Give Me a Break!

We are taking two weeks off, not meeting 12.24 and 12.31. For 1.7.14 be ready to discuss chapter 13 entitled "Sanctification and Perseverance." In the meantime, here is an interesting audio follow up to our conversation on justification (if you are interested in something a bit more heady). 

Justification

If it is the doctrine upon which the church stands or falls, justification by faith alone in the completed work of Christ alone will be front and center of battle after battle as the church earnestly contends for the faith. So let's read ch.12 like it really matters because in fact it does.  Pages 279-301 of Pilgrim Theology for 12.17.13.

Union

The vital Christian reality of union with Christ will be on our "plates" for Tuesday, December 10th. Read chapter 11 of Pilgrim Theology and bring your appetite!

The BIG Payoff

Reading, Reading, Reading!

Just a few days ago I had the exciting opportunity to answer someone's questions about the gospel. It wasn't at church, it wasn't in a class, and it wasn't the time to pull up a theological textbook on my iPhone. It was the time to explain the truth about Jesus from the Bible. What prepared me? Certainly the Spirit of God was working and for Him I am thankful! But what also came into play was what I had grappled with, considered, and worked through in "the study." In other words, it was the hard work of studying that proved eminently practical in my opportunity to help someone and by so doing love them. The moral here is to find motivation to do the hard work of learning. Do the hard work of learning because it is worth the investment. 

For Tuesday, December 18 we have an article that you will likely find difficult. But given that it is about the important matter of Christ's righteousness being credited to the believer so that we might be justified, it is well worth the effort! The essay is Do This and Live by R. Scott Clark. Pick up your copy at the OBC bookstore if you have not already and make the investment in learning. Do it for your edification, for the love of your neighbor, and for the glory of Christ.

Hell is our topic for discussion next Tuesday morning so remember to read ch.13 of Gagging. We are almost done so hang in there! In the meantime and given that you are part of THEOLOGY for Breakfast, you shouldn't miss Sunday night, May 6th at OBC. I will be presenting a paper addressing a vital matter to the church. The puritanical subtitle is "The Vital Nature of Christ’s Imputed Righteousness and Corresponding Active Obedience as Essential to Biblical Justification." Given the vital nature of the matter, I wouldn't miss it...and I won't! See you at 6:00 pm?

The Falling Church

The doctrine upon which the church stands or falls is justification by faith alone. Likewise, it is the doctrine upon which the individual stands or falls spiritually. So let's get this one figured out and more significantly, let's know the Savior who justifies. Help can be found at theology for breakfast on Tuesday, December 6th. Read chapters 21-22 on justification and sanctification in Berkhof.

Don't Confuse Me with the Facts, I'm Told What to Believe

“The task of interpreting the Word of God authentically has been entrusted solely to the Magisterium of the Church, that is, to the Pope and to the bishops in communion with him” (The Catechism of the Catholic Church). So, then, um, when the Bible teaches justification by faith alone, it does not mean what it says and when it says that we have one mediator between God and man the man Christ Jesus, it doesn't mean that either? And this is because God lacks the ability to be clear in his book apart from Rome explaining how God doesn't mean what context and grammar clearly indicate that he does mean?!?! Baffling and worthy of the word PROTESTant. Read chapters 8,9,&10 for Tuesday, May 17th. Great and vital stuff to work through.

The Roman Catholic Controversy—New Series

Starting Tuesday, April 26th our men’s group will commence a new series of discussions based upon James White’s book entitled The Roman Catholic Controversy: Catholics and Protestants—Do the Differences Still Matter? Plan to discuss the first two chapters on the 26th. To learn more about James White, check out his site or the interview I did with him entitled Leading Questions. James is a blessing to the Body of Christ for his fidelity to the gospel and willingness to address the issues. *The books are being ordered so contact me if you need the a preview copy for chapters 1-2.