Throughout these articles on the authority of Scripture, we have distinguished between the reason why we believe, and the thing believed; or, the testimony and the thing testified to. The formal object of faith is the testimony of God which is presented to us in the material object of faith, the things revealed. The Spirit’s work upon the believer is neither the formal nor the material object of faith.
Read moreDecretive Will
One thing we continued to sideline in the previous conversation was the distinction between the decretive and preceptive will. Rather than leave that distinction unaddressed, this and a follow-on article will seek to explain the distinction.
Read moreThe Authority of Scripture: Motives
If we reason from motives to the divine origin of Scripture, then our assurance rests upon our natural capacities rather than the great testimony of God. However, because Scripture is self-authenticating, the motives for faith provide sufficient evidence that Scripture is the Word of God.
Read moreTrinitarian Submission?
Two previous articles laid the groundwork for the discussion of the present article. In the first, we noted that there are different ways of speaking of “will.” One might speak of “will” as the thing willed, the act of willing, or the natural capacity to will. In that article, we sidelined the differentiation (distinction) between the will of decree and the will of precept, since what we are discussing here more appropriately applies to the former than the latter. The next article looked at an historical debate in theology over how the Son wills, concluding in the ecumenical affirmation that the Son has two wills, called dyothelitism (“two-will-ism”). Closing that article, we noted a particular example of the reaffirmation of this doctrine by the Reformed in the work of John Calvin.
Read moreThe Authority of Scripture: Grounds and Motives
The marks of divinity, according to the Confession, serve as “arguments whereby [Scripture] doth abundantly evidence itself to be the Word of God.” Yet, these lines of evidence serve as motives rather than as the ground of our faith upon which the authority of Scripture rests.
Read moreTwo Wills?
Does Christ have two wills? For some, the question is answered immediately, while others may think this is a strange concept. Let’s consider it.
Read moreThe Authority of Scripture
Since Scripture is inspired, the Confession contends that Scripture is to be received on the authority of the One who gave it. Neither the creature nor a created institution supplies the authoritative testimony needed for one to accept Holy Scripture.
Read moreAttributing a Will
What is God’s will? This question requires labored definition because we can mean different things by the term ‘will’ itself. In English, we use the word ‘will’ accompanying some other verb in order to make the word future tense. For instance, “I will go to church this coming Lord’s Day; will you? I’m fairly certain Joe will be preaching.” This use of the word ‘will’ is applied to God also, but, as with other things, not univocally. We can speak of things God ‘will do’ in the future. For instance, he will bring a spiritually dead man to spiritual life through the preaching of the gospel. Strictly speaking, the futurity of the event is on the side of creation’s historical progress. For God there is no yesterday and tomorrow, so it is not as though these events are future for him.
Read moreCanon: Exegetical Grounding
God’s speech and intention warrant a book's canonical status and ground the creature’s ability to recognize the canon on God’s authority.
Read moreAttributes of the Triune God
It is not as though the three Persons take part in the abstract category of deity.
Read moreAttributes Communicated?
What’s the difference between the incommunicable and communicable attributes? Let’s be careful with our thinking on this.
Read moreCanon: The Contents of Holy Scripture
Discourse about the canon is inherently theological such that what we say about Holy Scripture reveals what we think about its Author. Scripture is the very speech of God and, as such, we recognize that everything we say about Scripture says something about the One to whom it belongs.
Read moreAttributing Things to God
Are immutability and eternality the same thing? Let’s think about that.
Read moreThe Necessity of Scripture: God's Gracious Act
In general revelation, God freely and objectively reveals Himself in the light of nature in man and the works of creation and providence so that He might manifest his goodness, wisdom, and power. This manifestation of God was not intended to reveal mysteries of faith that are received with but undetected by reason.
Read moreAn Announcement and Delay
Daniel has recently been installed as pastor at Grace Baptist Church in Chambersburg, PA, a long-time congregation in the Reformed Baptist community. This is a blessing, but it does mean there is a delay in the articles. While Daniel would have written on the attributes of God today, the transition means he has not been able to take the time to do so. Drew will pick up on the Confession’s statement on Scripture next week and Daniel will return for the attributes of God in two weeks. Thank you for your patience and prayers.
The Necessity of Scripture: General Revelation
General revelation is God’s free and objective revelation to man via the light of nature in man and the works of creation and providence. It finds its origin in God, and man knows it by innate and acquired knowledge.
Read moreSimply God
“God is really complex!” But is he? Today we look a little more at the doctrine of divine simplicity.
Read moreThe Necessity of Scripture: An Introduction
The goal of these expositions is to analyze the confession and engage in theological reasoning with the goal of knowing God by receiving discipleship from the past as we seek to humbly receive and confess the faith that came before us for the benefit of those who come after us.
Read moreWhat God Is and Isn’t: Principles of Theological Interpretation
We are needy and our neediness is met by the one who stoops to speak to us in words we can understand.
Read moreA Theology Master Class
Paul’s master class begins with God in himself.
Read more