The Apostles Creed begins: I believe in God, the Father Almighty, the Creator of heaven and earth, and in Jesus Christ, His only Son, our Lord: Who was conceived of the Holy Spirit, born of the Virgin Mary, suffered under Pontius Pilate, was crucified, died, and was buried. He descended into hell. The third day He arose again from the dead.Many of us were raised with the notion that Jesus went to hell on Friday after dying on the cross. For a day and a half, he preached in hell before his resurrection on Sunday. The Scriptural support given for this view primarily comes from a few passages … [Read more...] about Did Jesus Spend Saturday Night in Hell?
Theology
A Good Friday Conversation With Death
From John Piper: CHRISTIAN: Hello, Death, my old enemy. My old slave-master. Have you come to talk to me again? To frighten me? I am not the person you think I am. I am not the one you used to talk to. Something has happened. Let me ask you a question, Death. Where is your sting? DEATH, sneeringly: My sting is your sin. Read the whole thing. … [Read more...] about A Good Friday Conversation With Death
O Sacred Head Now Wounded
From The Center of Church Music, which also provides the hymn's background: O sacred Head, now wounded, with grief and shame weighed down, Now scornfully surrounded with thorns, Thine only crown; O sacred head, what glory, what bliss till now was thine! Yet, though despised and gory, I joy to call thee mine. What Thou, my Lord, hast suffered, was all for sinners' gain; Mine, mine was the transgression, but Thine the deadly pain. Lo, here I fall, my Savior! 'Tis I deserve Thy place; Look on me with Thy favor, vouchsafe to me Thy grace. What language shall I borrow to thank Thee, dearest … [Read more...] about O Sacred Head Now Wounded
Counterfeit Gods – Latest Book By Tim Keller
Due out this October, Counterfeit Gods: The Empty Promises of Money, Sex, and Power, and the Only Hope that Matters is now available for pre-order. Like Pastor Keller's other books, this one is sure to be a provocative and stimulating read. Tullian Tchividjian posts the publisher's description: The issue of idolatry has been with the human race for thousands of years; the subtle temptation is always to take what is good and turn it into the ultimate good, elevating it above all other things in the search for security and meaning. In this timely and challenging book, New York pastor Timothy … [Read more...] about Counterfeit Gods – Latest Book By Tim Keller
Rethinking Retirement – Albert Mohler and John Piper
Dr. Albert Mohler had a great radio show a few weeks ago on the topic of rethinking retirement. His main point is that at every stage of life we should be deployed for maximum usefulness to Jesus Christ. And here's a fantastic 32-page booklet by John Piper on the topic. … [Read more...] about Rethinking Retirement – Albert Mohler and John Piper
Richard Gaffin on Union With Christ
Dr. Richard B. Gaffin, Jr. is the Charles Krahe Professor of Biblical and Systematic Theology at Westminster Theological Seminary in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania. He has taught at Westminster since 1965. He is an ordained minister in the Orthodox Presbyterian Church. He has written some extremely helpful books on the doctrine of salvation, such as Resurrection and Redemption: A Study in Paul's Soteriology and By Faith, Not by Sight: Paul and the Order of Salvation. James Grant points to a great series of free audio messages by Dr. Gaffin on union with Christ. Here are the titles of the … [Read more...] about Richard Gaffin on Union With Christ