Latest in Tabletalk Magazine
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Preaching Grace
from Robert Norris May 26, 2010 Category: Tabletalk Magazine
Doctrine is the necessary basis for a sound spiritual life, and defective doctrine almost inevitably leads to a distorted spiritual life. Nowhere is this truth more evident than in understanding the relationship between the old covenant law and the gospel, which is a theological issue with enormous practical implications. Its importance was recognized by Martin Luther, who could write that “whoever knows well this art of distinguishing between Law and Gospel, him place at the head and call him a doctor of Holy Scripture.” The gospel always demonstrates that God’s perfect law and His love were fulfilled on the cross of Christ. To lose the balance will always lead to spiritual deformity because, if either “law” or “love” is absent from the life of God’s people, the gospel will fail to operate in its God-intended way. Keep Reading -
It Can’t Get No Worse?
from Keith Mathison May 24, 2010 Category: Tabletalk Magazine
In 1967, the Beatles released their album Sgt. Pepper’s Lonely Hearts Club Band. One of the classic songs on that album is titled “Getting Better.” Many people are familiar with the catchy, upbeat chorus: “I’ve got to admit it’s getting better, a little better all the time.” It’s been used many times in television and radio advertisements. Those who have listened to the entire song know that there are also some dark undertones in parts of the song. John Lennon added the verse: “I used to be cruel to my woman. I beat her and kept her apart from the things she loved. Man I was mean, but I’m changing my scene, and I’m doing the best that I can.” In addition to the explicit references to physical abuse, there is a more subtle (and humorous) juxtaposition of attitudes in the chorus itself. After Paul McCartney sings the optimistic line, “I’ve got to admit it’s getting better, a little better all the time,” Lennon can be heard in the background singing, “It can’t get no worse.” Keep Reading -
Tabletalk 2010: The Next Six Months
from Chris Donato May 20, 2010 Category: Tabletalk Magazine
As we approach summertime, our hope is that Tabletalk magazine has proved itself useful this year to the cause of Christ, namely, to magnify and reflect the glory of God. We’ve already tackled topics such as anxiety and the sovereignty of God (Jan.), arguments against the doctrine of justification by faith alone (Feb.), and the new Calvinist movement (June), to name a few. We trust these issues have been challenging and encouraging. Keep Reading -
A Literate Ministry
from T. David Gordon May 18, 2010 Category: Tabletalk Magazine
Consider, if you will, how difficult (and sometimes annoying) it is when you encounter computergenerated voice menus when you make telephone calls. The emphasis is almost always on the wrong syllable, the monotonic and a-rhythmic cadence is unnatural, and one would not care to listen to more than small amounts of it. If the present trends continue, all public speech may sound similar to this in the future. Keep Reading -
Christ & Sexual Sin
from John Freeman May 13, 2010 Category: Tabletalk Magazine
Homosexuality has embraced our culture and our culture has embraced homosexuality. It’s part of the fallen nature of things, and fallen man has always been an expert at creating ingenuous ways to celebrate his brokenness. Keep Reading -
The One-Two Punch
from R.C. Sproul Jr. May 10, 2010 Category: Tabletalk Magazine
The one thing I want you to be certain to do is finish reading this column and brush your teeth every evening. I trust at least two things strike you about this opening sentence. First, it’s a rather odd way to begin. Second, why would I tell you there is one thing I want you to be certain to do and then ask for two things? Truth be told, I am following in the footsteps of Jesus, hoping to better understand our calling to follow in His footsteps. He said, Seek first that which is first, not first and second, but first, the kingdom of God. That would have made perfect sense, had He stopped there. But He didn’t. He said seek first the kingdom of God and His righteousness. That’s two things, or is it? Keep Reading -
Making Molehills Out of Mountains
from R.C. Sproul May 05, 2010 Category: Tabletalk Magazine
The crisis regarding the doctrine of justification that provoked the Protestant Reformation in the sixteenth century has not yet been resolved. Thus, the Reformation is by no means over. The dispute over justification that split the church back then threatens to fracture contemporary, evangelical Christianity. At issue during the Reformation was the relationship of justification to sanctification. It was a question of the order of salvation. The difference is not a tempest in a teapot; it’s one by which salvation itself is defined. Keep Reading -
Set Apart to Live and Die
from Burk Parsons May 04, 2010 Category: Tabletalk Magazine
When Christ calls a man, He bids him come and die.” Dietrich Bonhoeffer was about thirty years old when he penned these words in his classic work The Cost of Discipleship. Eight years later he was executed for his crimes against the Third Reich. The prison doctor who witnessed Bonhoeffer’s execution wrote, “In the almost fifty years that I worked as a doctor, I have hardly ever seen a man die so entirely submissive to the will of God.” The doctor’s words could not have been more appropriate to describe not only the manner in which Bonhoeffer submitted himself to God in death but also the manner in which he submitted himself to God in life. In his life and at his death, Bonhoeffer grasped one crucial truth: To be set apart to God is to be set apart to die, to die to sin, to self, and to life itself — to take up our crosses daily and to live unto Christ and embrace the true freedom that only comes when Christ calls a man to die and live abundantly in Him. Keep Reading -
Columns from Tabletalk Magazine, May 2010
from Tim Challies May 03, 2010 Category: Tabletalk Magazine
The May edition of Tabletalk is out. This month's theme is "Sanctification: Being Conformed to the Image of Christ." The issue seeks to provide a clear articulation of the doctrine and practice of sanctification. Contributors include R.C. Sproul, Robert Norris, Kevin DeYoung, T. David Gordon, John Freeman, Ken Jones and Iain Campbell. Keep Reading -
Designed for Dignity
from Jerry Bridges Apr 30, 2010 Category: Tabletalk Magazine
Baked ham or turkey is a traditional favorite on the Thanksgiving and Christmas dinner tables of most American homes. And many of us enjoy an occasional steak or Sunday pot roast. For thousands of years, humanity as a whole has feasted on fish or fowl or various animals. Until the rise of the animal rights movement in recent years, no one has questioned the legitimacy of killing these creatures for food. Keep Reading
