As we wrap up 2023 budgets and begin 2024 budgets, let's take a moment to consider how we in the New Covenant ought to tithe and plan to faithfully and cheerfully give. When we give faithfully, God desires to reward us. And after all, God loves a cheerful giver because He is himself the most cheerful giver of all.

https://protestantpost.substack.com/p/new-covenant-giving-and-tithing

Children ought to be included in the worship service with their parents. Five reasons why:

1) Paul takes it as a given that children are present in the gathered assembly when he addresses them specifically in Eph. 6 and Col. 3.

2) In 1 Cor. 7:14, Paul calls the children of a Christian "saints," and no saints ought to be excluded from church.

3) Jesus said, "Let the little children come to me and do not hinder them," and if this was the case for children born under the Old Covenant, how much more so to those born under the better New Covenant.

4) The Regulative Principle states that in worship, anything not commanded by God is forbidden. The exclusion of children is not commanded; therefore, it is forbidden.

5) Children who don't join their parents in worship miss out on seeing their parents' godly example, the benefits of the sermon, and the discipline of self-control and focus. Additionally, the alternatives provided are rarely edifying and productive for the children.

Arguments for the Early Date of Revelation (late 60s A.D.):

1. Chapter 11 appears to assume an existing temple.
2. The prediction of the destruction of Jerusalem was used by Justin Martyr as an apologetic argument.
3. Nero appears by far to be the best candidate for 616 or 666 (corresponding to the Greek and Hebrew, respectively).
4. The heavy use of Jewish language, cultural references, and Hebraic imagery suggest a date before the full cleavage of Jews and Christians post-70 A.D.
5. Chapter 7 portrays Israel as still "in the land."
6. The history of Jerusalem's destruction ties surprisingly well to the historical details of Titus's destruction of Jerusalem.

For greater depth, see "Before Jerusalem Fell" by Kenneth Gentry, available for free here.

The only denomination or institution which has successfully fought off a leftist drift and returned to its conservative roots is the LCMS (Lutheran Church Missouri Synod). And while they have yet again begun to drift, the success is a historical anomaly from which we should all be learning and taking notes. Here's a great podcast detailing the history.

https://www.youtube.com/live/DN1wkwq9VTo?si=i-SELdim1c_AnW4G

Hot Take on the Early Fathers:

The early fathers were actually closest to conservative Lutherans and Anglicans. This is because the papist and EO bodies continued to drift from this base and have since calcified in their errant ways.

But the early church, especially after 70 A.D., had lost touch with the Older Testament and the covenantal focus the Jews had. They began to read it as an allegory and miss its didactic import. Hence, the Reformed, in recovering a covenantal framework, are really the closest to the first century church.

A Blessed Epiphany to All!

He shall have dominion also from sea to sea, and from the river unto the ends of the earth. They that dwell in the wilderness shall bow before him; and his enemies shall lick the dust. The kings of Tarshish and of the isles shall bring presents: the kings of Sheba and Seba shall offer gifts. Yea, all kings shall fall down before him: all nations shall serve him.

Psalm 72:8-11

What is Saving Faith? Paraphrasing the WCF 14.1-2:

It is the work of the Spirit of Christ in the hearts of the elect whereby they believe as true everything in God's Word and act upon it faithfully and obediently.

The core elements of faith are accepting, receiving, and resting on Christ alone for justification, sanctification, and eternal life by virtue of the covenant of grace.

Hence, I propose adding to the classic formulation: notitia, assensus, fiducia, vivia, emphasizing that saving faith is a living, active, obedient faith. After all, the just shall live by faith (Hab. 2:4).

Gentlemen, if you have ever uttered the words, "I need to vent," or some variation thereof, the Ministry of Masculinity officially revokes your man card. Please see me at the front desk to hand it over.

Baptism Is Our Common Battle-Flag:

Above all the narrow, meagre patriotism on earth is the large, free, ecumenical patriotism of those who embrace in their love and fealty the whole body of the baptized. All who are baptized into the name of the Father, and of the Son, and of the Holy Ghost, recognizing the Trinity of Persons in the Godhead, the incarnation of the Son and his priestly sacrifice, whether they be Greeks, or Arminians, or Romanists, or Lutherans, or Calvinists, or the simple souls who do not know what to call themselves, are our brethren. Baptism is our common countersign. It is the common rallying standard at the head of our several columns. It is our common battle-flag, which we carry forward across the enemy’s line and nail aloft in the heights crowned with victory. We will be confined in our love and allegiance by no party lines. We follow and serve one common Lord. Hence there can be only “one Lord, one faith, one baptism,” and hence only one indivisible, inalienable “sacramental host of God’s elect.”

— A. A. Hodge, Baptism and Infant Baptism

In a world where people have experienced routine divorce, break-ups, countless meaningless hookups, and a billion ended friendships, saying "Christianity isn't a religion, it's a relationship" is a pretty bad marketing ploy.

What Are "the Last Days"? From Heb. 1...

Long ago, at many times and in many ways, God spoke to our fathers by the prophets, but in these last days he has spoken to us by his Son...

The demonatrative pronoun confirms the author is referring to days in which he and his audience are living, in the late 60s A.D. Later in 8:13, he says, And what is becoming obsolete and growing old is ready to vanish away.

The ceremonial temple worship is what is obsolete, and as history confirms, did indeed vanish away just a few years later in 70 A.D. So therefore, the last days are the tail end of the Jewish eon, the Old Covenant age.

There is a strange idea abroad that in every subject the ancient books should be read only by the professionals, and that the amateur should content himself with the modern books.... The student is half afraid to meet one of the great philosophers face to face. He feels himself inadequate and thinks he will not understand him. But if he only knew, the great man, just because of his greatness, is much more intelligible than his modern commentator. This mistaken preference for the modern books and this shyness of the old ones is nowhere more rampant than in theology.... This seems to me topsy-turvy.

-- C. S. Lewis, Introduction to On the Incarnation, by St. Athanasius

In spite of tears and pain and death we believe that the God who made us all is infinitely wise and good. As Abraham staggered not at the promises of God through unbelief, but was strong in faith, giving the glory to God, and was fully persuaded that what He had promised He was able to perform, so do we base our hope in God alone and hope against hope till the day breaks. We rest in what God is. I believe that this alone is true faith. Any faith that must be supported by the evidence of the senses is not real faith. ”Jesus saith unto him, Thomas, because thou hast seen me, thou hast believed: blessed are they that have not seen, and yet have believed.”

The testimony of faith is that, no matter how things look in this fallen world, all God’s acts are wrought in perfect wisdom. The incarnation of the Eternal Son in human flesh was one of God’s mighty deeds, and we may be sure that this awesome deed was done with a perfection possible only to the Infinite. Without controversy great is the mystery of godliness: God was manifest in the flesh.

A.W Tozer - Knowledge of the Holy

The Narnia Code: If you've read and loved the Chronicles of Narnia, this talk by Lewis scholar Michael Ward will increase your appreciation. The basic thesis is that each book corresponds to one of the seven planets of the ancient cosmos. Fascinating talk.

https://youtu.be/h_beSe2cLQI?si=to4xcSwxJVjpsvG7

Fear Is a Species of Idolatry:

To sanctify the God of armies means to exalt his power highly; so as to remember that he holds the government of the world, and that the beginning and the end of good and evil actions are at his disposal. Hence it follows that, in some respects, God is robbed of his holiness, when we do not immediately betake ourselves to him in cases of perplexity.... no higher affront can be offered to God than to give way to fear, as if he were not exalted above all creatures, so as to control all events. On the other hand, when we rely on his aid, and, through victorious steadfastness of faith, despise dangers, then do we actually ascribe to him lawful government; for if we are not convinced that innumerable methods, though unknown to us, are in his power for our deliverance, we conceive of him as a dead idol.

-- John Calvin, Commentary on Isaiah [8:13]

“Divorce takes all authority from the father, all dignity from the mother, all security from the child, and transforms domestic society into a struggle between strength and weakness; it constitutes the family as a temporary lease, where the inconstancy of the human heart stipulates its passions, and which ends where new passions begin.”

~Louis de Bonald