Reformed Thinking

Deep Dive into The Moody Handbook of Theology, Revised and Expanded by Paul Enns - Introduction to Systematic Theology Systematic theology is defined as the organized discourse about God, derived from the Greek words for God, word, and organization. It involves collecting, scientifically arranging, comparing, and defending facts concerning God and His works from various sources. While definitions...

Deep Dive into The Treasury of David by Charles Spurgeon - Psalm 81 This excerpt from Charles Spurgeon’s The Treasury of David analyzes Psalm 81, describing it as a patriotic and admonitory hymn by Asaph that reviews Israel's history. The text begins by calling for loud, joyful music using timbrels, harps, and trumpets to celebrate God, the source of the nation's strength. It emphasizes th...

Deep Dive into The Double Watch: The Elder’s Stewardship of Life and Doctrine The provided texts explore the critical pastoral mandate found in 1 Timothy 4:16, where the Apostle Paul commands Timothy to keep a close watch on himself and his teaching. This concept, described as the "double watch," argues that the integrity of a church leader is inextricably bound to two distinct yet insep...

Deep Dive into Biblical Missions: Principles, Priorities, and Practices by Mark Tatlock and Christ Burnett - Holding the Rope: 3 John for Missions Donors Eric Weathers’ chapter draws upon the metaphor of "holding the rope," famously coined by William Carey, to describe the vital role of donors and supporters in global missions. The author posits that while God does not call everyone to p...

Deep Dive into Mere Christianity by C. S. Lewis - The Obstinate Toy Soldiers C.S. Lewis argues that the Son of God became a man for the specific purpose of enabling humans to become sons of God. He describes the current state of humanity as a conflict between our natural, self-centered life and the spiritual life. Our natural life resists this higher life because the transformation feels like a ki...

Deep Dive into תּוֹרָה The Hebrew noun tôrâ is derived from the root yrh , specifically the hiphil form meaning to instruct, teach, or point out a way. While some scholars have explored connections to the casting of lots or the Akkadian term têrtu , the primary etymological association remains with the physical gesture of stretching out a hand or finger to provide direction. The word covers a wide...

Deep Dive into Self-Confrontation: A Manual for In-Depth Biblical Discipleship by John C. Broger - Biblical Dynamics of Change Lesson 5 of the Self-Confrontation manual, titled Biblical Dynamics of Change, teaches that effectual change requires turning from personal inadequacy to God's power. Anchored in I Corinthians 10:13, the text explains that while temptation is common, God always provide...

Deep Dive into Hidden Yet Unstoppable: The Kingdom of Heaven as Leaven (Matthew 13:33) In Matthew 13:33, Jesus compares the kingdom of heaven to leaven hidden in three measures of flour until the whole is leavened. Both sources interpret this parable as a profound correction to human expectations regarding how God’s reign manifests in history. Rather than arriving with immediate political spectacl...

Deep Dive into The King’s Business Requires Kingly Haste (Genesis 24:28-41) Genesis 24:28–41 presents a profound study on divine providence and human responsibility. The narrative begins with Rebekah’s energetic return home and Laban’s eager welcome. However, the sources contrast Laban’s motivation, sparked by the sight of gold jewelry, with the servant’s singular focus on his covenant mission. Wh...

Deep Dive into The Spirit of Love the Opposite of An Angry or Wrathful Spirit (1 Corinthians 13:5) by Jonathan Edwards Based on Jonathan Edwards' discourse on 1 Corinthians 13:5, the central doctrine is that the spirit of Christian charity is the opposite of an angry or wrathful disposition. Edwards clarifies that while not all anger is sin, as there is a necessary opposition of spirit against...

Deep Dive into The Legacy of John Calvin: His Influence on the Modern World by David W. Hall - Ten Ways Modern Culture Is Different because of John Calvin David W. Hall argues that John Calvin was a transformative figure whose influence extends far beyond theology, fundamentally shaping modern Western culture in ten specific areas. Hall presents Calvin as a change agent who helped establish the fo...

Deep Dive into The Treasury of David by Charles Spurgeon - Psalm 80 Spurgeon's commentary on Psalm 80 presents a melancholic testimony of the church, symbolized as a "lily among thorns". The Psalm is structured around the refrain "Turn us again, O God," which Spurgeon interprets as a plea for the conversion of the people's character and the return of God's favor, ra...

Deep Dive into The Cruciform Shepherd: Authority, Agony, and the Crown of Glory The provided texts present a biblical vision of church leadership that stands in stark contrast to modern corporate or celebrity models. An elder is defined not as a religious CEO or charismatic performer, but as an under-shepherd serving the Chief Shepherd, Jesus Christ. The core identity of this office is protection...

Deep Dive into Biblical Missions: Principles, Priorities, and Practices by Mark Tatlock and Christ Burnett - It's More Than Money: How to Support Missionaries on the Field Rodney Andersen argues that fulfilling the Great Commission requires a robust partnership between missionaries and supporting churches, modeled after the relationship between the Apostle Paul and the Philippian believers. Wh...

Deep Dive into Christian Theology by Millard J. Erickson - The Possibility of Theology Millard J. Erickson explores the feasibility of doing theology by analyzing the shift from modernism to postmodernism. Modernism, which prevailed until the late twentieth century, emphasized human rationality, scientific certainty, and the existence of objective truth that corresponds to reality. Conversely, pos...

Deep Dive into Judging Aggression, Managing Expectations: What the Special Tribunal for Ukraine Can—and Can’t—Deliver The proposed Special Tribunal for the Crime of Aggression against Ukraine seeks to address a specific accountability gap by prosecuting the leadership crime of planning and initiating the war, distinct from the battlefield atrocities currently handled by the International Criminal...

Deep Dive into The Immutable "Yes": Christ as the Guarantor of Divine Veracity (2 Corinthians 1:19-20) In 2 Corinthians 1:19-20, the Apostle Paul defends his ministry against accusations of fickleness regarding a change in his travel itinerary,. Critics argued that his altered plans proved he was a man of "Yes and No," lacking integrity,. Paul refutes this by elevating the disc...

Deep Dive into The Mystery of the Kingdom: From Microscopic Seed to Monstrous Tree (Matthew 13:31–32) The provided texts present contrasting theological interpretations of the Parable of the Mustard Seed found in Matthew 13. Both sources agree that the parable explains the "mystery" of the Kingdom between Christ's advents, describing a reality that begins with microscopic insignifica...

Deep Dive into Providence and Praise: The Sweet Confluence of Duty and Decree in the Betrothal of Isaac (Genesis 24:22-27) The narrative of Genesis 24:22–27 chronicles the convergence of human agency and divine sovereignty in the betrothal of Isaac. Having prayed for a sign, Abraham’s servant patiently watches Rebekah complete the arduous task of watering his camels, a moment that transitions the...

Deep Dive into The Spirit of Love the Opposite of a Selfish Spirit (1 Corinthians 13:5) by Jonathan Edwards Jonathan Edwards’ discourse on 1 Corinthians 13:5 asserts that the spirit of Christian charity is the direct opposite of a selfish spirit. Edwards argues that while humanity was originally created with a noble, expansive love for God and creation, the Fall contracted the human soul into a na...

Deep Dive into The Old Paths and the New Error: Why the New Perspective on Paul Undermines the Gospel of Grace The provided sources evaluate the New Perspective on Paul (NPP) from a Reformed theological standpoint, acknowledging its historical insights while rigorously rejecting its doctrinal reformulation of justification. NPP proponents like Sanders, Dunn, and Wright argue that Paul’s critique o...

Deep Dive into The Treasury of David by Charles Spurgeon - Psalm 79 Charles Spurgeon presents Psalm 79 as a patriotic plaint by Asaph, written amid the ruins of Jerusalem to mourn a national overthrow and religious oppression. The Psalm is divided into three sections: a complaint regarding the invasion, a prayer for deliverance and vengeance, and a concluding promise of praise. The complaint opens...

Deep Dive into Roots Before Fruit: The Danger of the Novice Elder The provided texts argue that the biblical prohibition against ordaining a "novice" (1 Timothy 3:6) is a vital theological safeguard designed to protect both the individual leader and the church. The Greek term used, neophytos, literally means "newly planted," employing an agricultural metaphor to describe a beli...

Deep Dive into Biblical Missions: Principles, Priorities, and Practices by Mark Tatlock and Christ Burnett - Shrewdly Investing in the Great Commission: The Parable in Luke 16:1-13 The provided texts explore biblical principles and practical applications regarding missions funding and communication. Eric Weathers analyzes the parable of the shrewd manager in Luke 16:1–13 to derive principles for i...

Deep Dive into Mere Christianity by C. S. Lewis - Good Infection In this selection, C.S. Lewis explains the theology of the Trinity and how it relates to human salvation. He begins by addressing the difficulty of understanding how God the Father can "beget" the Son without existing before Him. Lewis uses the illustration of two books, where one has eternally supported the other, to show...