This doctrine is of great use. First, we learn hence that a man is justified by the mere mercy of God, and that there is excluded from justification all merit of congruity,* all meritorious works of preparation wrought by us, all cooperation . . . Continue reading →
Author: Tony Phelps
Tony grew up in Rhode Island. He was educated at University of Rhode Island (BA) and Gordon-Conwell Theological Seminary. He worked in the insurance industry for ten years. He planted a PCA church in Wakefield, RI where he served for eleven years. He has pastored Covenant Reformed Church (URCNA) in Colorado Springs (2015–18), and Living Hope Presbyterian Church (OPC) in Allentown PA (2019–25). He is currently pastor of Christ Our Hope Presbyterian Church (PCA) in Charlestown, RI. Tony is married to Donna and together they have three children.
The Antidote to Biblicism
The error of biblicism is expressed by those who say, “Well, you have your verses and I have mine!” – as if all verses carry equal weight.
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Perkins: Christ Is Given To Us In Word And Sacrament
The third question is, how the obedience of Christ should be made ours? Answer. By the free donation of God. For Christ is really given unto us in the word and sacraments; and consequently the obedience of Christ is made ours, even . . . Continue reading →
Luther: The First Commandment Requires Perfect Obedience
The first commandment teaches us that God wants us to sincerely trust Him. Yet we must fear Him about everything else. … So the good works required by the first commandment are holy and must be obeyed. But who can live up . . . Continue reading →
Luther: The Law—Do It All!
Therefore this is an important and powerful argument that Paul is presenting here against the righteousness of works: “Neither the Law nor works redeem from the curse, but only Christ.” Therefore I implore you for God’s sake to distinguish Christ from the . . . Continue reading →
Johnson: The Act Of Eating Was A Spiritual Decision
As far back as the Garden of Eden, the Tree of Knowledge of Good and Evil symbolized a spiritual issue. Eating from it would bring death but not because the fruit was physically poisonous. Indeed, its fruit was “good for food” (Gen. . . . Continue reading →
Perkins: Two Natures, One Christ
The second question is, how Christ could obey, being God, and satisfy for us, being man? Answer. Christ must be considered, not merely as God, or as man, but as God-man or man-God. For the Godhead does not redeem us without the . . . Continue reading →
Luther: The Divine Curse Requires Divine Righteousness
Thus the curse, which is divine wrath against the whole world, has the same conflict with the blessing, that is, with the eternal grace and mercy of God in Christ. Therefore the curse clashes with the blessing and wants to damn it . . . Continue reading →
Perkins On Self Love
Men’s hearts are so possessed with self-love, and they are so addicted to their own praise, that it is grief to them to hear any praised beside themselves; whereas love binds us as well to take care for the good name of . . . Continue reading →
Johnson: The Relation Between Types & Fulfillment Is Real
To be responsible to the Bible’s divine Author and credible to our hearers, our identification of typological similarities (as well as contrasts between type and antitype) must be warranted by evidence in the text of Scripture, not merely the product of our . . . Continue reading →
What Luther Actually Said About The Moral Law
Don’t make the mistake of thinking that Christians are people who never sin or feel sinful. Rather, because of their faith in Christ, God simply doesn’t attribute their sin to them. This teaching is comforting to those who have terrified consciences. For . . . Continue reading →
Johnson: Were The Apostles Irresponsible Interpreters Of Scripture?
Old Testament texts may both refer (even retrospectively) to an Old Testament event (type) and find fulfillment (prospectively) in a New Testament event (antitype). Matthew’s application of Hosea 11:1, “Out of Egypt I called my son,” to the sojourn of Joseph and . . . Continue reading →
Luther On The First Commandment
You shall have no other gods. 1 What this means: You shall have Me alone as your God. What is the meaning of this, and how is it to be understood? What does it mean to have a god? Or, what is . . . Continue reading →
Johnson: That Adam Was A Type of Christ Implies Federal Theology
Adam was a typos of the Coming One. This first example vividly illustrates the similarity and dissimilarity between type and fulfillment that characterizes biblical typology. The similarity between Adam and Christ is that each acts as a covenantal representative whose response to . . . Continue reading →
Perkins: To Follow Paul We Must Preach Christ
The third point is the end of Paul’s conversion, in these words: “that he might preach him among the Gentiles.” [Gal. 1:16] Here I consider what he must preach, namely the Son, Christ. And to whom? Namely, among the nations. Again of . . . Continue reading →
Luther: “Do This And Live” Is Ironic
For he who does them shall live by them . . . I take this passage as a general statement, like that saying of Christ (Luke 10:28): “Do this, and you will live,” so that it is a kind of irony or . . . Continue reading →
Bavinck Taught The Reformed Order Of Salvation
All the rich benefits which Christ gives to His believers on earth receive their fulfillment and their crown in the glorification which accrues to them in part upon death but only in its fulness after the day of judgment. But this benefit . . . Continue reading →
The Reformed Agree With Luther
As I have said, therefore, the statement of Moses, “Cursed be everyone who does not abide by all things, etc.,” is not contrary to Paul’s declaration that all who rely on works of the Law are under a curse. For Moses demands . . . Continue reading →
Johnson: We Need A Stance More Than A Method
In order to read and preach the Bible as Peter and Paul and the preacher to the Hebrews did, what we need is not a foolproof step-by-step procedure to follow; rather, it is a way of viewing the Scripture and its witness . . . Continue reading →
Luther: Only Christ Is The Savior
Therefore all hypocrites and idolaters try to do the works that properly pertain to the Deity and belong completely and solely to Christ. They do not actually say with their mouths: “I am God; I am Christ.” Yet in fact they arrogate . . . Continue reading →