Reformed Thinking

Deep Dive into Cornerstone by Jeremy Prayer - Fear and Worry Part 2: Overcoming The "Philippians 4:8 filter" is a mental framework derived from Philippians 4:8 in the Bible, designed to help individuals actively manage and transform their thoughts , particularly those associated with fear, worry, and anxiety. It serves as a practical tool for renewing one's mind by consciously evalua...

The concept of "Adonai" from the Old Testament significantly evolves into the New Testament's "Kyrios," illustrating a continuous unfolding of God's sovereign authority that culminates in the person of Jesus Christ. In the Old Testament, "Adonai" (meaning "Master" or "Owner") defines God's ownership as absolute, superlative, and non-negotiable dominion over all creation . It signifies that God is...

Deep Dive into Cornerstone by Jeremy Prayer - Fear and Worry: The Problem of Evil The "problem of evil" arises from the apparent logical impossibility of an all-powerful, all-good God co-existing with the existence of evil . Traditional options often question God's power or goodness, or deny evil. However, a biblical theodicy , which is a defense of God as He relates to evil, propose...

Deep Dive into Institutes of the Christian Religion by John Calvin - The Life of the Christian Man; And First, by What Arguments Scripture Urges Us to It Scripture commends righteousness primarily by aiming to instill and establish a deep love for it in believers' hearts , acknowledging that humans are not naturally inclined towards it. This core purpose is integral to regeneration , which see...

Deep Dive into Religious Affections by Jonathan Edwards - Another Thing, wherein Gracious Affections Are Distinguished from Others, Is, That They Are Attended with a Change of Nature Divine power profoundly changes nature by imparting a new, vital essence to the soul , a process uniquely initiated and sustained by God. This is not a mere external adjustment or fleeting emotional shift, but a super...

Deep Dive into Cornerstone by Jeremy Prayer – Depression, Part 2 Depression, biblically defined as a feeling of sadness in one's soul due to sin or circumstances , involves both emotional and physical manifestations. The sources emphasize a profound connection between the inner man (soul) and the outer man (body) , meaning that spiritual and emotional states directly impact physical health. Fo...

Deep Dive into All of Grace: An Earnest Word for Those Who Are, by Grace, Seeking Salvation by Charles Spurgeon - The Fear of Final Falling Perseverance for believers is inherently difficult due to a combination of internal vulnerabilities and external pressures . A major internal challenge is misplaced reliance on self for continuance . Believers who trust in their own strength, even partially, f...

Deep Dive into Cornerstone by Jeremy Prayer - Depression, Part 1 The Bible comprehensively addresses depression, acknowledging its profound emotional impact despite rarely using the specific English word directly. Instead, it uses synonyms like "heavy-hearted," "downcast," and "despairing," and portrays figures such as David (Psalm 38) and Elijah (1 Kings 19) experien...

Deep Dive into Commentary on the Book of Psalms by John Calvin - Psalm 12 David laments a profound societal corruption where beneficence and truth have vanished, leaving behind an utter overthrow of good order . He observes that sincere and upright speech has ceased, replaced by deceit and falsehood . This widespread dishonesty stems from a "double heart," which is identified as the &quo...

Deep Dive into Cornerstone by Jeremy Prayer - Overcoming Lust People pursue Jesus for diverse reasons, which can be broadly categorized into incomplete or self-interested motivations and a true, desired pursuit of Jesus Himself . Often, individuals initially seek Jesus for what He can do for them , rather than for who He is. This is likened to the crowd in John 6 who followed Jesus because He had...

Deep Dive into שֵׁת The Hebrew term "שֵׁת" (šēṯ) vividly demonstrates the inherent uncertainties and variations in linguistic interpretation, making it a prime example of philological complexity. Its etymological journey is anything but straightforward, marked by multiple, often contested, derivations and a diverse array of meanings . One primary challenge lies in its uncertain root . Sc...

Deep Dive into Cornerstone by Jeremy Prayer - Parenting, Part 2 Parents are divinely commanded to teach their children. This is essential for several reasons: to prepare children to leave and thrive independently in society, and because, if left to themselves, children are naturally inclined towards destruction and a life away from God. This sacred task emphasizes that children are a gift entruste...

Deep Dive into An Old Testament Theology by Bruce K. Waltke - The Gift of God's History-Shaping Word, Part 1: 1 Kings Prophets in the book of Kings fundamentally shape history by serving as I AM's direct representatives , demonstrating that the prophetic word is mightier than the king's sword . They are the primary enforcers of the Mosaic covenant, determining the fate of both rulers a...

Deep Dive into Cornerstone by Jeremy Prayer - Parenting Parents should approach discipline as a comprehensive and positive act of intentional guidance , deeply rooted in God's love and aimed at a child's spiritual growth, not merely as punishment for misbehavior. This is encapsulated by the Greek word Padia , which encompasses both training and correcting . The foundation for discipline li...

Deep Dive into The Passionate Pursuit of Revival and Christ-Exalting Joy by John Piper - Jonathan Edwards, the Man and His Life: Learning from an Unmodern Evangelical Jonathan Edwards, born on October 5, 1703, in Windsor, Connecticut , was a pivotal figure in American religious thought. His father, Timothy Edwards, was a local Congregational pastor, and Jonathan was the only son among eleven child...

Deep Dive into Cornerstone by Jeremy Prayer - Marriage – Conflict Resolution Self-focus fundamentally obstructs conflict resolution by centering everything on one's own desires and a drive to "win." At its core, conflict stems from selfishness and a failure to "walk by the Spirit," leading the "flesh to naturally take over" and prioritize "Me Myself and I.&qu...

Deep Dive into Christian Theology by Millard J. Erickson - The Virgin Birth The "virgin birth" in Christian theology, more accurately termed "virginal conception," refers to Jesus's conception in Mary's womb without sexual intercourse, through the supernatural influence of the Holy Spirit, with Mary remaining a virgin until his birth. It does not imply an abnormal physi...

Deep Dive into Cornerstone by Jeremy Prayer - The Marriage Relationship - Her Role The fundamental purpose of marriage, for a wife, is to glorify God above all else. Prioritizing a "happy marriage" over this ultimate goal can turn the marriage into an idol. A wife can strengthen her marriage and honor God regardless of her husband's actions by focusing on her own internal and externa...

Deep Dive into Cornerstone by Jeremy Prayer - The Marriage Relationship – His Role Christ exemplifies headship as the ultimate model for husbands through selfless service, sacrificial love, and humble leadership . He taught His disciples not to "lord it over" others but to be a servant , declaring He came "not to be served... but to serve and to give his life a ransom for many.&quot...

Deep Dive into God as Yahweh The name "Yahweh" profoundly encapsulates God's nature and His covenant relationship with humanity, standing at the very heart of biblical revelation. Originating from the four Hebrew consonants YHWH, "Yahweh" is linked to the Hebrew root "to be" ( hāyâ ) , meaning "He is" or, more powerfully, "He causes to be." Thi...

Deep Dive into Cornerstone by Jeremy Prayer - Reconciliation/Restoration Restoring a relationship means bringing it back to its proper condition or what it should be in God's eyes . While reconciliation focuses on re-establishing peace and harmony, restoration is the deeper, subsequent step of repairing the relationship, likened to mending nets to put them back together properly. There isn&#39...

Deep Dive into Institutes of the Christian Religion by John Calvin - The Supplements That They Add to Satisfactions, Namely, Indulgences and Purgatory The Romanist doctrines of indulgences and purgatory are critically examined in the sources for their profound theological implications. Indulgences are defined as the Pope's distribution of "merits of Christ and the holy apostles and martyr...

Deep Dive into Cornerstone by Jeremy Prayer - Forgiveness Biblical teaching does not support the concept of self-forgiveness . Scripture presents two primary perspectives on forgiveness: humanity's need to be forgiven by God , and the imperative for believers to wholeheartedly forgive others as God has forgiven them. The notion of "forgiving yourself" is explicitly stated as lacking...

Deep Dive into Religious Affections by Jonathan Edwards - Gracious Affections Are Attended with Evangelical Humiliation. Evangelical Humiliation Is a Sense That a Christian Has of His Own Utter Insufficiency, Despicableness, and Odiousness, with an Answerable Frame of Heart Hypocrites exhibit humility in a manner that is counterfeit and primarily self-serving , rather than a genuine expression of...

Deep Dive into Cornerstone by Jeremy Prayer - Forgiveness and the Gospel Forgiveness, as defined through gospel principles, is a profound and active engagement that transforms the one who forgives . It is fundamentally about applying the gospel to one's suffering , prompting an individual to gaze at the cross and consider what Christ did for them on their behalf. This act is a costly activity...