Christian Living
Christian Living
Summary Statement on Homosexuality
God commands us to love our neighbor as ourselves (Lev. 19:18), and does not exclude any category of human beings from that love, including those who are evil and those who hate us (Matt. 5:44–48). Yet love is not our only rule, for God teaches us what love means through...
Christian Living
Encouragement for Today’s Pastors
The Puritan pastors of the seventeenth century constructed a vehicle to keep pastors moving forward in a Christ-centered and God-glorifying way. We hope you have found encouragement through their writings. Now that you have tasted some of their work, you might consider reading more. However, their books and sermons will...
Christian Living
The Law of Love and the Teachings of the Bible
The questions raised by homosexuality are deeply personal, for the most important factors in this controversy are not civil laws and policies, but human persons whom God calls into right relationship with Him through the gospel of Jesus Christ. Sometimes they are persons whom we know, persons close to us....
Christian Living
Rest from Our Labors
REVIEW Why are human beings the most special part of God’s creation? They were created to image God and to rule over the world and the animals. Did God create anything else in His image? No. Only human beings were created in this way. Not even the angels were created...
Christian Living
Maintain a proper balance
How is it possible for a Christian to maintain a proper balance so he enjoys the gifts that God gives in this world while avoiding the snare of overindulgence? Calvin offers three principles gleaned from Paul: Remember that God is the giver of every good and perfect gift. This should...
Church History
Calvin’s interpretation of the clarity of Scripture
In working out his interpretation of the clarity of Scripture, Calvin used several hermeneutical principles: The interpreter must be a believer, and must strive to grow in such qualities as humble wisdom, attentive listening, sound judgment, reverential piety, obedient teachableness, and mature perseverance. The interpreter must be theologically informed and...
Resources
Perspicuity of Scripture
From a scriptural context, the following conclusions can be drawn about the perspicuity of Scripture: Although some portions of Scripture are more difficult to grasp than others, all of Scripture is understandable in and of itself. Luther’s assertion of this is supported by several texts in Scripture, most notably Deuteronomy...
Christian Living
God’s Principles for Marriage
The Puritans often spoke of “duties,” and Gouge was no exception. By “duty” he did not mean something done out of mere obligation and without heartfelt joy. We must serve the Lord with gladness (Ps. 100:2). But the word duty does remind us that God’s will is not just a...
Christian Living
How Should We Battle the Secularism in the Church?
As for secularism, the remedy is spiritual and inward, not carnal or external… setting up an array of manmade prohibitions and requiring Christians to conform to them will not transform minds and hearts, or keep the ways of the world out of the church, or keep the mindset of secularism...
