The doctrine of sola scriptura, which asserts that the Bible is the sole authority for faith and practice, has been a cornerstone of Reformed theology since the 16th century. This principle, which holds that Scripture is infallible and inerrant, has been a source of controversy and debate, particularly in the Protestant tradition. The Reformers, including Martin Luther and John Calvin, emphasized the importance of private interpretation, arguing that every Christian has the right and responsibility to read and interpret the Bible for themselves. This emphasis on the perspicuity of Scripture, or the clarity of God's Word, has had a profound impact on the development of Protestantism and continues to shape the theological landscape of the Reformed tradition today. [... more]

Reformed theology is a systematic approach to understanding the Christian faith, rooted in the historic Christian apostolic faith. It emphasizes the importance of the doctrine of God and the authority of Scripture, while also acknowledging the common core of doctrine shared with other Christian bodies. [... more]

Reformed theology is a belief system that centers on the knowledge of God, emphasizing the importance of doctrine and faith in understanding the nature and character of God. It is distinct from other branches of historic Christianity and focuses on the study of God Himself, rather than human behavior or religion. [... more]

In the book of Galatians, Paul confronts Peter over his refusal to include Gentiles who weren't obeying Jewish kosher laws within the family of God, introducing a damnable plus of faith in Jesus plus obedience to the law. Paul explains theologically that justification is never about our obedience, but rather about faith in Jesus Christ, and that our behavior should be a response to the grace we've received, not a means of earning it. [... more]

Knowing Christ is a lifelong process that involves personal knowledge of Him through Scripture and doctrine. A devotional should help us think better, not just feel better, and re-center our thinking and living in God. The Bible is our one access point to the knowledge of God and His will, and studying it is a lifelong process that requires discipline and dedication. [... more]

Paul defends the gospel against threats from Judaizers in Galatia, emphasizing the importance of faith alone for justification and warning against adding man-made requirements to the gospel. He recounts a historical narrative of a similar issue in Jerusalem, where the church struggled with the inclusion of Gentiles, and how the apostles agreed to remember the poor as a condition of their fellowship. [... more]

On his way to Damascus Saul of Tarsus was confronted by the risen Lord Jesus Christ and his life was changed forever Today Derek Thomas examines the dramatic significance of Saul's conversion Donate any amount to request R C Sproul's commentary on Galatians and Derek Thomas' video teaching series No Other Gospel on DVD You'll also receive lifetime digital access to all messages and the study guide https gift renewingyourmind org offer Live outside the U S and Canada Get the Galatians commentary ebook digital teaching series and digital study guide with your donation https www renewingyourmind org global Meet [... more]

A grandfather tells his grandson a story about the Lightlings, a group of people who were created to shine brightly, but after disobeying their king, they became afraid of the light. The story explores the theme of redemption and the coming of Jesus, the light of the world. [... more]

The gospel is about Jesus giving Himself for our sins to deliver us from this present evil age, and it's a message of grace. Paul is passionate about ensuring the gospel is pure, and he warns against adding works to the gospel, which distorts its true meaning. [... more]

The Westminster Shorter Catechism is a valuable tool for understanding Christian theology, emphasizing the importance of justification, sanctification, and the attributes of God. It provides a comprehensive framework for exploring the Christian faith and has been a significant influence in the evangelical world, particularly during the Reformation. By using the catechism, Christians can develop a deeper understanding of their faith and live out their convictions in a way that sets them apart in a world that often seeks to conform to secular ideologies. [... more]

God's covenants are agreements between two or more persons, often involving oaths, laws, animal sacrifices, blessings, and curses. These covenants are a fundamental aspect of biblical theology, with various types, including the covenant of redemption, covenant of works, and covenant of grace. [... more]

Private worship is a vital aspect of the Christian life, allowing believers to dwell with God and become more like Him. Through daily devotions and quiet times, Christians can cultivate a deeper relationship with God, growing in their knowledge and love for Him. By attending to the means of grace, such as prayer and scripture, believers can experience spiritual growth and be conformed to the likeness of Christ. [... more]

Family worship is a means of grace that centers the home on Christ, encourages Christian character, and equips children for corporate worship. It involves gathering the family together to read the Bible, pray, and sing, and can be practiced at any time of day, but consistency is key. By prioritizing family worship, parents can model spiritual headship and pass on their faith to their children, ultimately benefiting the local church as well. [... more]

Practicing family worship is a simple yet powerful way to center a home on Christ, pass on the faith to children, and experience the means of grace through scripture and prayer. By consistently gathering together to read, pray, and sing, families can deepen their relationship with God and with each other, and cultivate a sense of worship and devotion that is essential to a vibrant Christian life. [... more]

Moses' father-in-law, Jethro, offers wise advice to his son-in-law, suggesting he delegate tasks to able men to avoid burnout and ensure effective leadership, drawing parallels with the appointment of elders in the New Testament. [... more]

Jabez's prayer, recorded in 1 Chronicles, has been promoted as a shortcut to prayer, but is that really the case? We explore Jabez's character, his prayer, and what we can learn from it, while also considering the context and limitations of his prayer. [... more]

The story of Ehud, a left-handed judge of Israel, who kills the king of Moab, Eglon, with an 18-inch dagger, and restores Israel to the promised land, demonstrating God's use of messy business to bring about good and the importance of understanding the history of God's people. [... more]

A story of human trafficking and the providence of God is revealed through the account of Naaman's wife's maid, who has faith that the prophet Elisha can cure Naaman's leprosy, and ultimately leads to his transformation and the demonstration of God's sovereignty over big and small things. [... more]

Reformed theology, specifically Calvinism, is criticized for its doctrine of salvation, which is based on five points called TULIP. This doctrine is seen as robotic and denies human free will, making people accountable for choices they cannot make. In contrast, Arminianism emphasizes man's free will and God's love for all people, making election conditional on faith. [... more]

The story of Joshua and the Gibeonites serves as a historical illustration of the dangers of not seeking God's counsel, even in times of war. The Gibeonites, desperate to survive, employed deception and flattery to secure a treaty with the Israelites, highlighting the need for discernment and spiritual awareness in all aspects of life. [... more]

The sovereignty of God is often misunderstood in Calvinism, which can lead to fatalism and a lack of free will. The Bible teaches that God's sovereignty allows for human choice and election, but Calvinists often change the definition of predestination to mean pre-cause, undermining the concept of free will. This doctrine can be appealing to intellectuals, but it is not supported by the facts and can be damaging to Christianity. [... more]

Bunyan's Pilgrim's Progress is a tract to help Christians understand the reality of death and face it with assurance, expectation, and hope, knowing Christ has conquered death by his resurrection from the dead. The story follows Christian's journey to the celestial city, highlighting the struggle of death and the importance of preparation, faith, and justification by faith alone. [... more]

Pastor Rick discusses the concept of predestination, explaining that it does not mean God has predetermined the fate of individuals, but rather that He has set a course for believers to follow, allowing for free will and moral accountability. He critiques Calvinism, arguing that it misdefines predestination as pre-cause, and that this misdefinition has led to a hijacking of the word, causing confusion and controversy in the Christian community. [... more]

In John Bunyan's classic allegory, The Pilgrim's Progress, the Lord's Day is depicted as a time of spiritual growth and renewal, a 'market day of the soul' where Christians can acquire spiritual blessings and draw closer to God. The Puritans saw the Lord's Day as a time to gather together under the oversight of godly shepherds, who feed and care for the flock, and to catch glimpses of heaven through the scriptures. [... more]

In the darkest moments of life, Christians can find solace in the promise of God's covenant. A key to unlocking this promise is found in the story of Christian and Hopeful, two pilgrims who navigate the treacherous path of Doubting Castle, where they face the temptation of despair and the danger of giant Despair. With the help of the promise, they find a way out of their prison and continue their journey to the celestial city. [... more]

In John Bunyan's classic allegory, The Pilgrim's Progress, Christian and Faithful navigate the temptations of Vanity Fair, a town built by Satan, where worldly desires and pleasures are on display. As they journey through the city, they are arrested, put on trial, and Faithful is martyred, demonstrating the cost of being a faithful witness to the gospel. The story highlights the importance of standing out from the world, being different, and having a deep hatred for sin, as well as the marks of true discipleship, including a willingness to die for one's faith. [... more]

The Protestant Reformation emphasized the centrality of God, God's glory, and God's sovereignty in salvation, rejecting the Catholic Church's focus on tradition, ritual, and the cult of saints. Key doctrines of the Reformation include justification by faith alone, the authority of Scripture, and the forensic view of justification. The reformers disagreed on various issues, including the nature of God, the law, and church discipline, leading to different branches of Reformed theology, such as Calvinism and Lutheranism. [... more]

In John Bunyan's allegory, The Pilgrim's Progress, Christian navigates the Valley of the Shadow of Death, a place of spiritual darkness and temptation, where he must rely on prayer and the support of his friend Faithful to overcome the challenges of assurance and spiritual death. [... more]

A discussion on the Eastern Orthodox Church's teachings on salvation and the role of faith and works, as well as a conversation about the differences between Lutheranism and Presbyterianism, and the importance of understanding Bible doctrine and Christian apologetics. [... more]

The pastor discusses the gifts of the Holy Spirit, including wisdom, knowledge, faith, prophecy, and healing, and how they are used for the edification of the body of Christ. He also touches on the topics of Reformed theology and Pentecostalism, and how they relate to the gifts of the Spirit. [... more]

Dr. Abadan Shah addresses the concept of election, discussing the biblical account of Jacob and Esau and how God's love and mercy are not limited to one individual or group. He explores the idea of predestination and how it relates to God's sovereignty, and examines the concept of supersessionism in Reformed theology. The conversation also touches on the importance of understanding the context of biblical passages and avoiding misinterpretation. [... more]

Joel Beeke shares practical steps for believers to take when their assurance of salvation is weak, including prayer, studying the promises of God, and fleeing to the basics of the gospel. He also discusses the dangers of doubt and the importance of spiritual disciplines in maintaining a strong faith. [... more]

The Holy Spirit works in believers to develop an 'oughtness' within them, leading to mortification of sin, the leading of the Spirit, adoption, and the witnessing ministry, resulting in a deeper assurance of faith and a transformed life. [... more]

Backsliding is a serious sin that can lead to a loss of assurance, but the Holy Spirit can revive it through renewed prayer, confession, and forsaking of sin. The Puritans believed that divine desertion, or the withdrawal of God's presence, can occur, but it is not the norm. Instead, the believer's sin and neglect of spiritual disciplines are usually the cause of lost assurance. Revival of assurance begins with a longing cry of the heart for the Holy Spirit not to be taken from us, and it can be achieved by returning to the means of grace, such as secret prayer and the preached word. [... more]

Matt Slick discusses various topics including the flat earth theory, Bible interpretation, salvation, and the reliability of the Bible. He also talks about his Christian ministry and the importance of understanding the Bible correctly. [... more]

Cultivating assurance of faith is a critical part of the Christian life, bringing peace, gratitude, obedience, and more. Through Bible study, prayer, and afflictions, believers can grow in their faith and develop a deeper understanding of their salvation, leading to a more confident and joyful walk with God. [... more]

Matt Slick discusses Reformed theology, its importance, and the dangers of false teachings in Roman Catholicism and Eastern Orthodox Church. He emphasizes the sufficiency and authority of Scripture, the importance of understanding baptism as an identification with Christ, and the need to reject idolatry and tradition that contradicts Scripture. [... more]

Understanding the differences between Islam and Christianity can be a crucial step in sharing the gospel with Muslim neighbors. Dr. James Anderson shares practical advice on how to engage in evangelism with Muslims, including treating each individual with respect, correcting misunderstandings about Christianity, and focusing on Jesus' true identity and mission. [... more]

Muhammad's life and legacy are explored, from his birth and early life to his rise as the prophet of Islam and the establishment of the caliphate. The differences between Christianity and Islam are highlighted, and the significance of Muhammad's teachings and actions are examined. [... more]

The Holy Spirit empowers Jesus to set people free from sin and oppression, and brings joy to the Lord Jesus, which is the Heavenly Father's greatest desire. The Holy Spirit's role is to sustain Jesus in his obedience and bring him into the knowledge of God's blessings. The relationship between the Father, Son, and Holy Spirit is one of mutual devotion and love, and is manifested in the Lord Jesus, who exhibits the fruit of the Spirit, including meekness, grace, and goodness. [... more]