The title for this post is one I never imagined writing. But recent days have brought about many firsts for many of us. In response to the spread of the Coronavirus across the globe, a group of ministers led by Rev. Chris Hutchinson has called upon churches to pray on Friday, March 20, 2020. They […]
The humility of God
“Humility” might sound like a strange attribute to predicate of God. Two recent studies suggest otherwise. Grant Macaskill’s The New Testament and Intellectual Humility is not a study of divine humility per se. Its broad concern is the nature and cultivation of humility as an intellectual virtue. Because of his commitment to theological interpretation of […]
Renewing theological anthropology
“What is man?” (Ps 8:4). Theological anthropology (i.e., discourse about the nature, actions, and ends of human beings) is the discipline devoted to addressing the psalmist’s question within the context of the psalmist’s awe and wonder before the majesty of God. Anthropology lies at the center of contemporary controversies both inside and outside the church. […]
Reframing the relationship between theology proper and theological method
Systematic theology at its best devotes its attention not only to individual topics such as God, salvation, church, and sacraments. It also devotes its attention to relationships between such topics. One of the most important relationships that systematic theology considers is the relationship between the doctrine of God (i.e., theology proper) and theological method. Either […]
Reflections on Christian assurance
The evangelical internet has been in a state of moderate agitation the past couple of days in response to a sermon by John Piper in which he touches on the relationship between “faith” and “feeling.” I have no intention of entering that particular conversation. But it does provide an occasion for addressing an issue of […]
“He has our good at heart”: Augustine on God praising God in the Psalms
The famous ABCOBARMA principle is “always be closing other books and reading more Augustine.” Okay, it’s not a famous principle. But it is good advice. And it’s the advice I’ve been following over the past several years. This year I’m spending time in Augustine’s Expositions of the Psalms. From time to time, I hope to […]
