The Riddleblog

"God Was in Christ" A New Episode of the Blessed Hope Podcast (2 Corinthians 5:14-6:2)

Episode Synopsis:

I am reluctant to say that one portion of Scripture is more important than others. But there are biblical passages packed with theological content and which have stirred much debate among the people of God across time, as does our text for this episode, 2 Corinthians 5:14-6:2. In this section, Paul lays out what might just be the big picture thesis statement for Paul’s Gentile mission–and perhaps even for the entire New Testament–1 Corinthians 5:19- “In Christ God was reconciling the world to himself, not counting their trespasses against them, and entrusting to us the message of reconciliation.” Christ’s redemptive mission is made clear–he came to save sinners, not help us become better people nor transform culture. He also gave to the church our marching orders–preach the message of reconciliation, the basis for all Christian hope–the knowledge that God is no longer angry with us.

Reconciliation is an important matter for Paul. The term refers to removing the ground of hostility between two parties so that they might be reconciled. In this case, the human race, fallen in Adam, is estranged from the holy God because of the guilt of our sins. But Paul’s emphasis falls upon the fact that we have been reconciled to God through the saving work of Christ. This raises questions about the nature and extent of the atonement–a major point of contention between Calvinists and those who hold to some version of a universal atonement. How can Calvinists affirm that Christ died for the elect only when Paul says Jesus died for the world? But then how can those holding to a universal atonement (as do Arminians) affirm that Christ’s death does not avail for all those for whom he died? People can and do perish eternally (on this view), after Christ has died for them. We’ll discuss the debate over the nature and extent of the atonement in this episode because our text raises these important questions.

A second issue raised by Paul is eschatology. His “two Adams” doctrine (cf. Romans 5:12-21) and his eschatology of new creation culminating in a day of final judgment is set out in these verses. In Paul’s federal or representative categories, Adam represents the entirety of the human race (all), while Christ represents those truly in the new covenant (for our sake). Paul ties the new creation to the death and resurrection of Jesus Christ (v. 17) and sees it as a present reality to be fully realized on the day of salvation, when our Lord Jesus returns to raise the dead, judge the world, and usher in the fullness of new creation–a new heaven and earth. This leaves no room for a future millennial age as many assume.

When Paul speaks of a favorable time before the day of salvation, he’s referring to the mission of the church as assigned here. Christians are ambassadors for God, and are given the assignment of taking the message of reconciliation (the cross of Christ) to the ends of the earth. Paul’s instructions not only define the church’s mission and evangelistic endeavors, but he also defines the church’s message– “God was in Christ, reconciling the world to himself.” Any message proclaimed by the church other than that specifically assigned by Paul will inevitably reflect pagan influences such as those against which the Corinthians found themselves struggling. We are not to be gospel-peddlers, but preachers of Christ and him crucified!

To See the show notes and listen to the episode, follow the link below

B. B. Warfield on "False Religion and the True"

Warfield’s sermon on Acts 17:23 was first published in The Power of God Unto Salvation (218-254) and reprinted in Bibl ical and Theological Studies, 560-580. You can also find it online here. It is well worth a read, since much of what Warfield finds in Paul’s challenge to the Greco-Roman pagans in Athens applies today.

Warfield’s text, “what therefore you worship as unknown, this I proclaim to you,” leads him to discuss Paul’s approach to pagan Gentiles during his Gentile mission. Below are a few excerpts.

Warfield distinguished between Paul’s approach to pagan Gentiles (as he does here) and those Jews familiar with the Old Testament.

These words give the gist of Pau l's justly famous address at Athens before the court of the Areopagus. The substance of that address was, to be sure, just what the substance of all his primary proclamations to Gentile hearers was, namely, God and the judgment. The necessities of the case compelled him to approach the heathen along the avenue of an awakened conscience. . . . The peculiar circumstances in which (this sermon) was delivered have imprinted on this address also a particular character of its own. Paul spoke it under a specially poignant sense of the depths of heathen ignorance and of the greatness of heathen need. The whole address palpitates with his profound feeling of the darkness in which the heathen world is immersed, and his eager longing to communicate to it the light intrusted to his care.

Given the similarities between the Greco-Roman audience gathered on the Areopagus and our own age (ignorance of the things of God, the angst of our age, the triumph of the subjective over the possibility of finding objective truth), Warfield describes Paul’s preaching as bringing light into darkness. “Heathen” is a great term to describe many of the unbelievers of our age, and I wouldn’t mind seeing it come back to common usage.

Warfield describes Paul’s passion to approach the pagan intellectuals of his day (who were much like the podcasters and influencers of our own) by challenging them at the very point where their self-perceived “wisdom,” is merely a cover for their ignorance of the things of God.

[Paul] was in Athens, as it were, in hiding. But he could not keep silence. He went to the synagogue on the Sabbath and there preached to the Jews and those devout inquirers who were accustomed to visit the synagogues of the Jews in every city. But this did not satisfy his aroused zeal. He went also to the market place—that agora which the public teachers of the city had been wont to frequent for the propagation of their views—and there, like them, every day, he argued with all whom he chanced to meet. Among these he very naturally encountered certain adherents of the types of philosophy then dominant—the Epicurean and Stoic—and in conflict with them he began to attract attention.

To read the rest, follow the link below

B. B. WarfieldKim RiddlebargerNovember 14, 2025Acts 17:23, Mars Hill, Warfield on Paul in AthensComment

Who Said That? (6)

Who Said That?

"Thus, we look in vain for a statement in which Paul would speak about himself as an actual sinner. When he speaks about his conscience, he witnesses to his good conscience before men and God."

Please do not look up the answer—the whole point is to guess! But if you can’t restrain yourself, or if you know the answer, please don’t post the source and ruin it for everyone else.

Leave your guess in the comments section using the link below

Who Said That?Kim RiddlebargerNovember 12, 2025Did Paul claim to be a sinner? Comments

New Meredith Kline Volume on the Book of Revelation

In a recent post, I mentioned that there were three important new books soon to be published. I was not aware of this book at the time, but soon after learned of it through a good friend (Dr. Andrew Compton). I followed up by listening to a Reformed Forum podcast episode (October 31, 2025) which discussed this gem in great detail.

I cannot say enough good things about this volume. Meredith Kline had written much on the Book of Revelation, but it was widely scattered among a number of publications, many of which can be found here (including mp3s). However there was much work on Revelation by Kline which had not been published until now. It is great to find it all in one place in a book with a quality binding and nice print. Reformed Forum did a great job with the project.

Kline’s books and essays are often tough going, with the common quip (which is often said of Geerhardus Vos as well), that his writings need to be translated into English. But his sermons (published in part two of the volume) are simple biblical expositions of texts from Revelation, and provide a nice primer to Kline’s academic work. The sermons are Christ and gospel centered and demonstrate his ability to explain the apocalypse with such great clarity that you’ll find yourself want to read it again, this time through the new eyes Kline provides. It has been a long time since I read gospel sermons on difficult texts from the Book of Revelation which are as clear, profound, and moving as these—his Easter, Christmas, and Lord’s Supper sermons especially.

To read the rest, follow the link below

The Staying Power of Dispensationalism -- Some Observations

In a recent tweet, Aaron Renn (November 5, 2025) opined that “the death of dispensationalism is greatly exaggerated. It seems to me that the vast bulk of evangelicals are still dispensationalist . . . I don't think most evangelicals have ever even heard the term dispensationalism, or have thought much about it. They just think they attend a church that preaches the Bible.”

I am of the opinion that Daniel Hummel’s recent book, The Rise and Fall of Dispensationalism, makes a compelling case that dispensationalism (at least that academic form which Hummel identifies as “scholastic dispensationalism”) is clearly on the wane in those circles where it once held dominance (seminaries and evangelical publishing). The perfume is long gone, although a faint scent remains in the empty bottle. But I do think Renn is correct to point out that the majority of rank and file evangelicals are still largely dispensational in their eschatology and overall understanding of the purpose of the church in the end times—which they believe are upon us. Here are some observations as to why I think this is the case.

Effective Dispensational Catechesis:

The current generation of evangelicals and the bulk of those who now attend evangelical churches grew up on Tim LaHaye and Jerry Jenkins’s Left Behind novels, or else attended churches which offered a steady diet of dispensational teaching. Despite whatever doctrinal ills someone like me may find in dispensationalism, the Bible is open in these churches and taught simply and as true. In many cases, the gospel is present (though often watered down and not always clearly presented). Jesus is proclaimed to be the only savior and it is taught that good works do not save. The litmus test in many of these circles is a born again conversion experience. People who attend such churches are likely well satisfied with what they hear from the pulpit and assume what they are hearing is correct. These folks are not likely to investigate other views, nor are they going to rush out and buy A Case for Amillennialism.

To read the rest, follow the link below

November Musings (November 5, 2025)

Riddleblog and Blessed Hope Podcast Updates:

The R’s and a dozen or so friends were headed to the Civil War battlefields of Manassas, Harper’s Ferry, Antietam, and Gettysburg, before spending a few days playing tourist in Washington DC. Alas the government shutdown forced us to reschedule for next Spring. We are disappointed—but for a whole bunch of reasons, the cancellation was providential and also allowed me to take a short break
I am close to wrapping up my exegetical work in 2 Corinthians, and then it is on to Romans! I can’t wait! Lord willing, the Blessed Hope Podcast will resume in a couple of weeks and I’ll finish up chapters 5-13 of 2 Corinthians

Thinking Out Loud:

My contempt for our current Congress (both parties) grows by the day
Gambling in the NBA? “I’m shocked, shocked to find gambling is going on in here” (using my best Claude Rains accent)
I’ve been a die-hard baseball fan since I saw the Angels play the Yankees in Dodger Stadium on July 29,1964 (Anaheim Stadium was still under construction and BTW, the Yankees won 5-0 behind Jim Bouton’s 4 hitter). I’ve seen lots of great players come and go, but Shohei Ohtani is the best baseball player I’ve ever seen, period. People talk about Babe Ruth doing similar things, but we didn’t get to watch the Babe—we just remember his accomplishments. But we do get to see Shohei play. But after playing an 18 inning game and starting the next game Shohei came back to earth and looked tired during the last two games in Toronto
Yoshinobu Yamamoto was 4-0 with 1.13 ERA in the World Series (including last year). Then to come back and win Game 7 after going 6 innings and winning Game 6 was simply amazing. But lest we forget, Madison Bumgarner's World Series stats include a career record of 4-0, a remarkable 0.25 ERA, 31 strikeouts, and one save. His 0.25 career World Series ERA is the lowest in history for a pitcher with at least 20 innings pitched. Baseball fans really do live in the moment
When Don Mattingly played for the Yankees, he was my favorite player—evident by my signed Mattingly print in the background of the cigar photo above. After 40 years in baseball, Donny Baseball finally made it to the World Series as the bench coach for the Blue Jays. Does retirement await? If so, he’s earned it
Trump-achadnezzar plans to build a monument to himself. Sorta echoes Daniel 3
Trump called Reagan’s speech on tariffs, “fake news.” Trump obviously has not listened to to Reagan’s remarks lately. I have. I think Reagan was absolutely right that tariffs are a tax on consumers and raise prices, but then I’m a Milton Friedman, F. A. Hayek guy when it comes to economics
Good ole governor Gavin signs 700 new laws—just what California needs, more regulation

To read the book review and see the recommended links, follow the link below

MusingsKim RiddlebargerNovember 5, 2025More on AI, John Murray mp3s, NBA, MLB, clown motel, monkeys one th loose, Donny baseball, Reagan on TariffsComment

I Was a Recent Guest on “Issues, Etc.” Discussing Peter Thiel, AI, and the Antichrist

I was interviewed by Todd Wilken and we discussed Peter Thiel’s view of the Antichrist and AI.

The interview was based upon an essay I had written several weeks ago which can be found here: AI and Recent Antichrist Speculation

Amillennialism, End Times Nuttiness, eschatologyKim RiddlebargerOctober 30, 2025Antichrist speculation, Antichrist and AIComment

Audio from Christ Reformed Church's 30th Anniversary and Reformation Sunday

To access the lectures, catechism lesson, and sermon from Christ Reformed alums Dr. Mike Horton, Dr. Andrew Compton, Dr. Brian Lee, and Dr. Kim Riddlebarger and to view the pictures from this weekend’s celebration, follow the link below

“The Founder and Perfecter of Our Faith” Hebrews 12:1-17 (An Exposition of the Book of Hebrews–Part Twenty-Two)

Looking Ahead to the Finish Line

Several biblical writers tell us that the Christian life is like a race. The starting line is our conversion. The finish line is our death, hopefully after a long and full life, unless our Lord should return prior to our demise. As we run this race, we are to look ahead to the finish line–that inheritance which is ours in Jesus Christ. In chapter eleven the author of Hebrews told his readers that the Old Testament saints looked forward to that time when God fulfilled his promise through the death and resurrection of Jesus Christ. In chapter twelve he now directs us to consider the goal which God has set before those of us living in the new covenant era. As he sets this goal before our eyes, he exhorts us not to hinder our own progress through carelessness, or by rejecting the place of godly discipline. It is Jesus who perfectly trusted in God’s promise and gave his life for our sins, thereby earning the title of the founder and perfecter of faith. Jesus not only fulfills God’s promise, he is God’s promise. Jesus is that one in whom we possess all the blessings promised to us by our gracious God. It is to him we look as we run the race.

We now come to chapter 12 of our exposition of Hebrews, in which the author applies the message of chapter 11, the so-called “hall of faith” to the congregation which has just considered the names and exploits mentioned by the author. In Hebrews 11–one of the best known portions of the New Testament–the author has made the point that there is one covenant promise throughout the course of redemptive history. All those mentioned in the “hall of faith” believed that promise, though for them, the promise was not yet fulfilled. But now that Jesus Christ has come, what was promised to those listed in Hebrews 11 is a reality for all those who live in the era of a new and better covenant. The Old Testament saints trusted God’s promise, and now that Jesus Christ has come, they too have been made perfect, as have all those reading this letter who have placed their faith (trust) in the person and work of Jesus Christ, the creator of all things, and the redeemer of God’s people.

In Christ God’s Promises are Fulfilled

In the first half of chapter 12 (vv. 1-17), the author turns first to Christ’s work on our behalf in fulfilling that promise referred to in chapter 11 by suffering and dying for his people (vv. 1-2). In verses 3-11, the author takes up the necessity for Christians to endure under the hardship they were facing because they were Christians, and to realize that God disciplines his own because he loves us. This was an important word of encouragement to those in the original audience who were facing persecution from the civil authorities, and possibly from those whom they left behind in the synagogues. Then, in verses 12-17, the author exhorts us to persevere in that long and grueling race which is the Christian life.

To read the rest, follow the link below

HebrewsKim RiddlebargerOctober 24, 2025Hebrews 12:1-17, The Founder of our FaithComment

The Error that Fallen Men and Women Can Increase Common Grace and so Achieve Salvation— The Rejection of Errors, Third and Fourth Head of Doctrine, Canons of Dort (5)

Synod rejects the errors of those . . .

Who teach that corrupt and natural man can make such good use of common grace (by which they mean the light of nature) or of the gifts remaining after the fall that he is able thereby gradually to obtain a greater grace—evangelical or saving grace—as well as salvation itself; and that in this way God, for his part, shows himself ready to reveal Christ to all people, since he provides to all, to a sufficient extent and in an effective manner, the means necessary for the revealing of Christ, for faith, and for repentance.

For Scripture, not to mention the experience of all ages, testifies that this is false: “He makes known his words to Jacob, his statutes and his laws to Israel; he has done this for no other nation, and they do not know his laws” (Ps. 147:19–20); “In the past God let all nations go their own way” (Acts 14:16); “They were kept by the Holy Spirit from speaking God’s word in Asia”; and “When they had come to Mysia, they tried to go to Bithynia, but the Spirit would not allow them to” (Acts 16:6–7).

________________________________________

Of course, Arminians do not want to say that sinful people are saved by personal merit gained through accumulated good works or human effort. But they do seek a way to affirm that God enables all people to seek grace, and then upon finding that grace, and provided they continue to seek grace, the more grace they will attain, eventually leading to the exercise of saving faith. To put this in popular jargon, “God helps those who help themselves.”

To circumvent the biblical and Reformed doctrine of total inability articulated throughout the previous articles of the canons, which teaches that that no one can come to Christ unless they are first made alive through regeneration, Arminians stress a universal, potential grace. Arminians affirmed that anyone who takes advantage of this universal grace (which they spoke of as described as “common grace,” and which has a different meaning than current Reformed uses of the term), can eventually receive sufficient grace to exercise “evangelical” or “saving faith.” Recent Arminians often base their view on contemporary notions of “fairness”— it isn’t right for God to give grace to some and withhold it from others since that would not be “fair.” So grace must be universal in some sense. But early Arminians—such as those singled out by the Canons—usually framed the matter in semi-Pelagian categories. Adam’s fall corrupted human nature. Nevertheless although remaining corrupt and sinful, humans still retain the ability to seek grace, gain more grace, and act upon it by exercising faith and repentance.

The specific issue addressed here is how Arminians understand “common grace” (the light of nature) which is an end-run around the Reformed stress upon an efficacious, particular grace. This becomes clear when the canons identify the two errors addressed here. The first error is that sinners supposedly “make such good use of common grace (by which they mean the light of nature) or of the gifts remaining after the fall that he is able thereby gradually to obtain a greater grace—evangelical or saving grace—as well as salvation itself.“ Depravity, yes. Total depravity and inability, no.

To read the rest, follow the link below

The Canons of DortKim RiddlebargerOctober 22, 2025The light of nature, Inherited CorruptionComment

"The Weight of Glory" -- A New Episode of the Blessed Hope Podcast! 2 Corinthians 4:16-5:10

Episode Synopsis:

C. S. Lewis brought a biblical expression from Paul into the broader evangelical world in his influential 1941 sermon “The Weight of Glory,” based upon 2 Corinthians 4:17. Lewis points out that glory, as used by Paul, is a not a ‘flimsy” thing, but something substantial and abiding. Unlike the shadows of affliction, the denseness of heavenly glory is something real and solid. Since his sermon was widely read and discussed, Lewis made the phrase “the weight of glory” one of the most significant and well-known themes in 2 Corinthians, along with other well-known phrases from Paul, such as “jars of clay” and “he made him who knew no sin to be sin.” The former is Paul’s description of human weakness (which we covered last time), while the latter is tied to Paul’s discussion of Christ’s reconciling work upon the cross–a matter which we will address next time (2 Corinthians 5:21).

If our bodies are mere jars of clay or tents, as Paul puts it, then our outer selves (our bodies) are destined to grow old and eventually fail–as a clay jar crumbles and as a tent wears out. Paul uses Greek categories (which his audience would understand) to speak of an inner and outer self, yet without the dualism typical of Platonic philosophy. Paul sees such things through the lens of Christian eschatology–this age and the age to come, as well as through the categories of seen (our current existence) and the unseen (our heavenly existence). The unseen remains just over the horizon where we cannot see nor experience it until we enter the Lord’s presence.

While we experience all sorts of afflictions and troubles in this life, Paul’s point in our text for this episode (2 Corinthians 4:16-5:10) is that our inner self is simultaneously being renewed in anticipation of the weight of glory–even as our outer self wastes away. Despite what Paul has been through in his dealing with the Corinthians, the difficulties he has faced throughout the Gentile mission must be seen in light of the glory yet to come. Since the Christian knows that our faith is grounded in the fact of Christ’s cross and empty tomb, so the Christian hope is immediate entrance upon death into the presence of God (ensured by the indwelling Holy Spirit) followed by our own resurrection from the dead at the end of the age. So even as we live this life in the midst of death, we anticipate the “weight of glory” yet to come since we are given a foretaste even now through the gospel and the power of the Holy Spirit.

To read the show notes and listen to this episode, follow the link below

Blessed Hope PodcastKim RiddlebargerOctober 20, 2025The Weight of Glory, 2 Corinthians 4:16-5:10Comment

Some Important Books on the Horizon — Get That Credit Card Out!

First on the list is Connecting Scripture which has just been released by Holman. Connecting Scripture is a CSV (Christian Standard Version) New Testament which does something no other New Testament does. The biblical text has blue and green color coding to indicate when a biblical saying is either a direct citation from the New Testament (blue) or an allusion to something in the Old Testament (green). This enables the reader to see where a New Testament writer quotes from or draws allusion to something in the Old Testament—the thought world of New Testament writers.

This New Testament also has extensive and very helpful notes explaining where and why a New Testament passage is best understood in light of the Old Testament background and context, even in those cases where there is not a direct quotation or immediately identifiable allusion. At a glace, the user of Connecting Scripture can see where and why use is made in the New Testament of the Old Testament—making it an invaluable and helpful resource.

I just got my copy and find myself thumbing through it despite having other things to do.

To see the rest of my recommendations, follow the link below

AI and Recent Antichrist Speculation

Peter Thiel and John Lennox on AI and Recent Antichrist Speculation

There has been much speculation of late about the growth of AI, multi-faceted AI tools, and a future antichrist. It should come as no surprise that much of this recent interest is tied to a longstanding tendency to incorporate antichrist speculation into the preexisting end-times categories of dispensationalists—a final apocalyptic battle (Armageddon), a one world tyrannical government (the UN/EU is the usual suspect), and in many circles this includes events in Israel involving the Jerusalem temple. Many have wondered about how an end-times antichrist may use exploitive technologies to do his nefarious bidding and establish a worldwide antichrist government—hence the concerns about AI. Although I wholeheartedly reject dispensational eschatology, as a small government Reagan conservative with libertarian leanings, I do have some sympathy for worries expressed by dispensationalists regarding our government’s use of evolving technological tools such as AI to restrict the constitutional liberties of its citizens.

In light of the recent trend to associate such an individual with rapidly developing technologies, we need to be clear that the common use of the term “antichrist” is highly problematic. In American culture, the term has a vague, generic meaning largely influenced by film and pop-culture (both evangelical and secular). This generic antichrist is thought to be a mysterious and evil end-times personage who appears on the world stage, usually in conjunction with the end of the world, but often tied to dystopian and post-apocalyptic end times scenarios.

This understanding of the Antichrist has virtually no connection to the term’s biblical usage. Many are surprised to discover that the term “antichrist” never appears in the Book of Revelation. In fact, the biblical use of the term, is much more precise and specific. John tells us that the Antichrist is anyone who denies that Jesus is the Christ, that there were a number of them, and that they were already present in the days of the apostles (e.g., 1 John 2:18; 2:22; 4:3; 2 John 7). Biblically understood, an antichrist is any false Messiah associated with the heresy of denying the deity of Jesus.

To read the rest, follow the link below

I Was a Recent Guest on the “Theology for the Church” Podcast

Amillennialism with Kim Riddlebarger and host, Caleb Lenard

This is part two of a three part series on the Theology of the Church Podcast. Dr. Jim Hamilton presents historical premillennialism and Dr. Josh Howard presents postmillennialism.

“Shall Christ Be King of the Nation?” Ask My Great, Great, Grandmother

My longstanding interest in family history has been a rewarding and interesting endeavor. As genealogists often quip, “if you shake the family tree hard enough, the nuts will fall to the ground.” Yes, there are a few “nuts” in my family lineage (Rufus Riddlesbarger— tax dodger, inventor of birth-control devices, all around scoundrel), and a murderer (Raymond Bernard Finch), whose notorious crime and trial in 1960-1961 became the basis for a Perry Mason episode. There are also several notables including a US Senator (Harrison Holt Riddlebarger). But I get that a post like this could quickly turn out to be the equivalent of watching someone else’s family home movies. I’ll spare you.

There is one direct ancestor on my maternal line whose story may be worth consideration. My great, great, grandmother, Jenny Bland Beauchamp [hereafter JBB] (1833-1914), was a Baptist preacher’s wife, and an author (she wrote a book on Christ’s second advent, Our Coming King in 1895, as well as an earlier book, a polemic against the Church of Christ, Maplehurst; or Campbellism not Christianity in 1867). She was a prominent prohibitionist and activist in Denton, TX. The entry about her in the on-line Handbook of Texas is remarkable. By all accounts, she was a force with which to be reckoned.

If you live in a current or former dry county in Texas, you have her to thank. According to the Handbook of Texas History,

During the final year of her presidency, Mrs. Beauchamp traveled more than 5,000 miles lecturing and organizing for temperance; by the close of her administration Texas had 1,600 WCTU members, organized into about 100 local unions. Jenny Beauchamp was elected to a fifth presidential term in 1888 but declined to serve because of ill health. Like her husband [Rev. Sylvester A. Beauchamp], she was also an active worker in the state prohibition movement in the 1880s.

What brought her to my recent attention is the current debate over Christian Nationalism. Her essay in the Union Signal of February 6, 1890, wrestled with the question “Shall Christ be King of the Nation?” and provoked a snarky critical review in the Freedom Sentinel penned under the initials A.T. J.

JBB opens with the question, “Shall Christ Be King of the Nation?” She affirms that “every loyal Christian heart must answer this question in the affirmative,” which she qualifies with a follow-up question. “But in what sense will Christ be King of the Nation?” Her explanation affirms the complexity of the question as well as that of her proposed answer.

To read the rest, follow the link below

October Musings (10/8/2025)

Riddleblog and Blessed Hope Podcast Updates:

Christ Reformed Church’s 30th Anniversary celebration is coming up—October 24-26. C-Ref alums Dr. Mike Horton and Dr. R. Andrew Compton will be speaking on Friday night (Oct. 24), Dr. Brian Lee will be leading the catechism service, and I’ll be preaching Sunday morning (Oct. 26). If you wish to attend, go here for info (Christ Reformed Church 30th Anniversary)
Programming note: Both Riddleblog posts and the Blessed Hope Podcast will be interrupted at the end of the month and early November. I will be traveling

Thinking Out loud:

Preach it, Warren Buffet! “I could end the deficit in five minutes. You just pass a law that says that any time there’s a deficit of more than three percent of GDP, all sitting members of Congress are ineligible for re-election”
After a terrible July-August, it is hard to believe that the Yankees have made the playoffs, beat the Bosox, and are now squaring off against the Jays. We’ll see how that turns out—looks bad so far
I’ve used Gameday to follow MLB games for years. The balls and strikes count is quick on that platform and should be seamless in games given such a large and prolonged user-test. Using such a system will end bad calls by the home plate umpires, it should reduce the number of batters chirping over ball and strike calls, as well as cut back much of the whining coming from the dugouts about missed calls. Manager ejections should decrease dramatically. Someone quipped that we all owe Angel Hernandez a debt of gratitude for dragging MLB into the future
After watching Kash Patel, Pam Bondi, and members of Congress act like they were in an Animal House food fight, it is time turn the cameras off and put an end to this sort of asinine political theater. Is there any wonder why Congress has a 70% unfavorable rating? The government shutdown no doubt will increase the already pathetic unfavorability rating
I’m with Justin Amash on this. “I’d never trust anyone on the right or the left who is inconsistent on free speech. A person willing to abandon this fundamental American principle for short-term politics—justifying their own hypocrisy by citing the other side’s hypocrisy—can’t be counted on to uphold anything”
To tweak a phrase from Tombstone, it is not a reckoning Trump wants, it is revenge. Not a good character trait for a president
I’m glad Gavin Newsom is running for president—with the qualification, I hope he loses badly enough to leave the political scene permanently. For one thing, California will finally be rid of him (although he will still probably live in Napa Valley). For another, he’ll have to do something to keep gas prices from spiking after the New Year. With a national average in the mid-three dollar per gallon range, it is not a good look for a presidential candidate from California to have the state’s gas prices hover between five-six dollars per gallon—two dollars more than the national average

To read the rest of “my musings” follow the link below

"Jars of Clay" -- A New Episode the Blessed Hope Podcast (2 Corinthians 4:1-15)

Episode Synopsis:

In chapter 4 of 2 Corinthians, Paul addresses a subject no one likes or wants to talk about–the frailty and weakness of the human body. We have all seen images of great athletes with robust and fit bodies–the Greeks and Romans idolized the human body in their art and sculpture. But think of those magnificent bodies at their peak (say in their 20-40s) in contrast to those instances where we see the same person much older–with weight gain, joint and muscle deterioration, baldness, crepey skin and wrinkles, and the onset of illnesses and various maladies. That is what Paul is getting at here. We are all “jars of clay” destined to die. This is the inevitable outcome of Adam’s fall into sin.

Given his experience as an apostle, preaching the cross of Christ (as unpopular a message as one can find in the ancient world), Paul knows what it is like to suffer for Christ’s sake, as well as sacrifice his own body and health in the service of Christ’s church. Paul is not a masochist nor a whiner. But he has suffered greatly for the cause of Christ, especially in his work in Corinth–a church where many now belittle his work because of his physical weakness. We get hints in this letter of the emotional toll this took on Paul, as well as the impact of illness and bodily trauma. Paul recounts these matters to explain to the Corinthians why things have taken the course they have.

Paul is not a stoic who strives to “keep calm and carry on.” He is not a peddler of God’s word. Paul trusts in God’s providence through the power of the resurrected Christ and the indwelling Holy Spirit to bring about deliverance from the source of all of these problems–human sin. Paul reminds the Corinthians (and us) that eternal things are indeed ultimately far more important than temporal things. The cross is a divinely-revealed message which speaks to these ultimate concerns, whereas Greek and Roman paganism is a mere figment of the sinful human imagination and does not–indeed cannot. In fact, Paul attributes the latter to the work of Satan–the blinder of minds and the thief of souls.

In response to the challenges he faces in Corinth, Paul does not stress fitness, diet, supplements, or exercise as we are apt to do and which are, no doubt, important to our quality of life. Knowing that bodily frailness will eventually overcome us all–Paul directs the Corinthians (and us) to the sure and certain hope of the resurrection and entrance into the glory of God. We may be afflicted and suffer now, but the glories of Christ and eternal life in his presence is our future.

To read the show notes, or listen to the episode, follow the link below

Blessed Hope PodcastKim RiddlebargerOctober 6, 20252 Corinthians 4:1-15, Jars of ClayComment

Who Said That? (Updated)

Who said that?

"Whoever says in the Spirit, `give me money,' or anything else [like that], do not listen to him."

Please do not look up the answer—the whole point is to guess! But if you can’t restrain yourself, or if you know the answer, please don’t post the source and ruin it for everyone else.

Answer is in the comments section below

Who Said That?Kim RiddlebargerOctober 3, 2025If anyone says . . ., give me money Comments

"Liberation of the Will" -- My New Tabletalk Essay

My piece on the liberation of the will, is published in the October 2025 Tabletalk magazine.

If you don’t already subscribe, I highly recommend it.

"My Shepherd" -- An Exposition of the 23rd Psalm

A Favorite Psalm for Many

With the possible exception of John 3:16, there is perhaps no more familiar portion of the Bible than the 23rd Psalm. Many people memorize it as children. The text of the 23rd Psalm set against the backdrop of a pastel landscape adorns the stock funeral program in countless mortuaries across the United States. As the most famous of all the Psalms, the “shepherd’s Psalm” has been set to music by Bach, Shubert, and Williams. It is recited by characters in countless movies and novels whenever the plot requires proof that someone is a Christian or generically religious. But the 23rd Psalm is beloved by Christians because of its simple expression of confidence in God’s goodness, and because of Jesus’s identification of himself as the “good shepherd” who accompanies us as we walk through the valley of the shadow of death.

The 23rd Psalm is classified a “Psalm of trust” reflecting the believer’s trust in God’s tender care of his people. It is attributed to David (Israel’s shepherd-king), although no title or authorship is attached to the Psalm itself. Found in the First Book of the Psalter (which includes Psalms 1-41), Psalm 23 draws on the familiar image of the Lord (YHWH) as a shepherd who cares for his sheep (the people of Israel).

The Shepherd

Shepherd imagery was very familiar to everyone living in Israel at the time of David, and reflects David’s experience as a shepherd responsible for the care of his flock. In 1 Samuel 17:34-35, we read, “but David said to Saul, `Your servant used to keep sheep for his father. And when there came a lion, or a bear, and took a lamb from the flock, I went after him and struck him and delivered it out of his mouth. And if he arose against me, I caught him by his beard and struck him and killed him.” David knew what was involved in the care of sheep, and in this Psalm he depicts God as the true shepherd of Israel.

Some scholars contend that this Psalm reflects David’s time in the wilderness when he was hiding from Absalom–which may or may not be the case. But this Psalm does reflect a sense of readiness to face trials, difficulties, and danger because of our confidence in the Lord’s presence with us, especially in light of the fact that being in the presence of the Lord for all of eternity is every Christian’s hope.[1]

To read the rest, follow the link below

Biblical Events, Biblical TheologyKim RiddlebargerSeptember 29, 2025The 23rd PsalmComment