In our everyday life, we tend to move forward without much pause. We make decisions and act on those decisions. We decide on a restaurant and eat at that restaurant. We decide on an activity, and we pursue that activity. These choices are simple and straightforward. But occasionally, we encounter bigger decisions that make us nervous. In those moments, we fear a misstep. We … [Read more...] about The Open Door
Theology
John Frame on the Forensic Nature of Justification
John Frame (2013) discusses the forensic nature of justification in this way: The language [for justification in the Westminster Larger Catechism] is forensic, that is, the language of a law court. In that court God is the Judge, and we are on trial for our sins - both the sin of Adam and the sins that we have committed in this life. The wages of sin is death, so clearly we … [Read more...] about John Frame on the Forensic Nature of Justification
Clarify the Gospel
"[W]hen we assume the Gospel instead of clarifying it, people who profess Christianity but don't understand or obey the Gospel are cordially allowed to presume their own conversion without examining themselves for evidence of it - which may amount to nothing more than a blissful damnation. Our ministries are ultimately about 'ensur[ing] salvation both for yourself and for those … [Read more...] about Clarify the Gospel
The Cause Behind Our Unbelievable World
"There can be no easily believable explanation for everything I've seen in this little ball-happy universe of ours. Occam's well-worn razor will do us no good. There will be no 'simplest' explanation. A single world combining galaxies, black holes, Jerry Seinfeld, over 300,000 varieties of beetle, Shakespeare, adrenal glands, professional bowling, and the bizarre reproductive … [Read more...] about The Cause Behind Our Unbelievable World
Could Jesus Have Sinned?
I recently took part in a lively discussion about this question. In an area (the Hypostatic Union of Christ) bristling with difficulties, I will keep my words few. I'd simply like to offer a couple points of clarification and then I'll quote an expert. The Difficulty Some people may wonder why this is a difficult question. They will say God cannot sin, so of course … [Read more...] about Could Jesus Have Sinned?