Rebecca Stark is the author of The Good Portion: Godthe second title in The Good Portion series.

The Good Portion: God explores what Scripture teaches about God in hopes that readers will see his perfection, worth, magnificence, and beauty as they study his triune nature, infinite attributes, and wondrous works. 

                     

Monday
Nov042013

Heidelberg Catechism

Question 10. Will God allow such disobedience and rebellion1 to go unpunished?

Answer: Absolutely not. He is terribly displeased (a) with our original as well as our actual sins; and will punish them by his just judgment both now and eternally, (b) as he has declared, “Cursed is everyone who does not continue to do everything written in the book of the law.” (c)

1Man’s own willfull disobedience (See answer to Question 9).

(Click through to see scriptural proofs.)

Click to read more ...

Saturday
Nov022013

Sunday's Hymn: Who Is on the Lord's Side?

Who is on the Lord’s side? Who will serve the King?
Who will be His helpers, other lives to bring?
Who will leave the world’s side? Who will face the foe?
Who is on the Lord’s side? Who for Him will go?
By Thy call of mercy, by Thy grace divine,
We are on the Lord’s side—Savior, we are Thine!

Not for weight of glory, nor for crown and palm,
Enter we the army, raise the warrior psalm;
But for love that claimeth lives for whom He died:
He whom Jesus nameth must be on His side.
By Thy love constraining, by Thy grace divine,
We are on the Lord’s side—Savior, we are Thine!

Jesus, Thou hast bought us, not with gold or gem,
But with Thine own life blood, for Thy diadem;
With Thy blessing filling each who comes to Thee,
Thou hast made us willing, Thou hast made us free.
By Thy grand redemption, by Thy grace divine,
We are on the Lord’s side—Savior, we are Thine!

Fierce may be the conflict, strong may be the foe,
But the King’s own army none can overthrow;
’Round His standard ranging, victory is secure,
For His truth unchanging makes the triumph sure.
Joyfully enlisting, by Thy grace divine,
We are on the Lord’s side—Savior, we are Thine!

Chosen to be soldiers, in an alien land,
Chosen, called, and faithful, for our Captain’s band,
In the service royal, let us not grow cold;
Let us be right loyal, noble, true and bold.
Master, Thou wilt keep us, by Thy grace divine,
Always on the Lord’s side—Savior, always Thine!

—Frances  R. Havergal

Other hymns, worship songs, sermons etc. posted today:

Have you posted a hymn (or sermon, sermon notes, prayer, etc.) today and I missed it? Let me know by leaving a link in the comments or by contacting me using the contact form linked above, and I’ll add your post to the list.

Tuesday
Oct292013

Theological Term of the Week

I was surprised to find that in the six years or so that I’ve been posting weekly theological term posts, I’ve never defined this term. 

Arminianism
A system of belief based on the teachings of Dutch theologian Jacob Arminius regarding salvation, developed as a reaction against Calvinism, and summed up by his followers in the Five Articles of Remonstrance, which deny the unconditionality of election and the particularity of redemption.

  • As evidence that election is conditioned on foreseen faith, the Articles of Remonstrance uses this verse:
    Whoever believes in the Son has eternal life; whoever does not obey the Son shall not see life, but the wrath of God remains on him. (John 3:36, ESV)
  • As evidence that redemption was universally obtained, these two verses are included:
    For God so loved the world, that he gave his only Son, that whoever believes in him should not perish but have eternal life. (John 3:16, ESV)
    He is the propitiation for our sins, and not for ours only but also for the sins of the whole world. (1 John 2:2, ESV)

Click to read more ...