*Note: This is the second installment in a three-part series. You can access the previous article here. Premises 1 and 2: As a natural law, the Sabbath pattern[1] is universally binding throughout every generation of human history. From the outset of creation, God sanctified one day to be reserved for resting from weekly labor and […]
*Note: This is the first installment in a three-part series. You can access each subsequent article as they are released on the Covenant Confessions blog. Throughout the history of the Western world, few philosophers have managed to define the meaning of human life as succinctly as Saint Augustine. In the opening remarks contained in his […]
Introduction It has been some time since we considered the Baptist Catechism and the Scriptural truths it states and orders simply and memorably. We ended with the sixth question that set the stage for questions 7-86. Q. 6. What are the Holy Scriptures mainly about? A. 6. The Holy Scriptures are mainly about what man […]
Introduction We come now to the end of the first major division of the catechism. Questions 1-6 deal with introductory matters on God and revelation. In this article, we will explore questions 5 and 6 in detail. Body Question 5 A. Question and Answer Q. 5. May all men make use of the Holy Scriptures? […]
Introduction Robert P. George is regarded as one of the greatest intellects of the twenty-first century. From popular-level organizations such as the New York Times to representatives of the most prestigious academic institutions in the world, the overwhelming consensus is that Robert P. George is sui generis.[1] During his time as a student, George amassed […]
Introduction The last question we answered told us how we know there is a God. We know there is a God because the light of nature in man and the works of God plainly declare there is a God, but His Word and Spirit only do it fully and effectually for the salvation of sinners. […]
Introduction Who is the first and greatest of beings? God is the first and greatest of beings. Should everyone believe there is a God? Everyone should believe there is a God, and it is their great sin and folly who do not. The questions and answers of the catechism are interrelated and build off of […]
Introduction Last time we considered the first question and answer of the Baptist Catechism: Who is the first and greatest of beings? God is the first and greatest of beings. Now we will consider the second question and answer. Body Question and Answer Q. 2. Should everyone believe there is a God? A. 2. Everyone […]
Q 1. Who is the first and greatest of beings?
A. 1. God is the first and greatest of beings (Isaiah 44:6; 48:12; Psalm 97:9).
See part 1, part 2, part 3, and part 4. As we draw this series to a conclusion, we will consider the pastoral and contemporary relevance for properly understanding the origins, development, and trustworthiness of the New Testament canon.[1] The objective of this series was to demonstrate that the New Testament canon was a concept firmly entrenched in […]
This article will analyze how the Abrahamic Covenant is understood within the Dispensational and Particular Baptist theological frameworks. In keeping with the observable pattern of this portion of the Dismantling Dispensationalism series, each of the three main classifications of Dispensationalism will be categorized with the primary source that corresponds to that respective classification. Furthermore, relevant […]
See part 1, part 2, and part 3. Thus far, in our efforts to understand the origins, development, and trustworthiness of the New Testament canon,[1] we have examined two key premises that refute the notion that Christians did not have a concept of the New Testament canon until the fourth century. In Article 2, we […]
See part 1, part 2, and part 3. Thus far, in our efforts to understand the origins, development, and trustworthiness of the New Testament canon,[1] we have examined two key premises that refute the notion that Christians did not have a concept of the New Testament canon until the fourth century. In Article 2, we […]
See Part 1 and Part 2. Up to this point in the series, we have examined how the canonicity of the New Testament writings are proven by garnering a proper understanding of God’s absolute sovereignty over created reality, in supplementation to apprehending the interconnectedness between the New Testament canon[1] and the redemptive-historical inauguration of the […]
This article will assess how the Noahic Covenant is understood within the Dispensational and Particular Baptist theological frameworks. In keeping with the previous article of this section of the Dismantling Dispensationalism series,[1] each of the three main classifications of Dispensationalism will be categorized with the primary source that corresponds to that respective classification. Furthermore, relevant […]
In keeping with the thesis delineated in this series’ introductory article, we will now turn our attention to unpacking the first premise contained therein: As decreed from eternity past, the canonicity of the New Testament writings was inextricably linked to the redemptive-historical inauguration of the New Covenant in Jesus Christ’s blood (Luke 22:20; 1 Cor. […]
This article will embark upon a critical analysis of Dispensationalism’s aversion to the covenants of redemption, works, and grace. As will be seen below, each of the three main classifications of Dispensationalism will be categorized with the primary source that corresponds to that respective classification. This organizational methodology aims to share pertinent excerpts from the […]
Before delving into a consideration of the defunct covenant theology of Dispensationalism, it is necessary to ensure that the reader is aware of how the term “covenant” will be used throughout this section of articles. There has been no shortage of ink spilled throughout church history by theologians striving to offer the most precise definition […]
The pupil of Scripture must understand many important themes and concepts if they are to rightly divide the word of truth and adhere to the faith that has been once for all handed down to the saints (2 Tim. 2:15; Jude 1:3). Regardless of whether a self-identifying Christian is familiar with the technical language, some […]
Disclaimer: This letter is intended for a hypothetical college student who has just read Jesus Before the Gospels (Bart Ehrman), and in doing so, has experienced an acute crisis of faith. This was originally written to satisfy a doctoral seminar requirement at The Southern Baptist Theological Seminary. Greetings, It was great to see you during winter […]
Without the incarnation, we could not be saved. It was the incarnate Christ who died on cross, rose from the dead, ascended into Heaven, and is now at God’s right hand making intercession for us… If Christ were not truly and fully man, we could …
See article one here, article two here, and article three here. Critique #3- Dispensationalism Has No Concept of the Law/Gospel Distinction in Scripture By way of drawing this article to a conclusion, the third and final critique of Dispensationalism’s approach to interpreting Scripture will center upon its non-existent conception of the Law/Gospel distinction.[1] Due to Dispensationalism’s refusal […]
See article one here and article two here. Critique #2- Dispensationalism’s Inconsistency on Sensus Plenior and New Testament Interpretive Priority A survey of the New Testament’s use of the Old Testament reveals at least two essential distinctives about the hermeneutic of Scripture. First, it can be observed from the New Testament that there are several occasions in which […]
Perhaps the most glaring issue with Dispensationalism’s hermeneutic is that its application to God’s Word is often exalted to the same authority of Scripture itself…
1. Remember God is in complete control. He removes leaders and appoints them. Daniel 2:21 says, “He changes times and seasons; he removes kings and sets up kings.” Take heart that no matter what, everything is coming to pass according to God’s perfectly wise and eternal decree. His purposes are good, holy, and just. Let […]
Christianity is true insofar that the Holy Bible is God’s self-revelation to mankind.[1] The entirety of the Christian faith and its corresponding worldview hinges upon the Bible being the inerrant, inspired, and infallible Word of God (2 Cor. 2:17; 4:2). At least two frightening consequences would result from the Bible simply being another book from […]
The Importance of Trinitarian Orthodoxy for True Worship The doctrine of the Trinity is the most important doctrine of the Christian faith because it tells us who the God is that we worship.[1] In the progressive unfolding of redemptive history, God has disclosed Himself to be one being (ousia) who exists in three co-equal, co-essential and […]
Bible Belt Ministry Our church assembles in a rural area on the outskirts of a military base—Fort Leonard Wood, MO. Our community is in the Bible belt, where Christianity is practiced nominally by numerous professing believers. Many have come to church, listened to a sermon, repeated a prayer during an altar call, and have left […]
Introduction Not long ago, I wrote the first part of this mini-series. In it, I defined what both a confession of faith and catechism is: A confession is a statement of what a group believes the Bible teaches on various topics in a succinct, orderly, and comprehensive manner. A catechism is a series of questions […]
Introduction Dispensational theology is a nineteenth-century aberration away from historic, orthodox, Biblical Christianity. Undoubtedly, an introductory statement of this nature has already polarized some readers. Is this simply a pejorative statement made by an overzealous refugee of Dispensationalism? After all, on what basis can a 25-year-old make such a dogmatic claim about Dispensationalists, especially […]
