Wikipedia has been my true alma mater in so many ways, however there are days when something irks me in its endless pages. If we understand Evangelical to mean one who is a Christian and places their faith in the saving life, death, and resurrection of Jesus who meritted their salvation, then Evangelicalism can hardly be said to have emerged in the 17th century. The Middle … [Read more...]
The Father of Modern Missions – William Carey (part 1)
Regardless of whether or not, William Carey ought to be considered the 'founding father of modern missions', his influence was immense. In fact, the man was so heroic, he was supported by as diverse an array of figures as: Adoniram Judson, the Lutheran king of Denmark, and the Episcopal Church (who ironically gave him a saint's day celebration). As with any hagiography his … [Read more...]
The Freedom of the Will: John Calvin & Justin Martyr & Martin Luther
St. Augustine of Hippo One of the fundamentally differing premises between Catholicism and Protestantism, was the doctrine of the human will. Where Catholics argued that the will was weakened by original sin, but free to do good or evil, Protestants argued that the will was free only to choose between sins; free only to do evil. Here's a quotation from John Calvin's "The … [Read more...]
The Just Condemnation of Humanity (Romans 1)
"For I am not ashamed of the gospel of Christ: for it is the power of God unto salvation to every one that believeth; to the Jew first, and also to the Greek. For therein is the righteousness of God revealed from faith to faith: as it is written, The just shall live by faith.For the wrath of God is revealed from heaven against all ungodliness and unrighteousness of men, who … [Read more...]
The Alluring Call of Lutheran Anti-nomianism
"2 Cor 3, 5–6 Paul writes:"Not that we are sufficient of ourselves to think anything as of ourselves;but our sufficiency is of God, who also hath made us able ministers of the NewTestament; not of the letter, but of the spirit; for the letter killeth, but thespirit giveth life." The apostle speaks of this apostolic activity. Preachers of this Christian era must bear in mind … [Read more...]