Petrus van Mastricht begins his treatment of the doctrine of God by means of brief exegetical comments on Hebrews 11:6: “for whoever would draw near to God must believe that he exists and that he rewards those who seek him.” According to Mastricht, this verse reveals three truths about God that are essential to saving […]
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. […]
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 […]
“Jesus Christ is the light of the world”: rightly relating the church’s ministry, mission, and worship
“Almighty God, whose Son our Savior Jesus Christ is the light of the world: Grant that your people, illumined by your Word and Sacraments, may shine with the radiance of Christ’s glory, that he may be known, worshiped, and obeyed to the ends of the earth; through Jesus Christ our Lord, who with you and […]
“Let us follow them with the voice and the heart”: Witsius’ doxology on the incarnation
In a previous post, I mentioned the value of Herman Witsius’ Sacred Dissertations on the Apostles’ Creed as a work of catechetical theology. Witsius’ chapter on the incarnation of the Son of God discusses four topics central to a proper understanding and appreciation of the doctrine: (1) the subject of the incarnation, (2) the mode […]
