Are we still responsible for sins for which we may be genetically predisposed?
Justin Taylor at Between Two Worlds quotes these helpful words from Tom Schreiner at the Southern Baptist Theological Seminary in Louisville, Kentucky–
“Even if some sins could be traced to our genetics, it would not exempt us from responsibility for such sins. The Scriptures teach that all human beings are born into this world as sons and daughters of Adam, and hence they are by nature children of wrath (Eph. 2:3). Read more
The Phantom Menace: Territorial Spirits and SLSW
Church Society has just republished a very helpful ten-year-old article by Melvin Tinker on popular notions of ‘spiritual warfare’.
“The aim of our spiritual warfare is not to disarm principalities and powers, which Christ has already done (Colossians 2:15). That is why he is seated above every rule and authority and why in principle Christians are seated with him in complete security (Eph 2:6). The objective of spiritual warfare is to ‘stand’.”
It’s available as a PDF file from their website.
On related topics, see also Peter Bolt’s Living with the Underworld (Get copies from Reformers, Moore Books) and Christ’s Victory over Evil (Moore Books, Reformers).
Barry Newman on Baptism Revisited — full series
Barry Newman has now completed his series of posts revisiting his earlier series on Biblical Baptism – and he’s made them available as a PDF file at his blog.
Sure to provoke discussion.
Smiting Morality with Gospel Joy
John Piper reads a powerful quote from CS Lewis.
Taking Sovereignty Seriously
Mark Thompson recommends John Woodhouse’s article in the issue of Southern Cross to be distributed in churches from this Sunday … He quotes John as writing –
“I am astonished at how glibly we sometimes speak of gospel work — as though leadership skills, ministry strategies or entrepreneurial flair is what is needed to make the gospel effective. Leadership is not what makes the blind see. Strategies do not make the deaf hear. Entrepreneurs do not make the dead walk!
It is God who calls out his elect, chosen by him before the foundation of the world. They could not have saved themselves and nor could we have saved them no matter how clever we are. And he hardens the heart of others in their chosen state of lostness.”
Find the article on pages 18 and 19 (‘Serving a Sovereign God’) of the February 2010 Southern Cross.
The Wonder of Words
“Put simply, then, the question of the importance of words to the Christian church is a question of theology, not methodology: to marginalise preaching in our church life and outreach is to marginalise words; and to marginalise words will inevitably involve marginalising the Word himself.”
– Thabiti Anyabwile quotes from Carl Trueman as he ponders the wonder of how God speaks to us.
Related: Propositional Revelation, the Only Revelation – by D.B. Knox.
Biblical Baptism revisited
Barry Newman picks up the theme of Baptism in the latest posts on his blog –
“Over September 1 to September 13 2009 I created a series of blogs on the subject entitled “Biblical Baptism”. The material has been discussed by various people in different venues and I have tried to listen carefully to the comments made. What follows is an attempt to further contribute to the debate…”
– Read Barry’s blog here.
The glory of the Cross
“There is no greater cleavage between faith and unbelief than in their respective attitudes to the cross.
Where faith sees glory, unbelief sees only disgrace. What was foolishness to Greeks, and continues to be to modern intellectuals who trust in their own wisdom, is nevertheless the wisdom of God.
And what remains a stumbling-block to those who trust in their own righteousness, like the Jews of the first century, proves to be the saving power of God (1 Cor. 1:18-25).”
– John Stott, The Cross of Christ. (With thanks to Of First Importance.)