Theology / Sacraments

  • God-Centered Sacraments by Robert Letham

    FROM TABLETALK | April 2012

    In considering the ways in which the persons of the Trinity operate in the sacraments, we need to be clear on how the doctrine of the Trinity has led the church to understand the works of our three-personed God. We …Read More

  • The Marks of the Church by Mark Dever

    FROM TABLETALK | March 2008

    Is a small group Bible study a church? Is the Roman Catholic Church a church? Many people are confused today about what a church is. How do you know if what calls itself a church is indeed a church? Christians …Read More

  • A Visible Word by Keith Mathison

    FROM TABLETALK | November 2008

    Robert Bruce (1551–1631) is not a household name, even among knowledgeable Reformed Christians. He was at one time, however, one of the most important leaders in the Church of Scotland. He was the successor of John Knox and James …Read More

  • The Meal That Divides by Keith Mathison

    FROM TABLETALK | April 2009

    On the night of the institution of the Lord’s Supper, Jesus prayed for His disciples and for those who would become His disciples, “that they may all be one” (John 17:21). This was a profound prayer for unity …Read More

  • This Is My Body by Gene Edward Veith

    FROM TABLETALK | November 2006

    As far as I know, I am the only Lutheran who writes regularly for Tabletalk, so please bear with me. Inviting a Lutheran to write about the Lord’s Supper is like asking a grandmother if she has any pictures …Read More

  • Discerning the Body by R.C. Sproul Jr.

    FROM TABLETALK | November 2006

    The hard driving forces of individualism do not yet stand astride the culture like a colossus. We have divided our homes into mini-apartment complexes and our churches into age and gender- segregated shopping malls. We break the ties that bind …Read More

  • The New Covenant Meal by Terry Johnson

    FROM TABLETALK | November 2006

    One of the great insights of the Reformation was the recovery of the biblical concept of “covenant.” This recovery was fueled by the “new learning” of the Renaissance humanism, the return ad fontes, “to the sources,” of theology in the …Read More

  • Worthy Partaking: Examining the Heart by Tom Ascol

    FROM TABLETALK | November 2006

    Participation in the Lord’s Supper is serious business. At least it is to God. That is not, however, the impression that is given by the way many churches approach this sacrament today. Too often the observance of the Lord …Read More

  • Given For You by Robert Letham

    FROM TABLETALK | November 2006

    The Last Supper is often thought to be the Passover meal, with a direct connection following between the Passover and the Lord’s Supper. However, this is not entirely clear. According to John, the Last Supper was on the night …Read More

  • A Visible Proclamation by Burk Parsons

    FROM TABLETALK | November 2006

    Just over a year ago I had the opportunity to travel to Yerevan, Armenia, to minister among Iranian Christians who had traveled from Iran for a conference that was held on discipleship and Christian education. Without a doubt, I learned …Read More

  • The Bond of Love by Keith Mathison

    FROM TABLETALK | July 2009

    We shall benefit very much from the Sacrament if this thought is impressed and engraved upon our minds: that none of the brethren can be injured, despised, rejected, abused, or in any way offended by us, without at the same …Read More

  • The Marks of the Church by W. Robert Godfrey

    FROM TABLETALK | May 1992

    If you move to a new town, you have to find a new church. The search for a new church can be difficult and frustrating. If you pick up the Yellow Pages and look under “Church,” you are likely to …Read More

  • Signs and Seals of Union by Joel Beeke

    FROM TABLETALK | February 2013

    Just as He called the world into being by the power of His Word (Ps. 33:6–9; Heb. 11:3), so God brings His church into being by the power of the gospel call (2 Thess. 2:13–14 …Read More

  • The Battle for the Table by R.C. Sproul

    FROM TABLETALK | November 2006

    There have been centuries of debate over the church’s understanding of the doctrine of the Lord’s Supper. Before we survey the critical issues involved, we need to understand that the main reason why the argument continues, and at …Read More

  • Calvin’s Doctrine of the Lord’s Supper by Keith Mathison

    FROM TABLETALK | November 2006

    John Calvin is widely considered to be one of the greatest theologians of the Reformation era. Many associate his name with doctrines such as the sovereignty of God, election, and predestination, but fewer are aware that he wrote extensively on …Read More