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A Reformed Protestant in Trent

Yesterday, Lesley and I arrived in Trento in northern Italy. Today, we entered the big church building, where the notorious Council of Trent was held, from 1545-1563 AD. Before I get into the theological discussion, I must mention that Trento is a charming city of about 120,000 inhabitants. It also has a large university with around 25,000 students. The people here are very friendly. In the 16th century, Trento was part of the Austrian-Hungarian empire. Though the citizens here have spoken Italian for centuries, the district including Trento only became officially part of Italy in the 20th century. If you hold the same view as I do concerning the edicts of the Council of Trent, then you also believe that the desperate papal prelates essentially condemned not only all Reformed Protestants, but also the gospel of grace, the true church, and even the Lord Jesus Christ Himself. Are these words extreme? Check out the Council of Trent for yourself, and draw your own conclusions.  Ironica...
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A Most Remarkable Lady

  A Most Remarkable Lady   Last Sunday, I had the privilege of preaching the gospel in one of our presbytery's churches; and, after the Service, I met a most remarkable lady.   This woman, who will go unnamed, is 101 years old.  She was born in 1925.  I sat across from her during some fellowship time; and I was absolutely amazed by her.  First of all, she has been a faithful Christian church member all these years.  She could remember her earlier years in Christ; and even the different names over the years of the church she was attending (that day).  We were all enjoying some finger foods-- and guess who provided the food?  You guessed it!  She did .   Here is a lady who is 101 years old, and she is the one concerned to think about bringing some snacks for the saints, so that they had something to eat (after the Worship Service).   This lady's mind was perfectly sharp.  There was no ...
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The Saints' Love For One Another

  The Saints' Love For One Another   The older I get, the more impressed I have become by the amazing and wonderful fact of and truth of  the saints' love for one another .  Some important definitions are necessary.  By "saints," I mean truly born-again (regenerated) Christian church members, who sincerely love God through Jesus Christ, and whose testimony has proven to be credible via perseverance in the covenant of grace.  I do not mean any other kinds of religious (or non-religious) people, be they professing Christians or otherwise.   The church's true saints are a unique breed, indeed.  They have a heavenly "origin," and they are very much "aliens" and "strangers," both  in  and  to  this world.  The fallen world of ordinary sinners  does not  and  cannot  understand us.  They view us with amazement, disdain, wonder, and confusion.   "Who are these peopl...
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The Most Underrated Theologian In Church History?

  The Most Underrated Theologian In Church History?   First of all, I recognize that  all  regenerate Christian churchmen  qualify  to be among the  greatest  theologians since the post-apostolic era.  God alone knows  who  these dear saints  are . . . . But, for the  rest  of us, we are limited to those dear theologians who have  left  their  written  gospel ministrations  with  us.  Many of us know who these eminent and dear fellow-believers are; and the following names typically come to our minds: Augustine, Anselm, Aquinas, Luther, Calvin, Owen, and Edwards.   That  is a pretty impressive list right there; and it is far from exhaustive or comprehensive.   . . . But, what about Thomas Goodwin (1600-1680 AD)?  In my humble opinion, I am becoming more and more convinced that  he  is very-possibly,  the most underrated theologian...
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Review: Jonathan Edwards Study Bible

  Review: Jonathan Edwards Study Bible   I had originally planned to write up a review of Thomas Nelson's publication of the Jonathan Edwards Study Bible in the New King James Version after a year or so. . . . But, just this morning, I was SO blessed by one particular Edwardsean note on 2 Corinthians 12:9, (on pp. 1325-6), that, in my excitement and enthusiasm, I have decided to write it up (now).   It is not my intention to mention all the great features of the Study Bible that you may find online.  (The YouTube videos are good.  I would recommend them.)  Instead, I will try to give some other insights and observations, that I hope will be helpful for you.   First of all,  absolutely;  I would  definitely  recommend that anyone that has  any  appreciation for Jonathan Edwards, should get this Bible,  for sure .  And how could any true saint of Christ's holy church not absolutely  love ...
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Movie Review: "Daniel And The Fiery Furnace"

  Movie Review: "Daniel And The Fiery Furnace"   [Semi-spoiler alert: if you wish to see this good movie; and you do not want some of its highlights known to you in advance--then you should probably not peruse this little "review."]   Lesley and I just returned home from viewing the film, so I wanted to get my thoughts down while they are still fresh in my mind. . . .   We liked the movie.  I liked the movie.  It is good.  It is very inspiring.  The acting is quite impressive.  The story stays faithful to the Scripture's accounts; and, when and where there is legitimate speculation regarding certain aspects of the narrative, I think the producers did well in coming up with some believable scenarios.   Quick note: as you know, every Sunday School child knows that it should be, "Daniel and the Lions' Den"; right?--so how do we come up with, "Daniel and the Fiery Furnace"?  Good question; and I think the movie ...
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The Comfort of The Holy Spirit

  The Comfort of The Holy Spirit The Holy Spirit is called the "Paraclete" in John's Gospel.  This word, as is well-known, may be translated in various ways, such as "Advocate," "One called alongside to help," or "Comforter."  For my purposes, in this paper, I want to camp on the "Comforter" theme.   The regenerate saints of the Church Militant (the church on earth), are the *only* ones who experience, or have  any  vital understanding of the comfort that is given us by the Holy Spirit.  Even the church in heaven, the Church Triumphant, no longer has, nor needs this special divine consolation.  But we true saints of the church on the earth  definitely  need it.  My desire is to  flesh  some of this comfort  out  for us, so that we both sense (or feel) it, and appreciate it.   One of the  greatest  comforts that the Holy Spirit gives God's people is a heartfelt  assuran...
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