A Biblical Theology of Human Culture & Technology, Part 2

Read the series.

What biblical reality do we need to add to creation and the fall in order to cultivate a more balanced view of human culture? What part of the biblical picture do the “counter-cultural” only Christians often miss?

Culture, Technology, and Common Grace

The simple answer is “grace.” According to the Bible, God does not completely abandon mankind in his sinful state, but he shows kindness or grace. To be more specific, God bestows two kinds of grace: common grace and saving grace.

Discussion

A Consideration of New Covenant Passages (Part 10)

Read the series.

Hebrews – Epistle of the New Covenant

Hebrews starts off by elevating Jesus Christ, proving from the OT that He is divine, but that He also “purged our sins” (Heb. 1:3) because He took upon Himself humanity (cf. Heb. 1:6; 2:9, 17). Jesus holds the office of High Priest (Heb. 3:1; 4:14-16). And the question arises, whose High Priest is He?

Discussion

Do you have Calvin Derangement Syndrome?

Body

“Does your blood pressure go up when you see ads for the hit series, The Chosen? Do you have strong urges to tear up copies of the Westminster Confession? Do pictures of John Calvin send you over the edge? Do you have an impulse to ransack a garden of TULIPs when you see them? If so, you might have CDS.” - Robin Schumacher

Discussion

The Protestant Canon Defended

Body

“Gavin Ortlund discusses the Protestant canon with ‪@javierperd2604‬ and ‪@CleavetoAntiquity‬, considering Roman Catholic and Eastern Orthodox objections, the testimony of church history, and more.” - Truth Unites

Discussion

Does the Believer Have One Nature or Two? (Part 2)

Published as a single article in DBSJ 2 (Fall 1997): 81–103. Used by permission.

Part 2 continues Part 1’s consideration of what “nature” means in the “one or two natures” question.

Theological Usage

As was previously noted, the use of the term nature as it relates to the question of one or two natures does not stem primarily from a particular text. Instead, it can more correctly be viewed as a theological term, essential to the discussion at hand, but whose meaning is generally derived from its common, ordinary usage. Webster, for example, defines nature as “the inherent character or basic constitution of a person or thing: essence, disposition, temperament.”1 Smith helpfully observes that

except when it is used for the material world or universe, the term “nature” does not designate a substance or an entity. Instead, it is a word which refers to the inherent or essential qualities of any substance or entity.2

Discussion

Is the Church Full of Hypocrites?

Body

“Though no Christian achieves the full measure of sanctification in this life, that we all struggle with ongoing sin does not justly yield the verdict of hypocrisy. A hypocrite is someone who does things he claims he does not do.” - RC Sproul

Discussion

The Glory of God: Lessons from Lazarus’ Resurrection

Jesus said, “Remove the stone.” Martha, the sister of the deceased, said to Him, “Lord, by this time he smells, for he has been dead four days.” Jesus said to her, “Did I not say to you that if you believe, you will see the glory of God?” (John 11:39–40, LSB)

Mary and her sister Martha must have sat together, grieving in their home as they waited for Jesus. Why was He delayed? They knew He loved them and had informed Him of Lazarus’s sickness in time for Jesus to rush in and heal their brother. What happened?

Discussion