On 14 June 2021 InsideOut released a 72 page PDF document titled Join this Chariot: Christian Schools Supporting Rainbow Students’ Wellbeing. (A link to this PDF will not be provided here. It is found quite easily with a simple Google search!) This is a biblical, exegetical, theological, historical response. Let’s start with some definitions. Biblical: This response will aim to… Read more →
Theology
Psalm 22:21-31 – Easter Sunday – Quotes from Calvin
Quotes from Calvin: He does not pray in a doubting manner; but he promises himself the assistance which the eye of sense did not as yet perceive. The cause is only put instead of the effect; for our deliverance is the consequence or effect of God’s hearing us. If it is asked how this can be applied to Christ, whom… Read more →
Psalm 22:1-21 – Good Friday – Quotes from Calvin
Quotes from Calvin: From the tenor of the whole composition, it appears that David does not here refer merely to one persecution, but comprehends all the persecutions which he suffered under Saul. It is, however, uncertain whether he composed this psalm when he peaceably enjoyed his kingdom, or in the time of his affliction; but there is no doubt that… Read more →
Has ‘Grace Alone’ made you gracious?
This is the continuation of a series on the ‘solas’ of the Reformation. We have already looked at ‘Semper Reformanda’ (always reforming), ‘Sola Scriptura’(Scripture alone), and ‘Solus Christus’ (in Christ alone). We are now going to consider ‘Sola Gratia’ (by grace alone). Essentially, Sola Gratia simply means we are saved by grace alone. We are saved by grace and grace alone. In other words, our salvation is not the… Read more →
A Christian Perspective on Euthanasia
In Christ Alone?
This is the continuation of a series on the ‘solas’ of the Reformation. We have already looked at ‘Semper Reformanda’ (always reforming) and ‘Sola Scriptura’ (Scripture alone). We are now going to think a bit about ‘Solus Christus’, or Christ alone. The Cambridge Declaration has summarised Solus Christus quite well: “Christ’s all-sufficiency means, by implication, that we are insufficient… Read more →
Living in a Land Where Same-Sex Marriage is Legal
Beginning this Sunday in our 9:30am session at church we are continuing our series on ethics as we begin to look at the subject of homosexuality from the Scriptures. I wrote the following series of articles in 2013 when same-sex marriage became legal in New Zealand. I am linking to them here, now as they are applicable for our current… Read more →
Always Reforming
When one thinks of the Protestant Reformation eventually you will run across what are known as “the five solas” of the Reformation: Sola Scriptura – Scripture Alone Solus Christus – Christ Alone Sola Gratia – Grace Alone Sola Fide – Faith Alone Soli Deo Gloria – The Glory of God Alone Written out these communicate: “Salvation is by grace alone, through… Read more →
Pondering Proverbs as a Parent
This Sunday, we begin a new series at Rolleston Baptist Church through Proverbs. I love the book of Proverbs. Nearly 10 years ago, I spent a month blogging through the book of Proverbs, one chapter per day. I called my simple blog series, “Pondering Proverbs as a Parent“.We were still living in the States at the time. My children were… Read more →
Easter Built on Evidence isn’t Sufficient
It seems like every Easter the “evidences for the risen Christ” sermons come off the podcasts faster than one can even listen to them. Yet, I often find these perplexing. Evidences alone cannot lead to genuine conversion. Take Luke 24 as an example. In verses 1-11 we have the “empty tomb” evidence. These folks heard a first-hand account that the… Read more →