot A striking literary maxim can confound us because it is both horribly wrong and wonderfully right. “Beauty will save the world.” Oh yes (sarcasm), Renoir’s Girl with a Watering Can will stay the…
Last week I posted a piece suggesting three principles by which the Presbyterian Church in America (PCA) may respond to the call to confess racist tendencies in the years leading up to its founding. One of these principles was to…
This is the final post in a twelve-part series on the current Christological confusion taking root in China’s emerging Reformed community (see parts 1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, and 9 and 10 and 11). Conclusion There may be ways to construe the supposed pre-existent humanity of Christ without transgressing…
