O Lord, our Lord, how majestic is your name in all the earth! You have set your glory above the heavens. From the lips of children and infants you have ordained praise Because of your enemies, to silence the foe and the avenger. When I consider your heavens, the work of your fingers, The moon and […]
On November 20, 1998, the Evangelical Theological Society, meeting in Orlando, Florida, held a panel discussion of the documents “Evangelicals and Catholics Together” and “The Gift of Salvation.” These two statements were prepared by a group of evangelical and Roman Catholic leaders who reached agreement on certain theological issues and concluded that the areas of […]
Question: What are the outward and ordinary means whereby Christ communicates to us the benefits of redemption? Answer: The outward and ordinary means whereby Christ communicates to us the benefits of redemption are his ordinances, especially the Word, sacraments and prayer, all of which are made effectual to the elect for their salvation. (Westminster Shorter […]
Following the “normalization” of premarital sex, divorce and homosexuality, I have wondering when and which of the few remaining dominoes dealing with personal morals would fall. It appears the next to go will be adultery. Several press reports indicate the adultery domino is already teetering. The Air Force brought several charges, including adultery, against B-52 […]
READ GENESIS 5:28–6:22 In an earlier lesson (#1) we noted what appears to be a very deliberate structure to the book of Genesis, in that the text was divided by the phrase “These are the generations of…” or “This is the account of…” This phrase has already appeared in Genesis 2:4 and 5:1. We find […]
READ GENESIS 7 Genesis 7 really cannot be separated from the material in Genesis 6 and what follows through Genesis 9:17. Therefore, in this lesson we continue to examine several aspects that emerge in the flood story. We are again impressed with the seriousness in attitude and action which God demonstrates with regard to sin; […]
The Origin of Man [Published in The Law and the Prophets, edited by John H. Skilton, Presbyterian & Reformed Publishing Co., 1973.] Vol. 2, p. 3 For our knowledge of man’s origin we are mainly dependent upon the first two chapters of Genesis (ef. also Matt. 19:4, 5; Mark 10:6, 7; Luke 3:38; I Cor. […]
Over the years, I’ve written literally dozens of columns for elders and deacons. In them, I’ve stressed a common theme: these offices aren’t designed by Christ to fulfill merely administrative tasks within the church (go to meetings, structure budgets, oversee building and grounds), but are established with pastoral purposes in mind. They are given to […]
In my previous article, I noted that Kuyper has been a controversial figure within the Reformed community. During his own lifetime and afterward, Kuyper’s articulation of a Calvinistic worldview has provoked considerable debate. Evaluations of Kuyper’s position have ranged from enthusiastic approval to vigorous dissent, with any number of positions between these extremes. The number […]
This past October two adult delinquents brutally murdered a homosexual student in Laramie, Wyoming. Shortly thereafter. Katie Couric of the “Today” show interviewed the governor of Wyoming and asked this question: “Governor, some gay rights activists have said that some conservative political organizations are contributing to this anti-homosexual atmosphere by having an ad campaign saying, […]