Stairway to Heaven? A Fresh Look at the Tower of Babel Narrative
The Enjoyment of God as Man’s Chief End: God-Centered or Man-Centered?
A Mother’s Day Tonic
Toward a Catholic Christianity: More Practical Guidelines
Stairway to Heaven? A Fresh Look at the Tower of Babel Narrative
Pride is the root of human sin. It first sprouted in the Garden of Eden. From there its vines spread throughout the antediluvian world. Nor was it uprooted by a worldwide flood-judgment. It persisted in the line of Noah until it found monumental expression in the empire-building exploits on the plains of Shinar. The infamous “Tower of Babel” episode (Gen 11:1-9) provides a concise yet poignant display of human pride on a societal scale. As such it serves as a timeless reminder that mankind can never be “the measure of all things.” Only God can give meaning and restore access to heaven. Read more
The Enjoyment of God as Man’s Chief End: God-Centered or Man-Centered?
To suggest, as does the Shorter Catechism, that man’s chief end is “to enjoy God forever” is, in the minds of some, to promote a man-centered rather than a God-centered motivation for living. It seems to encourage Christians to serve God for what they can get from him rather than for what they can give to him. This has prompted some to interpret the Catechism’s formulation as follows: Glorifying God is man’s chief end or purpose for existence. Enjoying God is not in any sense coordinate with glorifying God but simply a by-product or consequence of glorifying God. Read more
A Mother’s Day Tonic
Meet Diana. By age 24, this slender, bright, and beautiful young woman was a newlywed with a BA in Speech Communication and a BS in Education. She loved her husband and the prospects of wifehood and motherhood. At the age of 25, Diana gave birth to a son. About two years later, she birthed a second son. At first the novelties of motherhood and homemaking were quite exhilarating. She felt blessed of the Lord to be living her fondest dreams. Read more
Toward a Catholic Christianity: More Practical Guidelines
In our previous post (Part 4) we looked at two guidelines that should facilitate to some degree the cultivation and realization of the visible Christian unity for which Christ prayed in John 17. In this final post, I’ll offer two more guidelines that should promote this goal in a way that does not compromise our commitment to the truth of God’s word. Read more
Toward a Catholic Christianity: Some Practical Guidelines
We should strive to walk on the same road with other Christians and churches as far as prudence and conscience will permit. We may not be able to travel far with some. I believe we can go quite a distance on the same road with others. I’d like to suggest four basic guidelines that should help us express a healthy and God-honoring biblical catholicity that will to some degree advance the realization of Christ’s high-priestly prayer (John 17). We’ll look at the first two below and the final two in the next post (Part 5). Read more 
Sample a Video Lecture from RBS’s Recent “Pastoral Theology” Module
Reformed Baptist Seminary recently offered a live module on the subject of “Pastoral Theology.” We invited four pastors to lecture on various topics related to pastoral ministry. We also asked Dr Mark Ward Jr, an editor for a Christian publisher, to give two lectures on technology and the pastoral ministry. Lord willing, we hope to have all the lectures edited, uploaded, and available to the public within the next few weeks. RBS wants to make the entire course accessible to churches for free as a gift and an expression of our appreciation for those who have prayed for and/or supported the seminary ministry financially. Below I’ve posted the first lecture by Pastor Bob Selph on the “pastoral office” for you to sample. Read more
Toward a Catholic Christianity: Various Views of Christ’s Prayer for Unity
In two previous posts, we noted an emphasis in Christ’s high-priestly prayer upon the theme of Christian unity (Part 1), as well as several factors that have prevented such unity from being fully realized (Part 2). Disagreements have led to divisions, which in turn have led to the formation of different denominations or sects. Not surprisingly, Christians have not agreed how to solve this dilemma. As a result, there have been different approaches to Jesus’ “unity prayer” in John 17. Read more
Toward a Catholic Christianity: Some Hindrances
In the previous post (Part 1), we noted an emphasis in Christ’s high-priestly prayer (John 17) on the theme of Christian unity. Jesus desired that his disciples be united in creed, united in cause, and united in charity towards one another. Such unity should be important to us, inasmuch as it adorns the gospel and fulfills our Savior’s prayer. But the unity for which Christ prayed has not yet been realized. What’s the problem? Read more
Toward a Catholic Christianity: Its Essence and Importance
When we hear the word, “catholic,” we usually think of the Roman Catholic Church. Because some of us believe the Church of Rome has terribly strayed from the gospel of Christ, we tend to view the term “catholic” in a negative light. In reality, though, the term “catholic” can be a good word. It simply means, “universal.” When it’s applied to the church, the term highlights the relationship that all true local churches bear to one another. Although the Bible distinguishes individual local churches, it also speaks of these churches collectively as “the church of Jesus Christ.” Read more
Impeccable or Peccable? Jesus Resisting Temptation as the Second Adam
The greatest battle ever waged on earth’s soil took place two thousand years ago in the desert of Palestine. There met the champions of evil and righteousness. Satan, the most intelligent and powerful creature ever made and who’d become the archenemy of God, stood toe-to-toe with the Promised Descendant of Eve, Jesus of Nazareth, the long-awaited Messiah and the Son of God. It was a conflict of cosmic proportions. And the final outcome of his battle determined the destiny of men. Read more
