Christology

Machen On The Deity Of Christ

by on February 28, 2017

The Christian meaning of the term “deity of Christ” is fairly clear. The Christian believes that there is a personal God, Creator and Ruler of the universe, the God who is infinite, eternal, and unchangeable. So when the Christian says that Jesus . . . Continue reading →

Office Hours: Who Is Jesus?

by on September 19, 2016
Office Hours Video

Until very recently most people probably had some idea who they thought Jesus is. The Jews regarded him as a traitorous blasphemer. Muslims regard him as a failed prophet (who did not die nor was raised) who was succeeded by Mohammad. Liberal . . . Continue reading →

Berkhof Contra Kenosis

by on August 9, 2016 | 3 Comments

The Kenotic Theories. A remarkable attempt was made in the so-called Kenosis doctrine to improve on the theological construction of the doctrine of the Person of Christ. The term Kenosis is derived from Philippians 2:7, which says that Christ “emptied Himself, taking . . . Continue reading →

Vos Contra Kenosis

by on August 6, 2016 | 7 Comments

b)…On the contrary, however, modern kenosis doctrine, itself pantheistic in origin, has explained the incarnation itself as a extinction or emptying of deity. —Geerhardus Vos, Reformed Dogmatics, ed. Richard B. Gaffin, trans. Annemie Godbehere et al., vol. 3 (Bellingham, WA: Lexham Press, . . . Continue reading →

Machen Contra Kenosis

by on August 5, 2016

Finally, there is no trace in Paul of any doctrine of “kenosis,” by which the higher nature of Christ might have been regarded as so relinquished while He was on earth that the words and deeds of the historic person would become . . . Continue reading →

Calvin On Acts 20:28

by on March 24, 2016 | 2 Comments

…to shepherd the church of God, which he purchased with his own blood. But because the speech which Paul uses seems to be somewhat hard, we must see in what sense he says that God purchased the Church with his blood. For . . . Continue reading →

The Reformed Churches: We Distinguish But Do Not Separate The Two Natures Of Christ

by on March 24, 2016 | 5 Comments

Question 17. Why must he in one person be also very God? That he might, by the power of his Godhead, sustain, in his human nature, the burden of God’s wrath; and might obtain for and restore to us, righteousness and life. . . . Continue reading →

Strangers And Aliens (12c): Servants Imitating The Suffering Savior (1 Peter 2:18–25)

by on December 24, 2015 | 1 Comment

18Servants, be subject to your masters with all respect, not only to the good and gentle but also to the unjust. 19For this is a gracious thing, when, mindful of God, one endures sorrows while suffering unjustly. 20For what credit is it . . . Continue reading →

Heidelberg 57: The Comfort Of Resurrection And Glorification

by on February 5, 2015

The European Enlightenment(s) posed as world-expanding, mind-expanding movements. They promised to free us from the shackles of a benighted, narrow view of the world. Ironically, however, the Enlightenments did just the opposite. Whether through rationalism (what the human intellect cannot comprehend cannot . . . Continue reading →

Heidelberg 51: The Glory Of A King Distant And Near

by on December 26, 2014 | 1 Comment

Difficult as it may be for those who live within “the Beltway” (as if there is only one city in the world with a beltway) to imagine, many Americans have never visited the American capitol. For many Americans the capitol is distant . . . Continue reading →

Heidelberg 50: Christ Reigns Now (2)

by on December 21, 2014

Last time we looked briefly at some of the reasons some evangelicals (Dispensationalists) have had difficulty with the biblical and historic Christian doctrine that Jesus is presently reigning over all things and particularly his church. That view is in contrast to the . . . Continue reading →

Heidelberg 50: Christ Reigns Now (1)

by on December 16, 2014 | 3 Comments

It is basic to historic Christian teaching and confession that Jesus is reigning and ruling now. In the sixth article of the Apostles’ Creed all Christians confess, “He ascended into heaven, and sits at the right hand of God the Father Almighty.” . . . Continue reading →

Glory Unveiled

by on December 16, 2014

XIX. The glory of his Person may be considered, partly in reference to the divine nature; partly, to the human. The former is nothing else than a most illustrious assertion, vindication, and display of the Divine majesty of Christ, reflected from the . . . Continue reading →