Articles

Browse select Tabletalk articles and columns exploring themes and topics across a spectrum of relevant issues.

  • Grace and Law? by John Sartelle

    “You are severed from Christ, you who would be justified by the law; you have fallen away from grace” (Gal. 5:4). When one becomes a Christian there are certain changes that usually take place in his life. It was my …Read More

  • Sons, Not Slaves by Tom Ascol

    Have you ever stopped to consider that Christians who live after the coming of Christ are in a more privileged position than Jews who lived before the coming of Christ and even those believers who lived during His first advent? Jesus …Read More

  • The “New Perspective” on Paul and the Law by Ben Witherington

    There is something of a small war going on in Pauline circles on the issue of “the New Perspective on Paul” which actually also involves “the New Perspective on Early Judaism”. This sometimes heated debate was set in motion by …Read More

  • Christ in the Old Testament by Keith Mathison

      The relationship between the Mosaic covenant and the new covenant remains one of the most controversial and difficult topics in theology. As the notable American theologian Jonathan Edwards said, “There is perhaps no part of divinity attended with so …Read More

  • Our Liberating God by Burk Parsons

    Why would anyone love the law of God? Why would we love that which constantly tells us what miserable wretches we are, daily points out all our shortcomings, relentlessly reminds us of all our death-deserving sins, and keeps knocking us …Read More

  • The Goodness of the Law by R.C. Sproul

    “Oh how I love your law!” (Ps. 119:97). What a strange statement of affection. Why would anyone direct his love toward the law of God? The law limits our choices, restricts our freedom, torments our consciences, and pushes us down …Read More

  • Restraining Sin: The Civil Use of the Law by David VanDrunen

    Of the three uses of the law, the so-called “civil” use may strike us as the least interesting theologically. It involves no inward transformation of the heart or Spirit-wrought righteousness that is pleasing in God’s sight. By this use, the …Read More

  • Reflecting Sin: The Pedagogical Use of the Law by David Murray

    “Ouch!” That first look in the mirror every morning doesn’t get any easier, does it? In fact, I’d rather do without looking in mirrors at all. And I might get away with it — for a few days. Because, although …Read More

  • Lighting the Way: The Didactic Use of the Law by Robert Letham

    In Reformed theology, the law has been seen as the guide for believers in the conduct of their lives. John Calvin described this as its principal use. In this sense, we are talking about the Decalogue — the Ten Commandments …Read More

  • The Law of God in the Hearts of Men by Ken Jones

    Paul’s letter to the Ephesians is typical of his correspondence to other churches in that the first half of the letter is devoted to outlining the various doctrines that are constituent parts of the gospel message. Throughout his letters, the …Read More

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