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Explore our collection of theological essays, biblical studies, and reflections on faith and culture.

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Pastoral Ministry

The Story of Pastor Tom Clark

Several months ago, I wrote a First Things essay on the life and ministry of Pastor Tom Clark of Tri-City Covenant Church in Somersworth, New Hampshire. Tom died shortly after that essay appeared, but during his last days we were able to spend a couple of days listening to Tom's…

by Peter LeithartDecember 16, 2014
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Advent

A Faustian Christmas

Scene 1 Mr Faust sitting in a big chair, with Little Faust on his lap, reading. Mrs Faust sitting in another chair, knitting or something. Mr Faust : And I heard him exclaim As he drove out of sight Merry Christmas to all And to all a good night. (Closing…

by TheopolisDecember 16, 2014
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American Politics

Sleeping at Gethsemane

Sadly, most Christians in the United States, when it comes to recognizing the dangers to their civil and religious liberties, sleep the sleep of ignorance that the disciples slept at Gethsemane before the arrest of Jesus. It ought to be obvious by now how “sexual orientation” laws and “gay marriage”…

by Robert GagnonDecember 16, 2014
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Creation

Maker of Heaven and Earth

From an early period in church history, Christians have confessed belief in a God who created “out of nothing.” God doesn’t need pre-existent matter to work with like a human artisan does; rather, God both calls into existence the material substrate he intends to work with, and he fashions whatever…

by Stephen LongDecember 11, 2014
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Leviticus

Learning to Love Leviticus

January 1 is the start date for a New Year's resolution. December is the month to start making plans for those resolutions. Perhaps the most common resolution Christians make is to read through the Bible in a year. But that resolution runs into a big challenge near the outset: Leviticus.…

by John BarachDecember 9, 2014
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Theopolis News

Theopolis Accredited by National Financial Accountability Organization

BIRMINGHAM, AL – The ECFA (Evangelical Council for Financial Accountability) announced today the accreditation of Theopolis Institute of Birmingham, AL. ECFA accreditation is based on the ECFA Seven Standards of Responsible Stewardship™ , including financial accountability, transparency, sound board governance and ethical fundraising. Theopolis Institute joins a growing number of…

by TheopolisDecember 4, 2014

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Ecclesiology

Eucharist and Ecumenism

Owen Cummings’s brief study of “the Eucharist across the ages and traditions” ( Eucharist & Ecumenism ) holds many surprises. There are some standard well-known texts - the Didache , Justin’s description of the Eucharistic service, The Apostolic Tradition of Hippolytus. But then Cummings collection goes rogue. He includes a…

May 13, 2014
Trinity

Triune Metaphysics

Many have objected to the Trinity on the grounds of its mysteriousness. J.R. Illingworth ( The Doctrine of the Trinity [1907]) responds that natural theology is no less mysterious. Natural theology draws from “the material world and the mind of men,” but both “are baffling.” Nature is perplexing, and so…

May 13, 2014

Edwards's Social Trinity?

A few recent scholars have attempted to enlist Jonathan Edwards on the side of social Trinitarianism, most prominently Amy Plantinga Pauw in her Supreme Harmony of All . Steven Studebaker isn’t buying it, and explains why in his Jonathan Edwards’ Social Augustinian Trinitarianism . Studebaker argues that social Trinitarianism depends…

May 12, 2014

Trinitarian Prisca theologia

Deists didn’t think revelation necessary. The original religion was natural religion, and the original natural religion was the best. Steven Studebaker ( Jonathan Edwards’ Social Augustinian Trinitarianism ) shows that one of the leading orthodox responses to this argument was the effort to show that “natural” religion was not natural…

May 12, 2014

Creation and Being

When the four living creatures give glory to God, the 24 elders fall and prostrate themselves and sing of God’s worthiness as Creator. He is worthy to receive glory, honor, and power because “you created all things and through your will the were and are created” (Revelation 4:11). By this…

May 12, 2014

What Does Christ Merit?

The merits of Christ play a prominent role in Protestant soteriology. William Perkins captures the basic argument: God accepts the elect and rewards them at the last day “not because works can merit: but by reason of God’s favor, who thus accepts works, and in respect of the merit of…

May 12, 2014

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