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Baptism

Jesus' Baptism: The Fount of Life

A Study in Biblical and Practical Theology Sunday School Notes / Epiphany 2004 Introductory Note: January 6 is Epiphany in the traditional church calendar. Though Epiphany is often treated as a single day, with the Sundays following counted as “Sundays after Epiphany,” we will treat Epiphany as an extended season.…

by Rich LuskJune 1, 2004
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Baptism

Baptism, Symbols, and Faith

Imagine someone from another world trying to learn to live in our society according to our customs. What if someone gave him a check for a hundred dollars for his birthday–the first check he had ever seen in his life? Would he immediately understand how a check was used? Perhaps…

by Mark HorneMay 29, 2004
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Baptism

Admission into the Church: Biblical Theology & Baptism

According to Presbyterian doctrine, as articulated in the Westminster Confession of Faith, baptism is a baptized person’s “admission… into the visible church.” By referring to the “visible church,” the document makes clear it is referring to the present institutional Church with all her imperfections, as opposed to the future Church…

by Mark HorneMay 29, 2004
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Covenant

Some thoughts on NT Wright, Righteousness & Covenant Status

N. T. Wright claims that in the Apostle Paul’s writings “righteousness,” as it predicated of humans, denotes “covenant membership.” When he wrote this in the New Bible Dictionary edited by Sinclair Ferguson, J. I. Packer, and David Wright, no one thought this was too big a deal. However, when he…

by Mark HorneMay 29, 2004
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Theologia

The God of Grace

It seems almost human nature to think that we can find something to do for God that will make Him do us favors. If we live more virtuously, or cut down on a vice or two, then God will have to reward us. But the problem with this notion is…

by Mark HorneMay 24, 2004
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Justification

The Moral Law Commands Faith in Christ Alone

The First Commandment teaches us to trust in Christ alone for justification, sanctification, and eternal life. The First Commandment reads (I’m using NASB throughout): “You shall have no other gods before Me.” Obviously, trusting in someone or something else (even one’s own good works) for justification, sanctification, and eternal life”…

by Mark HorneMay 22, 2004

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BodyCatholicism

Theology of the Body

Today is the centenary of the birth of Pope John Paul II , who was far and away the greatest Christian leader of the twentieth century. In honor of his birth, here are some notes on the first section of his monumental Man and Woman He Created Them: A Theology…

May 18, 2020
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Exodus

Garments of Glory and Beauty, 1

Exodus 28 has a fairly clear surface structure: A.Garments of glory and beauty, 28:1-5 B. Ephod and onyx stones, 28:6-14 C. Breastpiece of judgment, 28:15-30 D. Robe of the ephod, 28:31-35 E. Golden crown, tunic, turban, 28:36-39 F. Tunics and caps for Aaron's sons, 28:40 G. Breeches to cover flesh,…

May 13, 2020
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Coronavirus

New Normals

Much remains uncertain about the new coronavirus, including its infection rate and its fatality rate. As if the natural uncertainty of such things weren't confusing enough, we're battered with conflicting narratives about the numbers, accusations of "fake news" tossed in every direction. Thus far, it seems healthy people without any…

May 11, 2020
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Exodus

Priesting Aaron

Jim Jordan likes to talk about the " Enoch Factor ." The phrase refers to the historical phenomenon laid out in Genesis 4. Cain fathers Enoch and builds a city by the same name. In the line of Enoch are Jabal, the first animal husbandman, and Jubal, father of music,…

May 6, 2020
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Coronavirus

Let My People Go!

Alabama's Governor Kay Ivey loosened the shutdown last week, allowing more businesses to operate and opening the Gulf coast beaches. I appreciate the complexity of the issues governors face. They must make life-or-death decisions, without the kind of information they need to be certain their decisions are right. Governors throughout…

May 4, 2020
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Exodus

Continuous Light

Exodus 25-30:10 is a single speech of Yahweh (cf. 25:1; 30:11), the "First Day" section of the Seven-Day tabernacle description. The most obvious structuring principle of the first speech is spatial. In general, the speech begins in the Most Holy Place, moves out, then moves back in. 1. Contribution from…

April 29, 2020

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