This article on Luke 2:21 discusses the naming of the Lord Jesus.

Believers cannot receive salvation through anyone or anything other than Jesus Christ. This article explains this through the lense of Acts 4:12.

This article on Acts 4:12 states that believers receive salvation through Christ alone.

Colossians 3:5-11 shows us how to put sin to death. Paul urges us to truly understand our sinfulness, and then to purposefully put away this sin.

Where do temptation and testing come from? How do we keep away from temptation and sin? This article weighs in.

What is the whole Bible narrative really about? This article provides an overview of the Bible, showing that Christ is at the centre of it all. It first looks at the shadow of Christ's work in the Old Testament, and then its glorious reality and fulfillment in the New.

Is church membership optional? This article discusses reasons for joining a church, and the blessings that result from church membership. It makes clear that membership is not optional, but a necessity.

This article provides some reasons why Christians need to be members of a church.

Why should Christians go to church? This article explains.

Christians should enjoy reading the Bible, since through it we learn more about God.

This article looks at three different attitudes people have towards the Bible: open denial of its truth, covert denial of its truth, or full belief and acceptance of it as truth.

The Bible is the Word of God. This article shows why we can be certain that this is true: the Bible not only claims to be God's Word, but also seems and proves to be.

God tells us that the preaching of the Word is the most powerful tool of evangelism. Are churches and members today being effective in this preaching of the gospel? This article weighs in.

God uses the church, both its leadership and its members, as his agent of evangelism.

This article is about the Great Commission. God gives believers strength for evangelism and mission work.

This is an article on the Sabbath—what it means for believers, how it has developed throughout history, and how we should observe the Sabbath today.

How do we live by faith? Faith sustains us and creates godliness and a desire to produce good fruit.

How can we know that we are saved? This article is about the assurance of faith, that it comes through the word of the gospel.

What is faith? How do we receive faith? What does faith mean for us? This article addresses questions like these.

This article emphasizes the importance of catechetical instruction of the youth. A catechism is a valuable tool that helps believers become grounded in church doctrine.

Where can wisdom be found? This article describes how Christians can gain wisdom, through a consideration of Job 28.

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.

Does God know what he is doing? If everything falls within the will of God, why is there so much sin in the world? This article addresses questions like these, coming to the conclusion that Christians must trust in the wisdom of God in the midst of a fallen world.

Nebuchadnezzar was a man in control, who sought to expand his empire (Daniel 2). Yet God taught him that He is in control of all things, and He alone reigns. In contrast to Nebuchadnezzar, Daniel understood that his ability, his authority and his hopes were subordinate to and dependent upon God. If Christ is not the center of our plans and our little empires, He will shatter them.

Why was Christ's miraculous birth necessary? And why must we hold so strongly onto this doctrine of the virgin birth?

In John 17:21, Christ prays for unity in His bride, the church. Why is this church unity important, and how is it achieved?

Scripture is the Word which God has spoken. In 2 Timothy 3:16 Paul declares the divine origin of Scripture. All of Scripture is profitable, since it has originated from God.

How do we remain in the world, but not of the world? How do we witness to the world, while also keeping our church pure from serious sin? Should the church as a whole engage in politics? This article is about the ministry of the church.

What is the anatomy of a church plant? This article discusses some of the principles from Scripture that are helpful for church planting.

What is worship all about? The theology of worship can best be explained by the practice of worship. This article discusses the pattern and structure of worship in the Old and New Testament, drawing conclusions for worship today.

What is the real point of worship? Is it really that important? Worship has everything to do with the covenant between the Lord and His bride. The worship service is first and foremost an assembly of God’s people to have communion with Him.

Christianity begins with who God is and what He has done for us in history. God has revealed His person and will by awesome and supernatural events, and Christ's resurrection is the centrepiece of His revelation and His redemptive acts throughout history. Christ's resurrection is indespensible for our justification and our sanctification.

This article explores Ephesians 6:4 as a biblical directive for family worship. Fathers are to bring up their children "in the discipline and instruction of the Lord", and one way this is done is through family devotions. Fathers must discipline and instruct their children.

What is the importance of family devotions? Why is family devotions becoming a lost practice? The reasons for doing it are numerous, and it must become a priority. This article talks about why family devotions are important, and how we can do them.

When we develop the character of our children, we mark their souls morally and ethically. This parenting involves ploughing and planting the Word of God in them. One tool God provides for this is the catechism. The catechism provides children with solid, thorough knowledge in today’s confusing world. It gives a workable framework within which we can live.

How can you be justified now and forever? How can you be sustained in that state and not fall away? How does justification relate to the believer’s present and ongoing life?

What is open theism? Open theism denies that God has ordained the course of events. It therefore minimizes God's sovereignty and appeals to our sinful hearts. Our Christology determines our understanding of God’s relationship to creation. This article elaborates on how the person of Christ and His incarnation helps us to understand who God is.

If prayer is speaking to God in His own words, then this should shape the way public prayer is done. This was the concern of John Knox as he sought the reformation of worship. This article shows Knox's contribution to the structuring of public prayer and prayer during and after the Lord's Supper.

In seeking the Scottish Reformation, John Knox made it clear that he was not seeking a political revolution. Instead, he was seeking the reformation of manners and abuses in religion. He understood that the goal of the Reformation was to see the gospel of Christ preached, sacraments administered, and idolatry destroyed. Most of all, Knox understood that the Reformation was God's work by God's people.

This article looks at the life of John Knox and the role he played in defending the faith against the Roman Catholic Church. Knox contended for the simplicity and purity of worship. As a pastor he showed great care for the church of God.

How can one practice good criticism? Criticizing other Christians is not meant to destroy them, but to build them up. This article shows how one can exercise criticism that is based on loving the truth and defending it, while at the same time caring for the person being criticized.

Is it possible to truly rejoice always? In this article on Romans 8:28, the author states that Christians can rejoice in both the good and bad things that happen to them. This is so because of God's sovereignty in all things. God's love directs everything He does for His children, and He is present in all circumstances.

Looking at the gifts, interests and passions of each church member can be the key to identifying opportunities for witnessing. One must understand the community in which the church is situated as well as the gifts of church members in order to practice effective evangelism.

Should a Christian ever take on debt? The author of this article shows that debt has a great impact on one's personal and relational life. It also impacts one's spiritual life and their ability to serve. The author gives advice on how to view debt, reminding the reader that we are stewards of what God has given us.

Is the law against the gospel? No. The law harmonizes with the gospel. The law is good, because it reveals God's character and it discloses His design for us. When used rightly, the law identifies sin and leads individuals to lead a life of love for God.

This article reflects on how to find the Lord Jesus in the letter of James. Consideration is given to the connection between James and the Sermon on the Mount, as well as the relationship between James and Jesus as brothers.

The resurrection of Jesus Christ is in line with the Old Testament feasts. Looking at 1 Corinthians 15, the author shows how the Paul is guided by Israel's festal calendar as it finds its fulfillment in the Christ's resurrection. This has a great bearing for the church, as she lives between the time of the firstfruits and the harvest.

Should the church still sing the Psalms today? Are they not songs of the old covenant? God's church is called to sing all the Psalms. In singing the Psalms, we learn about the life God calls us to, the beauty of Christ, and the justice of God. Singing the Psalms will also enrich God's church to think about some topics which may be difficult. In singing Psalms, we sing God's word back to Him.

Looking at Hebrews 2:11-12 and Psalm 22, the author shows how Jesus is the Psalmist who leads His church to sing about His work. The work of Jesus invokes gratitude and thankfulness in the believer's heart. Not only is the work of Jesus the reason for singing Psalms, but Jesus Himself joins His church in singing.

The book of Daniel presents a constant battle that faces every Christian: the battle between the kingdom of God and the kingdom of this world. The many idols of this world exert an influence on believers. Christians must ask themselves: how are we going to live through this battle? The answer lies in Christ.

One threat facing the church today is that of egalitarianism or democracy, which has an effect on the church office. We need to promote the right view of office and authority.

How can the church care best for the future needs of the minister? Proper planning for retirement is one aspect of this. This article looks at the biblical example in the Old and New Testament of the provision God commanded for the priests and Levites. Such planning is important, and can be of great benefit to the church.

Geerhardus Vos' legacy can be celebrated with joy. His work still speaks for him today, but more especially, it speaks about the Christ he loved. This article looks at the work of Vos and the years he spent at Princeton. It also shares insights into his personal life.

The personal life of Charles Hodge was of a man faced with trials, tribulations and disappointments. This article discusses these trials, and the strength that carried Hodge through them.

This article focuses on the heritage of J. Gresham Machen. The author focusses on his scholarly development from childhood to his death. Machen left the heritage of loving God's word and the Christ of the word.

What is the best way of doing church planting? In this article, the author shares six steps of doing church planting. However, these steps are not a guarantee; church planting remains the work of Christ, who builds His church.

God has given His church three written accounts that attest to the historical reality of Christ's resurrection. There were many different reactions to Christ's resurrection, including surprise, misunderstanding, and doubt. How will we react to Christ's resurrection?

Has the study of history proven the impossibility of believing in the historicity of Adam? This article addresses this question, warning the reader that questioning the historicity of Adam results in a drastic revision of the doctrine of original sin.

Have recent DNA findings proven scientists to be correct about the origin of human being as a result of the evolutionary process? This article looks at the theory of evolution and its reliance on natural law. The author makes it clear that there is no reason to believe that humans are the result of evolution. There is an alternative explanation to these scientific findings: creation.

Was Adam a true historical human being, from whom all mankind descended? This question is posed as a result of scientific findings. Looking at Romans 5:12-19 and 1 Corinthians 15:21-22, the author answers this question by showing that failure to accept the historicity of Adam alters the biblical teaching on sin and salvation.

The church can repeat the sin of Jeroboam when it dethrones the King of the church from His rule of His church. This can be done by using the church for a political agenda or movement.

What should the relationship between the church and politics look like? This question is rooted in a bigger struggle; namely, the struggle of the church to relate to society in general. Sometimes politics is used by church members to try influence society. The author looks at church history to better understand how the church should relate to society. He focusses his discussion on freedom of religion and the difficulty in establishing a moral consensus.

God has given us government for our good, to enable us to serve Him and others. This fact should encourage Christians to take great interest in politics and to play their role in voting when called to do so. God has put governments in place to restrain evil.

Is the Charismatic movement a gift of God to His church? Has God revisited His church with special gifts through the Charismatic movement? The author's answer is a big NO. The special gifts of the Holy Spirit must be understood in line with salvation history. God gave these gifts to authenticate the ministry of the apostles, not as signs of regeneration. Through the Spirit, Christ continues His work in His church through the ordinary means of grace.

What is true spirituality? True spirituality can only be found by listening to the Holy Spirit. The Holy Spirit speaks through His word, the Bible. Therefore, true spirituality should not be sought through a repetition of Pentecost. Pentecost should be understood in line with Christ's work; it cannot be repeated.

Acts 4:1-41, Acts 8:14-25, Acts 10:1-11:18 and Acts 19:1-17 have all been used to propagate the teaching that after regeneration one must still undergo an experience of baptism by the Holy Spirit. By examining the context of these texts, the author shows that such claims are false.

Part of Christ's humiliation was becoming a man in a sinful world in order to save his sinful people. The Lord of glory "made Himself of no reputation" (Phil. 2:7) by becoming one of us. Jesus Christ had to undergo the humiliation of being born in this world because he, as the Second Adam, had to be truly of the earth while still being of heaven.

This article is about giving generously in the collection. In his letter, Paul exhorts the Corinthian Christians to give generously, pointing to the Macedonian Christians as an example. Did the Corinthians really understand the extent of God's generosity to them in the gift of his Son? Our willingness to give shows that we belong to Christ.

By 1560 some Lutherans, including Patrick Hamilton, had laid the foundation for the Reformation in Scotland that was led by John Knox. William Tyndale's English translation of the New Testament was also starting to circulate. This article is about the history of the reformation in Scotland. 

What was Martin Luther's theology of the cross of Christ and about God's revelation of himself?

This article is about the history of Martin Luther, the Reformation, the 95 theses, and Reformation theology.

What does being a pastor's wife involve? The author of this article is the wife of a pastor who speaks about her role in supporting her husband in his calling as minister. She encourages other pastors' wives to not be afraid or intimidated by the task.

There is little resemblance between the Lord's Supper today and the way it was celebrated by the Corinthians (1 Corinthians 11:17-22). What was wrong with the Corinthians' observance of the Lord’s Supper? 

What does the sacrament of the Lord's Supper signify to us? The Lord's Supper emphasizes that Christ's death is pivotal to salvation. The Lord's Supper also shows why Christ died, and how Christ's death is applied to believers.

Sometimes pastors worry that the Lord's Supper will alienate visitors who have not yet proclaimed their faith or are not yet Christians. However, this author argues that the Lord's Supper can be an excellent tool for evangelism.

The heart of a girl is shaped and formed by God to one day be loved by a man. This article is about the role of the father in parenting his daughters. It is the parents' task to teach their daughters what they should seek in a relationship.

Parenting is a difficult task which requires faithful prayer and wisdom. Parents have many faults and weaknesses, but God has chosen to use the weakness of parents to demonstrate his covenant faithfulness. Weakness finds a place in parenting as we express our dependence on God in prayer.

With whom was the covenant of grace made? The covenant of grace was made with Christ as the second Adam, and in him with all the elect as his seed. In baptism God proffers to our children the truth and promise of the gospel - a truth which is accomplished through the work of Christ and applied by the Spirit, according to God's election and his enabling us to respond in faith. "If you belong to Christ, then you are Abraham's seed, and heirs according to the promise" (Gal.

In response to the efforts of men and demons to thwart his redemptive purposes, God himself laughed at his enemies on the day he raised his Son from the dead. But may we too join in God's triumphant laughter? There are three things to laugh about: 1) How our Lord's enemies incriminate themselves before Pilate. 2) How they unwittingly foretell His triumph over them.

The whole Bible speaks of God’s love. As Mediator of the covenant, Jesus Christ demonstrated such awesome love for his people that he suffered the most ignominious death, in order that we might live. However, he is also the Messenger of the covenant. As the Messenger he is love, but he is also holy, righteous, and jealous. We must view Jesus with both of these perspectives.

What is justification? What is justification by faith? What is the 'other' justification by faith? In the real justification by faith, you have faith in what Christ has done for you. In the false version, you have faith in what you do for yourself. In whom do you put your faith?

This article is about the necessity and grounds of justification. Why do we need to be justified, and upon what basis are we justified?

What do Paul and James say about justification by faith? Paul clearly places the doctrine of justification by faith without works at the heart of the gospel. James and the other leaders in Jerusalem agreed with him. But if James taught the same doctrine as Paul, how can he speak as he does in James 2? This article provides an exegesis of this text and its doctrine.

This article is based on John 1:14. Is Jesus God? Is Jesus man? “The Word” is God himself – infinite, eternal, and unchangeable – who became flesh. Christ did not abandon His deity when He became a man, but added humanity to his divinity.

Are we partners in mission work? What should our relationship be with missionaries and other kingdom workers? It might be friendship, but it should also be a partnership. We must support them financially, which is an act of worship - a fragrant offering acceptable and pleasing to God.

This article explains Cornelius van Til's method of critiquing human thought. Van Til used a method called transcendental critique, which seeks to get to the root of an individual's argument. Transcendental critique attempts to find out why an individual maintains a certain position. This technique can be useful for apologetics.

This article is about Cornelius van Til the Controversialist. The nickname is based on an article that he published in 1976 entitled Calvin the Controversialist, which took on a subtle autobiographical character. Van Til developed and championed a presuppositional approach to the defense of the faith. He was consistent in affirming a Reformed doctrine of the church, and that, above all, is what rendered his work controversial.

This article is about Rick Warren’s book, Purpose Driven Life: What On Earth Am I Here For? There are some positive aspects to his book, such as his emphasis on the need to glorify God in all that we do. Yet there are also considerable problems with it; namely: the book focuses on the reader; Warren centres evangelism on personal experience and claims that personal testimony is more powerful than a sermon; Warren quotes scripture out of context; and there is a lot of self-promotion present in the book.

This article is about the fourth membership vow: "Do you agree to submit in the Lord to the government of this church and, in case you should be found delinquent in doctrine or life, to heed its discipline?" Who runs the church? Jesus is the only king and head of the church. How does he rule the church? He delegates his authority to pastors and elders and reigns through His Word and Spirit.

This article is about submitting to the government of the church. Hebrews 13:17 says, “Obey your leaders and submit to them, for they are keeping watch over your souls, as those who will have to give an account. Let them do this with joy and not with groaning, for that would be of no advantage to you.” Who are these leaders, and how should we submit to them?

This article is about the pornography trap. What are men looking for in pornography? They are looking for God. How is this possible? Pornography is just a trap set by Satan to ensnare those who are looking for God. With God's help, you can pull out of the trap and move on toward what you hungered for all along: the thrill and satisfaction of God. Here the author discusses the negative effects of pornography, and practical ways to avoid the trap.

God has created sex to be a beautiful thing in a marriage relationship. How is sex like a typewriter? God has designed sex and sexuality, and He is the best one to write the instruction book. Believers should seek to understand God's purpose in sex. God, who created us in the holistic unity of our bodies, souls, minds, and spirits, made our sexuality part of that wholeness. God reveals this design in the Scriptures.

This article is about adultery and apostasy. Adultery and unfaithfulness distort marriage as it was created by God. Just as we can be physically unfaithful in our marriage, so can we be spiritually unfaithful to Christ. The adulterous culture of today grieves God. Let us remain faithful.

God's unyielding hostility toward immorality is well known, and yet immorality threatens to overwhelm us. For what purpose did God create sex, and how can we be sexually pure? This article talks about sex as being created for procreation, partnership, pleasure, and to portray the covenant. The author also discusses why God is hostile towards sexual sin.

This article is about the supreme court of the universe - the judgment throne of God. It is important that we recognize that 'justify' and 'justification' are legal terms; they concern each Christian's relationship with God as Judge. Justification includes forgiveness of sins and being made righteous through the work of Christ.

What is salvation? What are we saved from? Salvation refers to our ultimate redemption from sin and our reconciliation to God. We are saved from the God's judgment. Salvation is both of the Lord and from the Lord. It is the Lord who saves us from the wrath of the Lord.

Why do we love the Lord Jesus and some people do not? Isaiah 53 helps us with this question. Many people do not consider Jesus as a Saviour, a winner, a king among kings and a great Lord over lesser lords. Believers not only understand that Jesus suffered, but also know why He suffered. We view Him as our substitute who suffered for us, obtaining salvation for us.

This article is about God's wrath, and the reasons why we have difficulty coming to terms with the idea of an angry God.

What is wisdom? Where does true wisdom come from? According to the Bible, wisdom is practical and determines how you live your life. A wise person is one who is skilled in righteous living. God is the source of true wisdom.

How am I to know the will of God concerning my life? God makes His will clear by his Spirit through His Word. This article discusses some pitfalls of using other methods to discover God's will.