In 1528 Catholic and Protestant theologians met in the city of Berne to debate a series of topics associated with the burgeoning Reform movement in Switzerland. “The Ten Theses of Berne” focused on issues such as the nature of the Lord’s Supper, prayers to the saints, purgatory, the veneration of images, and clerical marriage. As […]
A trinitarian theology of salvation in miniature
“The grace of the Lord Jesus Christ and the love of God and the fellowship of the Holy Spirit be with you all.” 2 Corinthians 13.14 B. B. Warfield long ago observed that the apostolic writings do not develop but rather presuppose the doctrine of the Trinity. The New Testament is not evidence of a transitional […]
Marking our days and God’s eternity
As we come to the end of the year and stand ready to mark the beginning of another, it is good to remember that we mark time because time is intrinsically measurable, intrinsically finite. Not only is time itself finite, having a definite beginning in and with the creation of all things. Our times are also finite, […]
Ends of the incarnation
Christmas (along with Good Friday, Easter, Ascension, and Pentecost) is one of five “evangelical feast days” that celebrate key moments in the Son of God’s saving mission. On these days, the church turns its attention in a special way to the redemptive historical events that mark “the fullness of time” (Gal 4.4; Eph 1.10): the time […]
For the Lord is good
“Oh, taste and see that the Lord is good!” (Ps 34.8) The goodness of God is a topic that repays careful contemplation. Vast tracts of biblical teaching are devoted to this theme (Exod 33.19; Pss 34.8; 100.5; etc.), and the singular desire of the saints is to look upon the goodness of God (Ps 27.13). The goodness […]
Jesus saves, faith does not.
Jesus is the “agent” of salvation. Faith is the “instrument” of salvation. We must not confuse the two. Jesus is the agent who accomplishes all saving graces for us and in us. Jesus “saves,” “justifies,” “sanctifies,” and “glorifies” his people in fulfillment of his Father’s sovereign purpose and by means of the Spirit’s power. His […]
