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Writing

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

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Biblical Horizons

Problems with Church History Studies

One striking aspect of the recent “Federal Vision” conflict in the various conservative micro-Reformed groups is a debate over what older theologians really meant and said. Examining the credentials of various people who speak with great assurance on these matters one sees repeatedly degrees in church/theology history studies. In fact,…

by James B. JordanFebruary 26, 2008
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Biblical Horizons

Puritans v. Reformed Worship: (Part One of a Book Chapter Review)

The Worship of the English Puritans by Horton Davies really valuable book for gaining historical perspective on the American Presbyterian scene. (I will note for the record that I don’t believe there is an objective definition for “puritan” and I wish historians would stop using it and instead speak of…

by Mark HorneFebruary 23, 2008
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Books

John Frame on Historical Election

This is the conclusion to Frame’s discussion about historical/covenantal election in his The Doctrine of God (pp. 329-30): Historical election and eternal election are distinct, but they cannot be entirely separated. Note the following: 1. Both historical and eternal election are aspects of God’s saving purpose. The election of Israel…

by Jeff MeyersFebruary 21, 2008
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Biblical Horizons

John Frame on Covenantal Election

From John Frame’s The Doctrine of God : So although the election of Israel is by grace, there is an important place for continued faithfulness. Individuals can belong to the chosen people, yet lose their elect status by faithlessness and disobedience. Branches can be broken off “because of unbelief” (Rom.…

by Jeff MeyersFebruary 20, 2008
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Baptism

Is Baptism Admission or Confirmation that one is already a Member?

I’ve recently re-discovered an awesome theological resource, The Westminster Shorter Catechism Project . It is excellent, not least because it demonstrates the healthy diversity that has always been allowable in the Reformed Tradition until recently. For example, consider the sources attached to Question and Answer #94: Q: What is baptism?…

by Mark HorneFebruary 20, 2008
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American Politics

The Pledge of Allegiance

A friend recently asked if the frequent saying of the Pledge of Allegiance was a sign of American jingoism, or an attempt to inculcate “nationalism” of a bad sort. It seemed to him as a Canadian that that might be the case. That seemed to me to be probably backwards,…

by Richard BledsoeFebruary 17, 2008

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Sermon outline, 2 Kings 2

INTRODUCTION Elisha has been introduced earlier as Elijah?s successor (1 Kings 19), one of Yahweh?s instruments of judgment against the house of Omri. As Joshua succeeded Moses, and as the Spirit working with the apostles succeeded Jesus, so Elisha carries on the work of Elijah. THE TEXT ?And it came…

May 25, 2005

Translation, 2 Kings 2

And it was in Yahweh’s causing-to-ascend ‘Eliyyahu in a windstorm to the heavens. And walked ‘Eliyyahu and ‘Eliysha’ from the Gilgal. And said ‘Eliyyahu to ‘Eliysha’, “Dwell here please, for Yahweh sends me unto Beyt-‘El.” And said ‘Eliysha’, “Life of Yahweh and life of your soul, if I forsake you.”…

May 23, 2005
Literature

MLA

Joseph Epstein writing on the MLA in a recent issue of The Weekly Standard: “At these meetings, in and out the room the women come and go, speaking of fellatio . . . .”

May 23, 2005

Baptismal meditation

Matthew 28:18-20: ?Go into all the world and make disciples of all nations, baptizing them in the Name of the Father and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit, and teaching them to observe all that I command you. And, behold, I am with you always, even to the…

May 22, 2005

Eucharistic meditation

This builds on the thoughts in an earlier post entitled “Ups and Downs.” Elijah has power to ascend and descend. When Ahaziah sends his troops to capture Elijah, he is high up, exalted like Yahweh on a mountain. But He does come down to deliver a message, but only on…

May 22, 2005

Exhortation, May 22

A week and a half ago, Newsweek published a story alleging that U.S. interrogators at Guantanamo Bay Naval Station, Cuba, desecrated the Koran by flushing pages down the toilet. The report touched off riots throughout the Middle East that killed 15 and left many injured. This past week, Newsweek retracted…

May 22, 2005

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