What is a parable? A parable is a flexible term; it can stretch to include a variety of things. But, at its base, a parable is a metaphorical story or saying. By using a metaphor, a parable compares two things. It describes one thing by likening it to something else.Continue Reading
For some years, I have complained about Baptist squatters in the Reformed house. These are those Baptists who insist on re-defining the adjective Reformed. As it turns out, however, this habit of squatting is not new at all. Indeed, one of the earliest examples occurred in 1680. I use theContinue Reading
Throughout history, the church has found itself at the crossroads of the sacred and the secular, where competing voices would lead us in different directions. The recent surge of interest in varying aspects of critical theory has forced many church leaders and members to make active decisions as to how,Continue Reading
How did the theological examination of a man in a presbytery (body of regional church elders) in a small town in Scotland in 1717 fuel a deep-seated theological schism among ministers in the Church of Scotland and result in a movement that still has bearing on the church in ourContinue Reading
Things are not always what they appear to be. Sometimes, events we do not believe to be blessings from God actually turn out to be, and often the way God chooses to bring about His blessings is anything but predictable. In Hebrews 11:20, Isaac pronounces “blessings” on Jacob and Esau. WeContinue Reading
John Piper has complained that the historic Reformed understanding of the Christian faith and life produces what he calls a “debtor’s ethic”. The assumption is that a “debtor’s ethic” is something that we are supposed to reject out of hand. I have previously criticized his rejection of Reformation theology, pietyContinue Reading
When it comes to today’s church music, we have run so far from the actual, God-given standard that most don’t even know one exists. I was struck by this reading Abraham Kuyper’s comments about church music in Our Worship. Think for a minute how far we drifted from the originalContinue Reading
The confessional Presbyterian and Reformed (P&R) churches […] begin with the assumption that it is not the function of singing in worship for us to say whatever we want to God but to repeat God’s Word after him. The role of a song in worship is not for us toContinue Reading
Mike Abendroth In part 2 of this series, we considered the case of the rich young ruler. In this final instalment, let us consider one of the most important passages in this debate: Romans 2:13. Advantage #4 – Giving assurance to believers Lordship Salvation (LS) regularly calls into question a person’sContinue Reading
Mike Abendroth In part 1 of this series, we considered the definition of Lordship Salvation (LS) and the Reformation distinction between Law and Gospel. If you read the “rich young ruler” passage in Matthew 19:16-30, as the LS folks frequently do, you will see Jesus calling people to surrender, submission and discipleship.Continue Reading