“Blessed are the poor in spirit, for theirs is the kingdom of heaven." Matthew 5:3
In Matthew 5:3, Jesus declares a profound truth that challenges conventional wisdom: “Blessed are the poor in spirit, for theirs is the kingdom of heaven." This verse addresses the spiritual poverty of humanity and our desperate need for God's grace.
by Dan Morse
While we’re in the thick of wintry days and this afternoon’s intermittent snowfall I’ve been looking back over this past year and thinking about warmer weather….
"...for it is God who works in you, both to will and to work for his good pleasure." Philippians 2:13
"For we are God’s handiwork, created in Christ Jesus to do good works, which God prepared in advance for us to do." Ephesians 2:10
"I chose you and appointed you that you should go and bear fruit and that your fruit should abide.: John 15:16
The existence of logic (such as the law of non-contradiction) is consistent with the Biblical worldview since it is based on the understanding that logic is universal, invariant, and immaterial. These characteristics of logic are difficult to account for within a materialist worldview, which is why the Biblical worldview provides the only coherent basis for the existence of logic.
"For when the conscience feels anxious as to how it may have the favor of God, as to the answer it could give, and the confidence it would feel, if brought to his judgment-seat, in such a case the requirements of the law are not to be brought forward, but Christ, who surpasses all the perfection of the law, is alone to be held forth for righteousness." - John Calvin
Many have sought to discern the center of biblical theology, exploring various themes such as God, Israel, Covenant, creation, kingdom, salvation, and new creation. However, none of these themes accurately capture the essence of the Bible. They are only meaningful in relation to Christ. Without Christ, the kingdom, salvation, and new creation lose their meaning. In fact, the entirety of the Bible points towards Christ, and it is unified in Him.
First of all, what is a syllogism? A syllogism is a logical formula consisting of two premises and a conclusion, which follows of necessity from them. It is a combination of two judgments that necessitate a third judgment infallibly. A simple example of a syllogism is: If all humans are sinners, and all Greeks are humans, then all Greeks are sinners.
The story of the rich young ruler is one that many people are familiar with. In this story, Jesus tells the man that if he obeys the commandments, he will have eternal life. However, this story was not intended to demonstrate the man's obedience. Instead, it was meant to expose his inability to obey perfectly. The rich young ruler mistakenly believed that he had kept the commandments since his youth. Jesus, knowing his heart and where he would stumble, instructed him to sell his possessions, give to the poor, and follow him.
"A good tree cannot produce bad fruit, nor can a bad tree produce good fruit." Matthew 7:18
“The good man brings good things out of the good stored up in his heart, and the evil man brings evil things out of the evil stored up in his heart. For out of the overflow of his heart his mouth speaks." Luke 6:45
The Arminian affirms total human moral inability and utter helplessness of the natural man in spiritual matters and the absolute necessity for supernatural prevenient grace. Furthermore, he posits that all individuals receive prevenient grace from God, which enables them to choose whether or not to believe in Christ. However, this notion implies that the person who chooses to believe is wiser, smarter, and more humble than the one who rejects Christ. This would mean it cannot be attributed solely to grace since both received grace.
