Theopolis Logo

Writing

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

See all
debby-hudson-qa74yh6-xlc-unsplash
Baptism

For the Children’s Sake | An Alternative Angle on the Paedocommunion Debate

The debate over paedocommunion does not seem to have made much headway on either side in recent years. Certainly both sides have made a solid effort to argue for their position. But no resolution seems to be forthcoming in the near future. As a convinced paedocommunionist, I find the church’s…

by Rich LuskNovember 16, 2002
kelly-sikkema-ggs0_g6wi-i-unsplash
Covenant

Covenant & Election FAQs

How do covenant and election relate to one another? There are many issues of semantics that enter into this discussion and many issues of real substance, so we need to be careful. If we oversimplify, we can say that election relates to God’s eternal plan to save a people for…

by Rich LuskAugust 20, 2002
claudel-rheault-zvbv1aka-l4-unsplash
Theologia

Vine, Branches, & Fruit

Shortly after the Last Supper and before his final arrest, Jesus said these words to his remaining eleven faithful disciples: I am the true vine, and my Father is the vinedresser. Every branch of mine that does not bear fruit he takes away, and every branch that does bear fruit…

by Mark HorneJune 7, 2002
chris-bair-ndczc5739ck-unsplash
Deuteronomy

The Gospel of Deuteronomy

Was Caleb saved by faith or works? Caleb is just one of many thousands of Hebrews who entered the Promised Land after spending years in the wilderness being led by Moses. God had delivered the Hebrews from slavery in Egypt and gave them a law at Mount Sinai based on…

by Mark HorneJune 7, 2002
kelly-sikkema-gpoh17dxqdm-unsplash
Romans

Romans and the Role of Israel in the Atonement

For while we were still helpless, at the right time Christ died for the ungodly (Romans 5.7) So also we, while we were children, were held in bondage under the elemental things of the world. But when the fullness of the time came, God sent forth His Son, born of…

by Mark HorneJune 6, 2002
screen-shot-2023-04-04-at-5-01-54-pm
Ephesians

Paul's use of the Decalogue in Ephesians 6:1-3

Children, obey your parents in the Lord, for this is right. “Honor your father and mother” (which is the first commandment with a promise), “that it may be well with you, and that you may live long on the earth” (Ephesians 6.1-3). Honor your father and your mother, that your…

by Mark HorneJune 6, 2002

Showing page 236 of 309

See all
See all
aaron-burden-qjdzyt_k8xg-unsplash
CultureEcclesiology

The Stranger

Below are some notes for a talk I’m giving at the University of Idaho campus tomorrow evening (September 17). Apologies for the formatting. There’s some material here that is relevant only to the local situation, but the general thrust would be relevant to any Christians in a university town or…

September 17, 2003
colin-meg-bzszuukiy9c-unsplash
LukeSermon Outline

Sermon Outline, September 21

A Great Prophet, Luke 7:1-50 INTRODUCTION The previous section of Luke’s gospel (5:1-6:11) began with a call to disciples and ended with the Pharisees seeking ways to destroy Jesus. This section (6:12-7:50) begins with the appointment of apostles and ends with all the people in the Pharisee’s house questioning Jesus’…

September 17, 2003
tim-marshall-k2u71wv2ei4-unsplash
CultureTheology

Supra/Infra

I have long considered the debate of infra and supralapsarianism a classic example of the excesses of Reformed orthodoxy and scholasticism. I still like Bavinck’s even-handed treatment of the issues in his Doctrine of God . But I have to confess I’ve been thinking lately more as a supralapsarian than…

September 16, 2003
karsten-wurth-imegmbunara-unsplash
History

Thought Experiment

Here’s a fun thought experiment from David Wootton’s review of J.C.D. Clark’s book, Our Shadowed Present . Clark puts forward this theory in earnest. In 1688, James II fled England to escape the advancing army of William of Orange; had he stood his ground, he would never, Clark believes, have…

September 15, 2003
jan-kahanek-g3o5ztrk2e4-unsplash
Luke

The “Sinful Woman” (Luke 7)

I’m wondering about the sexual imagery in the incident with the “sinful woman” in Luke 7:36-50. Her attention is devoted completely to Jesus’ “feet,” which is often euphemistic for sexual organs. When the text says that she kissed Jesus’ feet, it means she kissed his feet, but the sexual imagery…

September 15, 2003
valentino-mazzariello-ndm1hhicwhc-unsplash-2
BooksHistory

Gleanings

Here are some gleanings from a Sunday evening of periodical catching-up: 1) Christopher Hitchens offers a blistering assessment of JFK in his TLS review of Robert Dallek’s biography, An Unfinished Life . Hitchens focuses especially on JFK’s medical history, summarizing this way: anyone scanning this or several other similar accounts…

September 15, 2003

Showing page 2198 of 2212

Browse by Category

In Medias Res

Your weekly digest for all things Theopolis.

Donate

Theopolis is nearly 100% donor-supported. Consider joining us on our mission.