As so much has been said about love so far, we must show what it is like in order that it is better understood, that one may not think he has love when it is only an illusion. Love cannot hide itself because its nature is light. It must shine and show itself in active…
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Still only 27 years old, John Calvin publishes the first edition of the Institutes of the Christian Religion. This first edition was quite compact. Over the next 23 years Calvin would repeatedly enlarge and restructure this work, culminating in the massive edition of 1559. Despite its immense influence on theological thought, it would be a…
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I once arrived home from a camping trip covered with mosquito bites. I had tried to protect myself from getting bitten, for I react pretty severely to bug bites. My skin gets all red, swollen, itchy, and hot, and I sometimes feel feverish and fatigued. I mixed up a blend of oils—citronella, peppermint, lemon balm,…
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Though argument does not create conviction, the lack of it destroys belief. What seems to be proved may not be embraced; but what no one shows the ability to defend is quickly abandoned. Rational argument does not create belief, but it maintains a climate in which belief may flourish. Austin Farrer, “The Christian Apologist,” in…
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Conclusion: Why Does This Matter? “Most evangelical Christians today seem to treat their church as one more thing to help out their Christian life, perhaps along with this Bible study, that music, those authors, this retreat, and keeping a journal. In other words the Christian conceives of his or her spiritual life as fundamentally one’s…
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The Gospel Was Given for a Time Like This “The gospel was not given to a world without sin, without confusion, without difficulty and persecution—that world needs no gospel. The gospel was given to a world like this one, a world marked by every kind of pain and perversity. This world needs a gospel and,…
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I God moves in a mysterious way his wonders to perform; he plants his footsteps in the sea, and rides upon the storm. II Deep in unfathomable mines of never-failing skill he treasures up his bright designs, and works his sovereign will. III Ye fearful saints, fresh courage take; the clouds ye so much dread…
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Augsburg Confession of Faith presented to the Holy Roman Emperor Charles V. Written by Philip Melanchthon and representing the views of the early Lutheran reformation, it took a strong stand on the necessity of justification by faith alone. Hopes that the emperor would sign the confession were dashed when he commissioned traditionalists to respond and then…
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There are few people who don’t love to read or watch a good mystery story. There is an allure to that which is mysterious, a thrill in the search of the valiant detective for the truth that draws us to (vicariously) join in the quest. Conspiracy theories take this allure to a whole new level.…
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The true gospel is radically exclusive. Jesus is not a way; He is the way, and all other ways are no way at all. If Christianity would only move one small step toward a more tolerant ecumenicalism and exchange the definite article the for the indefinite article a, the scandal would be over, and the…
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