Make Me a Captive, Lord - is the title of a hymn by George Matheson. It is a paradoxical hymn in the sense that in taking us captive, God actually frees us from our sin natures. Man naturally struggles against God's will. Yet when we give ourselves to Him we can experience our greatest joy in all trials. Another … [Read more...]
Eschatology of Covenant Theology
It could be rightly said that the eschatology of Covenant Theology is largely formed by its Covenant views: the "Covenant of Redemption," the "Covenant of Works" and the "Covenant of Grace." These covenant views impact how Covenant Theologians understand ideas like eschatology and the relationship between the church … [Read more...]
On Seeing the Face of God
Who is worthy or holy enough to gaze upon the face of a holy God? Who is worthy to approach His throne? Over recent months I keep running across the theme of God's holiness and God's glory in books, quotes; and in Scripture which seems to suddenly jump out at me. It began with a quote from Warren Wiersbe: There is … [Read more...]
The Lordship Salvation Issue
The Lordship Salvation Issue is surely one of those many topics where the less I say the better. Nevertheless, I do want to say something (with some sense of trepidation). Most of my friends are non-Lordship Salvation. Many are far more informed than I am. In many ways I'm over my head, and would rather avoid … [Read more...]
The Incomparable Christ
The Incomparable Christ is a a sub-heading in the book of Colossians in my Bible. Christ is indeed incomparable. There is no one like Him! I have been drawn to read Colossians lately and, interestingly enough, I also came across a Social Media Ad by a cult promoting a very different Jesus Christ. As with … [Read more...]
Loving God is Knowing God
A quick summary of the message in the Paul Washer video below might be expressed as: Loving God is Knowing God. Of course it's much, much more than that. Loving God also entails obeying Him etc. But Washer's message focuses on the fact that we ought to seek out God and find out more about attributes through His Word. … [Read more...]
What is Imputation?
What is Imputation? This is another one of those important theological terms I've had to look up. Not only that, but we also have the term "Double Imputation." According to Ligonier Ministries: The word imputation comes directly from the Latin. It is an accounting term; it means “to apply to one’s account.” … [Read more...]
John Flavel God’s Providence
Puritan John Flavel is well known for, among other things, his work "The Mystery of Providence." John Flavel answers fundamental questions regarding God's providence which have plagued Christians throughout the history of the church, and still do. You can download Flavel's book from Monergism. Here's part of the … [Read more...]
Saved by Grace or Merit?
Are we saved by Grace or Merit? Or is it a bit of both? The question of whether we're saved by Grace or Merit didn't initially enter into my mind when I attended Roman Catholic School as a young boy. Yet during a later period I experienced a dread of attending confession and having to confess the same old sins to … [Read more...]
Jehovah Tsidkenu
In His days Judah will be saved, And Israel will dwell safely; Now this is His name by which He will be called: THE LORD OUR RIGHTEOUSNESS. Jer 23:6 Jehovah Tsidkenu means The Lord Our Righteousness and is first used in Jer 23:6. It was a watchword of the reformers. In one sermon Pastor Alistair Begg mentioned that … [Read more...]
