Theopolis Logo

Writing

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

See all
tpc-worship
Biblical Horizons

Liturgical Man, Liturgical Woman, Part II

Click HERE for an audio version of this article. For part 1 of this series, click HERE . The New Covenant changes none of this. There is nothing new or odd about Mary’s sitting at Jesus’ feet, nothing strange about various “deaconesses” serving the Incarnate Tabernacle. Paul affirms that in…

by James B. JordanJune 5, 2004
samuel-martins-3u7hcqkibb4-unsplash
Apologetics

God in Control?

An Introduction Despite my rather hectic schedule as a father and pastor, I’ve become more and more concerned that a tract defending God’s sovereignty and fore-ordination of all things would be a helpful tool for the Reformed pastor–one converstational in tone and persuasive in style. I have decided to undertake…

by Mark HorneJune 4, 2004
jan-kahanek-g3o5ztrk2e4-unsplash
Baptism

Trying to be Objective: A Short Test For Those Concerned About An Alleged “Baptismal Regeneration” Teaching

There has been a great deal of controversy in the various conservative Reformed microdenominations in North America. Since I am a pastor in one of these and have been advocating a return to the historic Protestant and Confessional view over again the baptistic mutation that is now prevalent in our…

by Mark HorneJune 3, 2004
kelly-sikkema-ggs0_g6wi-i-unsplash
Eucharist

The Meal that Kills: The Danger of Privatized Communion

I have recently written on justification as a covenant status and justification and adoption , understood as joining with Christ and his family at the Lord’s Supper . I write about things like this because it seems quite common in America to denigrate the need for community in one’s commitment…

by Mark HorneJune 3, 2004
theologyonthego
Baptism

Samuel Miller, Baptism, & Covenant Theology

Samuel Miller was one of the early professors at Princeton Theological Seminary. As a Presbyterian he wrote a book that defended infant baptism . Miller’s book was fine, but his appendix on baptismal regeneration seems problematic. Of course, his initial attack on superstition is quite warranted, but I am speaking…

by Mark HorneJune 3, 2004
kiwihug-l4gw27xzn1i-unsplash
Baptism

Baptism, Evangelism, & the Quest for a "Converting Ordinance"

Awhile back I wrote the following, first quoting from the author of the excellent book, A Baptism That Saves : The sacramental view [of baptism] most accords with the idea of God’s initiating a covenant by his sovereign decree in election–effecting this through effectual calling. This is because, instead of…

by Mark HorneJune 3, 2004

Showing page 225 of 309

See all

Showing page 5 of 43

See all
sixteen-miles-out-al48tflf4e8-unsplash
John

Mary at Calvary

Mary appears twice in John's Gospel. She is at the wedding of Cana, where Jesus does His first sign and first reveals His glory. She reappears at the foot of the cross (John 19), at the hour of Jesus. As Max Thurian points out ( Mary, Mother of All Christians…

April 11, 2018

Justification in Fresh Perspective

This summary of Wright’s views on justification is taken from passages in his 2006 Paul in Fresh Perspective . 1) Covenant and apocalyptic . Unlike some contemporary scholars, Wright insists that covenant and apocalyptic are not opposed to one another, but joined in Paul’s teaching. By “covenant,” he means God’s…

April 10, 2018
sixteen-miles-out-d40gdcd_-he-unsplash-2
John

Mary at Cana

Max Thurian ( Mary, Mother of All Christians ) has a wonderful treatment of Mary's role at the wedding feast at Cana. He starts by noting some of the symbolic dimensions of the event. The wedding takes place on "the third day," initiating a theme that runs through the rest…

April 10, 2018
Sex

Mysteries of Sex

Sex is a mystery. Sex is a mystery because masculinity and femininity are elusive qualities. Sexual desire is a mystery, so spontaneous and powerful that we might almost forgive ancient pagans for thinking of sex as a goddess, a divine power. Sexual intercourse is a mystery of mutual indwelling that…

April 9, 2018

Panda Thumbs

Douglas Axe ( Undeniable ) is out to defend our intuition that something as intricate as a living things must have a designer. One of his tactics is to prick the bubble of scientific pretension. We don't know nearly as much as we pretend we know. For instance: “the giant…

April 6, 2018
Marriage

Tie the Knot

Writing at USA Today , W. Bradford Wilcox sums up his and others' research on children born into or growing up in a home with unmarried parents: "Cohabiting families in America, partly because they are characterized by markedly lower levels of commitment, are also characterized by markedly higher levels of…

April 6, 2018

Showing page 79 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.