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  • Calvin and Lewis on Liturgy

    John Calvin on liturgy: “As to what concerns a form of prayer and ecclesiastical rites, I highly approve of it that there be a certain form, from which the ministers be not allowed to vary: That first, some provision be made to help the simplicity and unskillfulness of some; secondly, that the consent and harmony Read more

  • “Sin Boldly”: Righly Understanding Luther’s Counsel to Melanchthon

    Melanchthon was having another one of his bouts of conscience. His sins and sinfulness were weighing on him. He wrote to Luther, wondering aloud if he was really and truly a Christian. Luther responded with straight gospel fire: “Sin boldly. But believe even more boldly in Christ, and rejoice.” In other words: yes, you are Read more

  • A primer on patriarchalism versus complementarianism — It’s Good to be a Man

    This was a Facebook comment of mine, turned into a short article on the “It’s Good to Be a Man” website, posted on August 19, 2020. Bnonn Tennant made a few edits. Summary: Complementarians are primarily concerned with male and female roles in marriage and church; the patriarchal-household view is concerned with how male and Read more

  • 1 Samuel 29 Sermon Follow-Up: David’s Surprising Salvation

    The stories in 1 Samuel 28-29 are out of chronological order. The dischronologization serves both a literary and theological/ethic purpose. How do we know the stories are out of order? The geographical and chronological details make it clear that the events of chapter 29 actually happened before the events of chapter 28. The writer has Read more

  • Old X Posts, #2

    Another post from the archives: — Every book in the New Testament teaches that our eternal destiny hinges on doing good works There is no salvation without obedience Good works are necessary if we are to be saved You will not be forgiven without repentance Do not be deceived: You will reap what you have Read more

  • Quotebook #7

    “Charity means pardoning the unpardonable, or it is no virtue at all. Hope means hoping when things are hopeless, or it is no virtue at all. And faith means believing the incredible, or it is no virtue at all.”— Chesterton — “A good man’s work is effected by doing what he does, a woman’s by Read more