ome wise thoughts on what may underly some of the fervent eagerness to see Christian values defended by political action. This is not to say that political action is ruled out–but it can never be the focus of our hope for a transformed society. Indeed, if there is any real evidence of the decline of [...]

hanks to Marc Lloyd for pointing me to this interesting summary of Calvin’s metaphors for talking about creation. Calvin has developed an increasingly rich set of visual metaphors by which to describe the ways in which the invisible God makes [himself] somewhat visible in the universe. The universe may be described as a “mirror or [...]

he gospel is what gives substance and life to Christianity. For a Christian, there is nothing more soul-refreshing than thinking about Jesus’ good news. So let me recommend the aptly named blog Of First Importance whose unambitious promise is to “provide a thoughtful quote to help you remember what’s ‘of first importance’: the gospel of [...]

nother exceptionally helpful post from R Scott Clark can be found on his Heidelblog. The title is “A Word to Students in the Midst of Controversy,” and the content is excellent. He writes of the situation at Westminster Theological Seminary in Philadelphia, but his insights will be helpful anywhere. Well worth a read for any [...]

hese words from John Owen’s Christologia are particularly encouraging. Owen’s aim in writing his work was the exaltation of Christ into his rightful position “in the hearts and consciences of men.” Think more of Christ!

n late 2007, John Piper’s extremely helpful book The Future of Justification was published. It engages thoughtfully and gently with N.T. Wright, whom Piper makes every effort to portray accurately. It is helpful both as an introduction to and criticism of the New Perspective. Not only is it easy to read but it is also [...]

emember Richard Dawkins, prophet of the new religious atheism and author of The God Delusion? Dawkins has been criticised for his quasi-scientific but definitely ideological advocacy of atheism. In a thoughtful and interesting article, Melanie Phillips at the Spectator points out that last month in public debate Dawkins observed that “a serious case could be [...]

n theology, as in any academic discipline, there are games that ‘skilled’ practitioners sometimes play. One such is theological ping-pong, amusingly and ably described by Basil Mitchell in his essay “How to Play Theological Ping-Pong.”

his is not a new sentiment, but one worth repeating. Perhaps, also, it is the beginnings of a principled difference between the way the Bible speaks to the politician (as an individual) and the politician (as a legislator). Christians who happen to be political liberals are fond of citing scriptural verses exhorting believers to perform [...]

very insightful warning from Richard Baxter, in the aftermath of the English Civil War: Abhor the popular spirit of envy, which maketh the poor, for the most part, think odiously of the rich and their superiors; because they have that which they had rather have themselves… They think that they are the maintainers of the [...]