Some OLD Voices on the Kingdom of God

Posted: January 29, 2010 | Author: | Filed under: New Testament Theology | Leave a comment
  1. Ladd, Matt 12:29 (How can one enter a strong man’s house and plunder his goods, unless he first binds the strong man?  Then indeed he may plunder his goods – embodies “the essential theology fo the Kingdom of God.  Instead of waiting until the end of the age to reveal his kingdly power and destroy satanic evil, Jesus declares that Go0d has acted in his kingly power to curb the power of Satan.  In other words, God’s Kingdom in Jesus’ teaching has a twofold manifestation: at the end fo the age to destroy Satan, and in Jesus’ mission to bind Satan” (63-64).
  2. Goppelt: “I: 71: “The very heart of God’s reign is summed up in the relationship between God and people becoming whole.”
  3. Ridderbos: 20-21: “The coming of the kingdom is first of all the display of the divine glory, the re-assertion and maintenance of God’s rights on earth in their full sense.”

What is the Kingdom of God?

Posted: January 28, 2010 | Author: | Filed under: New Testament Theology | Leave a comment

Jerry Bilkes,

“The Kingdom of God is the radical manifestation and comprehensive effectuation of God’s saving reign at the culmination of redemptive history. Thus it has revelatory, redemptive, and eschatological dimensions.”

What the Old Testament says on the Kingdom from Goldsworthy,

“We first see the Kingdom of God in the Garden of Eden. Here Adam and Eve live[d] in willing obedience to the word of God and to God’s rule. In this setting, the Kingdom is destroyed by the sin of man – and the rest of the Bible is about the restoration of a people to be the willing subjects of the perfect rule of God” [47].

The Beauty and Glory of Christ Conference

Posted: January 27, 2010 | Author: | Filed under: PRTS | Leave a comment

Online registration is now available here

Conference Pricing (per participant):

Early Registration (through August 14th): $65.00

Regular Registration (August 16th-24th): $90.00

Students (includes college and seminary students and their spouses): $25.00

Single Day: $25.00

Registration closed at the end of business day August 24, 2010

Conference accommodations at the Prince Center are limited to 450 attendees, so sign-up early to avoid disappointment.

Send all questions and/or comments related to the Puritan Reformed Conference to Chris Hanna or call at 616.977.0599, ex. 138. You may write the seminary at 2965 Leonard Street NE, Grand Rapids, MI 49525.

The Doctrine of Inspiration and Authority of Scripture

Posted: January 26, 2010 | Author: | Filed under: New Testament Theology | Leave a comment

Warfield says:

“The Biblical books are called inspired as the Divinely determined products of inspired men; the Biblical writers are called inspired as breathed into by the Holy Spirit, so that the product of their activities transcends human powers and becomes Divinely authoritative. Inspiration is, therefore, usually defined as a supernatural influence exerted on the sacred writers by the Holy Spirit, by virtue of which their writings are given divine truthfulness, and constitute an infallible and sufficient rule of faith and practice.” The biblical term is specifically “theopneustos” (2 Tim 3:16). It does not have the sense “inspire,” but “spire” that is, God-breathed. “What it says of Scripture is, not that it is „breathed into by God,‟ or is the product of the Divine „inbreathing‟ into its human authors, but that it is breathed out by God, „God-breathed,‟ the product of the creative breath of God. In a word, what is declared by this fundamental passage is simply that the Scripture are a Divine product, without any indication of how God has operated in producing them. No term could have been chosen, however, which would have more emphatically asserted the Divine production of Scripture than that which is here employed.”

The Greatest Cowboy of Them All

Posted: January 25, 2010 | Author: | Filed under: Johnny Cash | Leave a comment

Let Johnny and Waylon tell ya who it is…

Can We Call John Calvin a Biblical Theologian?

Posted: January 25, 2010 | Author: | Filed under: Just for Fun | Leave a comment

Philip Schaff speaking on John Calvin,

“was the founder of grammatical-historical exegesis”; “My readers must now be requested not only to pardon me for abstaining from subtle speculations, but also themselves willingly to keep within the bounds of simplicity.”

What is Biblical Theology?

Posted: January 22, 2010 | Author: | Filed under: New Testament Theology | Leave a comment

Jerry Bilkes,

“Biblical Theology is that discipline of faithful confession, defense, and worship of the truth as it is revealed in the Old and New Testament, performed by the redeemed church of God on earth, normed exclusively and totally by the Word of Christ, illumined by the Spirit of Christ, unto obedience and witness in the world and praise and edification in the church, with special regard to the formal character of revelation, that is the categories of history, theological themes, and writing.”

John Murray says,

“Systematic theology will fail of its task to the extent to which it discards its rootage in biblical theology as properly conceived and developed.”

Geerhardus Vos: Biblical Theology shows…

“That in the Bible there is an organization finer, more complicated, more exquisite than even the texture of muscles and nerves and brain in the human body, its various parts are interwoven and correlated in the most subtle manner, each sensitive to the impressions received from all the others, perfect in itself, and yet dependent upon the rest, while in them and through them all throbs as a unifying principle the Spirit of God‟s living truth” (RHBI 21-22).”

What is Biblical Theology’s Relationship to Systematic Theology?

Posted: January 21, 2010 | Author: | Filed under: New Testament Theology | Leave a comment

Jerry Bilkes states,

“The definition of Systematic Theology accords with that of biblical theology in all elements except that it collapses the formal character of Scripture for the purpose of a more strictly logical presentation. The two disciplines rely on each other and together rely on Scripture. Biblical theology is especially ancillary to systematic theology and grows out of the sola scriptura of doctrine and life.”

How does Biblical Theology differ from Systematic Theology?

Posted: January 20, 2010 | Author: | Filed under: New Testament Theology | Leave a comment

Although we don’t always agree… J. P. Gabler says,

“Biblical theology possesses a historical character, transmitting what the sacred writers thought about divine matters; dogmatic theology, on the contrary, possesses a didactic character, teaching what a particular theologian philosophizes about divine matters in accordance to his ability, time, age, place, sect, or school, and other similar things.”

Online registration is now available for the 2nd Puritan Reformed Conference

Posted: January 19, 2010 | Author: | Filed under: PRTS | Leave a comment

(Posted by Joel Beeke)

Dear Friends,

I am excited to invite you to the second annual Puritan Reformed conference. We are delighted to be hosting this year’s event August 26 – 28, at the beautiful Prince Conference Center, on the campus of Calvin College and Seminary, in Grand Rapids. Last year’s turnout was tremendous, and the response to the conference was overwhelmingly positive. Many of you said you were looking forward to coming back this year.

We feel deeply about our conference theme this year: “The Beauty and Glory of Christ.” By the Spirit’s grace, we long to saturate your mind and soul for two and a half days with this glorious theme of Christ, who is the hope of our glory and the glory of our hope.

As a Reformed Christian, I am convinced that to be truly evangelical, one must embrace doctrinally and experientially the Reformation’s major tenets: sola gratia, sola fide, solus Christus, sola scriptura, and soli Deo gloria. At the heart of these stalwart truths is solus Christus (Christ alone). “Christ alone” is our life and salvation, our beauty and glory.

Please join us at the Puritan Reformed Conference, August 26-28. Hear some of the world’s finest speakers on the grandest of all subjects. Plumb the depths of God’s holy Word with us on the beautiful, glorious Savior and Lord, whose “legs are as pillars of marble” (Song of Sol. 5:15), for He is strong and steadfast and is “altogether lovely” (v. 16). As Thomas Brooks said, “Christ is lovely, Christ is very lovely, Christ is most lovely, Christ is always lovely, Christ is altogether lovely. Christ is the most sparkling diamond in the ring of glory.”

If you are new to the Reformed faith, you will find no better way to meet likeminded believers and to find encouragement in your walk with Christ than to attend this year’s Puritan Reformed Conference. Once again, we have kept your cost of the conference well below our cost, not wanting to hinder anyone from attending. Donations to help cover our shortfall are most appreciated.

Pray for Chris Hanna and our team at Puritan Reformed Seminary as we prepare for another wonderful conference. Pray that God will do far more than we can ask or think (Eph. 3:20) to revive our souls at this conference with His superlative Son.

As I write this in late January, we are going to press with a beautiful book, Calvin for the 21st Century,containing edited versions of last year’s fifteen conference addresses. As editor of this 300-page book, I know its worth. If you sign up for this year’s conference by the early registration deadline and include $10 extra, we’ll send you this $25 book.

I hope to see you in August, Lord willing.

Wanna Meet the Puritans?

Posted: January 19, 2010 | Author: | Filed under: Joel Beeke, Puritans | Leave a comment

Here is how –  Just read every book that Dr. Joel R. Beeke put together for you to learn the Puritans…  Meet the Puritans-bib.

What is Rationalism?

Posted: January 19, 2010 | Author: | Filed under: New Testament Theology | Leave a comment

Rationalism is human reason exalted. It is an anti-authoritarian view of knowledge, an emphasis on subjective verification of the truth, a break up of Aristotelian and scholastic metaphysics, an emphasis on historical consciousness and historiographic concerns, a sense of progress, and even the inception of biblical criticism (cf. rise of Arminianism, Amyraldism, Socianism, and Deism).

Bibliography on New Testament Theology

Posted: January 18, 2010 | Author: | Filed under: New Testament Theology | Leave a comment

Adam, Peter. Hearing God’s Words: Exploring Biblical Spirituality. Downers Grove, Ill: InterVarsity Press, 2004.

Bass, Christopher David. That You May Know: Assurance of Salvation in 1 John. NAC studies in Bible & theology, v. 5. Nashville, Tenn: B & H Academic, 2008.

Beale, G. K. The Temple and the Church’s Mission: A Biblical Theology of the Dwelling Place of God. Leicester, England: Apollos, 2004.

Bolt, Peter. The Cross from a Distance: Atonement in Mark’s Gospel. Downers Grove, Ill: InterVarsity Press, 2004.

Brower, K. E., and M. W. Elliott. Eschatology in Bible & Theology Evangelical Essays at the Dawn of a New Millennium. Downers Grove, Ill: InterVarsity Press, 1997.

Burke, Trevor J. Adopted into God’s Family: Exploring a Pauline Metaphor. Nottingham, England: Apollos, 2006.

Gilliland, Dean S. Pauline Theology & Mission Practice. Eugene, Or.: Wipf and Stock Publishers, 1983. Pp 71-120.

Goppelt, Leonard. Theology of the New Testament. Grand Rapids: Eerdmans, 1981. Guthrie, Donald. New Testament Theology. Downer’s Grove: Intervarsity, 1981.

Morris, Leon. New Testament Theology. Grand Rapids, Mich: Academie Books, 1986.

Ridderbos, Herman. Paul: An Outline of His Theology. Grand Rapids: Eerdmans, 1975. Schreiner, Thomas R. New Testament Theology Magnifying God in Christ. Grand Rapids, MI: Baker Academic, 2008.

Vos, G. Redemptive History and Biblical Interpretation: The Shorter Writings of Geerhardus Vos. Phillipsburg: Presbyterian and Reformed, 1980. 3-58, 126-233.

Waters, Guy Prentiss. Justification and the New Perspectives on Paul A Review and Response. Phillipsburg, N.J.: P & R Pub, 2004.

Horton, Michael Scott. God of Promise Introducing Covenant Theology. Grand Rapids, Mich: Baker Books, 2006.

Köstenberger, Andreas J., and Scott R. Swain. Father, Son, and Spirit: The Trinity and John’s Gospel. Nottingham, England: Apollos, 2008.

Ladd, George Eldon. A Theology of the New Testament. Grand Rapids, Mich: Eerdmans, 1974.

Marshall, I. Howard. New Testament Theology: Many Witnesses, One Gospel. Downers Grove, Ill: InterVarsity Press, 2004.

Morris, Leon. The Cross in the New Testament. Grand Rapids: W. B. Eerdmans Pub. Co, 1965.

O’Brien, Peter Thomas. Gospel and Mission in the Writings of Paul: An Exegetical and Theological Analysis. Grand Rapids, Mich: Baker Books, 1995.

Pao, David W. Thanksgiving: An Investigation of a Pauline Theme. Leicester, England: Apollos, 2002.

Peterson, David. Possessed by God: A New Testament Theology of Sanctification and Holiness. Grand Rapids, Mich: Eerdmans, 1995.

Piper, John. The Future of Justification: A Response to N.T. Wright. Wheaton, Ill: Crossway Books, 2007.

Reymond, Robert L. Paul, Missionary Theologian. Ross-Shire, Scotland: Christian Focus Publications, 2000.

Thielman, Frank. Theology of the New Testament: A Canonical and Synthetic Approach. Grand Rapids, Mich: Zondervan, 2005.

Thompson, Mark. A Clear and Present Word: The Clarity of Scripture. Nottingham, England: Apollos, 2006.

Wenham, David. Paul: Follower of Jesus or Founder of Christianity? Grand Rapids: W.B. Eerdmans, 1995.

Conversion & Fruits of Conversion in Petrine Theology

Posted: January 18, 2010 | Author: | Filed under: Petrine Theology | Leave a comment

Conversion

  1. “tasting that the Lord is gracious” (2:3)
  2. “coming as unto a living stone, disallowed indeed of men, but chosen of God, and precious” (2:4)
  3. “called out of darkness into his marvelous light” (2:9; see 3:9; 5:10)
  4. “obtained mercy” (2:10)
  5. “ye were as sheep going astray, but are now returned unto the Shepherd and Bishop of your souls” (2:25)
  6. Following that which is good (3:13)
  7. “bring us to God, being put to death in the flesh, but quickened by the Spirit” (3:18)
  8. Baptism “the answer of a good conscience toward God” (3:21)
  9. Obeying the gospel of God (4:17)
  10. Humbling yourselves under the mighty hand of God (4:6)
  11. Obtaining like precious faith through the righteousness of God and our Saviour Jesus Christ (II :1)
  12. The divine power hath given unto us all things that pertain unto life and godliness through the knowledge of him that hath called us to glory and virtue (II 1:3)
  13. Escaping the corruption that is in the world through lust and partaking of the divine nature through the gift of promises (2 Pet 1:4); “escaping from them who live in error” (II Pet 2:18); “escaping the pollutions of the world through knowledge” (II Peter 2:20)
  14. Taking heed to prophecy (II 1:19) as unto a light until the day start arise in your hearts
  15. “knowing the way of righteousness” (II Pet 2:21)
  16. Minding the words through having your minds stirred up by way of remembrance” (2 Pet 3:1-2)
  17. Coming to repentance (2 Pet 3:9)

Fruits of Conversion

  1. Love (1:8)
  2. Joy (1:8), and rejoicing in suffering (4:13-14)
  3. Hope (1:13)
  4. Holiness and pilgrimage, good works, honesty, chaste conversation [inner beauty], meek and quiet spirit (1:13-17; 2:11-12; 3:2-4); sobriety (5:8)
  5. Desire of the Word (2:2)
  6. Growth (2:2; 2 Pet 3:18)
  7. Showing forth the praises of God (2:9); winning others (3:1); giving answer of hope (3:15); speaking that God in all things may be glorified (4:11)
  8. Service of God, and respect and love for others (2:16, 17)
  9. Patience in suffering, and suffering in well-doing (2:20; 3:17; 4:16)
  10. Praying (2:7; 3:12; 4:7)
  11. Compassion and love, courtesy among the brethren (3:8); charity among yourselves, and hospitality (4:8)
  12. Good tongue and deeds (3:10-11), and conscience (3:16)
  13. Arming yourself with the mind of Christ (4:1)
  14. Stewardship of the manifold grace of God (4:10)
  15. “Commit the keeping of their souls to God in well doing, as unto a faithful Creator” (4:19)
  16. Casting care upon God (5:7)
  17. Vigilance (5:8) and resisting the devil (5:8-9)
  18. Fruitfulness: Adding virtue, knowledge, temperance, patience, godliness, brotherly kindness, charity, abounding in them (II 1:5-8)
  19. Making calling and election sure (II 1:10)
  20. Vexing righteous soul with unlawful deeds (II 2:8)

Opposite of Conversion

  1. Forsaken the right way and gone astray, following the way of Balaam. Who loved the wages of unrighteousness” (2 Pet 2:15); wresting the Scriptures to their own destruction (2 Pet3:16)
  2. After having escaped, entangled in pollution, and overcome (2 Pet 2:19)
  3. Turning from the holy commandment ( 2 Pet 2:21) – like a dog turned to his vomit
  4. “allured through the lusts of the flesh” (2 Pet 2:18)

The Contrast between True and False Religion

Posted: January 15, 2010 | Author: | Filed under: James | Leave a comment

Let me list in summary form what James says about true and false religion:

  1. True religion comes down from God and is established in the heart by the spiritual regeneration (1:17).
  2. Carnal religion springs from the heart, which bringeth forth sin, and sin bringeth forth death (1:15).

3. True religion arises from the engrafted word, which saves the soul (1:21).

4. Carnal religion proceeds from the wrath of man (1:20).

5. True religion, when tested, is patient, constant, and God-glorifying (1:2-18).

6. Vain religion wavers, is unstable in everything, and fades away (1:2-18).

7. True religion is faith working by love (2:14-26), keeps itself unspotted from the world (1:27), respects not persons (2:1-3), bridles the tongue (3:5-12), and humbles itself before God (4:8-10), relies on God (4:13-17), and is fervent in prayer (5:13-20).

8. Vain religion does not work (2:4-26), promotes envyings (3:13-18), lusts (4:1-12), and is wanton (5:5).

9. True religion has its perfect work (1:4), and leads to peace (3:18), and precious fruits unto the coming again of the Lord (5:7).

10. Carnal religion will be judged without mercy (2:13), and will fall into condemnation (5:12).

11. True religion saves from death (5:19) and will be lifted up (4:10).

12. Carnal religion will lead to death (5:20) with the devil and his hosts (4:7).

Some of my Favorite Past Memories in Life are…

Posted: January 13, 2010 | Author: | Filed under: Just for Fun, Just My Thoughts | 2 Comments

In no particular order…

  • Playing video games (NCAA Football) with Nick till 6am
  • Catfishing with Chris, Bobby, Logan,  every weekend in Ohio when I visited
  • Hanging out in Bubba’s garage all night not knowing a thing I was working on
  • Library dates with Emily in college
  • Playing euchre with bobby and his dad, it was always eventful
  • Going to listen to Country music every friday night with Donnie in Michigan
  • Beating Matt Dick every year in NCAA Football (besides 2003)
  • Going to Big Lots with my Mom, no matter how long, or when I visit, somehow we end up there
  • Grandma telling me stories of her past
  • Talking to Dan Cruver, at least 3x’s a week in his office and learning oh so much
  • Grandpa making 101 noises with his lips, but yet never says one word
  • Dollar movies with Logan, Cam, Jessi, Jerod, … way too many people I did this with to remember.
  • Late nights at the Estep’s & dinner’s at the Estep’s
  • Summer fishing with Tommy up at Lake Ann
  • Date nights with Emily
  • Hanging out with Shane Miller and his family during my college years
  • Traveling with Beeke to Reformed conferences and learning

Do you have any to share?

Looking for material on Conversion in the OT & NT?

Posted: January 11, 2010 | Author: | Filed under: Biblical Theology, Biblical Theology of Conversion | Leave a comment

Phillips, Richard D. Turning Back the Darkness.
Wright, Christopher J.H. Implications of Conversion.
Peace, Richard. Conversion in the NT.
Longenecker, Richard. The Road from Damascus.
Alexander, Archibald. Thoughts on Religious Experience. Google Other
Edwards, Jonathan. A Narrative CCEL Google
Hiebert, Paul. Conversion and Worldview Transformation.
Larson, Warren. Critical Contextualization.
Wells, David. Comparing Modern-Day Alternatives.
Flavel, John. Conversion. page 1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8.
Buchanan, James. The Holy Spirit.

RHB is doing a SALE on some really good titles

Posted: January 5, 2010 | Author: | Filed under: Reformation Heritage Books | Leave a comment

First Come, First Serve
Order ONLY by email or phone
orders@heritagebooks.org or 616.977.0889

$2.99 USPS Media Mail On ALL Orders!!!

Adopted Into God’s Family – Trevor J. Burke Retail: $22.00, RHB: $11.00

Successful Adoption – Natalie Nichols Gillespie Retail: $20.00, RHB: $10.00

Helping Your Adopted Child – Retail: $4.00, RHB: $2.00

Secure In God’s Embrace – Ken Fong Retail: $12.00, RHB: $6.00

Your Jesus is Too Safe – Jared Wilson Retail: $14.00, RHB: $7.00

Adopted for Life – Russell Moore Retail: $16.00, RHB: $8.00

When History Teaches Us Nothing – Tim Trumper Retail: $15.00, RHB: $8.00

As We Forgive – Catherine Claire Larson Retail: $16.00, RHB: $8.00

Adoption as a Ministry, Adoption as a Blessing – Michelle Gardner Retail: 14.00, RHB: $7.00

Rich Christians In an Age of Hunger – Ronald J. Sider Retail: $16.00, RHB: $8.00

The Da Vinci Code Controversy – Michael Easley & John Ankerberg Retail: $7.00, RHB: $4.00

Interludes – Michael Easley Retail: $10.00, RHB: $5.00

From Creation to New Creation – Tim Chester Retail: $12.00, RHB: $6.00

The World We All Want – Tim Chester and Steve Timmis Retail: $10.00, RHB: $5.00

Total Church – Tim Chester and Steve Timmis Retail: $16.00, RHB: $8.00

The Cross and the Prodigal – Kenneth Bailey Retail: $15.00, RHB: $8.00

Ministries for Mercy – Tim Keller Retail: $13.00, RHB: $7.00

Why We Love the Church – Kevin DeYoung & Kluck Retail: $15.00, RHB: $8.00

Why We are Not Emergent – Kevin DeYoung & Kluck Retail: $15.00, RHB: $8.00

God’s Big Picture – Vaughan Roberts Retail: $13.00, RHB: $7.00

Do I Know God? – Tullian Tchividjian Retail: $14.00, RHB: $7.00

Holiness by Grace – Bryan Chapell Retail: $17.00, RHB: $9.00

Lost and Found – Ed Stetzer Retail: $18.00, RHB: $9.00

Breaking the Missional Code – Ed Stetzer & David Putman Retail: $18.00, RHB: $9.00

Breaking the Discipleship Code – Ed Stetzer & David Putman Retail: $18.00, RHB: $9.00

Lord and Servant – Michael Horton Retail: $40.00, RHB: $20.00

Renewal As a Way of Life – Richard F. Lovelace Retail: $23.00, RHB: $12.00

A Gospel Primer for Christians – Milton Vincet Retail: $11.00, RHB $6.00

Knowing God the Father Through the Old Testament – Christopher Wright Retail: $19.00, RHB: $10.00

The Message of James – J.A. Motyer Retail: $18.00, RHB: $9.00

Heaven is a Place on Earth – Michael Wittmer Retail: $17.00, RHB: $9.00

Don’t Stop Believing – Michael Wittmer $8.00 Retail: $17.00, RHB $9.00

Blogs seem to be dying 1 by one…

Posted: January 4, 2010 | Author: | Filed under: Feeding on Christ | 2 Comments

As Blogs in general seem to be dying off, and only the top dogs remaining…I guess I’ll keep doing it, but not nearly as much as I have done in the past  here on my own personal blog (daily). But I will however be doing some weekly post else where if you care to follow there as well. Be sure to check the other places I’ll be writing. Places like…

Reformation Heritage Books Blog – I Blog here with books that are soon to be published, updates on their newest titles, author interviews, book reviews, and from time to time I’ve been known to get my boss to do some pretty big deals on titles here and there. Like the one now, R.C. Sproul’s commentaries on John and Romans for 50% OFF! Buy it now!

Puritan Reformed Theological Seminary Blog – Here I blog very little, mostly just updates on the Puritan Reformed Conferences in which will be taking place once a year, to updates on upcoming classes. However this year in 2010 I plan on blogging a little more at the PRTS blog, on the PRTS professor and their Lord’s Day sermons.

Feeding on Christ – New this year in 2010 I plan to blog weekly (I hope) dealing with the person and work of Jesus Christ at the blog, Feeding on Christ. My hope is that I can write a series of post from time to time dealing with the beautiful truths in which lie in the gospel, but writing them in a way for the believer to see, and ever more so enjoy in their everyday life of knowing Jesus Christ.

Calvin500 Blog – although 2009 has passed and since no one that I know of celebrates John Calvin’s 501 birthday, the blog is dead, but you can for sure always go back and browse through the material that was done over the 500th anniversary of John calvin’s birthday.