Theological Treatises

  The Holy Spirit, Jonathan Edwards, and The Very Messy World In light of what was happening in The First Great Awakening (of the 1730's & '40's); and in response to criticism of some (or all) of the dynamics of that Awakening--I think that Jonathan Edwards was moved (ultimately by God) to carefully assess human nature in the context of religious life and excitement.  Pastor Edwards' most prolific antagonist was Charles Chauncy, who greatly resisted the Awakening, (and who, later in life, showed his true colors as a full-blown heretic).   But Jonathan Edwards did such a great job of  dissecting  the human soul in the matrix of a time of great and general interest in the things of God, and religion in general.  The book where he (Edwards) codified his findings is the classic,  The Religious Affections .   It has been a while since I personally read  Affections , but I am going to try to accurately remember some of the categories ...

  "Therefore I Endure Everything For The Sake of The Elect . . . " This Pauline comment (above) is the ESV translation of 2 Timothy 2:10a.  It is really a rather remarkable statement; and it is made in the context of  these  glorious wonders: the primacy of Jesus Christ, His resurrection triumph, and His human lineage (v. 8); Paul's suffering for his gospel proclamation (v. 9a); and the invincibility of the Word of God (v. 9b). . . . Because of these astounding miracles, the Apostle could and did say, that he "endure[d] everything for the sake of the elect."   The reason Paul did this, was, so "that they [the elect] also may obtain the salvation that is in Christ Jesus with eternal glory," (v. 10b).   There is a very real sense in which a regenerated and truly-called Reformed gospel minister of the faithful church of Jesus Christ  also  "endure[s] everything for the sake of [God's] elect."  This means that every gospel sermon (v. 8)...

  Advice For Reformed Pastors For a man to be truly called by Christ to pastor a Reformed church congregation in the fullness of the Spirit and in the grace of the gospel, is certainly the highest vocational privilege that can be granted to a sinful (and yet regenerated) soul. . . . Your calling is great; but it is also difficult.  Allow me to share some thoughts from my own experience; and use (or do not use) them according to your own discretion (being led by the Holy Spirit). . . .   First of all, I would say to you, know who you are in Christ; and be very secure in your calling.  Understand that you will be pushed and pulled in all kinds of directions; and be sure that your spiritual "feet" are "cemented" into Jesus, His gospel, His grace, His mercy, and His faithfulness.  Smile sweetly, and kindly acknowledge receipt of all the recommendations that are coming your way--but do not pursue any paths to which you cannot wholeheartedly give yourse...

  Theology: The Queen of The Sciences Probably throughout most of New Covenant Church Age history, at least in all Christianized lands, Theology has been considered, "The Queen of The Sciences."  The very word "science" has been a bit hijacked in recent western history, so that it is thought (wrongly) by many people, that "science" means what is (properly-termed)  empirical  science.  The word "science" is simply the Latin, for "knowledge."  So, historically, "science" applied to the following general (and important) categories: 1) the Being and nature of God, (the Triune God); 2) the creation, redemption, and providence of God with regard to His creatures; and 3) the nature of created beings and matter (themselves).  The study of this latter category is what is often today considered "science"--but, in fact,  actual  science is much bigger and broader than that; (not that the study of the creation is not a worthy e...

  The Great Debt America Owes To The British (and even to their crown) As America just celebrated her 250th birthday, a lot of people have been reflecting on the events surrounding 1776; and how one people became two, with the signing of the Declaration of Independence.  (Though, back then, few souls had much hope that it would "hold.") . . .   But we Americans should seriously consider what we  owe  the British, our national "distant cousins," (now).  We should think of this in both "positive" and "negative" terms--but we should always remember that the Sovereign God works out all of His purposes for His own glory, and His church's good.   First of all, because of the British crown's persecution of "dissenting" Christians, many of them left their native land--some first for the Netherlands, and then, in some cases, for the New World.  Therefore, without the crown's persecution, the Pilgrims would likely never have arrived o...

  The Christian Commonwealth, Part 2 I have never been one, much, to follow trends; and to "stay up" on a lot of the things that the world (even the religious world) gets engrossed in. . . . But I did read an NPR article about an interview they did with D. Wilson; and I thought I should give a response, and make my own position as clear as possible. . . .   Bottom line: I do not concur with what D. Wilson says.  I think the idea of depriving women of the vote, in society or in the church, is anti-scriptural and completely wrong-headed.  Also, anyone who condones slavery (if indeed he does) should probably have their head examined.   . . . But, the most important thing I wish to say--and this is in harmony with what I wrote earlier--is that, should the United States become "Christianized," we are going to have to "earn" it.  (And I am one who does not like words like, "earn," or "merit"--when it comes to religious conversations.)  Wh...