You have probably heard the argument: creation is not an essential doctrine, and our understanding of the particular manner in which God created is a matter of ongoing disagreement. We are merely making an effort to “reconcile” the text of scripture (which is not “scientific”) with the theories of science which are presumably leading us to a clearer understanding of the natural world. Since all truth is God’s truth, we expect science and scripture to one day meet at the top of the metaphorical mountain.
But there are significant reasons why we should adhere to the plain teaching of scripture. In this set of lessons, we’ll be reminded that our view of creation—whatever it is—cannot be explained by natural law and must be taken as an article of faith.
Man represents the culmination of God’s creative work. We read that God made man “in his image” which indicates that man possesses something unique regarding God’s communicable attributes. While God cannot create another god, he can create something “in his image” that has infinite value and dignity because of his unique attributes. Man is like nothing else in the created order.
The world is obviously quite confused about the meaning and value of human life. While scripture ascribes value to man that exceeds all worldly riches (Ps 49:7; Mark 8:36), fallen man grasps for some value that can be measured in economic terms. The result is a Utilitarian belief that a man is only worth what he can produce. Such a low view of man leads to the inevitable genocide of infants, sick, disabled, and elderly—all for “the greater good.” Along the way, we redefine “compassion” to mean death—often at the hands of physicians whose calling is to protect and preserve life.
But that is not all. When we abandon scripture (and the God of scripture), man finds himself plunged into an incurable identity crisis that is created by his willful anarchy. In his insatiable desire to control his own destiny by throwing off the law of God, man loses his entire identity. He forgets who he is as man made in the image of God and attempts to grasp a new way to assign value and meaning to his life. All such efforts are futile.
Regarding angels and demons Westminster says suprisingly little, but we can deduce much from what it does say in WLC Q/A #16 and the tidbits found elsewhere in the Standards.
Dive into this three-part series on WCF Chapter 4 to learn more.
As we move from Chapter 4 (Creation) to Chapter 5 (Providence) let’s give careful consideration to the complementary nature of these two doctrines. The Larger Catechism expresses it as follows: Q14: How doth God execute his decrees? A14: God...[ abbreviated | read entire ]
In many ways, Francis Schaeffer was ahead of his time. He saw the modernist freight train gaining steam during his lifetime, and sought to warn Christians (and the church) about its destructive influences. He understood that liberalism undermined...[ abbreviated | read entire ]
And do not be conformed to this world, but be transformed by the renewing of your mind, so that you may approve what the will of God is, that which is good and pleasing and perfect. (Rom 12:2 LSB) Everyone knows this warning from Paul’s...[ abbreviated | read entire ]
For thus Yahweh, the God of Israel, says to me, “Take this cup of the wine of wrath from My hand and cause all the nations to whom I send you to drink it. They will drink and stagger and go mad because of the sword that I will send among...[ abbreviated | read entire ]
July 28 marked the theatrical release of a documentary by Grace Productions, The Essential Church. This full-length film looks at the experience of several churches during the 2020 pandemic, including Grace Community Church in California. Two...[ abbreviated | read entire ]
(This lengthy article is in three parts and begins here.) Perhaps the most alarming result of 2020 is illustrated by a famous psychology experiment from the 1960s. The behavior of the subjects was so startling that the experiment was discontinued...[ abbreviated | read entire ]
(This lengthy article is in three parts and begins here.) Civil magistrates may not assume to themselves the administration of the Word and sacraments; or the power of the keys of the kingdom of heaven; or, in the least, interfere in matters of...[ abbreviated | read entire ]
I was encouraged to see two recent articles posted on The Aquila Report—one by an OPC pastor and the other by an ARP pastor—both of which address the church’s response to COVID and the need for us to reflect and repent. This has...[ abbreviated | read entire ]
