The Theology of Calvin . . . and Hobbes! (Certainties)

There are indeed certainties in life. And knowing God through the Lord Jesus is the primary one! We can know that we have eternal life, that our sins have been forgiven, that we are headed to heaven, that our lives matter and can be used by Him, etc.! Thank God today if you are saved — and ask Him to use you to share the certainties of His Word!

 

Certainties in Life (Time for a great cartoon)

 

Preparing for the “Iron Sharpens Iron” Conference (Emmaus May 25-28) Workshop #1 (con’t)

I have two workshops to prepare for the “Iron Sharpens Iron” conference at Emmaus Bible College.  This year’s theme is ‘Training for Godliness” and I will be presenting two workshops:  “Guarding and Discarding: The Keys to Sound Theology (1 Timothy 6:20-21)” and “Sanctified Hedonism: The Case for “Worldly Saints” (1 Timothy 4:1-5).”

Let’s conclude our focus on the first one this morning: “Guarding and Discarding: The Keys to Sound Theology (1 Timothy 6:20-21)”

We are to guard the gospel, the truth of God.  But we are to also turn away from certain things.  Good theology involves not just guarding but also DISCARDING.  We are to “turn away from” two categories of error: (1) “godless chatter” and (2) “the opposing ideas of what is falsely called knowledge.”

Let’s talk about “the opposing ideas of what is falsely called knowledge.”  There is a confidence in our anti-God culture that claims certainty on issues about which the Bible speaks, but wants no part of God or the Bible!  It refuses to acknowledge the logic of an infinite/personal God wanting to communicate His truth to us.  And that is sad.

And unwarranted.  As Francis Schaeffer put it in his book, He Is There and He Is Not Silent.  The certainties of our society which ignore or attempt to refute the special revelation of the Bible oppose its Author and bring spiritual shipwreck upon themselves. (to be continued)

 

 

Time for a Great Cartoon: Certainties in Life!

What are the certainties in your life?  Not just things you don’t care for, but things/people/truths that you count on?  Please enter your certainty here as a comment!  Thanks.

 

Time for a Great Cartoon (certainties)

What are the CERTAINTIES in your life? Our tastes change over time, don’t they? I grew up as a picky eater — until I met my wife-to-be. Then I learned the discipline of a “no-thank-you helping.”

If you made a list, like Calvin, of the matters about which you are absolutely certain, what would be on that list?  Hopefully, truths about the Lord and His character would top your list.  What am I certain about Him?

1.  He is the unchanging, perfect, merciful, holy God of the universe.  Any theology that compromises one of His attributes is out of court from the start.

2.  Man (you and I) is totally depraved.  By “total depravity” Christians don’t mean utter depravity.  We are not suggesting that man is as evil as he can possibly be, but that every aspect of man’s make-up (intellect, emotions, will, personality, priorities, body, etc.) has been tainted by sin.

3.  Life can be meaningful when you and I are in a proper relationship with Him through Jesus Christ.

4.  The Bible indeed is God’s Word — and can be trusted, engaged with, and applied to every issue in life.

What are some of YOUR certainties?