Book Review: Even Better than Eden by Nancy Guthrie

There are certain books that take the truths you already know and arrange them so beautifully, so coherently, and so redemptively that it feels like hearing the gospel again for the first time. Nancy Guthrie’s Even Better than Eden is one of those books. This is not a book about you—but it will profoundly affect…

Book Review: Christianity and Liberalism by J. Gresham Machen

J. Gresham Machen (1881–1937) was a towering figure in early 20th-century American Christianity, particularly within the Reformed tradition. A brilliant scholar and principled defender of orthodoxy, Machen was born in Baltimore, Maryland, into a devout Presbyterian family. He studied at Johns Hopkins University and then at Princeton Theological Seminary, where he would later teach New…

Book Review: The Christian View of Man by J. Gresham Machen

J. Gresham Machen (1881–1937) stands as one of the most courageous and intellectually formidable defenders of orthodox Christianity in the modern era. A New Testament scholar, Presbyterian theologian, and cultural apologist, Machen’s impact stretched far beyond the ivory towers of academia. His career was marked by a deep commitment to truth, clarity in public witness,…

Book Review: Christian Manifesto by Francis Schaeffer

Introduction and Authorial Context The year was 1981. Ronald Reagan had just taken office. Roe v. Wade had been law for less than a decade. The Moral Majority had captured the imagination of a growing number of evangelical voters. But in the midst of this awakening, Francis Schaeffer didn’t issue a pep rally speech. He…

Book Review: The Great Evangelical Disaster by Francis Schaeffer

There are books that comment on the culture. Others speak to the Church. But once in a while, a book cuts through both the secular fog and the ecclesiastical confusion with surgical clarity. Francis Schaeffer’s The Great Evangelical Disaster is one of those rare works. First published in 1984, the book served as a trumpet…

Book Review: Created in God’s Image by Anthony A. Hoekema

Created in God’s Image by Anthony A. Hoekema is more than a theological treatise on biblical anthropology—it is a robust defense of the dignity, nature, and divine purpose of human beings made in the image of God. This book is a thoughtful and reverent exploration of who man is, why man matters, and how man…

Book Review: The Toxic War on Masculinity by Nancy Pearcey

What does it mean to be a man? This is no longer a question confined to self-help books or locker room discussions—it is one of the most hotly contested cultural battlegrounds in Western society. Are men naturally aggressive and domineering, or sacrificial and servant-hearted? Is masculinity inherently toxic, or is there a deeper design behind…

The Guadalupe River Disaster and the Biblical Imagery of Floods

We begin with a solemn heart. The flash flood along Texas’ Guadalupe River—most severely near Camp Mystic—surged over 26 feet in just 45 minutes, tragically claiming more than 100 lives. Among the victims were many Christian girls from Camp Mystic and the camp director, Dick Eastland, who died heroically trying to rescue others. Counselors like…

Should Christians Vote? A Biblical and Theological Exploration of Civic Duty

In every election cycle, Christians across the spectrum wrestle with an enduring and deeply moral question: Should followers of Jesus Christ participate in political elections by voting? This inquiry involves conscience, Scripture, theology, and practical wisdom. The Christian life is one of dual citizenship—belonging both to the kingdom of heaven (Philippians 3:20) and, for now,…

Perspectives on Eschatology: Historic Premillennialism

Historic premillennialism is a Protestant Christian view of eschatology—the doctrine of last things—that anticipates the physical return of Jesus Christ to earth before (pre-) a literal millennium, a thousand-year reign of peace and righteousness. This perspective was widespread in the early Church. It does not rely on the distinctive features of dispensationalism, such as a…

Perspectives on Eschatology: Postmillennialism

What do we believe about the future? For Christians, this isn’t just a matter of speculation or curiosity—it’s a matter of confidence in the promises of God. Eschatology—the doctrine of the “last things”—deals with the culmination of God’s redemptive work. It shapes how we understand history, how we interpret Scripture, how we respond to suffering,…

Perspectives on Eschatology: Amillennialism

Christianity’s “good news” rises or falls on events already accomplished—Christ’s incarnation, atoning death, triumphant resurrection, and ascension. Nevertheless, every believer also looks forward: How will the ascended King bring history to its consummation? Four main answers have matured over the last two millennia, and all four live comfortably inside the boundaries of orthodox, Bible-affirming faith.…

Trump Derangement Syndrome and Calvinist Derangement Syndrome: A Fair Comparison?

In recent years, commentators across political and theological lines have noted curious parallels between two seemingly unrelated phenomena: Trump Derangement Syndrome (TDS) and what some have dubbed Calvinist Derangement Syndrome (CDS). While one is rooted in the realm of American politics and the other in Christian theology, both involve strikingly similar patterns of behavior among…

What is Toxic Empathy, and How Does it Relate to Wokeness and Gender Ideology?

In an age where feelings are often elevated above facts, and emotional affirmation is considered a moral imperative, the concept of toxic empathy offers a necessary warning. Coined and explored by Christian thinkers like Joe Rigney, toxic empathy describes a form of emotional identification that loses its moral bearings. It is not empathy itself that…

Toxic Empathy vs. Biblical Compassion – The Emotional Tyranny of the Woke Revolution

In our age of expressive individualism and cultural decline, one counterfeit virtue is being weaponized to dismantle the remaining moral framework of the West—toxic empathy. Promoted by the Neo-Marxist progressive left and increasingly adopted within misguided corners of the Christian Church, toxic empathy demands not that we help others, but that we surrender to their…

The Big Picture – the Biblical (Christian) Worldview

What Is the Christian (Biblical) Worldview? In a world filled with competing worldviews—each offering its own explanation for existence, morality, and purpose—the Christian worldview stands alone in its beauty, coherence, and truth. The Bible doesn’t merely offer bits of moral wisdom or spiritual comfort. It presents a comprehensive and divinely revealed framework for understanding all…

Can a Biblically Faithful Christian Vote for the Democrat Party?

In an age where political choices increasingly reflect moral convictions, Christians face a vital question: Can a biblically faithful follower of Christ in good conscience vote for the Democrat Party? The answer, grounded in Scripture, moral clarity, and the sanctity of human life, is no. This is not a matter of partisan loyalty, but of…

Long March Through The Institutions – Infiltration of the Church and Religion

The infiltration of Neo-Marxism into the sphere of religion has been one of the most devastating and underappreciated subversions of the 20th and 21st centuries. What began as a deliberate attempt by Marxists to deconstruct and replace religious authority has now culminated in the wholesale transformation of churches, synagogues, mosques, and other religious institutions into…

Doctrines of Grace – Perseverance of the Saints (Preservation of the Holy Spirit)

The doctrines of grace, often remembered by the acronym TULIP, outline the central Calvinist convictions about salvation and the absolute sovereignty of God. These five points—total depravity, unconditional election, limited atonement, irresistible grace, and perseverance of the saints—are not isolated petals of theological abstraction but interconnected truths that express the unshakable reality of God’s saving…

Doctrines of Grace – Irresistible Grace (Effectual Calling)

At the heart of Calvinism lies a passion for the glory and sovereignty of God in all things, especially in salvation. The doctrines of grace—commonly summarized by the acronym TULIP—are not merely theological abstractions but a robust system of truth rooted in Scripture and aimed at exalting God’s work in redeeming sinners. These doctrines proclaim…

Doctrines of Grace – Limited Atonement (Particular Redemption)

The doctrine of limited atonement is one of the most precious truths in the Reformed understanding of salvation, yet it is also one of the most widely misunderstood and frequently contested. Properly taught and biblically grounded, it brings into sharp relief the glory of Christ’s cross—not as a mere opportunity for redemption, but as the…

Doctrines of Grace – Unconditional Election (Sovereign Grace)

The doctrine of Unconditional Election stands as one of the most humbling, controversial, and beautiful truths of the Christian faith. It is one of the central components of the Five Points of Calvinism—commonly remembered by the acronym TULIP—which together are referred to as the Doctrines of Grace. These doctrines emphasize the utter sovereignty of God…

Doctrines of Grace – Total Depravity (Radical Corruption)

Calvinists affirm above all the absolute sovereignty of God—in creation, in providence, and most pivotally, in the salvation of sinners. This foundational truth sets the trajectory for what are known as the Five Points of Calvinism, or more properly, the Doctrines of Grace. These five theological anchors—Total Depravity, Unconditional Election, Limited Atonement, Irresistible Grace, and…

Doctrines of Grace – An Overview of Calvinism

The Doctrines of Grace, aka the Five Points of Calvinism, are a concise summary of Reformed soteriology. These doctrines address how God saves sinners, highlighting divine sovereignty, human inability, and the effectiveness of Christ’s atonement. They are represented by the acronym TULIP: Historical Development Prior to the Reformation Though fully articulated during the Reformation and…

Sola Fide – Justification by Faith Alone

The greatest question a human soul can ask is not how to find success, live longer, or even be happy—it is this: How can a sinner be made right with God? The doctrine of justification by faith alone provides the answer. It lies at the heart of the Christian gospel, distinguishing biblical Christianity from every…

Sola Gratia – Salvation by Grace Alone

Sola Gratia is a Latin term meaning “grace alone.” It declares that salvation is a gift from God—unearned, unmerited, and undeserved. The doctrine affirms that sinners are saved solely by the sovereign grace of God and not by any human effort, merit, or cooperation with divine assistance. In English, it is often rendered “by grace…

Soli Deo Gloria – To God Alone Be the Glory

“Soli Deo Gloria” is a Latin phrase meaning “To God Alone Be the Glory.” It expresses the conviction that all glory, honor, and praise belong to God alone, in every sphere of life and salvation. This principle was a pillar of the Protestant Reformation and served as both a doctrinal truth and a rallying cry…

Solus Christus – Christ Alone

The Protestant Reformation of the 16th century was not merely a political or ecclesiastical revolution; it was a rediscovery of the Gospel. Central to that rediscovery was the affirmation of five foundational truths—Sola Scriptura, Sola Fide, Sola Gratia, Solus Christus, and Soli Deo Gloria. Each of these solas addressed a specific error or corruption within…

Sola Scriptura – Scripture Alone

The Protestant Reformation was more than a religious revolt—it was a return to foundational truths that had been buried under centuries of human tradition and ecclesiastical corruption. Among the central convictions of the Reformers was the doctrine of Sola Scriptura, Latin for “Scripture alone.” This doctrine was the formal cause of the Reformation, the very…

Five Solas Overview – A Return to Biblical Christianity

The Protestant Reformation was not simply a protest—it was a return. The Five Solas are the backbone of that return, standing as a theological and spiritual revolt against centuries of accumulated human tradition. To understand their meaning and enduring importance, one must first examine what they opposed. The story begins in the heart of medieval…

Essential Christianity – In Adam or In Christ – Two Humanities, Two Destinies

From Genesis to Revelation, Scripture presents a cosmic contrast: the fallen race in Adam and the redeemed race in Christ. These are not just categories of behavior but categories of being—two humanities, two representatives, two covenants, two destinies. Every human being is either in Adam by physical birth or in Christ by spiritual birth. There…

Essential Christianity – Original Sin

Original sin refers to the inherited sin nature and guilt that all human beings possess as a result of Adam’s first act of disobedience in the Garden of Eden. It is not merely Adam’s sin, but a condition and legal standing passed down to all his descendants. This doctrine teaches that humanity is not born…

Essential Christianity – Salvation by Grace through Faith in Jesus Christ Alone

Salvation by grace through faith alone is the cornerstone of Biblical Christianity. It declares that fallen humanity is reconciled to God not by moral effort, religious ritual, or human merit, but solely by God’s unearned favor (grace), received through personal trust (faith) in the life, death, and resurrection of Jesus Christ. Ephesians 2:8–9 states: “For…

Essential Christianity – The Doctrine of the Second Coming of Jesus Christ

The Second Coming of Jesus Christ is not a peripheral teaching but a central, non-negotiable doctrine of the Christian faith. From the earliest creeds of the church to the eschatological hope of believers today, the return of Christ stands as a cornerstone of Christian hope, judgment, and consummation. In an age of scoffers and skeptics…

Essential Christianity – The Work of the Holy Spirit

The work of the Holy Spirit refers to the personal and divine activity of the third Person of the Trinity in the world and particularly in the life of believers. The Holy Spirit is not merely a force or an influence, but God Himself, eternally coequal with the Father and the Son. His ministry includes…

Essential Christianity – Union with Christ

Union with Christ is one of the richest and most comprehensive doctrines in the Bible, encompassing the entire scope of redemptive history and every stage of the believer’s salvation. To be “in Christ” is not a metaphor or merely a legal status—it is a spiritual, covenantal reality that defines the believer’s entire identity and destiny.…

Essential Christianity – the Bodily Resurrection of Christ and the Believer

The bodily resurrection refers to the literal, physical rising of a person from the dead to a glorified, imperishable life. Central to Christian doctrine is the bodily resurrection of Jesus Christ three days after His crucifixion, which serves as the firstfruits and guarantee of the future resurrection of all who are united to Him by…

Essential Christianity – the Atonement of Christ

The atonement of Christ is the central doctrine that explains how sinners are reconciled to God through the substitutionary death of Jesus Christ. According to Scripture, Jesus bore the punishment due to sinners, fully satisfying divine justice and making peace between God and man. Key theological terms include: The 1689 London Baptist Confession, Chapter 8,…

Essential Christianity – The Virgin Birth

The doctrine of the virgin birth teaches that Jesus Christ was conceived by the Holy Spirit in the womb of the Virgin Mary without a human father. This was a supernatural act of God that ensured Jesus would be fully God and fully man, sinless and qualified to be the Redeemer of humanity. This doctrine…

Essential Christianity – the Humanity of Christ

The humanity of Christ affirms that Jesus of Nazareth, the eternal Son of God, became truly and fully human. Without ceasing to be God, He took on a real human nature—body, mind, emotions, and will. This doctrine teaches that Jesus was like us in every respect, yet without sin (Hebrews 4:15). His humanity is not…

Essential Christianity – The Deity of Christ

The doctrine of the Deity of Christ affirms that Jesus Christ is truly and fully God, co-equal and co-eternal with God the Father and God the Holy Spirit. This means Jesus possesses the fullness of the divine nature (homoousios—of the same substance as the Father), has always existed as God, and is to be worshiped,…

Essential Christianity – The Trinity: One God in Three Persons

The doctrine of the Trinity stands at the heart of historic Christianity. It is not a speculative theological construct, but a vital, worship-shaping, gospel-defining truth revealed progressively and clearly throughout Scripture. Though the word “Trinity” does not appear in the Bible, the reality it describes permeates the pages of both Old and New Testaments. In…

Essential Christianity – an Overview

Throughout church history, believers have faced countless challenges to their faith—from heresies in the early church to modern assaults on biblical truth. Yet across the centuries and denominations, certain truths have always defined the boundaries of true, biblical Christianity. These are not peripheral preferences or denominational distinctives, but the essential doctrines—the non-negotiable foundations that all…

Provisionism vs. Reformed Baptist Theology – A Comparison of Two Views on Salvation

In American evangelicalism today, there is a heated discussion over how salvation actually works. One group, often referred to as Provisionists, emphasizes God’s love for all people and each person’s ability to respond freely to the Gospel. The other group, Calvinists, highlights God’s sovereignty in salvation, His eternal election, and the human inability to choose…

Israel – the Land and the People

The land of Israel is arguably the most contested strip of earth in human history. From the days of Abraham to the modern era, this narrow land bridge between continents has been at the center of divine promises, prophetic fulfillments, and fierce geopolitical disputes. Yet beneath the political and military turmoil lies a theological reality…