Expository Thoughts: Daniel 1 – Foundations for Faithfulness in Exile
Nebuchadnezzar is not the one who is in control. His gods are not triumphing over the God of Israel. This is the fundamental theological truth that runs through the book.
Successfully navigating the challenges of exile flows from faith in God’s sovereignty, confidence in our identity as his people, and a determination to remain loyal to him. Outwardly we might look identical to the world, as Daniel and his friends looked identical to the other young men taken into the king’s service, but inwardly we... Continue Reading
The History of Study Bibles
The Geneva Bible was the first English Bible to use verse divisions, thanks to the work of Robertus Stephanus.
The Reformers knew that for the church to remain faithful to Christ, the church and her congregants needed both to read and to study the Bible. The 1560 Geneva Bible embodied that commitment. We should be thankful for the gifted teachers and leaders of our own day who have applied their labors to publishing quality... Continue Reading
Polycarp, The Lord has Done Me No Wrong
It was not Polycarp’s teaching regarding church offices, the importance of Philippians for history of the New Testament canon, nor the Quartodeciman controversy that keeps him in historical remembrance, it is his death.
Polycarp came from a covenant household and was a Christian all his 86 years—God had never done him wrong. It is a remarkable affirmation because when challenging times come, the tendency is to blame God for the troubles. In times of struggle thoughts like, “Everything was going so well, but you let me down God,” or, “It... Continue Reading
Five Reasons God Gave Us the Sacraments
By the sacraments Christ is communicated to us, when we come not only with ears, eyes, taste, etc., but with faith exercised on Christ in the sacrament with respect to His institution of it, and He comes by His Spirit with the elements and Word.
The sacraments, which have in them, 1. a clear view of the bargain, so that we may accept it distinctly, and know what we are getting in it; 2. a solemn confirmation on God’s side of the covenant and the particular offer He makes in it; 3. a furthering of us in part, and helping... Continue Reading
A Pure Church
How Pure Worship Forms a Pure Church
Worship in this life that is shaped by our covenant relationship with God through the gospel, the spiritual realities of heavenly worship, sanctifies us into a pure church who live in light of that relationship as we wait for our blessed hope. By reenacting what we are in Christ, Christian worshipers become what we are.... Continue Reading
Following the Footsteps of Jesus: Consecration to the Father
Jesus did the Father’s will in all of life’s circumstances.
In all times and circumstances of life and ministry, Jesus kept His focus on doing His Father’s will. Jesus did not place conditions on doing His Father’s will, which we are tempted to do. We are tempted to think, and even say, “If my circumstances were different, then I would do God’s will.” Or we... Continue Reading
Esteeming Fatherhood
Fatherhood is ingrained within the fabric of creation.
All men are called to a father-like role in society. Not everyone is blessed with children of their own, but all men are called to act responsibly, with a kindly strength, to be gentlemanly toward and provide firm love, guidance, and protection toward children. In times gone by, we’d call it chivalry — to operate... Continue Reading
Let Brotherly Love Continue | Hebrews 13:1-6
How do we obtain and grow in brotherly love?
1 John 4:19 is the answer: “We love because he first loved us.” God’s love initiates; our love imitates. That is why these commands come in chapter 13 rather than chapter 1. Without the understanding of the love that Christ has demonstrated for us by not being ashamed to call us His brothers even as... Continue Reading
He Meant to Pass By Them
The Miracle of Jesus Walking on Water
Jesus walks on water, and this action reveals his deity. According to Mark 6:48, Jesus “meant to pass by them.” In the Old Testament, God is the one who subdues the waters and treads the waves. That poetic language in the Old Testament takes on a physical sense in the New Testament. The Word became... Continue Reading
From Uncertainty to Certainty: Epistemology in Textual Criticism
We can know, and we can have certainty because our omniscient God has preserved for us the Scriptures by his glorious power and grace.
Christians must be aware of the philosophies, with their corresponding epistemologies, behind their text of Scripture. If Scripture is the foundation of all Christian belief, ought we have un-Christian and failed philosophies at the root of the production of the scriptural text? If we abandon Biblical authority in the production of the text of Scripture,... Continue Reading
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