Monday, February 16, 2009 at 12:36

"The very word "spank" exists because there is such a thing as a loving way to whop a child on his behind or his chunky thigh."

- John Piper, Would Jesus spank a child?

And to this, I wholeheartedly agree. I'm a better child because of the discipline my parents lovingly gave in my childhood -- and yes, I do believe I will be the dispenser of good spanks if/when I have children.

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Saturday, February 14, 2009 at 12:14

After a brief conversation about economics and social justice on Thursday, I really wish I had taken some sort of economics course at one point or another.

Is the hype dying? I'm not American, yet I can't help but feel the unsatisfied angst of the American people. The coverage on Obama's politics seems to have been replaced by coverage on his life (cf. the article in the Star on Friday about his robust marriage). It can't be easy being president of the free world.

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Saturday, February 14, 2009 at 2:52

"The canons, therefore, are careful to point out that the persons of the blessed Trinity work in unison to provide for the salvation of sinners. The Father elects, the Son redeems and the Spirit calls—redemption decreed, accomplished and applied. The Arminian, on the other hand, ends up with God wanting to save all but not being able to bring it to pass, the Son dying for everyone yet saving no one in particular, and the Spirit calling all those who are willing to let him have their way with him. This certainly does not accord with Paul’s conception of this as spelled out in Ephesians 1:3-14."
-Kim Riddlebarger, The Canons of Dort, Third/Fourth Head of Doctrine, Article Six

I don't think it's the wisest course by beginning with the predestination of men when talking about salvation, but when it comes up, it's wise to know what you believe.

I agree with Riddlebarger's description of Arminian theology. Though I firmly believe that they too are in Christ, I cannot help but think that the theology of the Arminian neuters God of His power. In fact, it seems that God is turned into an eternally frustrated being!

If we read the passage Riddlebarger cites, we see this: that Christ is the means by which God assures us of our inheritance, "having been predestined according to the purpose of him who works all things by the counsel of his will."

In the light of Scripture, my only response is of great gratitude and joy. I glory in the providence and plan of God! I thank God that I am saved by His grace by the power of the Cross!

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Wednesday, February 11, 2009 at 3:18

"Adam did indeed attain to the knowledge of good and evil, but, as Vos noted, he attained it from the standpoint of becoming evil and remembering the good in contrast to the evil he performed."

— Nicolas T. Batzig, A Biblical Theology of the Trees of the Garden (Part 1)

(HT: Justin Taylor)

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Tuesday, February 10, 2009 at 3:43

Here are a couple things that I've benefitted from in the past week:

1. Think with regard to all three Persons of the Trinity. Though the concept of "God in three Persons" is a challenging one to comprehend, it nonetheless is in the Bible and all three Persons are integral to our understanding of the Gospel.
2. The Spirit speaks less on certain things (i.e. angels) as he cares for us. Angelolgy or other speculative theologies may be interesting to entertain, but an unchecked curiousity in these matters isn't a good thing to pursue.
3. Thank God for His Word: "In short, let us remember that that invisible God, whose wisdom, power, and righteousness are incomprehensible, sets before us Moses' history as a mirror in which his living likeness glows. For just as eyes, when dimmed with age or weakness or by some other defect, unless aided by spectacles, discern nothing distinctly; so, such is our feebleness, unless Scripture guides us in seeking God, we are immediately confused."
4. Thank God for His kindness. In the days before the creation of Man, God filled the earth with light and darkness, water and sky, land and vegetation, the sun, moon and stars, creatures of the sea and air, and creatures of the land. Only then did He create Man. Contemplate on the fatherly kindness of God.
5. Be wary of dualistic thought: God is not equalled by the powers of darkness.

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