No Holy Spirit, No Scripture
There is an abiding perception in the Christian world that Reformed folks do not talk much about the Holy Spirit. If you want to be in a church where the Holy Spirit plays a key role, so it is argued, then you will need to go in a charismatic or pentecostal direction.
If one is interesting in speaking in tongues or hearing modern-day prophecies, then I suppose this perception may be somewhat accurate. But, this does not mean that Reformed folks do not talk about the Spirit. On the contrary, the history of Reformed theology demonstrates a keen interest in the work and ministry of the third person of the … Continue reading...
The Most Important Passage in the Whole of Scripture
As I mentioned in a prior post here, I have been teaching a weekly Bible study on the book of Romans to women in the Charlotte community. For the last several months, we have been plodding our way through the first three chapters as Paul has laid out his case that all mankind–Jew and Gentile–are sinful and rightly under the judgment of God. Paul finishes this section of his letter with this monumental statement: “For by works of the Law no human being will be justified in his sight” (Rom 3:20).
You can almost hear the gavel fall with a boom.
Thankfully, Paul does not end his letter here. … Continue reading...
Great Review of Doug Kelly’s New Systematic Theology (Vol. 2)
Doug Kelly, the Richard Jordan Professor of Theology here at RTS Charlotte, has just released the second volume of his fantastic systematic theology series: Systematic Theology (Vol. 2): The Beauty of Christ–a Trinitarian Vision (Mentor, 2014). Although one might think there are enough systematic theologies out there, this volume (and its predecessor) are genuinely unique. In particular, Dr. Kelly engages the patristic writings with a level of detail that is unmatched by other volumes. Thus, Kelly roots his theological discussion deeply within the context of church history.
This very point was made by Robert Letham in a great view of Kelly’s book that just came out on The … Continue reading...
New RTS Charlotte Women’s Bible Study on Romans
In the mid twentieth century, Martin Lloyd-Jones preached through Romans on Friday at night at Westminster Chapel in London. Before it was all done, his series spanned 11 years and 372 sermons. Now those sermons have been gathered together in a commentary series on Romans which is one of the finest available. I highly recommend it.
Although I don’t have plans to remotely challenge Lloyd-Jones epic series in Romans, this Fall we began a new study of Romans here at the RTS Charlotte campus. It is a Wednesday morning Bible study for women in the Charlotte community. I had the idea for this study a few years ago as I … Continue reading...
Spurgeon: Ministers, You are the Public Clock of Our World
Every couple of years, I try to re-read two books that have been very formative for my thinking on life in the ministry. One is Richard Baxters’ The Reformed Pastor, perhaps the most convicting book ever written (other than the Bible). Each year, after reading it, I am tempted to draw up my resignation, drop out of the ministry, and go sell carpet or something.
The other book, is Spurgeon’s Lectures to My Students, a veritable goldmine of advice and instruction for those of us in ministry (or heading there). Spurgeon covers a wide range of issue from the call to the ministry all the way to pulpit … Continue reading...