by Scott R. Swain When I was young, I only thought of my future: Whom would I marry? What vocation would I pursue? Where would I live? Now that I am the father of four children, I think only of their futures. As he approached the final days of his ministry, the Apostle Paul set […]
Thoughts on Christian controversy and the God of peace
I have been generally impressed by the way the brethren have conducted themselves over the past several days at Ref21 in debating vital issues regarding the presence of grace and merit in the covenant of works. I do not offer this post, therefore, as a direct (or indirect) corrective to any of our esteemed bloggers. […]
Gregory of Nazianzus on the crucifixion of the God-man
Some time in the autumn of 379, Gregory of Nazianzus answered the summons issued by the Synod of Antioch to take up residence in Constantinople. His job description was clear: to promote the Nicene faith in a city given over to Arianism. Gregory soon established the Church of the Resurrection and, within a year, preached […]
“Saved by his life”: reflections on Jesus’ resurrection
According to Carl Braaten, the gospel’s claim that God raised Jesus from the dead requires us to address two questions: the question of whether it happened and the question of what happened. The former question–what we might call, “the apologetic question,” is vital for if God did not raise Jesus from the dead, then our faith is futile […]
Lent me your ears
In 1528 Catholic and Protestant theologians met in the city of Berne to debate a series of topics associated with the burgeoning Reform movement in Switzerland. “The Ten Theses of Berne” focused on issues such as the nature of the Lord’s Supper, prayers to the saints, purgatory, the veneration of images, and clerical marriage. As […]
A trinitarian theology of salvation in miniature
“The grace of the Lord Jesus Christ and the love of God and the fellowship of the Holy Spirit be with you all.” 2 Corinthians 13.14 B. B. Warfield long ago observed that the apostolic writings do not develop but rather presuppose the doctrine of the Trinity. The New Testament is not evidence of a transitional […]
