Ruel Z Chavez's Blog – April 2011 Archive (6)

  

" The righteous will flourish like a palm tree., they will grow like a cedar of Lebanon; planted in the house of the Lord, they will flourish in the courts of our God. They will still bear fruit in old age, they will stay fresh and green proclaiming, 'The Lord is upright; he is my Rock, and there is no wickedness in him' " (Psalm 92:12-15).

As people grow old, they cannot…

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The question of identity of Reformed community is not an easy task both historically and in the context of current society. This is difficult from a historical point of view due to numerous personalities whom we ascribe our origin. Within the Reformed persuasion, none claimed to rise above all others affirming that his voice is the most authoritative one. However having said this, if we want to understand the Reformed tradition from a confessional perspective, it is best to examine the… Continue

HISTORY OF CALVINISM

 

The history section of the book has two parts: the biography of John Calvin himself and the development of Calvinism beginning from 16th century until the 20th century. The summary of life’s story of Calvin was divided into two stages: his period of development both as a person and as a thinker and his period of ministry.

 

1. Brief Biography of John Calvin

 

His period of development starts with a remark on his superior…

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The material of this article is taken from Herman Bavinck’s Reformed Dogmatics: Prolegomena Volume 1 pages 175 – 204. My goal is just to provide a brief overview of the history of Reformed theology. The first that comes to mind is the connection of Reformed theology with the Lutherans. Bavinck identifies that the major difference between Lutherans and Calvinists is one of principle. Calvinists think theologically whereas the Lutherans think anthropologically. This difference in principle is… Continue

"Father, forgive them, for they do not know what they are doing" (Luke 23:34).



"I have forgiven you already long time ago but I do not want to have any relationship with you anymore." Is this genuine forgiveness? Or is this a self-centered kind of forgiveness?



Genuine forigiveness accepts. Genuine forgiveness is willing to restore a broken relationship and to start all over again. In genuine forgiveness, there is always a new beginning.



We see such forgiveness… Continue

Indeed, the heart of man is a factory of idols. And there are times that these idols are hard to detect for they take deceitful forms. Pastoral ministry can be an idol. Theological education too can be an idol. Your spouse can be your idol. Your dream of financial freedom can also be an idol. Your kids too can be your idols. The most difficult idol of all to give up is yourself. Whatever or whoever in your life that you consider most precious, and take all your attention and energy and you… Continue