Theopolis Logo

Writing

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

See all
ryan-loughlin-a8cewc-qgq-unsplash
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
aaron-burden-1ebsmyrau-s-unsplash
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
ryan-loughlin-a8cewc-qgq-unsplash
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
aaron-burden-nbjsrii4x6u-unsplash-2
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
ales-krivec-4mibe6zg5r0-unsplash
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
aaron-burden-1ebsmyrau-s-unsplash
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

Showing page 226 of 309

See all

Showing page 7 of 43

See all

The Passion, Again

I’ve read some surprising things in The New Republic : Andrew Sullivan ‘s analysis of the Roman Catholic Church several years ago was very insightful, and Eugene Genovese , reviewing a book on Southern slavery, encouraged TNR ‘s readers to check out the works of James Henley Thornwell. But I’ve…

March 6, 2004

Air Travel

Air travel requires a reversion to infantile behavior, or at best to behavior characteristic of elementary school kids. You’ve got to stay in the seat, you can’t go to the bathroom without permission from the captain or the flight attendant, you’re served packaged food (if at all) in pouches. How…

March 6, 2004
Literature

Merchant of Veniceas Allegory

Watching the closing courtroom scene of The Merchant of Venice , I was struck by how allegorical it is. First, there’s Antonio, threatened with death for a debt that really was incurred by Bassanio. Second, he’s threatened by a Jew. Third, Shylock says something like “his blood be on my…

March 6, 2004

Foolishness of God

Does the “foolishness of God” carry the connotation of “God playing the fool”? As in, God the jester? Is Paul saying that God the jester is wiser than the sages?

March 4, 2004
Literature

Walter Scott, Again

Further reflection on Scott: His anti-romanticism, as I suggested, is a common theme in early novel-writing. Defoe furnishes another example. Robinson Crusoe is warned by his father against running off to sea and seeking adventure, but Robin is unwilling to settle down to a boring middle-class life. Of course, when…

March 4, 2004
Theology

The Antiquity of Moses

The church fathers went to great lengths to prove that Moses was both more antique than Greek sages, and also to show that the Greek sages were dependent on Moses. While historically plausible, these efforts a form of Christian apologetics done within the confines of pagan thought. The assumption is…

March 4, 2004

Showing page 2114 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.