Theological Treatises

    The Importance of Giving Up Dedicated to everyone who casts him- or herself entirely on Jesus The most important thing a sinner can do, is to come to Christ with absolutely no resources whatsoever.  Until we admit that we cannot do this  life  thing on our own; and that everything we have sought out as an object of fulfillment has not fulfilled us; and that we are totally destitute of any more ideas for how we can solve our problems--we will remain miserable lost souls.   . . . But, if, by grace, we come to God in Jesus Christ, in prayer; and cast ourselves entirely on him, admitting that we are at the "ends" of our "ropes"; and that we truly and finally "give up"--and then, by grace though faith throw ourselves on Christ and His mercy, we enter a new world we could never have imagined; and this new kingdom, thoroughly centered on Christ, reorients everything in us and about us.   The Publican, in the Parable of the Publican and the Pharisee, ...

  The Israel of God in the Middle East Dedicated to all regenerate Christians living in the Middle East I strongly suspect that the most  important  people, and the most  sublime  activity taking place in the Middle East today, are seriously neglected--even among thoughtful and well-informed Christians. Who  constitutes the "Israel of God," (Gal. 6:16b), in the Middle East (or anywhere else in the rest of the world) today?  According to the Holy Scripture, in both the Old and New Testaments, the "Israel of God" are the people who truly believe in the one and only God.  The only way to believe in the one and only God is through saving (or regenerative) faith in Jesus Christ, The God/Man Second Person of the Holy Trinity. . . . Therefore, the "Israel of God" is the church of Christ, made up of elect and redeemed Jews and Gentiles.  No one else is or can be the "Israel of God."  Since this is true, what are we to make of...

Unmaskings Dedicated to guileless lovers of God in Christ Even before the sad "Scandalizers" story affecting our beloved PCA denomination broke, I had hoped to write something about "unmasking" with regard to all of us fallen humans, but especially with regard to all those who claim the Name of Christ. Right up front, I  do  believe that it is one of the tasks of all truly-called (by Christ) church ministers of the gospel, to faithfully, diligently, and as comprehensively as possible "unmask" every deceit and disguise, put in place to avoid having to subscribe to the  sole  righteousness of Christ via regeneration by the Holy Spirit. But the first and most important person that an "unmasker" must work on, is himself.  And this project can never end, in this life.  As a matter of fact, an "unmasker" can never proceed further with regard to any other person, doctrine, or dynamic, until or unless he has first addressed his own heart as tho...

  The Consolations In Hell Dedicated to all thoughtful, but lost people This will be an interesting treatise; and some of the things I will write will seem preposterous to some of you who read them.  I do wish to state at the outset, that I take the issue of hell with utmost seriousness; and I am not a big fan of any levity with regard to this subject. My primary thesis is this: sinners outside of Christ both want to go to hell; and they know (in the deep recesses of their hearts) that they are going there, barring regenerative faith in Jesus Christ and resulting repentance. Someone might immediately object, by saying, "That is ridiculous. Who would want to suffer eternal torments in hell?"  This objection is reasonable; and it deserves some response.  My answer would be, "No one actually  desires  to be in constant torment every moment for all eternity;  but the alternative (in their unregenerate minds) is even worse."   What ...

  Of Popes And Pastors Dedicated to all the  truly-called by Christ  gospel ministers of His elect church There seems to be a lot of excitement over the election of the new pope.  I personally find it interesting, that he and I were born within three weeks of one another, and within 200 miles of each other. Having been raised in the Roman church myself, I can imagine that Robert Prevost could, (like I can), still remember the pre-Vatican II Latin mass, with the priest facing away from the people.  He can probably also recall Communion being served to the people without the offering of the cup, etc. I thought today, we would briefly consider a little bit of who and what a true pastor of the church is; and whether or not any of us who claim to be ministers of the Christ of the gospel actually meet the qualifications.  I am seeking to do this without specific pre-conceptions regarding this particular new pope, (though I will not pretend that som...

  RIP T.E.D.S. Dedicated to the friends and colleagues I met at Trinity Evangelical Divinity School I suppose that some of you have seen this news:  https://www.thegospelcoalition.org/article/teds-midwife-movement-legacy/ I do not think I agree with all this particular author's assessments--especially as related to the Southern Baptist Convention; but I definitely share his unhappiness, to see what has happened to Trinity Evangelical Divinity School. Part of my sadness, is because this school had such a huge place in my life and ministry.  I am grateful for what God provided me, while I was there.  The place was a "hotbed" of scholarship and passion; and many of us, myself included, forged our theological convictions there.  Though TEDS was not a Reformed, Covenantal, and/or Calvinistic "bastion," by any means, it did have very significant professors who were committed to these glories.  Besides, having to deal, first-hand, with other vi...

  The Frustrating Gospel Dedicated to all those who enjoy the kingdom of God in Christ alone Have you ever tried to describe a beautiful scenery to someone; and yet found that your very best efforts fell far short of the glorious vista you have in your mind? If you have, you know something about how maddening it can be, to seek to convey the wondrous and spectacular dimensions of Christ's gospel of grace to someone who desperately needs it; and yet have to face the fact that your most noble endeavors (even through words) are still not fully-sufficient. When I use the expression,  "the frustrating gospel,"  I do not mean that the gospel  itself  is frustrating; but only that our  ability  to communicate all its glories in Christ can be. In Jesus and His gospel of grace, the children of God enjoy a kingdom of the  heart,  that is characterized by largeness, freedom, joy, peace, and all other good blessings and virtues.  It is our...