The Nicene Creed is arguably the most famous and important creed in all of Christendom. The 4th century was a tumultuous one, both politically and religiously. At the center of the religious upheaval was a man named Arius, a Presbyter from Alexandria, who taught that Jesus was something less than divine, something different than the Father who alone was God. There was also another religious man who needs mention: Athanasius. Also from Alexandria, Athanasius would later become Bishop of Alexandria and chief defender of the Holy Trinity.

Politically the man that stood at the center was Constantine. After his dramatic victory at the Melvian bridge (312 AD) and his subsequent conversion to Christianity, Constantine became the chief promoter and defender of all things Christian, demonstrated in acts like the Edict of Milan (313 AD) and, perhaps most importantly, the convening of … Read More »

The five points of Calvinism often go under different names.  Sometimes they are called “The Five Points,” others refer to them as “Biblical Christianity” (Spurgeon), and, of course, sometimes they are described as a TULIP.  Equally common, “Doctrines of Grace” is used to refer to them.  Grace. Grace is an appropriate way to think of these doctrines for at every point they force us back to the gracious plan of God to effect our redemption.  It is by grace we have been saved (Eph. 2:8) and the grace extends back to election and is present today in perseverance.  The whole of the Christian life is by grace.

Even among these doctrines of grace there is one, the I in Tulip, known as Irresistible Grace. When we speak of Irresistible Grace we are thinking specifically of conversion in real time.  The Bible … Read More »

People say the darnedest things at funerals. Orthodoxy often gives way to sentimentality. The religion of Scripture often takes a back seat to the folk religion of the day – a toxic blend of new-age wackiness, a smattering of Bible verses and a healthy dose of sappy sentimentalism. When this is all mixed together we hear about people floating on clouds and singing with the angels. And, almost always, we hear of the blessings of being delivered from the body.

Much of this stems from trying to make sense about things the Bible really doesn’t talk about. Frankly, apart from a couple of New Testament verses, nothing is said about the intermediate state (Phil. 1:23; 2 Cor. 5:8) – the time between death and the resurrection of the body. The note the Bible strikes is one emphasizing the final state, the … Read More »

Robert Farrar Capon is most certainly correct when he suggests that Jesus’ actions at the beginning of the week of his passion are a “sustained series” or a “chain” of “acted parables.” So, when we read of the Triumphal Entry and of his weeping over Jerusalem and of his turning over tables in the temple and of his cursing the fig tree we are reading actual historical events, but they are actual historical events choreographed for very specific purposes and freighted with theological meaning. And this includes the climatic events of ministry: the Crucifixion, Resurrection, Ascension, and Second Coming. All of these historical events happened—or will happen—but there is more to them than just a happening. Confronted with all of these we are forced to ask: Why? Why did they happen? What is God up to in them? What is … Read More »

On one occasion Jesus described his religious antagonists as slaves to sin and sons of the devil! Yowzers! That’s one way to get people’s attention. But don’t forget – these aren’t just any people. These are people who never tire telling the world that they are free from sin and that they have Abraham (and by extension God) as their father. Like the tables in the temple, Jesus turns their claims upside down and exposes them for what they really are. Their slavery and sonship will fully manifest itself when they crucify the Lord of glory.

It’s important that we don’t stop there, though. What Jesus says about them is also true of us, apart from our union with Christ. Apart from Christ, we too, are slaves to sin and can only claim the devil as father. Apart from Christ, God will … Read More »