Simon Jooste The Bible sets forth two sacraments that were instituted by God and qualify as means of grace. In the Old Testament, they were circumcision and the Passover meal. In the New Testament, these rites have been replaced with baptism and the Lord’s Supper respectively. Those that claim additionalContinue Reading
Dear Friend The past two months have been particularly challenging for us in South Africa. You may have read about the rise in the Covid-19 cases, lockdowns, looting and violence. Fortunately, Cape Town has been relatively unaffected by the civil unrest. Despite this, everyone is feeling the effects of theContinue Reading
By Rev. Dr Simon Jooste Just as God uses the churchly means of Word and sacraments to justify and sanctify sinners, he also uses all kinds of broader social means to uphold and sustain a common humanity. Like civil government, the institution of medicine is providentially used by God toContinue Reading
By Rev. Dr Simon Jooste The proclamation of the crucified Christ and the cost of Christian discipleship is folly to the world. This is because the world, particularly Western culture, naturally gravitates towards a theology of glory. Whether atheist or not, most forms of modern Western spirituality exalt human autonomyContinue Reading
By Rev. Dr Simon Jooste The Christian is not to be conformed to the world’s pattern of thinking (Romans 12:2). But it is particularly tempting to bow the knee to the pharmacological fruits for therapeutic narcissism and its pragmatic ethics, particularly when the billows of suffering roll in. Prozac canContinue Reading
By Rev. Dr Simon Jooste Christians suffer in this life. This is because they live in a fallen world, but also because of their cross-bearing identity with Jesus Christ. Depression is one way that believers hurt. The difficulty for Christians – who see humans as both body and soul –Continue Reading
By Rev. Dr Simon Jooste If Adam had not sinned in Paradise, he would have entered into a state of eternal embodied bliss. However, the story did not end that way. Instead, since the Fall of Adam and Eve death and decay have ravaged body and soul. Things are notContinue Reading