Grace in the New Testament is not...an impersonal energy automatically switched on by prayer and sacraments, but the heart and hand of the living almighty God.
There is nothing more irreligious than self-absorbed religion.
A Lost Art A tried and true way of teaching is needed again
Are You Serious? Christian gravitas in a narcissistic age
Infinite Worth God’s esteem is all that counts – and Christians have it
More Than Motions Why personal righteousness matters
Single-Minded Two minds are not better than one when it comes to faith
Strength in Weakness The way of the weak is the only healthy way
Wisdom Along the Way Finding God’s will is neither so vital nor difficult as many think
Hell’s Final Enigma Will the fate of the lost mar heaven’s joy?
What Did the Cross Achieve? The Logic of Penal Substitution
This essay attempts to explain the belief that the death of Christ on the cross had the character of penal substitution, and that it was by virtue of this fact that it brought salvation to mankind. First, the author clears up some questions of method. He then continues to explore what it means to call Christ's death substitutionary.
God Only Wise
What is wisdom? How is the wisdom of God different from human wisdom? This article shows how God is wise in leading and guiding the lives of man by describing how God worked in the lives of Abraham, Jacob, and Joseph.
Trinity
This article considers the unity of the Trinity in Christ's command to baptize disciples.
Four Truths about Christian Giving
This article highlights four key truths about Christian giving: it is both a spiritual gift and a discipline of discipleship, a management of God's money, a ministry with God's money, and a mindset regarding God's money.
Sola Fide
The article featured here centres on the doctrine of justification by faith and its place in the life of the church. The article traces the emergence of its prominence in the church of the Reformation. Further, the article considers the need for justification, the meaning of justification (including imputation of righteousness), and faith as the means of justification.
2 Corinthians 5:1-8 – Where There's Hope, There's Life
This article explores the matter of Christian hope, through the lens of 2 Corinthians 5:1-8.
The Devil Unmasked
This article aims to help us know and assess Satan so that we are better equipped to fight him effectively. It gives a portrait of Satan, including his mentality and tools, but also speaks of the fact that he is captive, and we have weapons to use against him.
Taking God Seriously – Taking Faith Seriously
What did the biblical writers mean when they spoke of faith? In Chapter 1 the author reflects on what the character and nature of this faith in the prophets, apostles, and other writers refers to. He also includes some questions for study and discussion.
Upholding the Unity of Scripture Today
The harmonious unity of Scripture has for centuries been the presupposition and belief of the church in the East and West. In this paper, Packer discusses the implications of the modern emphasis on the diversity in Scripture and focuses on the moral and ethical implications.
Solid Ground – On Knowing God: The World and the Word
In Chapter 1 the author explores what it means to know God. Knowing God is portrayed as the supreme gift of God’s grace, and the Bible is the means for knowing God.
In My Place Condemned He Stood – Penal Substitution Revisited
The author introduces the place, meaning, and importance of the doctrine of atonement through penal substitution.
General Resurrection
How do we know there will be the resurrection of the dead? Jesus Christ's resurrection is the assurance of the resurrection for all. This article looks at how people will be raised, and the place of believers and unbelievers in the resurrection.
Second Coming
The Bible clearly teaches the reality of the second coming of Christ. This article looks at the nature and purpose of his coming.
Unpardonable Sin
What is the unpardonable sin? This article explains.
Perseverance
Perseverance of the saints is the doctrine that those who are saved will persevere to the end because they are preserved by Christ. This article explains how this works.
The State
The civil government is instituted by God for the welfare of society. This article discusses the responsibility of the government and the Christian's duty towards it.
The World
This article explains how the world is defined in the Bible. The article points to the world's created order but also its godless order. It also explains the role of the church and Christians in the world.
The Family
God created the family to be place of teaching and learning about God and godliness. This article explains how this is achieved in the home.
Marriage
This article discusses the origin and purpose of marriage, and the place of divorce and remarriage.
Spiritual Gifts
Spiritual gifts are given by the Holy Spirit to every member of Christ's church for the nurturing of the church. This article explains different ministries in the church, type of gifts, and the responsibility of every believer.
Mission
Mission work is accomplished through words and deeds. This article explains how the two relate.
Discipline
The spiritual health of the church is maintained through discipline. This article explains why church discipline is important and why is it the mark of the true church.
Sacraments
Jesus Christ instituted two sacraments in his church: baptism and Lord's Supper. This article discusses their meaning and function.
Elders
The office of elder is what Christ uses to shepherd his church. This article explains the elder's role.
Word and Sacrament
Preaching of the Word and the pure administration of the sacraments are among the marks of the true church. Why? This article answers this question.
Apostles
This article explains the origin, authority, and function of the apostles.
The Kingdom of God
The kingdom of God touches on the purposes of God, has impact for the church, and is still coming. This is what the article explains.
Oaths and Vows
Prayer
Prayer is fellowship with God. It is a response to listening to God. This article explains the nature of prayer and its relation to the sovereignty of God
Enterprise
One can say that the Christian's full-time employment is to please God. This is what is at the heart of godliness. This is what the article explains.
Hope
Christian hope is rooted in Jesus Christ. The Bible calls him our hope. This article explains the nature of this hope.
Love
Love is the hallmark of the Christian life, as this article.
Antinomianism
Antinomianism is the denial of the use of God's law in the Christian life. This article discusses five faces of antinomianism.
Legalism
Legalism is the biggest threat to the Christian life. Why? Let the article explain.
Liberty
Christian liberty points to the reality that Christians have been set free from sin, law, and superstition. Let the article explain.
Repentance
Repentance describes the change that happens in the believer that leads to living a new life. This article explains it.
Works
This article discusses the relationship between good works and justification, and the place of good works in the Christian life.
Illumination
Illumination describes the work of the Holy Spirit in imparting spiritual understanding to the truth of Scripture. This article explains this work of the Holy Spirit.
Adoption
If you believe is Christ you are a child of God. This is the truth of adoption. This is what the article explains.
Effectual Calling
How is it possible that people can be converted? Effectual calling is what explains the reality of conversion. This article explains it.
Salvation
This article answers four questions about salvation: What is salvation? What are we saved from? How are we saved? For what are we saved?
Paraclete
This article looks at the deity and work of the Holy Spirit.
Sacrifice
The article explains the atonement of Christ whereby he gave satisfaction for sin and restored a broken relationship.
Mediation
Jesus Christ is the Mediator between God and man. This article explains what it means that Christ is the Mediator, as well as the nature of his work.
Session
The Bible presents Jesus sitting at the right hand of the Father. This article shows that this has to do with Christ's authority and rule.
Ascension
The ascension expresses to us Christ's omnipresence and his heavenly ministry. This article explains.
Transfiguration
The transfiguration was a revelation of Christ's deity and his work of redemption. How? This article explains.
Vocation
Why was Jesus baptized? The baptism of Jesus was a sign that he was identifying himself with us. How? This article explains.
Sinlessness
Jesus was sinless from birth. This article explains that the sinlessness of Christ was essential for our salvation.
Teacher
Jesus' teachings pointed to the Father, to people's need, and to his own role. This article discusses the nature of the teachings of Christ and the three themes flowing from them.
Virgin Birth
The virgin birth expresses the reality that Jesus was conceived through the Holy Spirit not as a result of a sexual relationship. This article gives a biblical explanation of this mystery.
Two Natures
Jesus is fully divine and man. This article explains the two natures of Christ.
Incarnation
Incarnation is the doctrine that seeks to explain the human nature of Christ. This article gives a biblical account of this teaching.
Prophets
This article discusses the calling and function of biblical prophets and how they differed from false prophets.
Worship
Worship is a response given to God based on who he is as revealed in the Scriptures and through his deeds. This article shows how God ordered worship in the Old and New Testaments.
Law in Action
The law of God functions in three ways, as mirror, restrainer, and guide. This article explains this threefold use of the law.
Law
The law of God is essential to man's true happiness. This article looks at the law, explaining its purpose and types in the Bible.
Covenant
This article explains the covenant of grace from the Old Testament to its fulfillment in Christ.
Depravity Infects Everyone
"Original sin" is the reality that we sin because we are descendants of Adam, and the implication is our total depravity. This is what the article explains.
Humankind
Humanness
Humans are created in the image of God. This article highlights five things that explain the nature of man, and shows how the fall destroyed this image.
Satan
Demons
Demons are spiritual beings that are corrupt and hostile to God and man, with Satan as their chief. This article explains their nature and activity.
Angels
Angels are spiritual beings created by God. This article explains their origin and place in God's plan of salvation.
Idolatry
Idolatry is the refusal to give God the total allegiance he demands. This article shows how idolatry and syncretism relate.
Glory
The glory of God defines everything God does. This article shows that God does all things through revelation. It also explains what the word "glory" means.
Miracles
The best way to summarize the biblical teaching on miracles is through the words "wonder, mighty work, and sign." This article explains them.
Providence
God's providence is God's work in preserving and governing all his creatures and their actions. God is completely in charge. This article explains the truth of this doctrine and its meaning for Christians.
Mystery
"Mystery" in this article refers to the creature's inability to comprehend either the being or the actions of the Creator. Does it mean we cannot know God at all? Let the article explain.
Holiness
The holiness of God sets him apart from us and makes him an object of awe, adoration, and dread. The article shows the link between his holiness and his justice and purity.
Trinity
God is one, existing in three persons. This biblical teaching is called the doctrine of the Trinity. This article explains it.
Omniscience
"Omniscience" describes the reality that God knows everything, and also sees everything. What does this mean for you life? The article explains.
Wisdom
The "wisdom of God" refers both to the eternal decrees of God and his commands. This article explains these two.
Goodness
God is love, and God is good. These are well known phrases. What do they mean really? This article explains.
Almightiness
God is omnipresent, which means he is present everywhere in his fullness. He is also omnipotent. This article explains more.
Transcendence
This article explains the transcendence, immutability, impassibility, and simplicity of God.
Self-Disclosure
Baptism: A Sacrament of the Covenant of Grace
Christian baptism must be seen in light of the covenant. This article explains the nature of the covenant relationship between God and sinners, as well as the unity and continuity of the covenant in the Old and New Testaments. From these arguments it considers infant baptism.
Why Your Church and Family Need Catechesis
What the church historically has deemed to be essential for the nurturing of the church, is today neglected. What could that be? This article answers this question by pointing to catechesis.
From Scriptures to the Sermon: The Problem of Paradigms
For preaching to be effective, the preacher needs to understand the paradigms surrounding him. This article shows that there is a paradigm shift that preaching must take into consideration in three themes: God, man, and godliness. Understanding this shift is crucial for the faithfulness and effectiveness of preaching.
From the Scriptures to the Sermon: Some Perspectives on Preaching
Preaching is the event of God bringing to an audience a Bible-based, Christ-centred, life-impacting message of instruction through the words of a spokesperson. This article gives five factors that undermine the credibility of such preaching. It looks at what should constitute authority in preaching and what are the things that hinder such authority.
Theological Reflections on the Charismatic Movement (2)
This article picks up where part one ended. Focus is on the claims of Neo-Pentecostalism or the charismatic movement on baptism of the Spirit, glossolalia or speaking in tongues, gifts of the spirit, and healing, with the leading texts being Acts 2 and 1 Corinthians 12-1 Corinthians 14.
Theological Reflections on the Charismatic Movement (1)
In order to give a theological reflection on Neo-Pentecostalism or the charismatic movement, this article gives five characteristics that characterizes the movement, twelve affirmations that the movement seeks to stand for, and ten defects within the movement. This article explains them all. This is part one of the reflection; please also read part two for a complete reflection.
Towards a Confession for Tomorrow's Church
In order for true unity and ecumenicity to exist within the churches, there needs to be a convincing confession of faith. This article looks at the role confessions and creeds play in shaping such unity of churches. Attention is given to the need for confessions, the problems and challenges of adopting confessions, and the method for formulating them.
The Holy Spirit and the Local Congregation
The work of the Holy Spirit in relation to the local church is that he creates the local church, animates it, brings order within it, and causes growth. These are principle taught from 1 Corinthians 12-1 Corinthians 14 on the work of the Holy Spirit in the local church. This is what the article explains.
The Bible and the Authority of Reason
Humanism appeals to reason as its authority while Christianity appeals to Scripture as its authority. Can Christians appeals to reason? This article answers this question by looking at the authority of reason in religion, in Protestant theology, and in the Scriptures.
Seventeenth-Century Teaching on the Christian Life (2)
The Roman and Reformed tradition produced two different traditions on the Christian life. This article looks at these two tradition through the eyes of Francis de Sales, Richard Baxter, and John Owen. Here focus is on their view of faith and love.
Seventeenth-Century Teaching on the Christian Life (1)
The Roman and Reformed tradition produced two different traditions on the Christian life. This article looks at these two traditions through the eyes of Francis de Sales, Richard Baxter, and John Owen. Here focus is on their view of man and sin.
Reformation of the Church
Does the church need reformation today? This article shows that at times the call for reformation is directed by thinking that the Reformation itself was about getting doctrine, church order, and liturgy straight. Yet there is more to the Reformation than this, which the article also demonstrates.
Divine Sovereignty and Human Responsibility
The sovereignty of God and human responsibility seem like a contradiction in terms. This article looks at the relationship between the two and shows from Romans 9 how this appearance of contradiction must be dealt with.