DOCSLIB.ORG

Series Overview

Total Page：16

File Type：pdf, Size：1020Kb

Download full-text PDF Read full-text
Series Overview . SERIES-BASED CURRICULUM . FRISCO BIBLE CHURCH . Series Overview ANNUAL THEME FALL 2016 Objective Premise Theme What we hope to see God accomplish Why we are studying this What the study is about in us through this study The Protestant Reformation celebrates These six foundational truths [sola We understand and live out the its 500th birthday in 2017, reminding us scriptura, sola gratia, sola fide, soli Deo foundational truths of biblical that the Reformation was about truth. gloria, solus Christus, sola ecclesia] Christianity, reforming ourselves, our Discerning and responding to truth was shaped the world. They are drawn church, and our world. the issue of the day. Here in the 21st directly from scripture and challenge our century, the world once again needs a idolatrous, selfish, syncretistic lives. By STATEMENTS OF THE OBJECTIVE reformation as truth is badly skewed. studying the Reformers’ solae, we are “All Scripture is breathed out by God and While we had originally planned to drawn to the never-changing truth that profitable for teaching, for reproof, for discuss the Reformation next fall, we feel transforms the ever-changing world. correction, and for training in compelled to study this now as mounting STATEMENTS OF THE THEME righteousness, that the man of God may misunderstanding and misinformation be complete, equipped for every good plague people both without and within “I did not hide Your righteousness in my work.” Jesus’ churches. heart; I spoke about Your faithfulness —2 Timothy 3:16–17 STATEMENTS OF THE PREMISE and salvation; I did not conceal Your constant love and truth from the great “The fact that the Bible is inspired by “But the king said to him, “How many assembly.” God leads us to assert that the Bible is times must I make you swear not to tell —Psalm 40:10 HCSB infallible, inerrant, and authoritative… me anything but the truth in the name of “This proclamation [of Luther’s] – God’s Our affirmation of this high view of Yahweh?” bestowal of grace…every man a priest, Scripture provides us the challenge of —1 Kings 22:16 HCSB each Christian free Lord subject to none obeying Scripture in all of its parts.” [Even an evil king recognized the need yet dutiful servant of all – could only —T.D. Lea & H.P. Griffin for God’s man to speak nothing but mean a new way of life.” 1, 2 Timothy, Titus scriptural truth.] —Jacques Barzun From Dawn to Decadence “Luther made his reply—‘the speech that shook the whole world’—first in Latin, TABLE OF CONTENTS then in the German language, and it Cover 1 ended thus: Sola Scriptura 3 ‘Unless I am convinced by the Sola Fide, Sola Gratia 5 testimonies of the Scriptures…that I am Soli Deo Gloria 7 in error—for popes and councils have Sola Ecclesia 9 often erred and contradicted Appendix 11 themselves—I cannot withdraw, for I am subject to the scriptures I have quoted; my conscience is captive to the Word of God…[he possibly added] Here I stand; I cannot do otherwise. So help me God.’” —S.M. Houghton Sketches from Church History 1 . SERIES-BASED CURRICULUM . FRISCO BIBLE CHURCH . ACKNOWLEDGEMENTS The content of this study guide is based on the sermon and personal study notes of Dr. M. Wayne Braudrick Senior Pastor, Frisco Bible Church and is developed by the Frisco Bible Curriculum Team under the direction of AJ Rinaldi, Minister of Adult Discipleship at Frisco Bible Church. SCRIPTURE QUOTATIONS Unless otherwise indicated, scripture quotations are from the ESV® Bible (The Holy Bible, English Standard Version®), copyright © 2001 by Crossway, a publishing ministry of Good News Publishers. Used by permission. All rights reserved. PERMISSION You are welcome to copy and distribute this study guide for your personal or group study. FOR MORE INFORMATION Frisco Bible Church 8000 Sanctuary Drive Frisco, TX 75033 972.335.8150 [email protected] www.friscobible.com 2 . SERIES-BASED CURRICULUM . FRISCO BIBLE CHURCH . Sola Scriptura Scripture over any authority LESSON OVERVIEW LESSON 1 OBJECTIVE: We Trust and Act on God’s Word DISCUSSION Does God reveal Himself to every Theme also teaches us to hate evil and avoid sin. person in the world? How does Many people take Jesus’ command to God reveal Himself? Share about a Sola scriptura means Scripture over any “love your neighbor” as a relative truth, time when God revealed Himself authority. If we will live by this truth, interpreting and applying it according to to you. What did you learn about taking the Bible as God’s Word and their own self-interest. His character? taking it at its word, we will reform ourselves and our world. Even Christians can easily fall for such Many people believe that truth is absurd thinking if they don’t have a firm relative. What are some relative Relative Truth understanding of Scripture. truths that are popular today? We live in a society in which truth is Real Truth What authority do people tend to relative. What is true for look at to validate their beliefs? The real truth, and the answer one person may not be Have you ever believed or fallen to all this absurdity, is found true for another. What is for a relative truth? What changed in Scripture. Sola scriptura true today may not be true your mind? tomorrow. People refuse to asserts that Scripture is think seriously about truth, above all other authority. Is the Bible infallible? Why or why not? which leads to many The Bible does not absurdities. merely contain the word THE LIVING WORD In recent months, for of God as some would suggest, but every For the word of God is living and example, the news has effective and sharper than any been filled with stories word of it is His inspired word. Though there double-edged sword, penetrating as about gender-identity rights. far as the separation of soul and spirit, Schools are being forced to were many Biblical writers, they wrote under the inspiration and joints and marrow. It is able to judge allow children to identify with the ideas and thoughts of the heart. the gender of their choosing. influence of the Holy Spirit. In fact, 2 Major retailers are switching to Peter 1:21 tells us emphatically that none —Hebrews 4:12 (HCSB) gender neutral restrooms. A popular of the scripture came from the will of social media site now allows users to man. The writers were certainly active in the process, but what they wrote was select from more than 50 gender correcting, and training in righteousness. directed not by their own will with the descriptions. In verse 17, Paul says that Scripture is possibility of error, but by the Spirit who used to equip believers in every aspect so Christians are told to abandon their rigid is true and infallible. doctrines and tolerate such behaviors they can fulfill the work God calls them because, after all, Jesus taught that we The fact that the writers were inspired by to do. God and influenced by the Spirit leads us are to love our neighbors. Like most The Bible is not a book to be put on a to conclude that the Bible is accurate and warped theologies, there is just enough shelf and admired; rather, it is to be used trustworthy in all matters. In 2 Timothy truth in the argument to make it in our daily lives. We can trust Scripture 3:16, Paul affirms the divine inspiration of believable and appealing. Yes, the Bible because every word came from God. teaches us to love our neighbors, but it Scripture and says that all scripture is profitable for teaching, rebuking, 3 . SERIES-BASED CURRICULUM . FRISCO BIBLE CHURCH . WHAT DO YOU SEE? PSALM 119:103-107 103 How sweet are your words to my Revelation: Read Psalm 19:1-6 and Romans 1:18-32 taste, sweeter than honey to my mouth! Identify the verbs in Psalm 19:1-2; who is the actor, and who is the recipient? 104 Through your precepts I get understanding; therefore I hate every What is revealed in Romans 1:18? What is the reason (verses 19-23) and the result false way. (verses 24-32)? 105 Your word is a lamp to my feet Inspiration: Read Ephesians 3:3 and 2 Peter 1:20-21 and a light to my path. How did Paul understand “the mystery”? (Ephesians 3:3) 106 I have sworn an oath and confirmed What tasks were performed by men? By the Holy Spirit? (2 Peter 1:20-21) it, to keep your righteous rules. Infallibility and Inerrancy: Read 2 Timothy 3:16 107 I am severely afflicted; give me life, O Lord, according to your word! What truth does Paul affirm about Scripture? What is it profitable for? 2 TIMOTHY 3:16-17 WHAT DOES IT MEAN? 16 All Scripture is breathed out by God and profitable for teaching, for reproof, Revelation for correction, and for training in What do the verbs in Psalm 19:1-2 tell us about God’s revelation? Is His general righteousness, revelation still active today? How do you see God’s character revealed in creation? 17 that the man of God may be Review Romans 1:18-32. What does it mean that God “gave them over”? In what competent, equipped for every good way(s) do people today exchange the truth for a lie? work. Inspiration 2 PETER 1:20-21 Review your responses to 2 Peter 1:20-21. How do these verses impact your view of 20 …knowing this first of all, that no the truthfulness of Scripture? How do these verses impact your view of the authority prophecy of Scripture comes from of Scripture? someone's own interpretation.
Load more

Recommended publications
  • Tabalujan, Benny Simon (2020) Improving Church Governance: Lessons from Governance Failures in Different Church Polities
    Tabalujan, Benny Simon (2020) Improving church governance: Lessons from governance failures in different church polities. MTh(R) thesis. https://theses.gla.ac.uk/81403/ Copyright and moral rights for this work are retained by the author A copy can be downloaded for personal non-commercial research or study, without prior permission or charge This work cannot be reproduced or quoted extensively from without first obtaining permission in writing from the author The content must not be changed in any way or sold commercially in any format or medium without the formal permission of the author When referring to this work, full bibliographic details including the author, title, awarding institution and date of the thesis must be given Enlighten: Theses https://theses.gla.ac.uk/ [email protected] Improving Church Governance Lessons from Governance Failures in Different Church Polities by Benny Simon TABALUJAN A thesis submitted for the degree of Master of Theology (University of Glasgow) Edinburgh Theological Seminary 10 December 2019 © Benny Tabalujan, 2019 i Abstract This thesis focuses on the question as to whether using a particular church polity raises the likelihood of governance failure. Using the case study research method, I examine six case studies of church governance failures reported in the past two decades in the English media of mainly Western jurisdictions. The six case studies involve churches in the United States, Australia, Honduras, and Singapore. Three of the case studies involve sexual matters while another three involve financial matters. For each type of misconduct or alleged misconduct, one case study is chosen involving a church with congregational polity, presbyteral polity, and episcopal polity, respectively.
    [Show full text]
  • The Lord's Supper
    The Doctrine of Communion Trinity Baptist Church Discipleship Training (June, 2004) Introduction: The Lord’s Supper is one of the two ordinances of the Christian Church. Like baptism, it is also a doctrine that is surrounded by disagreement and controversy among believers. We should never consider the Lord’s Supper a minor issue of doctrine. The purpose of this study is to examine the Biblical doctrine of the Lord’s Supper. Bibliography: Calvin, John, Institutes of the Christian Religion, translated by Henry Beveridge. Grand Rapids, Wm. B. Eerdmans Publishing Co., 1983 Dagg, John L. Manual of Theology, Second Part: A Treatise on Church Order. Harrisonburg: Gano Books, 1990 Elwell, Walter A. Evangelical Dictionary of Theology, Grand Rapids: Baker Book House, 1985 Gray, Andrew. The Works of Andrew Gray, Ligonier: Soli Deo Gloria Publications, 1992 Hodge, Charles. Systematic Theology, Grand Rapids: Eerdmans, 1986 House, H. Wayne. Charts of Christian Theology and Doctrine. Grand Rapids: Zondervan Publishing House, 1992. Kauffman, Donald T. The Dictionary of Religious Terms. Westwood: Fleming H. Revell Co., 1967 Phillips, Richard D, What is the Lord’s Supper?, Phillipsburgburgh: Presbyterian and Reformed Publishing, 2005) Watson, Thomas, The Lord’s Supper, Edinburgh: The Banner of Truth Trust, 2004 Part I -- Main Views Held in Christianity Transubstantiation, Consubstantiation, Reformed, Memorial I. Transubstantiation A. View Described - The elements of communion are consecrated by the priest and literally change to the body and blood of Christ. Christ is truly and substantially present in the elements of the supper. B. This view was adopted as the doctrine of the Catholic Church in 1059 although the term was not used until the Fourth Lateran Council of 1215 under Pope Innocent III.
    [Show full text]
  • The Five Solas of the Reformation
    The Five Solas of the Reformation Contents Background ...................................................................................................................................... 3 Sola Gratia ........................................................................................................................................ 6 Indulgences .................................................................................................................................. 6 Definition of Grace ...................................................................................................................... 7 Grace Alone ................................................................................................................................. 9 Grace is Part of the Character of God ...................................................................................... 9 Grace is Clearly Displayed by the Cross of Jesus .................................................................. 11 Grace is Expressed in Different Ways ................................................................................... 12 Grace is Pure .......................................................................................................................... 14 Grace is Sovereign ................................................................................................................. 14 Grace in Relation to the Law ................................................................................................. 16 Grace is Given
    [Show full text]
  • Literaturverzeichnis in Auswahl1
    Literaturverzeichnis in Auswahl1 A ADAMS, THOMAS: An Exposition upon the Second Epistle General of St. Peter. Herausgegeben von James Sherman. 1839. Nachdruck Ligonier, Pennsylvania: Soli Deo Gloria, 1990. DERS.: The Works of Thomas Adams. Edinburgh: James Nichol, 1862. DERS.: The Works of Thomas Adams. 1862. Nachdruck Eureka, California: Tanski, 1998. AFFLECK, BERT JR.: „The Theology of Richard Sibbes, 1577–1635“. Doctor of Philosophy-Dissertation: Drew University, 1969. AHENAKAA, ANJOV: „Justification and the Christian Life in John Bunyan: A Vindication of Bunyan from the Charge of Antinomianism“. Doctor of Philosophy-Dissertation: Westminster Theological Seminary, 1997. AINSWORTH, HENRY: A Censure upon a Dialogue of the Anabaptists, Intituled, A Description of What God Hath Predestinated Concerning Man. & c. in 7 Poynts. Of Predestination. pag. 1. Of Election. pag. 18. Of Reprobation. pag. 26. Of Falling Away. pag. 27. Of Freewill. pag. 41. Of Originall Sinne. pag. 43. Of Baptizing Infants. pag. 69. London: W. Jones, 1643. DERS.: Two Treatises by Henry Ainsworth. The First, Of the Communion of Saints. The Second, Entitled, An Arrow against Idolatry, Etc. Edinburgh: D. Paterson, 1789. ALEXANDER, James W.: Thoughts on Family Worship. 1847. Nachdruck Morgan, Pennsylvania: Soli Deo Gloria, 1998. ALLEINE, JOSEPH: An Alarm to the Unconverted. Evansville, Indiana: Sovereign Grace Publishers, 1959. DERS.: A Sure Guide to Heaven. Edinburgh: Banner of Truth Trust, 1995. ALLEINE, RICHARD: Heaven Opened … The Riches of God’s Covenant of Grace. New York: American Tract Society, ohne Jahr. ALLEN, WILLIAM: Some Baptismal Abuses Briefly Discovered. London: J. M., 1653. ALSTED, JOHANN HEINRICH: Diatribe de Mille Annis Apocalypticis ... Frankfurt: Sumptibus C. Eifridi, 1627.
    [Show full text]
  • Sola Scriptura (Various)
    Rock Valley Bible Church (www.rvbc.cc) # 2015-023 June 7, 2015 by Steve Brandon Sola Scriptura (Various) In 1521 the German Reformer, Martin Luther, was summoned to appear in Worms before the Holy Roman Emperor, Charles V to defend what he had taught and written. Soon after he arrived, it was clear that he wasn't brought there to defend his views; he was brought there to recant his views. Laid out on the table were 25 books or articles that Martin Luther had written. The titles were read. Then, Luther was asked if these, indeed were written by him, and if so, to recant their contents. Luther requested more time to respond. So, he was given until 4pm the next day to respond. When 4pm arrived, and Luther stood before the counsel, he said, "The works are mine, but ... Unless I am convicted by Scripture and plain reason--I do not accept the authority of popes and councils, for they have contradicted each other--my conscience is captive to the Word of God. I cannot and I will not recant anything, for to go against conscience is neither right nor safe. God help me. Amen." For Luther, it was all about the Bible. It was all about the teaching of the Scripture. He didn't trust the pope. He didn't trust the councils. He had seen how they contradicted the Bible and each other. He had seen their corruption, and he couldn't trust them. Martin Luther trusted in the Scriptures alone. And we should as well.
    [Show full text]
  • Home Study Mark 5:21-43 SCRIPTURE
    SOLI DEO GLORIA CHURCH May 3, 2020 - Home Study Mark 5:21-43 SCRIPTURE Psalm 9 (Read Aloud) I will give thanks to the Lord with my whole heart I will recount all of your wonderful deeds. I will be glad and exult in you I will sing praise to your name, O Most High. When my enemies turn back, they stumble and perish before your presence. For you have maintained my just cause; you have sat on the throne, giving righteous judgment. You have rebuked the nations; you have made the wicked perish; you have blotted out their name forever and ever. The enemy came to an end in everlasting ruins; their cities you rooted out; the very memory of them has perished. But the Lord sits enthroned forever; he has established his throne for justice, and he judges the world with righteousness; he judges the peoples with uprightness. The Lord is a stronghold for the oppressed, a stronghold in times of trouble. And those who know your name put their trust in you, for you, O Lord, have not forsaken those who seek you. Sing praises to the Lord, who sits enthroned in Zion! Tell among the peoples his deeds! For he who avenges blood is mindful of them; he does not forget the cry of the aicted. Be gracious to me, O Lord! See my aiction from those who hate me, O you who lift me up from the gates of death, that I may recount all your praises, that in the gates of the daughter of Zion I may rejoice in your salvation.
    [Show full text]
  • Soli Deo Gloria: the Relationship Between Christianity and the Arts Frederic Baue Concordia Seminary, St
    Concordia Seminary - Saint Louis Scholarly Resources from Concordia Seminary Masters of Divinity Thesis Concordia Seminary Scholarship 11-1-1980 Soli Deo Gloria: The Relationship Between Christianity and the Arts Frederic Baue Concordia Seminary, St. Louis, [email protected] Follow this and additional works at: http://scholar.csl.edu/mdiv Part of the Practical Theology Commons Recommended Citation Baue, Frederic, "Soli Deo Gloria: The Relationship Between Christianity and the Arts" (1980). Masters of Divinity Thesis. 39. http://scholar.csl.edu/mdiv/39 This Thesis is brought to you for free and open access by the Concordia Seminary Scholarship at Scholarly Resources from Concordia Seminary. It has been accepted for inclusion in Masters of Divinity Thesis by an authorized administrator of Scholarly Resources from Concordia Seminary. For more information, please contact [email protected]. 132786 CONTENTS Introduction 1 I The Biblical Basis for Creativity 3 God as Creator 3 Man as Creative 6 Christians as Creative 8 The Tabernacle 9 David and Solomon 14 The Temple 19 New Testament Guidelines 26 II The Relationship Between Christianity and the Arts in Western Civilization 33 ;Greek and Roman Sources 33 Christendom 34 Two Streams 36 The State of the Arts in American Lutheranism 40 III Current Work of Christian Artists 46 An Ecclesiastical Magician 46 A Musical Poet 52 A Club Near the Old Vic 54 IV Conclusions and a Look Ahead 60 Potential in the LC-MS 62 Three Options 68 A Society 68 A Synodical Board 70 A Congregational Initiative 73 Some Suggestions 78 Bibliography 81 CONCORDIA SEMINARY LIBRARY ST. LOUIS. MISSOURI SOLI DEO GLORIA: THE RELATIONSHIP BETWEEN CHRISTIANITY AND THE ARTS INTRODUCTION Lord, shall we not bring these gifts to Your service? The Lord who created must wish to create, And employ our creation again in His service.
    [Show full text]
  • From the Word to Life™
    2015–2016 +ĩÂļĴÉǨCatalog From the Word to life™ MOODY THEOLOGICAL SEMINARY AND GRADUATE SCHOOL GRADUATE ACADEMIC CATALOG 2015–2016 Chicago Campus 820 N. LaSalle Blvd., Chicago, IL 60610 Plymouth Campus 41550 E. Ann Arbor Trail, Plymouth, MI 48170 Office of Admissions (312) 329-4400 (800) 967-4MBI moody.edu/seminary Welcome! You have picked up this catalog because you are considering seminary education. I applaud your decision! Graduate-level theological education will equip, shape, and mold you for a lifetime of effective ministry. Moody Theological Seminary is uniquely positioned to train you for ministry in our rapidly changing world. With campuses in both Chicago and Michigan, we offer you options that are rooted deeply in the Bible and provide you with ministry skills geared for today’s society. Want training in urban ministry? We can do that. Want classes in the biblical languages and exegesis? We can do that too. Want course work leading to counseling certification? Moody is the answer. For whatever ministry role you envision in the future, Moody Theological Seminary can provide you with the training you desire. As you consider further education and service to our Lord, I encourage you to make Moody your destination. Please let us know how we can serve you and your educational needs. Only by His grace, J. Paul Nyquist, PhD President Dear Friend, At Moody Theological Seminary we want the glory of God to drive everything we do as a seminary. After all, in the end when God wraps everything up, will anything else really matter (Revelation 21:22–27)? Because we believe this to be true, we want MTS to transmit an excellence that reflects His greatness.
    [Show full text]
  • 20 Changing American Evangelical Attitudes Towards
    Changing American Evangelical Attitudes towards Roman Catholics: 1960-2000 Don Sweeting Don Sweeting is Senior Pastor of Introduction summing up forty years of evangelicalism Cherry Creek Presbyterian Church, in In 1960, Presidential campaign historian since 1945, Bayly said, “We inherited a Englewood, Colorado. He has also Theodore H. White observed that “the Berlin Wall between evangelical Chris- served as the founding pastor of the largest and most important division in tians and Roman Catholics; we bequeath Chain of Lakes Community Bible Church American society was that between Prot- a spirit of love and rapprochement on in Antioch, Illinois. Dr. Sweeting was estants and Catholics.”1 As a vital part of the basis of the Bible rather than fear and educated at Moody Bible Institute, American Protestant life, evangelicalism hatred.”7 Lawrence University, Oxford University reflected the strains of this conflict.2 Anti- By the mid 1990s, it was clear that atti- (M.A.), and Trinity Evangelical Divinity Catholicism, according to church historian tudes were changing. On a local level, School (Ph.D.) where he wrote his dis- George Marsden, “was simply an unques- evangelicals and Catholics were meeting sertation on the relationship between tioned part of the fundamentalist- to discuss issues from poverty and wel- evangelicals and Roman Catholics. evangelicalism of the day.”3 fare reform to abortion. On the national This posture of outright public hostil- level changes were also apparent. Evan- ity was evidenced in many ways. It could gelical publishing houses were printing be seen in the opposition of many evan- books by Catholic authors. Some evangeli- gelical leaders to the presidential candi- cal parachurch ministries began placing dacy of John F.
    [Show full text]
  • “Pondering the Solas, Part V, Soli Deo Gloria”: a Sermon for Trinity United
    “Pondering the Solas, Part V, Soli Deo Gloria ”: A Sermon for Trinity United Church (Nanaimo, B.C.) for November 4 th 2017 (22 nd Sunday after Pentecost/Remembrance Sunday) by Foster Freed Psalm 150 To make the move that we are making this morning, to the fifth and final sola — soli Deo Gloria, for the Glory of God alone: so to move is to find ourselves shifting ever so slightly from the realm of Lutheranism—the realm of Martin Luther—and entering the realm of Calvinism—the realm of John Calvin: founder of the Reformed Churches and, in effect, the initiator of the movement that gave birth to the Scottish Presbyterian Churches to which we in the United Church of Canada trace at least some of our roots. Mind you… …mind you: it’s not that there is any contradiction between this fifth and final sola and any of the others. On the contrary: the spirit of soli Deo Gloria is a spirit with which Martin Luther most certainly would have been fully at home. Go no further than the first of the solas: sola gratia, by grace alone. The logic of that sola, which clearly credits God and God’s grace with human salvation, is a logic that pretty much leaves no choice but to recognize that it is to God—and to none other—that glory ought to be offered. And yet! Calvin was a significantly more systematic thinker than Luther. Most of what we have from Luther takes the form of Biblical commentaries, thematic essays, and table talk.
    [Show full text]
  • David Vandrunen – Soli Deo Gloria Welcome Again to Books at A
    David Vandrunen – Soli Deo Gloria Welcome again to Books At a Glance! I’m Fred Zaspel, and we’re continuing our series of brief discussions highlighting the leading features of the Protestant Reformation in this its five hundredth anniversary year. Today we’re talking to Dr. David VanDrunen about another of the famous Reformation slogans, soli Deo Gloria. Dr. VanDrunen is the author of the book God’s Glory Alone: The Majestic Heart of Christian Faith and Life: What the Reformers Taught…and Why It Still Matters. It’s one of the titles in Zondervan’s The Five Solas series that we have featured here. David – Welcome! And thanks for talking to us today! VanDrunen: Thank you, it’s good to be here. Zaspel: Just what is meant by soli Deo Gloria? In particular, what is meant by this with reference to the theology of the Reformers? VanDrunen: Well, soli Deo Gloria is, of course, a Latin term, and it means glory to God alone. The basic translation is very simple, and the idea is that God alone possesses glory in and of himself. He alone is majestic and worthy of all honor and adoration and praise in and of himself. Though, it is the case that there are things in this creation which are glorious in a way that anything that is genuinely glorious in this world, ultimately reflects God’s own glory. And, I think, as we think about this with reference to the Reformers, it is important to mention and perhaps as you’ve talked to other authors in the series about this, they’ve mentioned this too, but these five Reformation solas – soli Deo Gloria, of course, and faith alone, grace alone, Christ alone, Scripture alone – these were not mottos or themes that the Reformers themselves emphasized.
    [Show full text]
  • Preaching: Learning from the Puritans Joel R
    Preaching: Learning from the Puritans Joel R. Beeke The Puritan movement from the mid-sixteenth century to the early eighteenth century has been 1 called the golden age of preaching. ​ Through preaching and the publication of sermons, the ​ 2 Puritans sought to reform the church and the everyday lives of the people. ​ Though they failed to ​ reform the church, they succeeded in reforming everyday lives, ushering in, as Alexander F. Mitchell says, “a season of spiritual revival as deep and extensive as any that has since occurred in the history of the British Churches.”3 ​ With few exceptions, Puritan ministers were great preachers who lovingly and passionately proclaimed the whole counsel of God set forth in Holy Scripture. No group of preachers in church history has matched their biblical, doctrinal, experiential, and practical preaching.4 ​ 1 Tae-Hyeun Park, The Sacred Rhetoric of the Holy Spirit: A Study of Puritan Preaching in a Pneumatological ​ Perspective (Apeldoorn: Theologische Unversiteit, 2005), 4. Several thoughts in this address are adapted from my ​ chapters 41 and 42 in Joel R. Beeke and Mark Jones, A Puritan Theology (Grand Rapids: Reformation Heritage ​ ​ Books, 2012). 2 J. I. Packer, foreword to Introduction to Puritan Theology: A Reader, ed. Edward Hindson (Grand Rapids: Baker, ​ ​ 1976). 3 Alexander F. Mitchell, introduction to Minutes of the Sessions of the Westminster Assembly of Divines, ed. ​ ​ Alexander F. Mitchell and John Struthers (Edmonton: Still Waters Revival Books, 1991), xv. ​ ​ 4 For additional books and articles on Puritan preaching, see R. Bruce Bickel, Light and Heat: The Puritan View of ​ the Pulpit (Morgan: Soli Deo Gloria, 1999); J.
    [Show full text]