John Calvin: As all mankind are, in the sight of God, lost sinners, we hold that Christ is their only righteousness, since, by his obedience, he has wiped off our transgressions; by his sacrifice appeased the divine anger; by his blood, washed away our stains; by his cross, borne our curse; and by his death, […]
Read More Reformation Week Reflection #4The story of the death of the two English Reformers Hugh Latimer and Nicholas Ridley is well known. Ryle recounts their meeting and death at the stake: Ridley first entered the place, and earnestly holding up both his hands, looked towards heaven. Shortly after, seeing Latimer, he ran to him, embraced and kissed him, saying, […]
Read More Reformation Week Reflection #3“Remember those who led you, who spoke the word of God to you; and considering the result of their conduct, imitate their faith.” (Heb. 13:7; NASB) The typical American neighborhood was inundated last night by an assortment of ghosts, goblins, witches, and vampires, interspersed with a few pirates, angels, cartoon characters, bunnies, puppies, scarecrows and […]
Read More All Saints DayThis morning Al Mohler synthesizes a commentary written by Methodist pastor Rob Renfroe, who offers his analysis of why the Methodist church is debating such important issues in that denomination. Mohler’s summary says: Clarifying the issues is a first step toward answering the crucial questions. Rob Renfroe has done a commendable job of clarifying the […]
Read More Truth and Scripture in the postmodern worldAre you curious about the reformation, but don’t know much about it? Here are three books that I’ve found helpful (this is not intended to be an extensive listing, but just enough to give you an introduction and taste of the lives of some of the key men of the Reformation). They all offer brief […]
Read More Reformation BooksJohn Calvin: …justification by faith [is] the first and keenest subject of controversy…Wherever the knowledge of it is taken away, the glory of Christ is extinguished. And later: How comes it that we are “carried about with so many strange doctrines” (Hebrews 13:9)? Because the excellence of Christ is not perceived by us. So of […]
Read More Reformation Week Reflection #2At or near the top of the New York Times bestseller list for many months, Joel Osteen (Your Best Life Now) has a significant audience. What is his thesis? He reveals his motivation on page 1, telling the story of a man who had some success. While on vacation in Hawaii, this man saw a […]
Read More Christ died . . . for prosperity?Yesterday Elizabeth asked me what Martin Luther said in his 95 theses (declarations) to the church in Wittenberg. You may read the theses here. The statements were his attempt to bring the church to a point of repentance for its corruption of the truth of the gospel — that man is saved by grace alone, […]
Read More Just what did Luther say?In honor of Tuesday being Reformation Day (the 489th anniversary of the posting of Martin Luther’s 95 theses on the door of the church in Wittenberg), here is the first in a series of quotes from some of the reformers on the importance of the gospel: “Either sin is with you, lying on your shoulders, […]
Read More Reformation Week Reflection #1Why someone wants to be saved is no small question. It penetrates the heart of our motives and offers a clear view of the desire of our heart. (Do we want God or do we want a gift that God gives?) If God is not your ultimate joy and desire, you may not be saved. […]
Read More Desiring SalvationThose who are saved are saved eternally by the work of the eternal Godhead on their behalf. What does each member of the Godhead do for believers in Christ? [This list is nowhere near exhaustive, but it is a good starting point.] The work of the Father to secure you He has sovereign purposes and […]
Read More Sunday Leftovers (10/29/06)“Consider the excellency of the scriptures. There is a transcendent glory in them, which whoso discern cannot miss to hug and embrace them. To commend the bible to you, I shall say these eight things of it. [Here is the first only.] 1. It is the best of books. They may know much, ye think, […]
Read More Thomas Boston on ScriptureI thought about the grace of God as I read the newspaper this week, because the writers of two essays didn’t. The first essay, “Control Issues” by Daniel Akst rightly evaluates the lack of self-control that is rampant in our culture. He perceptively writes, Most of us who live with children and computers know about […]
Read More Living by grace is importantAl Mohler’s synthesis of yesterday’s decision by the New Jersey Supreme Court to grant the rights and privileges of marital status to those in same-sex relationships is particularly worth reading. He offers a clear summary of the decision and then several important paragraphs of analysis.
Read More Mohler on the NJ Supreme CourtThe supreme gift given by the Father to the Son is a redeemed people that will eternally glorify and delight in the Son. That means that we who are saved are God’s great gift to His Son. And those whom the Father has given to the Son not only will not be lost by the […]
Read More Sunday Leftovers (10/22/06)
