Take Your Stand

Calvinism is one of those terms tossed around frequently, but what exactly does it refer to? I share an explanation and brief history of this theological concept. I also give a Biblical critique of its strengths and weaknesses.

Erickson, Millard. Christian Theology. Grand Rapids: Baker Academic, 2013. 572-573, Kindle.

Ortlund, Dane. Gentle and Lowly: the Heart of Christ for Sufferers and Sinners. Wheaton: Crossway, 2020). Kindle.

Lewis, C. S. Mere Christianity. HarperCollins, 2021. Kindle.

Ferguson, Everett. Christian History, Volume One: From Christ to the Pre-Reformation. Grand Rapids: Zondervan, 2017. 276-277, Kindle.

Eccher, Stephen Brett. “Chapter 9: Salvation,” in Historical Theology for the Church. Eds. Jason G. Duesing and Nathan Finn. Nashville: B&H Academic, 2021. 216, 217, 223, Kindle. [This was the book I referenced actually, not “Christian Historiography”]

Chute, Anthony L. Nathan A. Finn, and Michael A. G. Haykin. The Baptist Story: From English Sect to Global Movement. Nashville: B&H Publishing Group, 2015, Kindle. 98-104, Kindle.

Scripture quotations taken from the NASB (New American Standard Bible) Copyright 1971, 1995 by The Lockman Foundation. Used by permission. All rights reserved.

While we sing for the glory of God, we also sing to edify one another. I share several Scripture passages that teach this horizontal aspect of our music. I then conclude with a few reflections on how the dual-purpose effects other aspects of the songs we sing.

Merker, Matthew. Corporate Worship: How the Church Gathers As God’s People. Wheaton: Crossway, 2021. 68, Kindle.

Kauflin, Bob. “Words of Wonder: What Happens When We Sing.” Desiring God, 2008. https://www.desiringgod.org/messages/words-of-wonder-what-happens-when-we-sing

DeYoung, Kevin. “Ten Principles for Church Song (Part 1).” The Gospel Coalition, 2011. https://www.thegospelcoalition.org/blogs/kevin-deyoung/ten-principles-for-church-song-part-1/

Scripture quotations taken from the NASB (New American Standard Bible) Copyright 1971, 1995 by The Lockman Foundation. Used by permission. All rights reserved.

Scripture primarily calls us to sing for the glory of God. This truth is rooted in the story of redemption and is expressed throughout the Bible. As we sing for the glory of God, we praise Him both for who He is and what He has done. He is worthy of our songs.

Scripture quotations taken from the NASB (New American Standard Bible) Copyright 1971, 1995 by The Lockman Foundation. Used by permission. All rights reserved.

Why do we sing? More specifically, why does God want us to sing? This episode introduces a miniseries that seeks to answer this question. In Scripture, we are called to sing for the glory of God and the edification of one another. I share a brief overview of this point and explain it’s significance.

Matthew Merker. Corporate Worship (9 Marks: Building Healthy Churches). Wheaton: Crossway, 2021. 68. Kindle.

Scripture quotations taken from the NASB (New American Standard Bible) Copyright 1971, 1995 by The Lockman Foundation. Used by permission. All rights reserved.

The account of Jesus raising Lazarus from the dead demonstrates Jesus’ heart in the midst of our trials. Although God’s will doesn’t always include healing or removing every difficulty in this life, He will produce good in us as He draws us closer to Christ. No matter what we go through, however, we can trust the heart of Christ and lean on him.

Scripture quotations taken from the NASB (New American Standard Bible) Copyright 1971, 1995 by The Lockman Foundation. Used by permission. All rights reserved.

Seven years have passed since I lost my sight in a car wreck. I share a brief account of what happened and how God had prepared us for that event. I also share some of the main lessons the Lord has been teaching me in the years that followed.

Tripp, Paul David. Instruments in the Redeemer’s Hands: People In Need of Change Helping People In Need of Change. Phillipsburg: P&H Publishing Company, 2002. 36, Kindle. He wrote we are “glory robbers.”

Scripture quotations taken from the NASB (New American Standard Bible) Copyright 1971, 1995 by The Lockman Foundation. Used by permission. All rights reserved.

In this final episode of the mini-series, I look at how believers maintain unity while holding their own convictions. We hold fast to the gospel and walk in love and grace with other believers, including those who hold different convictions and practice.

Dr. Albert Mohler, Jr. “A Call for Theological Triage and Christian Maturity.” Albermohler.com, 2004. https://albertmohler.com/2004/05/20/a-call-for-theological-triage-and-christian-maturity-2

Scripture quotations taken from the NASB (New American Standard Bible) Copyright 1971, 1995 by The Lockman Foundation. Used by permission. All rights reserved.

How do we find convictions in the gray areas of the Christian life? In this episode, I share a few passages of Scripture that provide a framework as we answer the question. I then propose five principles that can serve as a starting point in determining convictions.

Albert Mohler. “A Call for Theological Triage and Christian Maturity.” 2004. https://albertmohler.com/2004/05/20/a-call-for-theological-triage-and-christian-maturity-2.

Kevin DeYoung. "The Hole in Our Holiness: Filling the Gap Between Gospel Passion and the Pursuit of Godliness. (Wheaton: Crossway, 2012). 33-48. Kindle.

Scripture quotations taken from the NASB (New American Standard Bible) Copyright 1971, 1995 by The Lockman Foundation. Used by permission. All rights reserved.

A helpful category for understanding gray areas of faith is Albert Mohler’s concept of “Theological Triage.” This concept helps us identify which areas are essential and how we can respectfully disagree with other believers in other areas. We aren’t relativizing the faith; we are simply recognizing some matters of practice require us to rely more upon the Spirit’s guidance.

“A Call for Theological Triage and Christian Maturity,” by Albert Moherl. https://albertmohler.com/2004/05/20/a-call-for-theological-triage-and-christian-maturity-2

“Finding the Right Hills to Die on,” by Gavin Ortlund. Crossway, 2020.  https://www.thegospelcoalition.org/publication/steadfast/

Scripture quotations taken from the NASB (New American Standard Bible) Copyright 1971, 1995 by The Lockman Foundation. Used by permission. All rights reserved.

The security of salvation for the believer is in the gospel, not in the particular convictions we hold. Paul makes this point repeatedly in his epistles, using this truth as the foundation for the unity of the church. The diversity among believers isn’t a cause for concern, but rather, reflects the great multitude God is saving through Christ.

R. Albert Mohler, Jr. “A Case for Theological Triage and Christian Maturity.” https://albertmohler.com/2004/05/20/a-call-for-theological-triage-and-christian-maturity-2

Scripture quotations taken from the NASB (New American Standard Bible) Copyright 1971, 1995 by The Lockman Foundation. Used by permission. All rights reserved.