We sometimes miss significant aspects of biblical teaching on the Trinity because we are unfamiliar with philosophical terms and concepts common in the ancient world. One such example is the Greek term ἴδιος and the philosophical concept of a “natural property” to which the term sometimes refers. The semantic range of ἴδιος is fairly broad. […]
The Crowning Good of the Gospel: Romans 1:1-7
Last Sunday I had the privilege of preaching at University Presbyterian Church. My text was Romans 1:1-7. In this passage, Paul introduces his letter to the Christians in Rome with a summary of the “gospel” to which he has been “set apart” as an apostle of Jesus Christ. The sermon focuses on two topics: (1) […]
Justification and Ariel’s Grotto
Systematic theology must make sure that each doctrine it teaches is biblical. It must also make sure that each doctrine it teaches reflects an appropriate proportion and order in relationship to other doctrines. This proportion and order is determined by the shape of biblical teaching–“the pattern of sound words” (2 Tim 1.13), not by the […]
