Monthly Archives: November 2010

“. . . no one can be an heir of heaven without being conformed to the image of the only-begotten Son of God.” John Calvin on Romans 8:29 Continue reading →

How do you understand the existence of  evil in a world in which God is sovereign?  Herman Bavinck contrasts consistent Christianity with the view of Pelagius, the British monk and opponent of Augustine, who taught that God’s power was subordinate … Continue reading →

Consistent Christianity does not minimize the evils in the world. Rather, it recognizes, even in them, “the will and hand of an almighty God, who is also a merciful Father. While Calvinism does not offer a solution, it invites us humans to rest in him who lives in unapproachable light, whose judgments are unsearchable, and whose paths beyond tracing out.” (Herman Bavinck, _Reformed Dogmatics_, Vol. 2, p. 395). Romans 8:28 is as much about the character of God as it is about your comfort. Continue reading →

“The veil of our limitations–our ignorance, our shortsightedness, our uncertainty, our lack of concentration, our sinful doubts and confusion–constantly casts a shadow over our prayers, keeping them from being as they ought to be, fully ‘according to the will of God’ (v.27), ‘according to his purpose’ (v.28). Positively, in our ‘best’ moments, when we are overwhelmed with the glory of God, the grandeur of his salvation, and the wonder of his love, we experience the weakness-inadequacy of our praise and thanksgiving.” (Richard B. Gaffin, Jr., _Perspectives on Pentecost_, pp. 85,86). Continue reading →