Total Depravity, Part 1, by Rev. Paul den Butter
Total Depravity, Part 2, by Rev. Paul den Butter
Recommended reading:
The Five Points Of Calvinism, by Herman C. Hanko
Showing posts with label Reformed Theology. Show all posts
Showing posts with label Reformed Theology. Show all posts
Sunday, April 12, 2015
Saturday, December 13, 2014
Recommended Sermon For Sunday, December 14, 2014
The Catechism: A Scriptural Method of Instruction, by Pastor David Lipsy
Recommended reading:
The Heidelberg Catechism (1563)
The Westminster Shorter Catechism (1646)
Recommended reading:
The Heidelberg Catechism (1563)
The Westminster Shorter Catechism (1646)
Thursday, June 19, 2014
The Synod of Dort
The Synod of Dort (Dordt), by Dr. M. Kieth Foskey
Recommended reading:
Recommended sermons:
Recommended reading:
Recommended sermons:
(Sermons by Rev. Cornelis Pronk; for more sermons by Rev. Pronk, go to Sermonaudio)
The Canons of Dort #31 Means for the Saints Perseverance
Also recommended:
Today Depravity, by Rev. Paul Den Butter
Also recommended:
Today Depravity, by Rev. Paul Den Butter
The Five Points Of Calvinism, by Herman Hanko, Homer Hoeksema, and Gise J Van Baren
The Pursuit of Godliness, The Puritan Vision of the Christian Life, by J. I. Packer
Also Recommended: The Forgotten Spurgeon, by Iain H. Murray)
Also Recommended: The Forgotten Spurgeon, by Iain H. Murray)
Sunday, June 1, 2014
The Truth of Election
Here are 2 great sermons by Pastor John Reisenger:
The Truth of Election
The Holiness of God
For additional sermons on election/predestination, check out the following:
Eternal Decree of Election, by Rev. Cornelis Pronk:
The Doctrine of Reprobation, by Rev. Cornelis Pronk:
Objections to Election Answered, by Rev. Cornelis Pronk:
The Doctrine of Total Depravity, by Rev. Paul Den Butter
The Truth of Election
The Holiness of God
For additional sermons on election/predestination, check out the following:
Eternal Decree of Election, by Rev. Cornelis Pronk:
The Doctrine of Reprobation, by Rev. Cornelis Pronk:
Objections to Election Answered, by Rev. Cornelis Pronk:
The Doctrine of Total Depravity, by Rev. Paul Den Butter
Saturday, February 9, 2013
Was John Calvin the 'Father of Capitalism?'
Stocks End Higher for Sixth Straight Week, Tech Leads - Reuters
The Bible does not say that money is the root of all evil. At least my Bible doesn't say that (I use the Authorized King James version!). It does say that the 'Love" of money is the root of all evil though. The Bible says:
"But godliness with contentment is great gain. For we brought nothing into this world, and it is certain that we can carry nothing out. And having food and raiment let us be therewith content. But they that will be rich fall into temptation and a snare, and into many foolish and hurtful lusts, which drown men in destruction and perdition. For the love of money is the root of all evil (I Timothy 6:6-10, emphasis mine).
But our Lord Jesus has a lot say about money. Here are just two examples:
"Again I tell you that it is easier for a camel to go through the eye of a needle, than for a rich man to enter into the kingdom of heaven." - Matthew 19:24
"Lay not up for yourselves treasures on earth, where moth and rust do corrupt and where theives do break through and steal. But lay up for yourselves treasures in heaven, where moth and rust doth not corrupt and thieves do not break through and steal. For where your treasure is, there your heart will be also." - Matthew 6:19-21
I think it is a true saying that our Lord Jesus talked more about hell than he did about heaven, and he talked more about money than he did about both heaven and hell combined!
I think Jesus is totally opposed to the materialism of our age (and the poor can be just as materialistic as the rich!). But Jesus is not opposed to money. He is opposed to the love of money, which is a big difference.
The Bible says:
"But thou shalt remember the Lord thy God, for it is he that giveth thee power to get wealth, that he may establish his kingdom which he swore unto thy fathers." - Deuteronomy 8:18
We had a missionary couple speak at our church recently, and they said that on average, it costs about $40,000 a year to support a 'boots on the ground' missionary in a foreign country. That money is not going to come from people living on welfare who spend their money on cigarettes and beer and Lottery tickets. Chances are much of this money will come from people who work, and save, and invest their money wisely, so that they have extra to give to the Lord's work here on earth.
One of my relatives was in the banking industry for many years. She used to say, 'Invest in the Lord, for the returns are out of this world!'
Recommended reading (articles by Dr. Don Sweeting)
Celebrating the Legacy of John Calvin - Pastor, Preacher, Reformer, Church Planter Part 1
Celebrating the Legacy of John Calvin - Influencer of Culture, Government, Economics, Education, Part 2
Celebrating the Legacy of John Calvin - Theologian, Author of The Institutes, Part 3
Further recommended reading (my posts):
Calvinism Refuted - And Defended!
The Rich Get Richer and the Poor Go Hungry
The Bible does not say that money is the root of all evil. At least my Bible doesn't say that (I use the Authorized King James version!). It does say that the 'Love" of money is the root of all evil though. The Bible says:
"But godliness with contentment is great gain. For we brought nothing into this world, and it is certain that we can carry nothing out. And having food and raiment let us be therewith content. But they that will be rich fall into temptation and a snare, and into many foolish and hurtful lusts, which drown men in destruction and perdition. For the love of money is the root of all evil (I Timothy 6:6-10, emphasis mine).
But our Lord Jesus has a lot say about money. Here are just two examples:
"Again I tell you that it is easier for a camel to go through the eye of a needle, than for a rich man to enter into the kingdom of heaven." - Matthew 19:24
"Lay not up for yourselves treasures on earth, where moth and rust do corrupt and where theives do break through and steal. But lay up for yourselves treasures in heaven, where moth and rust doth not corrupt and thieves do not break through and steal. For where your treasure is, there your heart will be also." - Matthew 6:19-21
I think it is a true saying that our Lord Jesus talked more about hell than he did about heaven, and he talked more about money than he did about both heaven and hell combined!
I think Jesus is totally opposed to the materialism of our age (and the poor can be just as materialistic as the rich!). But Jesus is not opposed to money. He is opposed to the love of money, which is a big difference.
The Bible says:
"But thou shalt remember the Lord thy God, for it is he that giveth thee power to get wealth, that he may establish his kingdom which he swore unto thy fathers." - Deuteronomy 8:18
We had a missionary couple speak at our church recently, and they said that on average, it costs about $40,000 a year to support a 'boots on the ground' missionary in a foreign country. That money is not going to come from people living on welfare who spend their money on cigarettes and beer and Lottery tickets. Chances are much of this money will come from people who work, and save, and invest their money wisely, so that they have extra to give to the Lord's work here on earth.
One of my relatives was in the banking industry for many years. She used to say, 'Invest in the Lord, for the returns are out of this world!'
Recommended reading (articles by Dr. Don Sweeting)
Celebrating the Legacy of John Calvin - Pastor, Preacher, Reformer, Church Planter Part 1
Celebrating the Legacy of John Calvin - Influencer of Culture, Government, Economics, Education, Part 2
Celebrating the Legacy of John Calvin - Theologian, Author of The Institutes, Part 3
Further recommended reading (my posts):
Calvinism Refuted - And Defended!
The Rich Get Richer and the Poor Go Hungry
Sunday, December 2, 2012
Louis Berkhoff Quotes
Who is Dr. Louis Berkhoff?
"It is perfectly evident from scripture that every individual of the human race will have to appear before the judgement seat."
"It is perfectly evident from scripture that every individual of the human race will have to appear before the judgement seat."
The Five Points of Calvinism
"A little learning is a dangerous thing.
Drink deep, or taste not the Pierian spring;
There shallow droughts intoxicate the brain;
And drinking largely sobers us again."
-Alexander Pope
I heard a lot of sermons during the 9 years I was in prison. And every now and then the speaker would decide to rail against Calvinism. As one who has been a Calvinist for close to 30 years I would always pay close attention to what was said. And what was said was almost always untrue.
These men have read books and filled their minds with false information about Calvinism, and then they come into the prisons and jails and pass that false information on to others, who, possibly will pass that false information on to still others one day.
Today I want to set the record straight. I cannot guarantee you that the following links will persuade you to become a Calvinist. But I can assure you that it will at least give you solid information so that the next time a person tries to snow you about what Calvinists believe (or don't believe!), you can say: "That's not accurate. I'm not a Calvinist, but please don't insult my intelligence by trying to convince with with false information."
Requirements to enter the "School of Calvinism:"
1. "Ye must be born again." (John 3:3). I Corinthians 2:14 says: "But the natural man receiveth not the things of the Spirit of God, for they are foolishness to them; neither can he know them, for they are spiritually discerned."
2. You must be a man or woman (or boy or girl) of prayer: "If any of you lack wisdom, let him ask of God, that giveth to all men liberally, and upbraideth not. But let him ask in faith, not wavering. For he that wavereth is like a wave of the sea, driven with the wind and tossed. For let not that man think that he shall receive anything of the Lord." James 1:5,6
3. You must be a student of the Bible: "These were more noble than those in Thessalonica, in that they received the Word with all readiness of mind, and searched the scriptures daily whether such things were so." - Acts 17:11
Calvinism 101
They're No Puritans: Profiles in the New Calvinism, by Pastor Ralph Ovadal
Calvinism 201
The Synod of Dort, Part I, by Joe Morecraft III
The Synod of Dort, Part II, by Joe Morecraft III
Calvinism 301
(Sermons by Rev. Paul Den Butter)
Calvinism 401
(Sermons by Rev. Cornelis Pronk; for more sermons by Rev. Pronk, go to Sermonaudio)
Graduate work in the study of Calvinism
(From the book The Forgotten Spurgeon, by Iain H. Murray)
Recommended Reading (Extra credit):
The Five Points Of Calvinism, by Herman Hanko, Homer Hoeksema, and Gise J Van Baren
Meet the Puritans, by Dr. Martin Lloyd Jones
The Pursuit of Godliness, The Puritan Vision of the Christian Life, by J. I. Packer
Killing Calvinism, by Kevin Boling (Interview with Greg Dutcher)
The Verse that Scares Calvinists: Whosoever Will May Come, by W. J. Mencarow
Thursday, November 8, 2012
What if Obama Signed a 7 Year Peace Treaty With Israel - Right Now?
I was listening to a sermon by Larry Phillips recently titled The Mark of the Beast - A Literal Mark (Note: this is a recording of a church service and the sermon begins in the middle of the recording). Mr. Phillips made an interesting comment. He said that as things begin to wind down, people's eschatology will change.
What he meant by that, I think, is that as the time of our Lord Jesus' return gets closer and closer, many of the things in the scriptures pertaining to the end times will start to become clear to believers.
I have held to Reformed Theology for over 30 year, and am totally convinced that the doctrines set forth in the Reformed Creeds faithfully reflect the teachings of scripture (see my post The Five Points of Calvinism).
But when it comes to eschatology- the doctrine of last things - I make no promises. I used to own a set of John Calvin's commentaries and I have often wondered why he did not write a commentary on the book of revelation. Someone once told me that John Calvin admitted that he did not understand that book and that is why he didn't write a commentary on it. I don't know if that is the case, but I admit it is so with me.
I am absolutely convinced that our Lord Jesus will return one day. I think it will be soon, but Jesus made it abundantly clear that no man knows the day or hour of his return. But many of the details of his return - details which other Christians seam to have all figured out - I am still in the dark over.
For example, I am not sure whether the Bible teaches that the Antichrist will be a literal man who is indwelled by the devil during the last days, or something else. I tend to think the Antichrist will be a literal person.
And the Mark of the Beast. I know many Reformed people who are totally convinced that the Mark of the Beast is not going to be a literal mark. I don't know. I tend to see it as literal.
And Israel. I totally agree with the Reformed confessions that the true Israel is the church, the bride of Christ. And everyone who will every be saved - from Adam onward - is a member of the true Israel. But at the same time I can't look over in the Middle East and not marvel at what God has done in preserving the physical Israel. I hope I will see in my life time massive Israelites turning their back on Judaism, and accepting our Lord Jesus Christ as the true Messiah.
But I thought it was interesting when I heard Larry Phillips say that many Christians eschatology would change as we got closer to our Lord's return. And I wondered how Christians would react if President Obama all of the sudden signed a 7 year peace treaty with Israeli President Benjamin Netanyahu (which, according to the authors of the Left Behind series, marks the beginning of the 7 year tribulation period leading up to our Lord Jesus Return!).
Food for thought!
And while I don't endorse everything that is taught in the left behind novels or books, I think that this is especially a good time to encourage people to watch and/or read them!
Recommended Viewing
Left Behind: The Movie
Left Behind: Tribulation Force
Left Behind: World at War
What he meant by that, I think, is that as the time of our Lord Jesus' return gets closer and closer, many of the things in the scriptures pertaining to the end times will start to become clear to believers.
I have held to Reformed Theology for over 30 year, and am totally convinced that the doctrines set forth in the Reformed Creeds faithfully reflect the teachings of scripture (see my post The Five Points of Calvinism).
But when it comes to eschatology- the doctrine of last things - I make no promises. I used to own a set of John Calvin's commentaries and I have often wondered why he did not write a commentary on the book of revelation. Someone once told me that John Calvin admitted that he did not understand that book and that is why he didn't write a commentary on it. I don't know if that is the case, but I admit it is so with me.
I am absolutely convinced that our Lord Jesus will return one day. I think it will be soon, but Jesus made it abundantly clear that no man knows the day or hour of his return. But many of the details of his return - details which other Christians seam to have all figured out - I am still in the dark over.
For example, I am not sure whether the Bible teaches that the Antichrist will be a literal man who is indwelled by the devil during the last days, or something else. I tend to think the Antichrist will be a literal person.
And the Mark of the Beast. I know many Reformed people who are totally convinced that the Mark of the Beast is not going to be a literal mark. I don't know. I tend to see it as literal.
And Israel. I totally agree with the Reformed confessions that the true Israel is the church, the bride of Christ. And everyone who will every be saved - from Adam onward - is a member of the true Israel. But at the same time I can't look over in the Middle East and not marvel at what God has done in preserving the physical Israel. I hope I will see in my life time massive Israelites turning their back on Judaism, and accepting our Lord Jesus Christ as the true Messiah.
But I thought it was interesting when I heard Larry Phillips say that many Christians eschatology would change as we got closer to our Lord's return. And I wondered how Christians would react if President Obama all of the sudden signed a 7 year peace treaty with Israeli President Benjamin Netanyahu (which, according to the authors of the Left Behind series, marks the beginning of the 7 year tribulation period leading up to our Lord Jesus Return!).
Food for thought!
And while I don't endorse everything that is taught in the left behind novels or books, I think that this is especially a good time to encourage people to watch and/or read them!
Recommended Viewing
Left Behind: The Movie
Left Behind: Tribulation Force
Left Behind: World at War
Subscribe to:
Posts (Atom)