Faith and Providence

By Paul J. Scharf on

This week I made my annual journey back to Faith Baptist Bible College and Theological Seminary in Ankeny, Iowa, for the Refresh Conference.

It was my fourth Refresh, so I realized that, in essence, I have witnessed another class of college students pass through Faith’s doors during these days. To me that time seems like it has just whisked by—as does the entire interval since I was a seminary student at Faith.

I knew that this would be a somewhat sentimental trip for me this week, since this summer will mark 30 years since my wife and I first stepped on Faith’s campus to look things over. I remember so much about that first visit—just like that also was yesterday.

Are the ordinances “means of grace”?

By Filings on

“Have we abandoned the understanding that the two ordinances that Christ has given His church are regular means of grace for our souls? The Scriptures teach it, the early Particular Baptists believed it, and we can benefit from it.” - London Lyceum

Bewitched?

By TylerR on

About once per month, I’m going to slowly write my way through a short commentary on the Letter to the Galatians. I’ll deliberately skip the usual analysis typical of this genre—no “scholarly” questions, text-critical issues, and minimal formal interaction with opposing viewpoints. I’ve taught through the book four times now, and feel I’m in a position to have something competent to say on the matter. My aim is to write for normal Christians who just want to know what the text means. So, here I stand.

On Divine Down Payment

By Filings on

“God has given us a down payment of his very person in the Holy Spirit. He’s really serious about his relationship with us. Let us embrace him and anticipate all that is to come.” - Olinger

Outraged About Outrage? Some Reflections and Confessions

By Aaron Blumer on

Last Sunday, my son and I visited a nearby Orthodox Presbyterian Church. As a Baptist, I don’t quite fit in there, but then I don’t quite fit in at a lot of Baptist churches either!

I’d visited this church before, some years ago, but my son had never worshiped with Presbyterians. So for him it was an educational field trip, and for me it was a chance to catch up a bit with some friends and former students—and worship together.