Apologetics – The Basics
Chapter 1 is an introduction to the basics of apologetics and in particular presuppositional apologetics associated with Cornelius van Til.
Chapter 1 is an introduction to the basics of apologetics and in particular presuppositional apologetics associated with Cornelius van Til.
The goal of this volume is to present the worldview characteristic of different periods of Western thought. In Chapter 1 Frame explores the ancient Greek worldview and evaluates it in the light of the gospel.
In this chapter John Frame argues for a limited use of Christian Contemporary Music (CCM) or Contemporary Worship Music (CWM) in the worship of the church. Frame seeks to define CWM and wants to place it in the context of its relationship to the broader phenomenon of Contemporary Worship (CW).
In Chapter 1 the author introduces the main contention of this volume on the doctrine of the Word of God, that the speech of God to man is real speech. God’s speech can be understood and man can be held accountable to respond appropriately. Frame’s thesis is that God’s Word is a personal communication from him to us.
This chapter is a description of open theism in general terms. Frame further contrasts it with traditional theism.
In chapter 1, John Frame wants to give an answer to the question, “What is worship?" He emphasizes that it should be God-centred, gospel-centred, and it is worship of the triune God. He also explores how in worship attention should be given to the relationship with our fellow believers and society as a whole. Frame also explains his understanding of worship in a narrow and broader meaning.
Looking briefly at the history of cultural involvement of the church, this article looks at art and discusses whether Christians should embrace high art. Though high art can be good, this article shows that Christians must learn to start where people are and work for their growth, while being careful of the influence of the secular world in setting the standard.
Reformed churches sometimes struggle in reaching out to minority groups. In this article, the author discusses some reasons for this. Focus is given to the idea of "learned ministry" - the high educational requirement for entering ministry within the Reformed churches - which hinders such growth of multi-ethnic churches. Rethinking mission work and evangelism may be one way to change things.
Looking at the relationship between intellect, will and emotions, this article shows that the Reformed view has formed a hierarchy of the three with the intellect at the top. Looking at the biblical evidence, the author shows that there is no ground for this hierarchy. The author maintains that Scripture addresses emotions, and based on this he urges Christians to care about the feelings of others.
This article shows that there are some strong biblical grounds to rule out cloning as wrong due to the destruction of life. However, the author also proposes a few arguments in support of cloning.
This article shows that entertainment, movies, the film industry, and media all convey a message, which includes ideologies, values, world-view, philosophy, and theology. The author discusses how he reviews movies in order to understand their theology and message.
The Bible clearly puts a limit on the teaching role of a woman. However, the author of this article distinguishes between the general and special teaching offices. This article shows that Scripture does not forbid women from teaching; however, it should not be at the expense of compromising the limits of Scripture. In addition, the woman must be submissive to the elders, and should not teach based on the false notion of the oppression of women.
This article shows that though some may have distorted the meaning of the word inerrant, the inerrancy of Scripture means that the Bible has no errors and is true. This is a good and accurate word to describe the infallible Word of God.
Can we love an enemy and still call for God's wrath against him? This article shows that imprecatory prayers, when motivated by the desire for God's justice and glory, may be prayed. However, the answer to those prayers rests with God.
Showing that copyright is not a moral law but a utility law, this article argues for the softening of copyright laws or the abolishing of them. The author applies this argument to the copying of songs for church use, and raises some alternatives to current copyright law.
This article is on the topic of education. The author discusses the responsibility of parents in raising children in a God-saturated environment.
Showing that parents have the ultimate responsibility for the education of their children, this article calls on parents to take this responsibility in sending their children to Christian schools or to home school their children. The author argues that there are very few, if any, reasons for Christian parents to send their children to public schools.
Looking at the possible causes of homelessness, which vary from personal choice to government policy, this article calls on Christians to take care of the homeless in their midst.
This article discusses the relationship between state, church and the kingdom of God. The author maintains that there is no neutral government in terms of religion. The knowledge that the kingdom of God will last forever has bearing on how the church thinks about the state in relation to redemptive history.
Looking at the historical development of the state, this article shows how the Bible views government. The author also discusses the challenges of the relationships between state, family, and education.
Looking at the participation of Christians in electing civil government, this article discusses a biblical way of thinking about the state and the way biblical law must be applied in relation to the civil government. In this article some principles are given which must govern Christian thinking on this topic.
Calling for Christians to rethink the use of "bathroom" and sexual slang, this article shows that while on occassion Scripture does have some slang language, its use is different from how it is used today. Considering the use of God's name as slang, this article calls for reverence to God in our speech.
This article discusses the relationship between genes and innate behaviour, using the issue of homosexuality as a key example. The author maintains that our genetic makeup does not mean that we are not responsible for our choices and our sin. The author also discusses living with our limitations, specifically in terms of disability.
Steps to overcoming denominationalism and working towards church unity can be taken when denominations learn to deal with their attitudes towards one another. Pride, contentiousness, envy, harshness, xenophobia, immaturity, anger, ambition, and party spirit are attitudes that hinder unity.
Starting from the conviction that the church in both the New Testament and Old Testament is one church, this article draws the beginning of the church from Adam and Eve to the New Testament church. From the beginning God intended to build one united church, and the division of the two kingdoms and the exile shows that sin separates God's people.
With a view towards Roman 3:1-8, Romans 5:1-5 and Romans 8:28-39, this article shows how understanding God as Lord, Saviour and Spirit is crucial to dealing with the questions around the evil and suffering in this world. This understanding helps to encourage believers to trust and rely on the righteousness and goodness of God.
This article shows that when God's law clashes with human law, obeying God rather than man becomes the only option. The author discusses whether or not this warrants civil disobedience, specifically in relation to the issue of abortion and the responsibility Christians have to the unborn.
Looking at 1 Peter 3:1-7, this article is on the topic of marriage. The marriage relationship will have its struggles, but it also will have beauty and joy. The author also discusses the respective roles of the husband and the wife in marriage.
This article examines God's character, looking at the relationship between the changeableness of God and His unchangeability. Applying this to the story of redemption, the author shows that it is possible to speak about both the unchanging nature of God as well as the biblical records of God changing His mind.
This article looks at the relationship between the goodness of God and His nature. God is good in His nature, and therefore He can command and ask from us to be good. This argument is applied to the relationship between normative and descriptive behavior in ethics.
The author of this article argues for a distinction between disease and sin, stating that disease is not always a direct result of individual sin. The author discusses moral responsibility in relation to physical disability, and examines the relationship between human responsibility and freedom. He also looks at predispositions to sin and responsibility
This article shows that, grounded in God's mercy and love, Christians have a calling to stand for the unborn. Systematically refuting the arguments raised by pro-abortionists, the author shows that Christians have a role in defending the unborn and to fight against abortion through taking part in supporting and working together with pro-life organisations.
Arguing that Christ is the substance of the Ten Commandments, this article shows how the Decalogue reveals the righteousness of Christ, our need for Christ, and the righteousness we have in Christ. These realities call for ministers to learn how to preach Christ from the law.
Evaluating existential ethics, teleological ethics and deontological ethics, this article shows that Christian ethics differs from all these as it has the Word of God as its starting point. The application of God's Word provides answers to the challenges of other ethics.
Looking at John 17, this article shows how the unity of the Trinity should serve as an example for Christian unity. Christians should reflect this unity by glorifying, serving, and loving one another.
This article shows that the Word of God comes to us through God's actions, human words, and through persons. The author discusses the relationship between this means of the revelation of God and the Bible.
This article shows that the Word of God cannot be equated with the Bible. God's Word includes His powerful speech (stating what will happen), authoritative speech (stating what ought to happen), and His personal presence. This is the self expression of God, or His Word. This article is about the nature of Scripture.
The unique aspect of the Reformed faith is its understanding of the covenant Lordship of God as the framework for understanding scripture. This article shows that this Lordship emphasizes the control of God, His authority, and His presence over all creation. This makes the Reformed faith applicable as a theology to any context, culture and time.
This article looks at the Lordship of God and his control and authority and presence, and the importance of covenant theology in Biblical theology.
This article discusses three misunderstandings with regard to Sola Scriptura: the idea of reformation, creativity and the work of the Spirit.
This article is about traditionalism versus liberalism. The author specifically looks at traditionalism with regards to Scripture and the Sola Scriptura.
This article is about faith in an unchangeable God in a ever changing world. The article also discusses the repentance of God.
In this article the author focuses on redemptive-historical preaching, ethical preaching, and the importance of the context of the text for the preaching.
In this article on free will and moral responsibility, the author also discusses libertarianism, compatibilitism, and freedom and moral decisions.
These two articles look at the types of revelation found in Scripture and how this correlates with different elements of the covenant. The author shows how these elements also testify to the unity of Scripture.
This article is a comparison between the doctrinal position of the Reformers and the Anabaptists in the 16th century.
These articles on presuppositional apologetics looks at the use of reason and intellect in faith, the wisdom of man and the Word of God, the presuppositions of truth, the unbeliever and knowledge of God, neutral ground and defending the faith, and persuasion in apologetics.