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  • Notes on Christian Nationalism: Origins and Fault Lines

    [This primer on Christian nationalism grew mainly out of discussions on X. The term “Christian nationalism,” as I use it here, has become something of an umbrella term for conservative/traditional Protestants who want to see Christian influence on national life and culture. Obviously, some see problems with the label – I do as well –… Read more

  • FROM THE ARCHIVES: “BAPTISMAL EFFICACY AND THE REFORMED TRADITION” (2002)

    BAPTISMAL EFFICACY AND THE REFORMED TRADITION: PAST, PRESENT, AND FUTURE By Rich Lusk OUR REFORMED HERITAGE When a Reformed Christian hears “baptismal regeneration,” what comes to mind?  “Heresy,” most likely.  Unfortunately, many in the Reformed community today have lost touch with some important aspects of their own heritage.  If Reformed theology is going to continue… Read more

  • 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