Basic Axioms on The Holy Spirit
The Niceno-Constantinopolitan Creed, composed in A.D. 381, sums up the considered biblical exegesis and doctrinal commitments of the church at the time.
Given that the Spirit is one with the Father and the Son from eternity, he is to be worshiped with them in one united act of adoration. We were all baptized into the one name of the Father, the Son, and the Holy Spirit. Since God is one indivisible being, it is inconceivable that the... Continue Reading
On Slander
In its widest sense, slander refers to any speech that harms the reputation of another person.
In his law God has prescribed a state of harmony which ought to prevail in human society; slander breaks this harmony and thereby upsets human society itself, supplanting mutual respect and love with suspicion, hatred, and strife. Where it has occurred, amends are to be made, fault acknowledged and repented, and the proper harmony restored... Continue Reading
Natural Law and Outhouses – What Do They Have in Common?
Both outhouses and natural law have been useful in their own day, but now they have become nothing but a blight on our landscape.
What is the fatal flaw among the natural law proponents? The natural law proponents have greatly underestimated the power of sin in the unbeliever apart from some form of the influence of the Christian Faith. The Westminster Confession of Faith VI.2 states that in the Fall man “became dead in sin, and wholly defiled in... Continue Reading
Free Will and “Gay Christianity”
Can man in his fallen condition blame someone else, even his Creator, for his moral failures?
How does the biblical doctrine of “Free Will” address the popular notions of “gay Christianity” or what has been called Side B or Revoice theology? This false teaching claims that one’s sexual orientation (a Freudian concept not a biblical one) is present at birth and is unchangeable. Indeed, this teaching considers it abusive to attempt... Continue Reading
What the Church Needs Now
The church must not use the world’s language, measurements, or solutions to correct the wrongs in the community of Faith.
The Evangelical world is in a great position to stand up against all manner of evil in our culture as it is unfolding before our very eyes in the name of social justice. We can give the world something concrete by which to see that Christ makes a difference in how to deal with sin.... Continue Reading
Living Stones
We are reminded that the church is not a building but a people.
In Him we are precious, valued, chosen not because we are choice but because of His grace. We are enfolded into Christ’s church not to be admired as we might admire the beauty of the great cathedrals of Europe, but to serve. Peter identifies us as a holy priesthood, tasked with the responsibility and joy... Continue Reading
Give Others Their Moment
Allow others to share without one-upping them.
Your friend shares about their special needs child? You are listening to a story of your friend who is a caregiver and the surgery the person they care for just had? Your friend just took their family to a special camp and had a great experience? Phil. 2:3-5, “do nothing from selfishness or empty conceit,... Continue Reading
God and Healing
Sometimes when we pray people are healed, and sometimes they aren’t. But why is that, why isn’t everyone healed?
It is important to wrestle with these questions in an attempt for answers. Why is God’s will so, seemingly, horrible to some people who love him? Here’s my answer: I don’t know. But I continue to believe that he is the sovereign King of the Universe, that he is Goodness itself, and that he loves... Continue Reading
The Book of Job is About Asking the Wrong Question
The big reveal after 34 chapters is that everyone was asking the wrong question.
God is too free and wisdom is too profound for the retributive principle to be immutably true in every situation; rather, it is mutably true in many situations. And so we should not judge on the basis of the appearance of things but be slow to judge. We will protect ourselves from thinking that God is... Continue Reading
Three Reasons to Study Church History
The history of Christianity lived out—is fascinating.
Were it not for heretics, we might not have the New Testament canon. Or a clarified doctrine of the Trinity (insomuch as we can clarify that) as found in the Athanasian Creed. And we likely wouldn’t have the understanding of Jesus as being simultaneously both fully human and fully divine, or his being of the... Continue Reading