#reform theology

[kelly-danger]

The Protestant Ethic and the Spirit of Capitalism by Max Weber is kinda making me go "wow he gets it" cause my deep seated hatred for reform calvanistic theology goes all the way back to when I was like 9 at a anabaptist christian camp and they hired a bunch of nazarines for some reason and they were all like, strict and boring losers!!! They beleived in predestination which anabaptists arent about and also I feel that the music that year was lacking as well for that reason. Also id bible quiz againt nazarines and they just like, were taking it way to seriously. Im Like bruh fr lighten up, acting like youre gonna get paddled of you dont know the answer to a situation question (who said it...and to whom? "Feed my lambs") but they probably would. Thats just the vibe of the nazarines

[faeriefully]

no, girl im fine— I’m just crying over the gospel again

[rolkientolkien]

As Christians, we shouldn't be surprised when the world mocks Jesus or us. The world hated Jesus because He convicted people of their sin, the world will hate us for the same reason. One of the oldest depictions of Jesus is a piece of Roman graffiti. It shows Jesus, crucified with a donkey head and captioned, "Alexamenos worships his god." To quote Martin Luther, "They gave our Master a crown of thorns, why do we hope for a crown of roses?"

[gay-jewish-bucky]

Being religious and queer in the west is feeling more comfortable in religious spaces than you do in queer spaces, due to the culture of extremely hostile antitheism in the queer community, forcing you to abandon a major part of who you are to be welcome, meanwhile there is a growing culture of open and joyful acceptance of queerness within increasingly diverse religious spaces, allowing you to be your authentic self

[reformedfaith]

The early church was married to poverty, prisons and persecutions. Today, the church is married to prosperity, personality, and popularity.

Leonard Ravenhill

[aesthetictheology]

I'm really enjoying this book by R.C. Sproul, and the opportunity to learn about the classical reformed perspective.

Also, my latte yesterday was beautiful. Baristas rock.

[404-found]

Blameless Before the Judge

John 18:10–11

[10] Then Simon Peter, having a sword, drew it and struck the high priest’s servant and cut off his right ear. (The servant’s name was Malchus.) [11] So Jesus said to Peter, “Put your sword into its sheath; shall I not drink the cup that the Father has given me?” (ESV)

Luke 22:49–51

[49] And when those who were around him saw what would follow, they said, “Lord, shall we strike with the sword?” [50] And one of them struck the servant of the high priest and cut off his right ear. [51] But Jesus said, “No more of this!” And he touched his ear and healed him. (ESV)

Jesus in all of his love, grace, and mercy healed him.

Why?

To be a nice guy? Sure! But I believe it goes even deeper.

As you read earlier Malchus was a servant of the high priest. It was a capital crime to harm a servant of the high priest in any form! Let alone lobbing an ear off. Peter would have been executed by law. However, when Jesus restored his ear he erased all evidence that Peter had ever transgressed. So if Malchus would have went before the council and accused Peter of the crime there was absolutely no evidence that Peter ever committed the crime.

That's what Jesus did for us. Ultimately we chose to sin against Him, to rebel against Him, to disobey Him, to in a sense substitute ourselves as god, attempting the de-goding of God, living our life by our own standards, and bringing ourselves glory instead of Him. Because we've done that, we've willingly separated ourselves from God, not wanting to relate to God, but to be god ourselves. In doing that, we've put ourselves under the judgment of God instead of the grace and mercy of God.

Even though we've done all of this, that God lovingly came into human history as the man Jesus Christ, fully God and fully man. He was born of a virgin, without the affects of generational sin, and lived a life without sin, even though he was tempted in every way you and I are. Even though Jesus lived a sinless life, he willingly went to the cross to die a sinners death, and in doing so substituted Himself for us, the sinless One for the sinful ones. Our first parents in the garden substituted themselves for God, just as we would have, and do, and at the cross Jesus reversed that substitution and substituted Himself for sinners. So when Jesus went to the cross He willingly took upon Him the sin of those who would come to trust in Him. That means that Jesus Christ, God who was a man, died in our place for our sins, satisfying the justice of God toward sin and securing the grace and mercy of God for those who believe in Him. Jesus dead body was then put in a tomb, and for three days he was buried. But on the third day Jesus rose from the grave, proving his authority over sin, death, hell, Satan and demons. When we believe and are reborn in Jesus Christ we are washed clean by his blood. Jesus sacrifice takes away all evidence that we ever transgressed. And it doesn't matter who accuses or what evidence they say they have. When we stand before a holy judge who's a holy God and he looks at us he will see Jesus whose blood we have been cleansed by.

Jesus lived a life we could not live (a sinless life), He died a death we should have died (a sinner's death), He rose to give us a life we could never have otherwise (resurrected life), and He alone is the way, the truth and the life – the only way to God.

John 8:10–11

[10] Jesus stood up and said to her, “Woman, where are they? Has no one condemned you?” [11] She said, “No one, Lord.” And Jesus said, “Neither do I condemn you; go, and from now on sin no more.”]] (ESV)

[teenageascetic]

“Many Jewish sources, however, speak of the commandments as meditative devices, which can bring a person to a high level of G'd consciousness. When the commandments are seen in this light, they assume great spiritual significance.”

-Rabbi Aryeh Kaplan in "Jewish Meditation:A Practical Guide"

[racefortheironthrone]

Why do alternate history authors always assume No Reformation = Middle Ages forever? No Reformation means no Counter-Reformation, i.e. decadent neoclassical popes and cardinals pouring money into arts and sciences.

I don't know, because that doesn't make sense even on its own terms. Surely No Reformation means Renaissance Forever...

Also, even without the Reformation, at some point some king is going to get into a fight with the Pope and manage to get Gallicanism or a revived Conciliarism over on the ultramontanists and make it stick. It's just the law of large numbers.

[presbyterianautumn82]

Lord, I Believe! Help My Unbelief!

In Mark 9:14-29, the weakness and limit of men is demonstrated, especially with regard to faith, and so is the answer to men's weakness:

Luke 17:5 (KJV), "And the apostles said unto the Lord, Increase our faith."

Mark 9:24, "And straightway the father of the child cried out, and said with tears, Lord, I believe; help thou mine unbelief."

“A weak faith may also be true faith, when it is otherwise of the right kind. A fire is not at once a bright blazing flame, but it often starts with a single spark.” - Otto Thelemann, An Aid to the Heidelberg Catechism, 79

Hebrews 12:2a, "Looking unto Jesus the author and finisher of our faith."

Notice what the Epistle to the Hebrews tells us, that Christ doesn't just finish or complete it but is the one who gives us the faith to begin with. This is why the Westminster Shorter Catechism puts it this way:

Question 86: What is faith in Jesus Christ?

Answer: Faith in Jesus Christ is a saving grace, whereby we receive and rest upon him alone for salvation, as he is offered to us in the gospel.

It is a saving grace, meaning it wholly begins with the gracious act of God, and doesn't begin with man or his acceptance. It is strengthened by Christ who works it in us by His Spirit completing that work at our death.

Praise God, our salvation relies not upon any faith made by the strength of men, but on a faithful Savior who is powerful, mighty, and gracious to save sinners.

[walterdecourceys]

i went to church for the first time in my memory (though i know my mom brought me when i was a baby/too little to be by myself) last sunday (not cause i've decided to go hard lutheran, i got roped into being part of church choir) and my frame of reference is so small with christian church i just spend the whole time wondering what you would have thought of it all sjdfhsd. there was a baptism and it took forever but the baby was very cute

i'm honored that you thought of me actually... i thiiiink lutheran theology is pretty similar to reformed (denomination i grew up in) theology since they're both directly based on the work of reformers 🤔 i don't think i can come up with the differences off the top of my head. either way i'm sure i would have had many thoughts about it.. infant baptism alone i could probably go on for a while about

anyway i hope services are not too torturous for you 🫡 if you get bored you can read some of the pew bibles that's my top tip. exodus is fun

[tmarshconnors]

"It will be a sad day for the church and the world when there is no distinction between the children of God and those of this world."

Charles Haddon Spurgeon was an English Particular Baptist preacher. Spurgeon remains highly influential among Christians of various denominations, to some of whom he is known as the "Prince of Preachers."

Born: 19 June 1834, Kelvedon Died: 31 January 1892 (age 57 years), Menton, France

Prolific Preacher: Charles Spurgeon was one of the most prolific preachers of the 19th century, delivering thousands of sermons. His powerful and eloquent preaching earned him the title "Prince of Preachers."

Metropolitan Tabernacle: Spurgeon became the pastor of the Metropolitan Tabernacle in London in 1861, where he preached to large congregations. The Tabernacle became one of the most famous churches in England under his leadership.

Published Works: He authored numerous books, including "The Treasury of David," a commentary on the Psalms, and "Morning and Evening," a popular daily devotional. His sermons were widely published and remain influential to this day.

Philanthropy: Spurgeon was also known for his philanthropic efforts. He founded several charitable organizations, including an orphanage and the Pastor's College (now Spurgeon’s College) to train future ministers.

Calvinist Theology: Spurgeon was a staunch Calvinist and held firmly to Reformed theology. His preaching and writings emphasized doctrines such as the sovereignty of God, salvation by grace, and the perseverance of the saints.

[faeriefully]

people say they understand that we are not saved by our good works all the way until you tell them that having faith is a work that you’re crediting to yourself

[rolkientolkien]

Hey so a friend of mine is having his game kickstarted! If you like supporting indie developers, games with beautiful art, and Christian values, please show your support by either backing the game, or reblogging!

[eternaleve]

Playing Pentiment and I'm like, 'Finally, a game that truly gets what the modern gamer wants - illumination, Martin Luther, and Thomas Acquinas references!'

[reformedfaith]

Let us not consider ourselves to be masters of our possessions, but rather only managers and administrators of what actually belongs to God.

Ulrich Zwingli