Melanchthon’s very heritage helps us better understand his political and ecclesiastical efforts to unite a divided church. He cherished the traditions of the church; while at the same time saw the corruption and abuses that had developed throughout the centuries within the church. He also was aware from a pragmatic perspective that the longevity of the Reformation depended in some measure upon both political coercion and cooperation of the highest of government officials.
Who Were the Huguenots?
As Calvin’s influence rose, Geneva became a safe haven for French Protestant refugees. Calvin successfully attracted the elite and Aristocratic factions of Catholic dominated France to seek schooling in Geneva due to its reputed academic quality. But the Geneva academy was no ivory tower theological school. The pastors and missionaries educated at the school knew they were going back to a battleground in their native France. France was solidly Roman Catholic and persecution was in full swing during the Counter Reformation.
A Third Race? (Part 2)
The spiritual DNA of those in the new covenant has been sent to God’s laboratory, and the results reveal that Abraham is the father of them all because Christ is their “blood brother”. The emphasis is not the differences of racial privilege or lack thereof. The emphasis is what they have in common now, which is Christ.
The Contributions of Ambrose of Milan
Ambrose was instrumental in Augustine’s conversion. R.C. Sproul has written, “We owe a great debt to Ambrose, who by discipling Augustine got the ball rolling for the Reformation, in a manner of speaking.” Augustine himself moved to Milan in 384 and went to hear Ambrose preach. Here are Augustine’s own words on the matter of his conversion: “Unknown to me, it was you, God, who led me to Ambrose so that I might be led to you by Ambrose.” Augustine was even baptized by Ambrose.
A Third Race?
Christians are like a different race of people. They are marked out by their love for one another. Their customs, ways, purposes, and passions are derived from their relationship with Christ, the God-Man. Because of His love for them, they are able to love one another regardless of their divergent backgrounds. They are joined to this Christ and therefore joined to one another. There is an unbreakable union that skin color doesn’t interfere with. We read nothing of the early church demanding racial reparations or justice regarding past sins or failures of the forefathers of other Christians. Victimology was hardly a term coined in the second century, nor even a concept understood or recognized.
A Scoring System for Your Sermons
How should we evaluate the effectiveness of our sermons? In one sense, God is the final Judge. Preachers ultimately preach to an audience of One, namely God. When it comes to preaching, it’s better to please God and displease others than to please others but displease God. One the other hand, it’s helpful and healthy to receive feedback from others concerning our preaching. Such feedback can profitably arise from a spouse, friends, fellow preachers, fellow elders or deacons, or someone in the pew. But there is also something to be said about a preacher evaluating his own sermons.
Catechism Devotional on the Ten Commandments
5 Ways to Become a Better Listener of Sermons
All worshippers should be penitent the closer they approach corporate worship in holy assembly. Unresolved relational tensions leads to a spiritual weariness, which will prevent efficient sermon intake. Jesus provides a general principle regarding preparation for corporate worship when He says, “leave your gift there before the altar and go. First be reconciled to your brother, and then come and offer your gift”.
The Best of Study Bibles III
A study Bible is a tool to keep one grounded within the rails of orthodoxy when it comes to interpretation. There is far too much lightweight and superficial teaching in the church today. It would be impossible to read every book and every study Bible. The market is too big. It would not only be expensive, but, in one sense, even dangerous. Not every publisher (even Christian) is soundly orthodox; not every author theologically equal. Not every study Bible is worth your money. Indeed, much of what passes as “Christian” in terms of literature is hardly biblical, and in some cases downright heretical.