We grow up together with Christ into one body, and he shares his Spirit with us, through whose hidden operation he has become ours. Believers receive this communion with Christ at the same time as their calling. But they grow from day to day more and more in this communion, in proportion to the life […]
Better than Salvation
“Glorifying God supersedes personal salvation for every truly pious person” (Joel Beeke, Puritan Reformed Spirituality, p. 2).
right attitudes toward Him and doing what He wants
“For Calvin, pietas designates the right attitude of man towards God. This attitude includes true knowledge, heartfelt worship, saving faith, filial fear, prayerful submission, and reverential love. Knowing who God is (theology) embraces right attitudes toward Him and doing what He wants (piety)” (Joel Beeke, Puritan Reformed Spirituality, p. 2).
Theology Without Life is Bad Theology
“Theology first of all deals with knowledge—knowledge of God and of ourselves—but there is no true knowledge where there is no true piety…Calvin’s concept to piety (pietas) is rooted in the knowledge of God and includes attitudes and actions that are directed to the adoration and service of God” (Joel Beeke, Puritan Reformed Spirituality, p. […]
We belong To One Another in Christ
“Christianity means community through Jesus Christ and in Jesus Christ. No Christian community is more or less than this. Whether it be a brief, single encounter or the daily fellowship of years, Christian community is only this. We belong to one another only through and in Jesus Christ” (Dietrich Bonhoeffer, Life Together, p. 21)
Things Have Become Necessary To Us
“This is not a mere metaphor, but an accurate analysis of our real spiritual trouble. There is within the human heart a tough fibrous root of fallen life whose nature is to possess, always to possess. It covets ‘things’ with a deep and fierce passion. The pronouns ‘my’ and ‘mine’ look innocent enough in print, […]
He Treated His Son Like That
Martin Luther’s beloved wife once said to her husband that she could not believe the story of Abraham and Isaac because God would never treat a son like that. “But Katie,” Luther replied, “he did treat his son like that” (R. C. Sproul, The Consequences of Ideas p. 153.
Tight Bible Study
“Of course we want to say that he should handle it wisely and well, but this is not helpful when it comes to the basics of exegesis. Wisely and well by what standard? Most conservative evangelical pastors have been trained in what is called the historical/grammatical method of exegesis, but which might more accurately be […]
Questions about Sola Fide and Salvation
Dear Pastor, I am struggling to understand Sola Fide and am hoping you can help me in my attempt to gain a better understanding of it. I am clear on the “dictionary” definition of Sola Fide but where my confusion lies might be best captured in the following questions: 1. Is sola fide an essential […]