Latest from Keith Mathison
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The Institutes of the Christian Religion
from Keith Mathison Jun 30, 2010 Category: Articles
There are a very small number of books other than the Bible that have affected the course of history. One thinks immediately of books such as Nicholas Copernicus’ Revolutions of the Heavenly Bodies, Isaac Newton’s Principia Mathematica, Charles Darwin’s Origin of the Species, Immanuel Kant’s Critique of Pure Reason, Karl Marx’s Das Kapital, or Albert Einstein’s Relativity. There are also a small number of books that have profoundly influenced the history and thought of the church. One might think, for example, of Augustine’s City of God, Thomas Aquinas’ Summa Theologica, or Karl Barth’s Church Dogmatics. Among the few books that have shaped the course not only of church history but also of world history is John Calvin’s Institutes of the Christian Religion. Keep Reading -
The Ligonier Academy Doctor of Ministry Upcoming Classes
from Keith Mathison Jun 28, 2010 Category: Ligonier Academy
Ligonier Academy of Biblical and Theological Studies is accepting applications from qualified candidates for admission to the Doctor of Ministry degree program. Our inaugural courses were held in July 2009, and the response of our first students has been overwhelmingly positive. We are very pleased to announce the following upcoming classes. Keep Reading -
Get Real
from Keith Mathison Jun 25, 2010 Category: Tabletalk Magazine
I do not care for shopping malls. I have not reflected on the reasons for my dislike for any significant amount of time. It’s just a gut-level, visceral reaction I have when I enter one of these buildings. I like the main streets in small towns with local shops that have their own unique atmosphere. Malls seem to want to mimic small-town main streets in some ways, but with their cookiecutter franchises that are like the stores in every other mall in every other city, they are the exact opposite of small-town main streets. In fact, they have contributed to the gradual extinction of small-town main streets. Keep Reading -
In All Humility
from Keith Mathison Jun 15, 2010 Category: Articles
I face something of a dilemma here that I believe C. J. Mahaney might appreciate. He has written a wonderful book in which he seeks to share insight on the practice of true humility and the conquest of pride. However, as he and all authors know, a glowing book review is a great temptation to pride for any author. I've read and (hopefully) benefited from his book on humility, but I wonder how to write a positive review without encouraging pride in the book's author -- in case he reads the review. Therein lies the dilemma. In order to avoid this conundrum, and to encourage humility in the author, it may be best to begin by pointing out what I believe to be the major flaw in the book... Keep Reading -
The Seven Kings of Revelation 17
from Keith Mathison Jun 09, 2010 Category: Articles
The description of the woman and the beast upon which she sits in 17:7–14 is one of the most difficult passages in the book of Revelation. As John marvels at the vision, an angel says, “I will tell you the mystery of the woman, and of the beast with seven heads and ten horns that carries her” (v. 7). The angel tells John that the beast he saw “was, and is not, and is about to rise from the bottomless pit and go to destruction” (v. 8a). The angel then says to John, “This calls for a mind with wisdom: the seven heads are seven mountains on which the woman is seated; they are also seven kings, five of whom have fallen, one is, the other has not yet come, and when he does come he must remain only a little while. As for the beast that was and is not, it is an eighth but it belongs to the seven, and it goes to destruction” (vv. 9–11). Keep Reading -
Pierced for Our Transgressions
from Keith Mathison Jun 03, 2010 Category: Articles
It should come as little surprise to learn that the doctrine of the substitutionary atonement of Christ has come under renewed criticism in recent decades. The Reformers dealt with such criticisms and attacks from the Socinians. Our more recent forefathers in the faith dealt with such criticisms and attacks from rationalists and liberals. Today we hear such criticisms and attacks from a wide variety of sources. We are surrounded by so much anti-Christian rhetoric, however, that it is hardly a shock to hear the doctrine of substitutionary atonement referred to derisively as “cosmic child abuse” by a popular contemporary Christian author. Such comments reflect a widespread discontent with the traditional doctrine. If we are not troubled by such attacks, we should be, for the atonement is at the heart of Christ’s redemptive work and thus key to a proper understanding of the Gospel. 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 -
Whither Warfield?
from Keith Mathison Mar 24, 2010 Category: Tabletalk Magazine
While perusing the internet recently, I happened across a discussion among some Reformed Christians about the concept of geocentrism — the belief that the earth is stationary and at the center of the universe. Some of the participants in the discussion were arguing that the Bible teaches geocentrism. Others were arguing that science has definitively proven that the earth circles the sun, therefore the Bible must not be teaching geocentrism. As I read through the discussion, it became clear that several participants saw the entire debate as a conflict between Scripture and science. As they saw it, those who reject geocentrism are rejecting the Bible. In another similar online discussion, a Reformed participant confessed that if he were ever convinced that the universe was billions of years old, he would renounce Christianity because such a discovery would mean the Bible is untrue. Keep Reading -
Doctrine of the Person of Christ: Recommended Reading
from Keith Mathison Mar 15, 2010 Category: Articles
When Jesus brought the disciples to Caesarea Philippi, he asked them, "Who do people say that the Son of Man is?" This question was important, not only for the first disciples, but for all mankind. The early church sought to understand how those biblical texts that taught the Jesus is God were to be reconciled with those texts that taught that Jesus is fully human. Theologians have been wrestling with this and related issues for millennia. Keep Reading -
John Calvin and Peter Martyr’s Correspondence on Union with Christ
from Keith Mathison Mar 05, 2010 Category: Articles
Numerous scholarly works suggest that the correspondence between Peter Martyr and John Calvin in 1555 is crucial for understanding Calvin's doctrine of union with Christ. Peter Martyr's letter was written to Calvin on March 8, 1555, and in it he expresses his own view and requests that Calvin explain his. Calvin's response is dated August 8, 1555. Calvin's response read in light of Martyr's letter reveals his understanding of our threefold union with Christ. Calvin distinguishes between what could be termed incarnational union, mystical union, and spiritual union Keep Reading
