Tag: jesus
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March and April ’25 on X — Marriage, Parenting, Race/Nationalism, Psalms, Baptism and Covenant, Liberalism and Libertarianism, the Papacy, the Gospel, Pastoral Ministry, Christendom and Christian Nationalism, Ecclesiastes, and More
Some of my recent X posts (roughly mid-March to early May ‘25): — If you haven’t yet read John Murray’s article, “The Church: Its Definition in Terms of ‘Visible’ and ‘Invisible’ Invalid,” your theological education is still incomplete. — “Preach as a dying man to dying men, as one who might never preach again.” –…
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The Reformed Tradition and the Civil Magistrate
Presbyterian PSA: The Westminster Confession of Faith (revised 1788) teaches that the civil magistrate has the duty to “maintain piety, justice, and peace” in society. Obviously, the definition of these terms is to be derived from Scripture. The office of civil magistrate exists under God, “the Supreme Lord and King of all the world,” and…
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Notes on Parenting
I encourage parents to make the discipline of their young children as liturgical as possible. How can discipline be a liturgy? What is a liturgy of discipline? Discipline should be consistent not only in that parents discipline for the same offenses, but in that discipline should be carried out in a regimented way. Basically: Give…
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Husbands, Take Out the Trash
If a husband and wife are short with each other, snappy, impatient, if small disagreements escalate into major conflicts, if they constantly accuse and feel accused, etc., the presenting issue is never the *real* issue. In many cases, the problem is that a million small disruptions in the relationship have never been dealt with and…
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Jesus Covers David (Psalms)
We probably all have a favorite cover song – you know, a song that exists in an original version but which has been picked up and performed by another singer. One of my favorites is Johnny Cash’s “Hurt.” It was originally by Nine Inch Nails but Johnny Cash did a cover of it and….well, let’s…
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Notes on Hebrews 1:1-4
Hebrews 1:1-4 is perhaps the most spectacular opening statement in any NT epistle. It’s like a tightly compressed spring that will pop open over the rest of the letter. It’s like flower whose petals will unfold over the next 13 chapters. The whole letter is summarized in these jam-packed verses. A couple observations: First, Paul…
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The Resurrection
The resurrection is not just proof that God accepted Jesus’ payment for sins on the cross. The resurrection is not just a receipt. The resurrection is Jesus’ vindication and therefore the vindication of all who are in him. The resurrection is Jesus’ justification, as it overturned the condemnation of the earthly courts that put Jesus…
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The Irony of Palm Sunday
Palm Sunday is a day full of ironies. Palm Sunday is not merely a pep rally for crowds welcoming Jesus to the city. They thought he would be a conquering king who would redeem them. They cried out, “Hosanna,” meaning, “save us now!” or “please save us!” They expected him to be inaugurated king and…
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Race, Ethnicity, and Sanctification
Most of this was originally posted on X and is related to discussions there: It’s true Paul agreed with the generalization that Cretans are liars, evil beasts, and lazy gluttons (Titus 1:12). It’s also true that having carried out a gospel ministry at Crete, Paul expected Titus to find Cretan men who met the qualifications…
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Lord’s Supper: Hors D’Oeuvres of the New Creation
The Lord’s Supper shows us that creation participates in Christ’s death and resurrection. By identifying his body and blood with bread and wine, Jesus shows that he came to redeem the whole world. This fallen creation will be set free. Grace crucifies and resurrects nature. The kingdom is not an escape from this world, nor…
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