Theological Term of the Week

nihilism
“[T]he view that there are no objective values,” particularly no objective moral values, and “no objective purpose or meaning in human life or the universe at large.” 1

• From What’s Your Worldview? by James N. Anderson:

[Nihilism] conflicts with our strongest moral intuitions. Most people recognize that some things are just plain wrong, no matter what. For example, torturing and murdering children for sadistic pleasure is objectively wrong. Even is everyone in the world enjoyed it and wanted to do it, it would still be wrong. Some moral values really are independent of human preferences.

Of course, the Nihilist might insist that our moral intuitions are completely unreliable and should be disregarded. But we would need to have very good reasons to dismiss such strong and widely held intuitions. Are there reasons to embrace Nihilism that are more obvious to us than our moral intuitions? And if our moral intuitions are so thoroughly misleading, why should we trust any of our other intuitions? Why should we trust our rational intuitions? Nihilism threatens to undermine our rationality just as much as it undermines our morality.

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Heidelberg Catechism

Question 53. What do you believe concerning the Holy Spirit?

Answer: First, that he is true and coeternal God with the Father and the Son. (a) Second, that he is also given to me, (b) to make me by true faith to share in Christ and all his benefits, (c) and that he may comfort me (d) and remain with me forever. (e)

(Scriptural proofs after the fold.)

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Sunday's Hymn: A Debtor to Mercy Alone

A debtor to mercy alone,
Of covenant mercy I sing;
Nor fear, with thy righteousness on,
My person and off’ring to bring.
The terrors of law and of God
With me can have nothing to do;
My Saviour’s obedience and blood
Hide all my transgressions from view.

The work which his goodness began,
The arm of his strength will complete;
His promise is Yea and Amen,
And never was forfeited yet.
Things future, nor things that are now,
Nor all things below or above,
Can make him his purpose forgo,
Or sever my soul from his love.

My name from the palms of his hands
Eternity will not erase;
Impressed on his heart it remains,
In marks of indelible grace.
Yes, I to the end shall endure,
As sure as the earnest is given;
More happy, but not more secure,
The glorified spirits in heav’n.

—Augustus Toplady

Other hymns, worship songs, prayers, sermons excerpts, or quotes posted today:

• Praise, My Soul, the King of Heaven at Graces Daily
• O the Deep, Deep Love of Jesus at The Happy Wonderer
• Don’t confuse sin with negative thinking at Blogging Theologically
• Be Aware at Tried With Fire
• Lifting Up Our Hearts - 38 at The Upward Call
• I Have No Other King But Christ from Trevin Wax
• Lord’s Day 37, 2014 at The Thirsty Theologian
• Your weekly dose of Spurgeon: Giving the keepers their due at Pyromaniacs

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.