MATTHEW 6:28–34 But seek first His kingdom and His righteousness, and all these things will be given to you as well (Matthew 6:33). Ethics is the study of right and wrong. Not so long ago it was commonplace in Christian circles to teach Christian behavior, or ethics, in isolation. We were taught as children to … Continue reading “CHRISTIAN ETHICS”
CHRISTIAN ANTHROPOLOGY
PSALM 8 What is man that You are mindful of him, the son of man that You care for him? (Psalm 8:4). Anthropology is the study of man. Once God has been removed from the scene of thought, either by saying that God does not exist or by saying that we can know nothing about … Continue reading “CHRISTIAN ANTHROPOLOGY”
CHRISTIAN THEOLOGY
2 PETER 1:19–2:3 But there were also false prophets among the people, just as there will be false teachers among you. They will secretly introduce destructive heresies, even denying the sovereign Lord who bought them—bringing swift destruction on themselves (2 Peter 2:1). Theology is concerned with the study of God. Satan has always devoted a … Continue reading “CHRISTIAN THEOLOGY”
CHRISTIAN METAPHYSICS
GENESIS 1:1–5 In the beginning, God created the heavens and the earth (Genesis 1:1). Metaphysics is the study of that which lies above and beyond the scope of the physical and observable world. The Bible tells us that there are two such metaphysical realms. The first, of course, is God Himself. The second is heaven, … Continue reading “CHRISTIAN METAPHYSICS”
CHRISTIAN EPISTEMOLOGY
1 PETER 1:10–16 Therefore, prepare your minds for action; be self-controlled; set your hope fully on the grace to be given you when Jesus Christ is revealed (1 Peter 1:13). This week we will study five aspects of a Christian philosophy, based on Ligonier’s series A Blueprint for Thinking. These five areas, beginning with Christian … Continue reading “CHRISTIAN EPISTEMOLOGY”
THE DEATH OF GOD
PSALM 53 The fool says in his heart, “There is no God.” They are corrupt, and their ways are vile; there is no one who does good (Psalm 53:1). The deists had a nice, neat “God” who was no threat but who did guarantee an orderly, reasonable natural realm and thereby provided a standard of … Continue reading “THE DEATH OF GOD”
A CHRISTIAN PERSPECTIVE
COLOSSIANS 1:28–2:4 My purpose is that they may be encouraged in heart and united in love, so that they may have the full riches of complete understanding, in order that they may know the mystery of God, namely, Christ, in whom are hidden all the treasures of wisdom and knowledge (Colossians 2:2–3). When James writes … Continue reading “A CHRISTIAN PERSPECTIVE”
ACQUIRING WISDOM
JAMES 1:5–8 If any of you lacks wisdom, he should ask God, who gives generously to all without finding fault, and it will be given to him (James 1:5). James has just told us to rejoice when we fall into trials, realizing that tribulation develops perseverance, which in turn produces maturity. In what seems like … Continue reading “ACQUIRING WISDOM”
PEACE IN THIS LIFE
HEBREWS 13:17–25 May the God of peace, who through the blood of the eternal covenant brought back from the dead our Lord Jesus, that great Shepherd of the sheep, equip you with everything good for doing His will, and may He work in us what is pleasing to Him, through Jesus Christ, to whom be … Continue reading “PEACE IN THIS LIFE”
OUTSIDE THE GATE
HEBREWS 13:11–17 And so Jesus also suffered outside the city gate to make the people holy through His own blood (Hebrews 13:12). When Jesus suffered outside the gate, part of what that meant was that He had been rejected by the people. He had been cast out. Bearing our sins, He was driven out of … Continue reading “OUTSIDE THE GATE”