God’s Sovereignty & the Means of Grace

The sovereignty of God is displayed in the diverse effects of the application of the gospel, showing His absolute freedom and control. The gospel’s impact varies, with some immediately responding, others taking longer, and still only hardening others. This demonstrates God’s dominion in guiding and determining the outcomes—highlighting the need for our humble acceptance, gratitude, and reliance on Christ for His sovereignty and grace.… Read More God’s Sovereignty & the Means of Grace

Theodicy & The Concurrence of Primary & Secondary Causes

God ordains all events freely and unchangeably, without authoring sin or impeding free will. God’s concurring power sustains and governs all actions without tainting His holiness. Actions are distinct from their sinfulness, and God’s concurrence with the substance of an action does not corrupt His nature. Actions have separate causes from their sinfulness, and God’s intention differs from man’s intention.… Read More Theodicy & The Concurrence of Primary & Secondary Causes

Theodicy & God’s Permission of Sin

God’s holiness is not tainted by his permitting of sin. Although God has foreordained whatsoever comes to pass, he does not will or cause sin. God allows sin to occur for a greater purpose, namely the manifestation of his own glory through the triumph of grace over sin in Christ. God’s permission is not the cause of sin, but rather a means to demonstrate his wisdom and goodness.… Read More Theodicy & God’s Permission of Sin

Heaven or Hades? Old Testament Saints in the Intermediate State

The Intermediate State is a trending belief among Evangelicals, proposing that sheol/hades is a separate place for departed souls aside from Heaven and Hell. This problematic and unbiblical view lacks scriptural support, contradicts the destiny of Old Testament saints, and can lead to theological inconsistencies across doctrines like Christology, Soteriology, and Eschatology. This erroneous understanding serves to reinforce additional errors and should be diligently corrected.… Read More Heaven or Hades? Old Testament Saints in the Intermediate State

What Are Sheol & Hades? | Geerhardus Vos

Geerhardus Vos explores the meaning of Scripture’s use of the terms sheol and hades. Some argue these terms don’t refer to the place of suffering, but rather a subterranean dwelling place for all of the dead in common. Vos challenges this view, arguing that sheol/hades denotes either the place of destruction (i.e. Hell), or a general state (not place) of death. Believers find eternal blessing in Heaven, not sheol/hades. He emphasizes the need to consider context for accurate translation of these terms.… Read More What Are Sheol & Hades? | Geerhardus Vos

Christ: The Intercessor of the Old Testament Church

James Durham demonstrates that Christ acted as Intercessor before His incarnation. He outlines the differences between Christ’s intercession in the Old and New Testaments, emphasizing the change in basis, relationship, manner, and impact. Old Testament saints had true consolation in Christ’s intercession for them in their life and death.… Read More Christ: The Intercessor of the Old Testament Church

The Abrogation of the Ceremonial Law

The ceremonial law was abolished to promote the spirituality of divine worship. That service was gross, carnal, calculated for an infant and sensitive church. It consisted in rudiments, the circumcision of the flesh, the blood and smoke of sacrifices, the streams of incense, observation of days, distinction of meats, corporal purifications; every leaf of the law is clogged with some rite to be particularly observed by them. The spirituality of worship lay veiled under a thick cloud, that the people could not behold the glory of the gospel, which lay covered under those shadows: ‘They could not stedfastly look to the end of that which was abolished’ (2 Cor. 3:13). They understood not the glory and spiritual intent of the law, and therefore came short of that spiritual frame in the worship of God, which was their duty; and therefore, in opposition to this administration, the worship of God under the gospel is called by our Saviour in the text, a worship in spirit; more spiritual for the matter, more spiritual for the motives, and more spiritual for the manner and frames of worship.… Read More The Abrogation of the Ceremonial Law