Of Idol Factories and the King of Glory!
From this we may gather that man’s nature, so to speak, is a perpetual factory of idols…Man’s mind, full as it is of pride and boldness, dares to imagine a god according to its own capacity; as it sluggishly plods, indeed is overwhelmed with the crassest ignorance, it conceives an unreality and an empty appearance as God. (John Calvin, Institutes, 1.11.8)
We naturally make idols in our hearts. We naturally turn from the true God and worship replicas of our own likeness and image. We naturally suppress the truth of God’s self-disclosure in general revelation. We naturally are lovers of self: meaning, we are self-absorbed, self-seduced, self-interested, self-intoxicated . . . downright selfish beings. Read the rest of this entry »
Halloween: Ghosts, Goblins and . . . Theological Truth?! (2016)
Happy Reformation Day one and all! I have posted the above video the past 3 or so years now. It is well done and has a great message to it. And, if you get a chance, why not go and read a little Luther or Calvin today! It can only do you good! Read the rest of this entry »
The Eve of Reformation
The Protestant Reformation forever changed the history and landscape of the church. Its effects are still felt to this day. Some have wondered whether it is over or whether it is needed any longer? The answers to these questions are clear: YES! Read the rest of this entry »
The Approach of Reformation Day
There is within the human mind, and indeed by natural instinct, an awareness of divinity.
(John Calvin, The Institutes of the Christian Religion, I.III.I.)
Monday is Reformation Day. Yes, I know for most, it is Halloween. Which of course, it is. But it is also, and more importantly, Reformation Day. Though my girls may disagree with me on this, after all, you do not get a lot of candy in celebration of Reformation Day! But, what you do get is important theology! But, in fairness, that doesn’t quite taste the same as M&Ms or Milk Duds! Read the rest of this entry »
Why Nineveh? Jonah Would Love to Know Too!
Photo by diannehope on Morgue File.
Here we are with installment three of our Geographical-Theology treatment. I actually never meant for there to be any sequels to the first post, but God has led me onward and upward.
Our next stop, much to the chagrin and protest of Jonah, is a place near and dear to the Assyrians (but not many others, Jonah chief amongst them!), a place called Nineveh. Nineveh was, in Jonah’s day, the capital city of the mighty Assyrian Empire.
Why Zarephath?(Geography-Theology Part Deux!)
Photo by maidoR on Morgue File.
Ah, geography-theology, you’ve got to love it! In our last post, we discussed the pericope of Jesus taking his disciples up to Caesarea-Philippi and broaching the subject of his Messianic identity and mission. We discussed how Jesus perhaps did this to remove them from the tensions of Israel and find a safe haven to discuss such a weighty, and, controversial issue.
At the end of that pericope (i.e. Mt. 16.13-20) Jesus tells them not to discuss the matter with anyone. As the Gospel writers point out from time to time, his time had not yet come. Read the rest of this entry »
Why Caesarea-Philippi? (Mt. 16.13-20)
Photo by diannehope on Morgue File.
I have a confession. I like maps! I am a cartograph lover . . . a carto-phile?!! There’s just something about them. Especially old, exotic maps . . . you know, the kind Indiana Jones would use to find some ancient, mythical treasure!
I cannot say when my fondness for maps began. But I do know I pay more attention now to geography and locations, when I am studying a subject. Read the rest of this entry »
The Weight of Glory: 75 Years Later
Photo courtesy of: http://religionnews.com/2013/11/21/c-s-lewis-anniversary-marks-milestone-many-christians/
As I was perusing the internet earlier, it was brought to my attention that tonight will mark the 75th anniversary of C. S. Lewis’ delivery of his sermon titled, The Weight of Glory. It was first preached on June 8, 1941 in St. Mary’s at Oxford University. Read the rest of this entry »
The Sound and Fury of _________.
Photo by Prawny on Morgue File.
https://dailypost.wordpress.com/prompts/blank/
Blank. Write a new post in response to today’s one-word prompt.
Blank.
Blank . . . how do you show blank?
It is impossible. As soon as you type anything, you have moved beyond blank. I suppose I could simply post a blank page. But such things would not go over well on a blog. Read the rest of this entry »
meanderedwanderings 