Tag: Scripture

  • Covenant Theology vs Dispensationalism: Towards a Definition of Reformed Essentials

    Introduction Covenant Theology (CT) and dispensationalism (D) are both frameworks created by man to understand and make sense of Scripture (both the Old Testament and New Testament). They are meta-systems of analysis and synthesis. Think of them as interpretive grids. Theological propositions or rather truths are distilled into a framework that aids in understanding the…

  • Protoevangelium of James

    This work is spurious, it is a total forgery, and was not written by the Apostle James. It dates to at the earliest the mid-2nd century, that is 150 years after the last Apostle John died! It is a pseudepigraphical work that purports to give information on Jesus’ early life and Mary His mother’s life…

  • Mary and Joseph had sex

    Joseph and Mary had sex after Jesus was born. Scripture says so. There is no biblical evidence for the perpetual virginity of Mary. It is an ad hoc Catholic and Orthodox dogma alien to Scripture. The Bible mentions Jesus’ brothers and sisters! When Joseph woke from sleep, he did as the angel of the Lord…

  • Sovereign Grace

    As a Reformed Christian I believe we, as sinners, are saved by God’s sovereign grace. But what exactly does this term mean? God is all-knowing and all-powerful. He is the uncaused causer. God has always existed. He has no beginning and no end. Everything that happens in our vast universe is either caused by Him…

  • How should we worship God? RPW vs NPW

    Background The RPW (regulative principle of worship) is deeply flawed and problematic. It holds that everything which is not explicitly commanded or practiced in Scripture is forbidden. I believe it is overly restrictive, and the way many employ it is legalistic. I favor the NPW (normative principle of worship) over the RPW. Anything which is…

  • Christmas Under Attack!

    It’s Christmas Eve night, a holy night as we sit under eager expectation to celebrate our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ’s birth. You’d think this special time of the year is for joyous celebration and quality time spent with friends and family observing holiday traditions, going to church, eating a delicious fine meal, and exchanging…

  • Transgender insanity

    It is a simple biological fact that you cannot change your sex. Gender = biological sex. There are only 2 sexes, male and female, and thus only 2 genders. This has been the accepted wisdom until the past 20-25 years. Slowly, but surely, as the LGBT movement has grown and become powerful and widely accepted…

  • What Does It Mean to Be Reformed?

    In my years of being involved in Christian discussion and debate online (nearly 30 years), I’ve noticed that many Reformed Presbyterians seem to look down on us Reformed Baptists (aka Particular Baptists) and say we aren’t “Really Reformed” or we’re not “Truly Reformed”. I maintain that infant baptism is not the sine qua non of…

  • The Sad State of American Evangelicalism

    It may be no surprise to Christians who are well-informed and careful observers of the spiritual landscape of America, but still the results of the surveys of evangelicals referenced in this post are both shocking and depressing. They reveal a fractured evangelical body in America, one that is rife with all manner of heresies and…

  • Water Baptism: A Reformed Examination of John 3:5

    When a person is baptized is it the water itself that regenerates? Or is it the washing by the Holy Spirit that regenerates? According to Calvin, and other Reformed commentators, the water in John 3:5 is not referring to water baptism. And it is the washing by the Holy Spirit that regenerates. And that alone.…