Theological Treatises

  How Real Christians Love People  On the Other Side of the Political Spectrum This issue (above) is a very active one today; and it seems clear to me that a lot of God's people are at their wits' end trying to figure out how they can love people who are so diametrically-opposite them with regard to politics (in particular).  Hopefully, what I have to share will be some help to you. . . .   First of all, it is important to note, that we do not have the option of  not  loving people.  Politics is certainly  no  excuse for this.  Second of all, learning to love someone you are not naturally inclined to (even) like, is really exciting, and liberating .  But certain principles should first be discussed. . . .   Foremost among these is the nature of real (not fake) love.  If we love someone, we desire their very  best  (ultimately in Jesus, of course).  So, loving people on the opp...

  Theological Amateur Experts From the very outset, I do not wish to be misunderstood.  All of us--especially those of us who profess faith in Christ and who are faithful in His church--should seek to be the very  best  theologians that we possibly can be.   As a matter of fact,  all  human beings, simply by virtue of their being created in the very image of God,  are,  inevitably and without question, "theologians."   No  one is exempt from this.  Paul makes this clear in Rom. 1:19, where he wrote:  "For what can be known about God is plain to them, because God has shown it to them,"  (ESV).  The  problem  is, the vast majority of fallen human beings are  very bad  theologians.  The preaching, hearing, and believing of the  gospel  of Christ is the  only  way anyone's theology begins to improve.   All  professing Christians are, by v...

  Help For Pastors Regarding Rage Against Christ Candidly, I had no intention of addressing this subject (right now, at least), until I heard some things earlier today; and then I felt compelled, (by the Holy Spirit, I believe), to put something in writing (right away), for my brethren in the church's gospel ministry.   Personally, I do not follow trends, or pay attention to what is coming across social media platforms, etc.  To me, this stuff is just too boring.  But, when I catch wind that certain people are fuming and raging against the reality and truth of the Holy Trinity (for example), or against what is commonly called "Calvinism," (for another example)--I am aware that my ecclesiastical gospel colleagues are probably sensing and experiencing some real Satanic anger; and I would like to try to help you men out.  I myself have been there many times.  (Everyone else is welcome to listen in.)   . . . First of all, do not take an...

  The Glory of Puritan Worship I am perfectly well-aware, of course, that the word "Puritan" will scare-off some people; and they will have no interest in this subject.  But, for those of you who have the stomach for such discussions--I hope that what will follow will be helpful to you, and will be a blessing to you.   By "Puritan Worship," I have in mind, in  this  context, ( exclusively ), the subject of the faithful church's Sunday worship services.  For those of you who are familiar with it, I also am  assuming  the concept of the so-called "Regulative Principle."   . . . So, what I propose to  be  the "glory" of Puritan worship is its  unique  ability to be  universalized;  while, at the same time, being as "devoid" of  cultural  "trappings" as is practically humanly-possible.  In other words, "Puritan worship," at its  best,  is the  most  Scriptural, and th...

  "Lord of The Sabbath" Our blessed and glorious Lord Jesus Christ called Himself "The Lord of the Sabbath" in Matt. 12:8 and Lk. 6:5; (and He uses similar language in Mk. 2:27).  All of these citations refer to the same instance of His disciples eating grain in the fields on the old Sabbath Day.   This "Lord of the Sabbath" appellation that our Messiah gives to Himself is an interesting and intriguing one.  He is not found referring to Himself as, "Lord of the Old Testament," or, "Lord of the Law," or, "Lord of History," (for instance), but, "Lord of the Sabbath."  Jesus  is  "Lord" of all those  other  things, and everything  else  God ever did or created--but we do not find Him calling Himself by those titles.   I suspect we believers have  underestimated  the significance of Christ's being "The Lord of the Sabbath"--and I hope that this humble effort (of this short paper) will help rectify...

  Should we Fear Immanuel Kant? Immanuel Kant (1724-1804), was a great philosopher.  I, for one, am quite appreciative of him, (although I have some serious divergence from him).  Kant essentially brought together the millenniums-old separation of rationalism and empiricism/Plato and Aristotle.   Kant's "rational/empiricism," with its "synthetic apriorism" was a  dramatic  step in philosophical history.  Even if you do not understand these terms, do not worry about it.  I am going to try to help us all comprehend the main crux of the matters.  I am going to try to make this as simple as possible.  If you see some errors in what I write, let me know. . . .   The bulk of the unregenerate intellectual world ended up  cowering  before this diminutive Prussian professor, who never ventured more than 100 miles from the place of his birth. . . . But,  do  regenerate believers in Jesus need ...

  In Defense of Organized Religion I suppose that resistance to "organized religion" has probably been around since the Fall of man in the Garden of Eden.  The  hue and cry  is, "You cannot trust the establishment/you have to do your own thing."  One of the big problems with this (very arrogant) approach is, that those who  "do their own thing"  are  no better  than the established church and clergy (with regard to our particular discussion here).   Someone might say, "Yes; but do you not know that theologically-'liberal' intruders (for example) have 'taken over' much of the system of 'organized religion'--and hence,  none  of it can be trusted, or relied upon?"  This question's statement  is  factual in  one  sense; but it goes  too far  in  another  sense.   We should not be surprised that Satan plants his "weeds" amongst God's good "wheat" (Matt. 13:24-30); and...

  "One Holy Catholic and Apostolic Church" The words (above) have been confessed by Christians since the fourth century AD.  They are found in the middle of the third section of The Nicene Creed.   All  four qualifiers (adjectives) of "Church," here, are important. . . . There is only "One" church, not many.  Indeed, the Church Triumphant is  one   with  the Church Militant (even today).  There is not a "protestant" or a "Roman," or an "orthodox" church.  Instead, there is only  one  church.  For those who marvel at how many splinter groups there are, amongst (alleged) protestant or Roman communions--the  real  amazement is that there are not a thousand times more than there are.  God knows  His  true church; and hypocrites and frauds seek refuge in their concocted "churches," designed to protect them from rightful excommunication in the faithful communions.   As ...

  Football And Praise of our Lord Jesus From my youth I have been  very  interested in sports--mostly the "American" games of baseball, football, and basketball.  This passion included both the professional leagues and the college teams (mostly from Iowa, [of course!]).   However, several years ago, when woke politics and the promotion of sodomy, etc., was imposed on the MLB, NFL, NBA, and NCAA, I pretty much  cut my heart's strings loose  from those organizations.  Still, I always understood that the athletes  themselves --or, at least, many of them--were  not  to be slandered through "guilt by association."   . . . Now,  enter  the Houston Texans.  Some of you may be asking, "Who are the Houston Texans?"  They are an NFL (National Football League) team; and, I have to admit, I have become a real fan of theirs.  (True confession!)  I do not want to imply that the Hous...

  "Teacher[s] of Israel" In John 3:10, our blessed and beloved Lord Jesus Christ honors Nicodemus, by referring to him as,  "the teacher of Israel."   At  that  exact time, at least, Nicodemus did  not  appear to be the best, nor the most enlightened of  "the teacher[s] of Israel" --but nonetheless, he (presumably-rightly) held the position legally and appropriately.   There are  still  "teacher[s] of Israel" today, and  all  of them, without exception, are  members  of theologically-orthodox Christian church communions.  Among these "teacher[s] of Israel," some of them are regenerate new creatures in Christ; and some of them are not.  Even those who are  not  true Christians are in many cases able to teach scripturally-orthodox truth.  The "teacher[s] of Israel" who are indwelt by the Holy Spirit  are,  by far and away, the preferred instructors in Christ's ...

  Six Practical Benefits of God's Election of His Own Church The entire inscripturated Word of God is designed to bring all sinners to the Lord Jesus Christ, and to the gospel of His free grace and mercy.  (Indeed, all of creation itself is intended for this purpose, as well.)   The doctrine of Election, however, has a  special  place, I think, in glorifying and extolling the true (Triune) God; and of humbling and encouraging (some) sinners, (who become sinner/saints).   Here is my list of six of these blessings that accrue from the doctrine of Election, (and I am sure my catalog is far from exhaustive).  Some of these may intermingle with each other; but I think they all pretty much stand on their own. . . .   First of all, Election strongly supports the  necessary  doctrine of the Sovereignty of God.  For God to  be  God, He  must  be sovereign; and Election highlights this sovereignty by recogni...