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  • Charles Simeon on Baptismal Regeneration

    This lengthy but insightful quotation on the historic meaning of “baptismal regeneration” and the problem with modern “refinements” is taken from Richard Whately’s 1857 tract on Baptism: “In the baptismal Service,” says the late Mr Simeon, “we thank God for having regenerated the baptized infant by his Holy Spirit. Now from hence it appears that, in the opinion Read more

  • Circumcision, Baptism, and Colossians 2:11-12

    What is the circumcision made without hands in Colossians 2? How does it relate to circumcision as the sign of the Abrahamic covenant? How does it relate to baptism? “[11] In him also you were circumcised with a circumcision made without hands, by putting off the body of the flesh, by the circumcision of Christ, Read more

  • FV and Assurance

    An X post from November 2024: A comment on FV and assurance: Assurance is not found through a process of introspection, making sure I have a really regenerated heart (the human heart is too much of a labyrinth for that, and we are all too easily prone to self-serving forms of self-deception). Rather, assurance is Read more

  • FV Summarized

    FV Summarized

    An X post from 8/8/24: Since discussions of the so-called Federal Vision are heating back up, I figured I’d give a quick, short summary of the key emphases of FV: 1. Creation is gift. This means there is no nature/grace dualism in the Bible and no merit theology in the Bible. Everything is grace. Grace Read more

  • 1 Samuel 26 Sermon Follow-up: Sanctified Swagger

    1 Samuel 26 Sermon Follow-up: Sanctified Swagger

    1 Samuel 26 is a story of sanctified swagger. Women often doubt such a thing exists, but most men know it does.  What happens in 1 Samuel 26? David takes Abishai with him into the heart of Saul’s camp. They’re outnumbered 3000 to 2. David is a total underdog. But he knows God loves the Read more

  • The Meaning of Old Covenant Circumcision

    The Meaning of Old Covenant Circumcision

    What was the meaning of circumcision in the Abrahamic covenant? Remember the context in which circumcision was instituted: right after Abraham tried to produce the promised seed in his own strength with Hagar. The sequence of Gen. 15-16-17 is critical. Abraham is given the promise of the seed (chapter 15). But then he tried to Read more