In our lifetimes while this creation still groans for its ultimate liberation when all things are made new, we will continue to struggle and be in conflict—even as the holy ones and redeemed people of our great God. The flesh will still war against the spirit in union with the liberating Spirit of the Lord. … Continue reading Dark Despair in the Psalms

I’ve been pondering recently about what the Apostle John [1] meant when he used the word world (Gr. kosmos) in his writings. I assume (reasonably) he’s using it consistently throughout his Gospel, his three Letters, and the Book of the Revelation. If I can count correctly (?!?), that’s 80 occurrences in his Gospel, 23 in … Continue reading The World and the Apostle John

Previously, I made my observations and expressed my concerns about the current state of the Side B Movement and the trajectory of its rapid evolution. I received feedback asking for elaboration on the meaning of some terminology and the Side B outlook on it. And it struck me that these are perhaps the things that … Continue reading Buzz of the Bee

The Side B Movement, which is largely synonymous with Celibate Gay Christianity1, isn't something particularly recognizable or familiar to most folks, even most Christians. And because I've referenced it, I want to make a sketch of it as I've observed the colony living and evolving over the past few years. I hope to be essentially … Continue reading Life of the Bee

One of the core tasks of a traditional education is instilling the correct loves and desires into a pupil. As those who are born ignorant and naive, we require training. All the more so as those born sullied by sin and wired for wickedness as those fallen in Adam. A firm moral education in what … Continue reading Godly Hatred in the Psalms

Previously, I alluded to the fact that the sort of path of righteousness in which we are to walk is a character marked by the practice of justice, mercy, and faith. And as those who are fallen and redeemed works-in-progress, our practice of righteousness must include a humble attitude along with contrition and repentance when … Continue reading Repentance in the Psalms

I'm basically a Presbyterian—a Westminster Standards kinda guy. And I have Particular Baptist (1689 LBCF) friends who occasionally experience existential honest moments and confess themselves to be "Presby-Curious". To have and share such an honest moment of my own, I'm periodically Bapti-(re)considerate. I'm far from being comfortably settled in my baptismal theology beyond a shadow … Continue reading Baptismal Honest Moments

Here's a witty follow-up to my discussion about Righteousness in the Psalms. By way of contrast, this is what I'd imagine a psalm would actually say if it were written with the fearful mentality that I previously described, one that knows only the perfectionism of prescriptive righteousness and has no functional category of descriptive righteousness. … Continue reading Guttermouth: A Parody Psalm

I'm a fan of the explanatory power of preterism regarding the relevance of A.D. 70 to a number of teachings in the New Testament. But I'm not a fan of the dismissive use of preterism to hollow out the ongoing relevance of teachings in the New Testament. One potential example: The Sea Beast and the … Continue reading Dismissive Preterism

I have the distinct impression that in contemporary Evangelical and Protestant circles we have such an extreme knee-jerk reaction to Roman Catholicism and have become so wary of so-called "works righteousness" that we've allowed the doctrine of justification by faith alone in Christ alone to swallow up everything Scripture says about righteousness. To the extent … Continue reading Righteousness in the Psalms