In this conversation we consider both the strengths and weaknesses of dispensationalism. We praise that which is praiseworthy and honestly look at the weaknesses of the movement. We consider both the novelty of dispensationalism, and its courage in light of liberalism. We also look at the fallout that flows from its weaknesses. How has this movement evolved, where did it come from, and why has it so swiftly become the dominant view among professing believers?
A fiddler on the roof. Sounds crazy, no? But here, in our little village of Anatevka, you might say every one of us is a fiddler on the roof trying to scratch out a pleasant, simple tune without breaking his neck. It isn’t easy. You may ask ‘Why do we stay up there if it’s so dangerous?’ Well, we stay because Anatevka is our home. And how do we keep our balance? That I can tell you in one word: Tradition! Traditions, traditions. Without our traditions our lives would be as shaky as, as… as a fiddler on the roof!. . .
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Stories On the Road to Emmaus Then beginning with Moses and with all the prophets, He explained to them the things concerning Himself in all the Scriptures. – Luke 24:27 “Daddy, tell me the story again. Please!” Children love stories. They do not mind if they are passed along by memory or in turning the pages of a book, just tell them a story. They will listen in wonder and ask for the same stories to be read over and over again. They cannot get enough. This is another example of why we, Christians of all ages, must become like. . .
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Historic Sola Scriptura I have too often heard the modern refrain, “No creed but Christ, no law but love.” This relatively simple platitude is viewed by many as a spiritually deep proclamation of their commitment to the historic and profound battle cry of the Reformation, Sola Scriptura. Adherents to this catchphrase are not just those who would align themselves with the emergent church movement or the contemporary charismatic crowd. Within the circles in which I run (the politically-conservative, family-friendly, and culturally-concerned crowd) a similar sentiment exists, and is growing. Like any movement, any revival, any reformation, there are those who. . .
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When Judgment Comes There are few times in my relatively short memory where Christians in the west are in a more introspective time than now. We are in a time of true judgment, despite what Joel Osteen might say on the Larry King Show; our numbers seem to be dwindling; our various economies are in a shambles; our president, along with his administration, is either numb or hostile to most of what we hold dear; and the prevailing sentiment of our culture is that a moderately faithful Christian is a nut. Worse, they believe that a radically faithful Christian is. . .
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Hosea, the latest in our Sound Teaching Bible Study series is now available in our store. This study helps give us a right perspective on what we are really like, what Jesus has done for us, and how astonishing the gospel really is. The story of the gospel is not that Jesus, the knight in shining armor, came to save the beautiful princess. Instead, that He came to rescue, and remake, the ugly hag. In this study of Hosea we explore God’s loyal love for His wayward people. And we will stand on the sure and certain promise that He. . .
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Covenantal Government in Early America I was reading the Mayflower Compact (Covenant) this week. The Compact formed the first civil government by Europeans coming to America. It was written and signed in 1620 by the Pilgrims before they got off the ship. This was the start of American Christian governance. While short, the Compact does carry several references to it being a covenant. It was not called a constitution, a charter, a Bill of Rights, or any of the other titles we might associate with modern western style governments. It was a Compact which in the language of the time was. . .
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In the West, Christians have greater access to the Bible today than at any other time in history. Most believers in the United States own several printed copies of the Bible and also have the ability to read it on a myriad of electronic devices. It is both tragic and ironic, then, that multitudes of professing Christians do not read or study their Bibles consistently. Biblical literacy in the West is at its lowest point in centuries. Even among those who do read the Bible, large portions of it remain uncharted territory. In this message, Dr. R.C. Sproul Jr. will discuss one. . .
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This 6 part audio Bible study with Dr. R.C. Sproul Jr. is Sound Teaching on core doctrines of the reformed faith: baptism, covenant, assurance of salvation, saving faith, and perseverance of the saints.
There’s a new controversy in town, and it has as many names as implications. Federal Vision, Auburn Avenue theology, Shepherdism, whatever we call it, too many of us are talking about it. This series isn’t about the controversy, but is about those doctrines that the controversy touches. What you will find here is neither point by point refutation, or point by point defense of these controversial ideas. What you will find instead is plain teaching on God’s covenant faithfulness, on baptism, on perseverance, on apostasy. What you will find, we pray, is solid ground.
We are called to meditate on God’s Word day and night, to find it a sweet delight. Often we do, but other times we come across texts that hit us in our sin, that challenge our paradigms, that we prefer to avoid. This series looks at those texts that trouble, affirming that the texts are as they should be, and we are the ones who are troubled.
God is at work in us, bringing forth fruits fitting for repentance. Paul describes this fruit in Galatians 5, reminding us that we who have been born of the Spirit ought to be bearing love, joy, peace, long suffering, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, gentleness and self control. In this Bible study Dr. R.C. Sproul Jr. examines this fruit, seeking to know its Spirit and to distinguish it from the faux fruit of the Serpent. This series, we pray, will prove to be helpful not only in understanding this fruit, but in cultivating it. It will, we pray, not only inform but inspire.
Four-part series with Dr. R.C. Sproul Jr.
In Philippians Paul calls the saints to greater joy, more potent humility, more steadfast peace, that we would be mindful of all that Jesus has accomplished for us. We tend to look to Paul for meaty theology. We ought also to look to him for sound living. In this study we will consider our union with Christ, His victory for us, His sovereign reign, and His call upon our lives. We pray that like the saints at Philippi, we will come out the other side marked by joy.
We consider together some basic ground rules for biblical interpretation, while glimpsing briefly into the very power of the Word. Where the Bible is ordinary, we treat it like magic. Where the Bible is potent, we treat it as anemic. The Bible is no magic book. It has, however, the power to show us God, and to make us more like Him. This series, we pray, will help you read the one true story of the Bible, to read it faithfully, and to be changed by it.
O foolish evangelicals. Who has told you you’re any different from the foolish Galatians? Paul warned the Galatians about becoming slaves once more, while we who should be living free in Christ, slink down to the barracks to become slaves ourselves. In this study of Paul’s stern letter, we consider our calling to rest in Christ, to rejoice in His provision, and to live as free men. Christ came to set us free. May we be free indeed.
This conversation has some overlap with our previous conversation on M is for Man. Our focus here, however, is on the promise of the future resurrection. We want to come to grasp how we have forgotten this doctrine, why it matters, and what we have to look forward to. We will look back to the goodness of the original creation, and at the glory of the new creation, but our focus is on or new, incorruptible bodies.
God’s Word to us in black and white; what else needs to be said? Join the conversation and find out.
This conversation looks at the calling of a man to protect hearth and home from danger, and the folly of delegating the defense of one’s home.
ROBBING PETER TO PAY PAUL
The modern Reformed church, it seems, is interested only in the heavy sledding of the apostle Paul. God, however, gave us a whole Bible, and many authors.
