Reformed Thinking

Deep Dive into זַלְעָפָה The Hebrew term "זַלְעָפָה" is a multifaceted word primarily conveying intense heat and consuming forces , manifesting as various forms of suffering. It appears in several biblical books, including Psalms and Lamentations, and also in the Dead Sea Scrolls and Sirach. One of its core literal meanings refers to a scorching, burning, or violent wind . In Psalm 11:6,...

Deep Dive into All That Jesus Commanded by John Piper - Listen to Me Listening to Jesus's words is fundamentally important because they are not merely human utterances but the very words of God , carrying unparalleled authority and power. His teaching was so stunning and unique that even officers sent to arrest him were captivated and unable to carry out their mission, stating, "No one ev...

Deep Dive into The Epistle to the Galatians by F. F. Bruce - Galatians 6 Gentleness is a cornerstone of how members of the faith community interact, particularly in times of spiritual vulnerability. It is a core characteristic for those identified as "spiritual," meaning individuals whose lives are guided by the Spirit of Christ. Gentleness is primarily demonstrated through the restorati...

Deep Dive into All That Jesus Commanded by John Piper - Love Me John Piper's "Love Me" explains that love for Jesus is a profound, commanded emotion , not just an act of will or outward deeds. He argues against the idea that feelings cannot be commanded, pointing out that Jesus explicitly commands emotions such as rejoicing, fearing, and forgiving from the heart. This demonstrates th...

Deep Dive into Christian Theology by Millard J. Erickson - The Extent of the Atonement The resolution of atonement theories centers on two main questions: "For whom did Christ die?" and "For what did Christ atone?" Regarding the extent of Christ's death, two primary views contend. Particular Atonement , often embraced by Calvinists, argues that Christ died exclusively for t...

Deep Dive into All That Jesus Commanded by John Piper - Believe in Me Humanity finds itself in a desperate situation because all people are under the wrath of God . This wrath is a just response to humanity's sin , defined as attitudes and behaviors that belittle God's worth and treat Him as insignificant. All individuals are guilty of this, doing it daily, which leads to condemnation and...

Deep Dive into God as El Olam The New Testament (NT) profoundly receives and intensifies the theme of God's eternality , demonstrating both continuity with the Old Testament and a climactic Christological focus. While not using the specific Hebrew term "El Olam," the NT employs equivalent concepts and phrases to convey God's timelessness, integrating this understanding into a rob...

Deep Dive into All That Jesus Commanded by John Piper - Come to Me The command "Come to Me" from Jesus is a profound and central invitation to humanity, revealing the core of His mission and His relationship with people. Its fundamental nature is an urgent call to those who are spiritually burdened, heavy laden, hungry, and thirsty , offering a radical transformation rather than a new se...

Deep Dive into Institutes of the Christian Religion by John Calvin - Meditation on the Future Life God demonstrates His fatherly care for believers through a comprehensive guidance system that utilizes both the blessings and the trials of this life to draw them closer to Himself and prepare them for eternal glory. He first reveals His fatherhood through "lesser proofs" in the present, wh...

Deep Dive into All That Jesus Commanded by John Piper - Repent Repentance produces several significant and transformative outcomes. At its core, it brings about a radical inward change within an individual, profoundly reorienting their relationship toward both God and humanity. This transformation is not mere sorrow for sin or a superficial adjustment of behavior, but a deep change of the mind’s p...

Deep Dive into Religious Affections by Jonathan Edwards - Another Thing wherein Those Affections That Are Truly Gracious and Holy, Differ from Those That Are False, Is Beautiful Symmetry and Proportion True gracious affections are characterized by a beautiful symmetry and proportion , reflecting the universality of sanctification and the whole image of Christ in believers. This means all virtues a...

Deep Dive into All That Jesus Commanded by John Piper - You Must Be Born Again Jesus explicitly commands that "You must be born again" for anyone to "see the kingdom of God" and "enter the kingdom of God." This foundational command was given to Nicodemus, a Pharisee and expert in Jewish Scriptures, who was confused by the idea of a second birth, interpreting it physic...

Deep Dive into All of Grace: An Earnest Word for Those Who Are, by Grace, Seeking Salvation by Charles Spurgeon - Close The author's foremost desire is the spiritual salvation and eternal well-being of every reader . He fervently urges them to accept Jesus Christ and receive salvation by grace , leading them to heaven and preventing eternal damnation. He expresses deep sorrow if his efforts to...

Deep Dive into All That Jesus Commanded by John Piper - Introduction John Piper’s book, All That Jesus Commanded , aims for God-glorifying obedience to Jesus , directly fulfilling His final commission to "make disciples of all nations . . . teaching them to observe all that I have commanded you." The book emphasizes that true obedience means not just knowing commands but actively living...

Deep Dive into The Bible Tried and Proved (Psalm 12:6) by Charles Spurgeon Charles Haddon Spurgeon's sermon "The Bible Tried and Proved" centers on the profound nature of "the words of the Lord," asserting their absolute purity , preciousness , and permanence . He likens them to silver refined seven times, free from any evil, error, or failure. This unblemished quality stem...

Deep Dive into The Church and Missions by Mark Dever The sources outline a comprehensive approach to advancing God's mission, fundamentally rooted in the local church as God's evangelism plan . The primary goal of missionary endeavors is to establish sound, healthy, reproducing churches that will endure until Christ returns, moving beyond simply "making disciples" to planting per...

Deep Dive into Missions and Suffering by Sinclair Ferguson The core theme linking missions and suffering is the "Christ pattern," a foundational concept where suffering is a key instrument for advancing God's kingdom . This pattern is woven throughout the entire Bible. From Genesis 3:15 , which foretells conflict and sacrifice for deliverance, the Old Testament serves as "footno...

Deep Dive into חָמָס The Hebrew term חָמָס (ḥāmās) is a profoundly multifaceted word, primarily signifying violence and wrong . Its semantic range extends far beyond simple physical aggression, encompassing a broad spectrum of harmful actions and states. At its core, it refers to physical violence , denoting a strong, destructive force that can maim, destroy, and kill. However, it also includes no...

Deep Dive into The Life And Diary Of David Brainerd by Jonathan Edwards - Study of Divinity until Being Licensed to Preach David Brainerd, after his expulsion from Yale College, dedicated himself to studying divinity with Reverend Mr. Mills in Ripton , preparing for the ministry. His spiritual journey during this period, from April to July 1742, was marked by intense self-reflection and profound f...

Deep Dive into Church Planting in Taiwan by Mark Kuo Mark Kuo, a missionary sent by the Presbyterian Church in America, shares profound insights from his church planting work in Yilan County, Taiwan. His core understanding of mission work is that it must center on the preaching and teaching of God's Word within the local church . This involves qualified, ordained ministers being sent out to pl...

Deep Dive into Christian Theology by Millard J. Erickson - The Central Theme of the Atonement Atonement is a fundamental Christian doctrine explaining how humanity's sin is reconciled with God through Jesus Christ's death. It centers on four core elements: sacrifice, propitiation, substitution, and reconciliation . The penal substitution theory provides the most comprehensive understanding...

Deep Dive into Why the Tried and True is Still Better, Even in Missions by Kevin DeYoung Kevin DeYoung argues that effective modern missions must adhere to "the tried and true" or "Old Paths," which are biblical principles exemplified by the Apostle Paul in Acts 14. This "apostolic model for missionary service" is a "three-legged stool" comprising: New Conve...

Deep Dive into God as El Elyon "El Elyon," meaning "God Most High," represents God's absolute transcendence, supreme elevation, and cosmic sovereignty. It is the granite foundation of Reformed theology and piety . From its initial appearance in Genesis 14, where Melchizedek blesses Abram, El Elyon is portrayed as the "Possessor of heaven and earth," demonstrating...

Deep Dive into Religious Affections by Jonathan Edwards - Gracious Affections Soften the Heart, and Are Attended and Followed with a Christian Tenderness of Spirit Gracious affections fundamentally soften the heart , progressively transforming it from stone to flesh and cultivating a profound spiritual tenderness . Conversely, false affections, despite any initial emotional intensity, ultimately h...

Deep Dive into Institutes of the Christian Religion by John Calvin - Bearing the Cross, a Part of Self-Denial For Christians, "bearing the cross" is a fundamental aspect of faith , signifying a hard, toilsome, and often difficult life filled with various evils. This is not an arbitrary suffering but a divinely ordained process intended to conform believers to Christ , who himself endured...