Tag: theology

  • Imago Dei: Lost or Retained?

    Was the Imago Dei (Image of God) lost in the Fall of man, or was it retained, yet in a distorted or compromised sense? The phrase has its origins in Genesis 1:27, wherein “God created man in his own image…” I posit that the Image of God was lost in the Fall of man 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.…

  • Lordship Salvation

    If Christ be your SaviorHe must also be your Lord On this crucial pointThere must be one accord If you truly love JesusYou’ll do as He said Following His commandmentsWill not cause dread According to Free Grace proponentsWe can be saved apart from repentance This is Satanic follyWhat wicked arrogance Without following Christ’s LawWe can…

  • The Reformed view of salvation

    Salvation is utterly an act of GodMan has no partGod chose the Elect before the world beganWe were selected, not on merit, from the start The natural man is totally depravedDue to original sin from Adam’s FallWe have hearts of stoneWe can’t respond to a Gospel call Apart from GodMan would lay dead in his…

  • Saul’s Conversion

    Can God use the persecution of Christians for the good of bringing nonbelievers to Christ?  Christians would know the right answer is yes, yet many would not be persecuted if they don’t have to be.  In this classic booklet, famous preacher and Reformed English evangelist George Whitefield (he was the most famous preacher of his…

  • Federal Vision theology is heterodox

    Referencing this article: https://www.desiringgod.org/interviews/will-we-be-finally-saved-by-faith-alone Piper seems to say that our justification (grounding) is delayed until we die and face a final judgment; whereby we are judged by our faithfulness (good works). He doesn’t use the exact same terminology that many FV (Federal Vision) adherents use, yet he seems to be articulating the same concepts. I…

  • Satan’s Stratagems

    Satan has been relegated, in our modern Western society, to an impersonal and nebulous force. One who is not a severe threat. The forces of darkness are fundamental. As Scripture says there are powers and principalities of evil in the spiritual world. Demons are one manifestation of these dark powers. Yet, most in the West…

  • Autumn Reflections

    I meander through the park On a cold autumn day The multi-hued leaves crunch satisfyingly underfoot Reflecting on God’s providence and grace My mood is slightly morose, yet hopeful Squirrels open chestnuts for the long winter ahead Over head a Peregrine falcon soars majestically Eyeing its prey A mouse darts across the open field The…

  • The Full Armor of God

    This poem is about putting on the full armor of God, as delineated in Ephesians 6:10-18. Tis the Devil I fight todayI will battle him without delay Not by my own mightBy God’s power that serpent will seek flight I can do nothing by my powerBut all can be done as Christ’s soldier Don the…

  • The One True Church

    I often hear Catholics and Orthodox say they are the oldest churches and can trace through apostolic succession their churches back to 33 AD. I posit that what is most important is having the correct doctrine. Men are fallible and can make mistakes. Once a church is institutionalized correcting those mistakes becomes very difficult, if…