Christians today need to know what they believe and declare their convictions to a world dominated by secularism and awash in relativism. Paul put it simply- -For with the heart one believes and is justified, and with the mouth one confesses and is saved- -Rom. 10-10-.--The first words of the Belgic Confession capture this urgent need of every age.…

-All discipline seems painful rather than pleasant- -Heb. 12-11-. We can all agree with that statement- But there is something more painful-by failing to submit to proper discipline we invite the terrible consequences discipline was designed to prevent. The point of constructive discipline is this- God gives us measured pain to train us to walk wis…

In the reformed tradition parents bringing their children for baptism are asked three questions that are vital for godly parenting. They demand that parents know their children, believe the Christian faith, and raise their children in the way of the covenant. These questions are so foundational that they apply to all of us as we disciple the next g…

To take the Bible seriously requires asking important questions about its authority. How do we know that the Scriptures accurately preserve what God intended to say about himself and his plan for the salvation of sinners-- How do we know that the Bible contains the right number of books-- Is the Bible worthy to regulate the beliefs and actions of p…

The fourth article of the Belgic Confession is basically a list of Bible books. That might not appear to be very edifying. But the list is important. It distinguishes the Protestant Bible from the augmented Bible of the Roman Catholic Church. It also distinguishes canonical books-or those that fit the rule of orthodoxy, and apostolic testimony-from…

To take the Bible seriously requires asking important questions about its authority. How do we know that the Scriptures accurately preserve what God intended to say about himself and his plan for the salvation of sinners? How do we know that the Bible contains the right number of books? Is the Bible worthy to regulate the beliefs and actions of peo…

"All discipline seems painful rather than pleasant" (Heb. 12:11). We can all agree with that statement! But there is something more painful—by failing to submit to proper discipline we invite the terrible consequences discipline was designed to prevent. The point of constructive discipline is this: God gives us measured pain to train us to walk wis…

The fourth article of the Belgic Confession is basically a list of Bible books. That might not appear to be very edifying. But the list is important. It distinguishes the Protestant Bible from the augmented Bible of the Roman Catholic Church. It also distinguishes canonical books—or those that fit the rule of orthodoxy, and apostolic testimony—from…

In the reformed tradition parents bringing their children for baptism are asked three questions that are vital for godly parenting. They demand that parents know their children, believe the Christian faith, and raise their children in the way of the covenant. These questions are so foundational that they apply to all of us as we disciple the next g…

What kind of book is the Bible-- Is it merely an ancient document written by men inventing a religion-- Is it like our Constitution, a useful guide developed by wise men, but one that can be amended when needed-- Is it special like other great writings that reveal the human condition and help us see divinity in the world-- Or is the Bible the very …

What kind of book is the Bible? Is it merely an ancient document written by men inventing a religion? Is it like our Constitution, a useful guide developed by wise men, but one that can be amended when needed? Is it special like other great writings that reveal the human condition and help us see divinity in the world? Or is the Bible the very word…

Our thoughts about God are the most important thing about us. We must know God as he truly is and not as we suppose him to be. So how can we know God-- The Bible's answer is revelation- God reveals himself to us.--The doctrine of revelation guards us against several errors. Agnostics claim that we cannot know God. The position may seem humble and c…

The church today faces a crisis that threatens our corporate witness and compromises the godly living of believers- We have borrowed from the world a too-low a view of our bodies. This may be a surprising claim given how much our world emphasizes bodily pleasure and appearance. But from issues like abortion, to transgenderism, to an out-of-control …

God has graciously made a covenant between himself and believers and their children. God graciously to care for us- we must trust and obey him. But what happens when we don't-- Is the covenant breakable-- Can the disobedience of man nullify God's hold on his people----In Ezekiel 20 a group of elders asked the prophet to inquire of the Lord in Babyl…

Our thoughts about God are the most important thing about us. We must know God as he truly is and not as we suppose him to be. So how can we know God? The Bible's answer is revelation; God reveals himself to us.The doctrine of revelation guards us against several errors. Agnostics claim that we cannot know God. The position may seem humble and care…

The church today faces a crisis that threatens our corporate witness and compromises the godly living of believers: We have borrowed from the world a too-low a view of our bodies. This may be a surprising claim given how much our world emphasizes bodily pleasure and appearance. But from issues like abortion, to transgenderism, to an out-of-control …

One of the best questions we can ask about God comes from the Westminster Shorter Catechism. -What is God--- -Q-A 4-. As the church has tried to answer that question from Scripture it has consistently used a surprising word to help describe the divine Being- simplicity. God is simple. Not in the sense of -easily understood,- but as -being free from…

One of the best questions we can ask about God comes from the Westminster Shorter Catechism. "What is God?" (Q/A 4). As the church has tried to answer that question from Scripture it has consistently used a surprising word to help describe the divine Being: simplicity. God is simple. Not in the sense of "easily understood," but as "being free from …

Christians today need to know what they believe and declare their convictions to a world dominated by secularism and awash in relativism. Paul put it simply: "For with the heart one believes and is justified, and with the mouth one confesses and is saved" (Rom. 10:10).The first words of the Belgic Confession capture this urgent need of every age. E…

God has graciously made a covenant between himself and believers and their children. God graciously to care for us; we must trust and obey him. But what happens when we don't? Is the covenant breakable? Can the disobedience of man nullify God's hold on his people?In Ezekiel 20 a group of elders asked the prophet to inquire of the Lord in Babylon. P…

The systematic study of Bible doctrine seems to be increasingly endangered. Theology has never been wildly popular. But among pragmatic people living under the influence of secularism, the study of doctrine is a very low priority. As culture races toward absurdity we might question the usefulness of studying the attributes of God, or the marks of t…

When disaster strikes, it doesn't take long for people to blame others. We are quick to take credit for success, and slow to take responsibility for failure.--Early in the sixth century BC the people of Israel faced a crisis of responsibility. Babylon had invaded Jerusalem and exiled thousands of influential Jewish people. Israel's kings and their …

Work is meant to be rewarding and satisfying. It isn't the source of ultimate purpose. But it is good to enjoy what we do.--So what happens when we don't-- What do we do when work doesn't work-- Some of the guidance we have already considered will help resolve moderate workplace unhappiness. We should develop vocational gratitude, practice diligenc…

Congregational worship is a time of covenant renewal. We confess to God that we have dishonored him. We reaffirm both his lordship over us and his promise to forgive penitent sinners, and we pledge to live according to his word. In this way, week after week, we press on in the pilgrimage to a heavenly city.--God told Ezekiel three stories to explai…

The systematic study of Bible doctrine seems to be increasingly endangered. Theology has never been wildly popular. But among pragmatic people living under the influence of secularism, the study of doctrine is a very low priority. As culture races toward absurdity we might question the usefulness of studying the attributes of God, or the marks of t…

When disaster strikes, it doesn't take long for people to blame others. We are quick to take credit for success, and slow to take responsibility for failure.Early in the sixth century BC the people of Israel faced a crisis of responsibility. Babylon had invaded Jerusalem and exiled thousands of influential Jewish people. Israel's kings and their ar…