Christian Living
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...
Church History
The Worldview of the Puritans
The Puritans did not use the term worldview, for such terminology did not appear until the late eighteenth century in Germany and was popularized in the nineteenth century. But the Puritans still had a worldview, which was shaped by the written Word of God. With this divinely given worldview they...
Church History
Some of My Favorite Puritans
My favorite Puritan-minded theologian from the English tradition is Anthony Burgess; from the Dutch tradition, Wilhelmus á Brakel; and from the Scottish tradition, Samuel Rutherford. Let me explain why. Anthony Burgess (d. 1664) In my opinion, Anthony Burgess, vicar of Sutton Coldfield, Warwickshire from 1635 to 1662, is the most...
Christian Living
What the Puritans Would Say to Modern Pastors
…One of the great motives driving the Puritans was the need to raise up ministers who imitate Christ. Luke 6:40 says, “The disciple is not above his master: but every one that is perfect [fully trained] shall be as his master.” I would lay before you seven points in which...
Resources
The Foundation of Puritan Worship: Knowing God in Christ
Stephen Charnock (1628–1680), a gifted Puritan pastor and theologian, said that we cannot worship God unless we consider Him worthy of worship, and we cannot consider Him worthy of worship unless we know Him in Christ. That involves three important things. First, we must know the gospel of Jesus Christ....
