The Blessed Hope Podcast -- Episode Eleven: "Walking in the Spirit" (Galatians 5:13-18)
The Blessed Hope Podcast -- Episode Eleven: "Walking in the Spirit" (Galatians 5:13-18)

In Galatians chapter 5, the Apostle Paul discusses how the Galatian Christians ought to understand their freedom in Christ–especially in the face of great pressure to return to “works of law,” as insisted upon by the Judaizers. To ensure that the Galatians stand firm against the legalistic error spreading quickly throughout the churches of the region, Paul makes appeal to the doctrine of justification by grace alone, through faith alone, on account of Christ alone, as the basis for the Christian life, which Paul describes here as “walking by the Spirit.”

Paul makes a sharp contrast between the flesh (the impulses and desires of the fallen nature) and the Spirit (who now indwells the people God securing their union with Christ). Walking by the Spirit–which is connected to the fruit of the Spirit in the balance of chapter (verses 22-24), also entails an intense struggle against the flesh (what we were before coming to faith in Jesus Christ). Now free from the condemnation of the law, the Spirit gives us the desire and ability to obey God’s commands (especially the love of neighbor). But the indwelling Spirit is opposed by the sinful habits of the flesh (which is the desire to seek self-interest), even after the flesh no longer dominates and characterizes us. In Galatians 5:13-18, Paul discusses what it means to walk by the Spirit, while at the same time we struggle against the desires of the flesh (our sinful habits).

To Listen to Episode Eleven: Episode Eleven: "Walking by the Spirit" (Galatians 5:13-18)

To Listen to The Entire Series, The Blessed Hope Podcast

Read More
Blessed Hope PodcastKim RiddlebargerWalking in the Spirit, Fulfilling the law in love, Galatians 5:13-18Comment
Pilgrims on the Way -- Wisdom from Our Reformed Fathers in Uncertain Times
Pilgrims on the Way -- Wisdom from Our Reformed Fathers in Uncertain Times

There is a good reason why Michael Horton’s volume The Christian Faith is subtitled, A Systematic Theology for Pilgrims on the Way. The Christian life can, perhaps, be best understood as a pilgrim journey to the heavenly city. This has long been a theme in Reformed theology—especially when our fathers were wrestling with the question, “what kind of theology do Christians possess in a fallen world?” John Bunyan’s beloved allegory, Pilgrim’s Progress, explores this conundrum when his own pilgrim journey landed him in an English jail as a non-conformist. Bunyan took up his pen to explain his traumatic circumstances in light of his confidence in God’s sovereign purposes. Understanding the Christian life as a pilgrim’s journey resonates with us because Christian believers experience life’s ups and downs precisely as a journey to a better place.

A generation ago, many Americans Christians felt like the “pilgrim” moniker really wasn’t fitting, nor was it particularly useful. Yes, life has its ups and downs, but all in all, many (especially evangelicals) felt quite at home. Life was pretty good. The pilgrim’s journey will likely take us to better places. America was the world’s sole super power after all, making another destructive world war unlikely because the biggest and baddest kid on the block isn’t likely to be challenged. Despite occasional fears of recession and a few economic blips, America’s economy rolled along with relatively low inflation, with a good return on investments. Better yet, this was a time of great advances in consumer technologies and home electronics. American Evangelicals even had a seat at the table of political power, or at least thought they did—the reality was they were allowed a place in partisan politics because they represented an important voting block. Enjoying the post World War Two good times, American Christians easily fell victim to the malaise Francis Schaeffer identified as “personal peace and affluency.” Sure, many thought, we may be pilgrims, but our pilgrim journey doesn’t take us through genuine peril. Yes, there were still the usual annoying trials and troubles, but there was no real sense of urgency to reach the goal. All is well. We like it here and we are in no hurry to leave.

To read the rest, follow the link below

Read More
Wisdom from Confessions, Reformed Resources, History and CultureKim RiddlebargerThe Pilgrim Way, The church militant, God's ProvidenceComment
Job -- The Suffering Prophet: "Introduction"
Job -- The Suffering Prophet: "Introduction"

The Book of Job is one of the most moving and profound stories known to humanity. Here is the account of a righteous and godly man, nearly overwhelmed by the loss of everything he owned and by the death of most everyone he loved, and who, now sick and afflicted beyond words, comes face to face with the sovereign God who brought all of these things to pass. And all the while, Job struggles to believe God’s promise to rescue him from his plight when every circumstance and every word offered in explanation only serves to call into question either Job’s righteousness or God’s goodness. It is not only a moving and fascinating story, but almost all of us can relate to what we read in this book. Many of us have been called to suffer and we certainly empathize with Job’s plight. It is also likely that we all know people like Job’s wife and friends who mean well, but who only make things worse every time they open their mouths when trying to help.

To read the rest, follow the link below

Read More
Reflections on Job, Biblical Events, Biblical TheologyKim RiddlebargerRflections on Job # 1, Introduction to Job Comments
An Exposition of Article Fifteen of the Belgic Confession -- Original Sin
An Exposition of Article Fifteen of the Belgic Confession -- Original Sin

There is nothing worse than standing by a casket containing the earthly remains of someone we love. Death is the ultimate enemy of humanity. Contrary to the sentiments of our culture, death is not natural and all the talk of celebrating the departed’s life does not change the grim reality of death one iota. We all dread that phone call in the middle of the night bringing horrible news. Our hearts skip a beat when a newsflash brings word of a national calamity, such as we experienced on the morning of September 11, 2001. Then there is the end of a marriage, the loss of a job, serious illness, injury or accident, an argument with a friend, a loss of temper, an adulterous thought . . . All of these things–from the most consequential to the least consequential–have something very important in common. They are all consequences of Adam’s act of rebellion against God in the Garden of Eden.

While discussing original sin may sound positively medieval and thought of as so much silliness by our contemporaries, original sin is one of the most important topics we can ever address. In Adam’s fall, sinned we all. We cannot escape the horrible consequences of that first sin. From our own sinful thoughts, to our own sinful actions, from those calamities which impact our families, friends and neighbors, to those events which effect nations and vast numbers of the earth’s inhabitants, all of these things are the result of human sin, the consequence of Adam’s rebellion in Eden. Sin does not stem from human finitude. The world which God made is not defective in any way. Rather, Adam acting on our behalf, plunged the entire human race into sin and death when he broke the commandment of God. It is Adam who introduced the principles of sin and death in the world. This is why Christianity is not a philosophy or system of ethics. Christianity is centered in God’s redemption of his people and the redemption of the world he has made. One day God will indeed make all things new and undo the effects of human sin. Until then, we live in a fallen world.

To read the rest, click here: Article Fifteen of the Belgic Confession: Sufficient to Condemn the Whole World

Read More
Belgic ConfessionKim RiddlebargerOriginal Sin, Adam's Fall, Consequences of Adam's FallComment
Using God
Using God

Using God — The Entrepreneurial Spirit of American Christianity

It has been said that pride is the oldest sin in the universe and that it shows no signs of growing weaker with age. Pride is the overestimation of our own worth and the inevitable tendency to exaggerate our own accomplishments. If the Bible is clear about anything, it is that ours is a fallen race and that human pride is the inevitable consequence of the fall. God warned the people of Israel to exercise great care in this regard, “lest you forget the LORD your God by not keeping his commandments and his rules and his statutes, which I command you today, lest, when you have eaten and are full and have built good houses and live in them, and when your herds and flocks multiply and your silver and gold is multiplied and all that you have is multiplied, then your heart be lifted up, and you forget the LORD your God, who brought you out of the land of Egypt, out of the house of slavery . . . . Beware lest you say in your heart, `My power and the might of my hand have gotten me this wealth.’” In Romans 1:22, Paul speaks of human pride in these terms; “Claiming to be wise, they became fools.” Because of sin, we suppress the fact that God is the source of all that we have. We see ourselves as far more important than we are. We act as though all of life rises and sets upon our own shadow. Therefore, we are constantly tempted to use God to suit our own sinful ends.

Perhaps it might help to frame the matter like this. When we become great in our own eyes, our estimation of God and his purposes is necessarily diminished. Like two people sitting on opposite ends of a playground teeter-totter, when the person sitting on one end goes up, the other person goes down. The same applies to our estimation of God. When our own desires and whims are elevated over God and his glory–the very essence of sinful pride–God is necessarily diminished in our estimation. When this happens, our own skewed self-estimation replaces the uncomfortable truth we seek to evade–that God is great and we are not.

To read the rest of this essay, click here Using God

Read More
Riddleblog Publication, Reformed ResourcesKim RiddlebargerUsing God, Entrepreneurial spirit in American ChristianityComment
The Great and Forgotten Battle
The Great and Forgotten Battle

Here’s a military/history question for you . . .

What was the single biggest military engagement in American history? A couple of famous battles come to mind: Gettysburg, The Battle of the Bulge, D-Day. None of these come even close to the massive size of this battle, which dwarfs them all. Any guesses?

A follow-up: the American army which fought in this battle was led by the “General of the Armies,” (sometimes incorrectly described as a “six-star” general), the highest rank awarded in the American military. Who was he?

To see the answer, follow the link below.

Read More
History and CultureKim RiddlebargerMeuse-Argonne, John J. PershingComment
And There Will Be Signs on the Earth -- Hal Lindsey's Mustache (Best of the Old Riddleblog # 3)
And There Will Be Signs on the Earth -- Hal Lindsey's Mustache (Best of the Old Riddleblog # 3)

From The Old Riddleblog, February 12, 2007

Now learn this lesson from the fig tree: As soon as its twigs get tender and its leaves come out, you know that summer is near . . . (Matthew 24:32).

One of the great eschatological questions of our age has to do with the color of Hal Lindsey's mustache. When most men hit middle age and they start getting a little gray, the mustache or the temple area is the first to go. That was the case for me. But not Hal Lindsey.

Notice that for Hal, the older he gets, the darker his mustache gets. Hmmm . . . In the first picture (left to right), taken in the early 80's, Hal's hair and mustache are dark.

But the pictures in sequence show the Hal we've come to know and love on World Net Daily, TBN, and from Christian Publishing has graying hair and a very dark mustache.

To see the remarkable transformation, follow the link below

Read More
From the Old RiddleblogKim RiddlebargerHal Lindsey's MustacheComment
The Blessed Hope Podcast -- Episode Ten: "It Is for Freedom Christ Has Set Us Free" (Galatians 5:1-12)
The Blessed Hope Podcast -- Episode Ten: "It Is for Freedom Christ Has Set Us Free" (Galatians 5:1-12)

Paul exhorts the Galatians, “For freedom Christ has set us free; stand firm therefore, and do not submit again to a yoke of slavery.” But this is an unlikely assertion for a well-known religious figure like Paul the Apostle, to make. Most people would expect Paul to shout something like, “try harder, do better, live a godly and good life. This is what God wants from you.” But people who think such things have never read Paul’s letter to the Galatians. They think the essence of religion in general and Christianity in particular is good behavior, not a gospel. But apart from our union with Christ through faith and a justifying righteousness imputed to us, works of law only condemn and make us even guiltier. This is why Paul grounds the Christian life in the freedom won for us by Jesus Christ.

To Listen to This Episode, The Book of Galatians -- Episode Ten: "It Is for Freedom Christ Has Set Us Free" (Galatians 5:1-12)

To Listen to The Entire Series, The Blessed Hope Podcast

Read More
Blessed Hope PodcastKim RiddlebargerChristian Liberty, Perseverance of the Saints, Faith and Love Comments
An Exposition of Article Fourteen of the Belgic Confession: "Because Adam Transgressed"
An Exposition of Article Fourteen of the Belgic Confession: "Because Adam Transgressed"

After God created all things in six days, he rested on the seventh day, gloriously enthroned to rule over all that he had made. According to the Genesis account, after God saw that all he had made was “very good” (Genesis 1:31), he then pronounced his divine benediction upon creation. But the high point of the creation account occurs on the sixth day, when God creates the first man, Adam, from the dust of the earth to rule over the world as God’s vice-regent. The Bible is teaches that Adam is the biological head of the human race, the first human from whom all men and women biologically descend, and that Adam also stands as the federal head of the human race, acting as our representative before God during the time of probation in Eden. It was in this capacity as our biological and federal head that Adam broke God’s commandment not to eat from the tree and thereby plunged himself as well as all of his descendants (us) into sin and misery.

Having set forth the doctrines of creation and providence in Articles Twelve and Thirteen, our confession turns to the creation and fall of Adam in Article Fourteen, before describing the consequences of Adam’s fall upon the entirety of our race in Article Fifteen, which deals with original sin. The creation of the first man from the dust of the earth is the crowning jewel of the creation account. Even though God’s creation of all things visible and invisible out of nothing ex nihilo–an act which gives all things their form and purpose–has already been discussed in Article Twelve, the Confession now devotes a separate article to the creation of Adam and his fall into sin. The creation and fall of Adam sets the tone for all of the material discussed in Articles Sixteen through Twenty-Six of our confession, which collectively deal with the various aspects of our redemption from sin and which play out against the backdrop of Adam’s fall as set forth in Articles Fourteen and Fifteen. We can neither fully understand nor remotely appreciate the greatness of God’s grace in saving us from the guilt and power of sin, unless we are clear about the consequences of Adam’s rebellion against God.

To read the rest, click here: An Exposition of Article Fourteen of the Belgic Confession: "Because Adam Transgressed"

Read More
Belgic ConfessionKim RiddlebargerAdam and Eve, The Creation of The Human Race, Adam's FallComment
Musings (10/22)
Musings (10/22)

Thank You!

The new Riddleblog is one year old (as of yesterday)! Thanks to all of you regular readers! I’ve nearly finished transferring stuff from the old Riddleblog to the new. Once that’s done, the old blog will go the way of all flesh.

Must Listen!

Bob Godfrey on "What's Going On Right Now?" This is the introductory session from Dr. Godfrey’s new series taught in his regular adult Sunday school class at the Escondido URC. Thanks to Abounding Grace Radio for making it available. Hopefully, other sessions will follow—several hints were dropped at what is coming next, and sure whet my appetite for more. Dr. Godfrey is a first-rate historian and perhaps the wisest man I know.

To read the rest, follow the link below

Read More
MusingsKim RiddlebargerDr. Robert Godfrey, Favorite Podcasts Comments
False Jesuses
False Jesuses

We begin by noting that the nature of our Lord’s incarnation almost guarantees the presence of false Jesuses. The very idea of God taking to himself a true human nature is in and of itself a unique and somewhat mysterious historical event. That Jesus was a real flesh and blood human, who is also the second person of the Holy Trinity, and nevertheless remains one person, raises many profound and important questions. Questions regarding Jesus’ person and his origin are closely related, and arise throughout the ministry of Jesus as recounted in the gospels.

Those who actually heard Jesus preach about the kingdom of God, were said to marveled at his words, for Jesus spoke as someone having authority–unlike anyone they had heard preach previously. Jesus performed miraculous signs and wonders which were obviously not trickery or chicanery. He instantaneously healed people well-known to crowds who were following him. Jesus even raised the dead–several times. All of this was to confirm that the content of his preaching had its origins in the will of YHWH. The buzz surrounding Jesus was that he might be the long-expected messianic prophet, and some among his followers understood Jesus to claim he was older than Abraham or Moses.

It was impossible to hear or see Jesus and not ask, “who is this?” “Where is he from?” In Matthew 16:13–15 we read of an interesting exchange between Jesus and his disciples regarding this very matter. “When Jesus came into the district of Caesarea Philippi, he asked his disciples, `Who do people say that the Son of Man is?’ They said, `Some say John the Baptist, others say Elijah, and others Jeremiah or one of the prophets.’ He said to them, `But who do you say that I am?’” People have been attempting to answer Jesus’ question ever since.

To read the rest, click here: False Jesuses

Read More
Riddleblog PublicationKim RiddlebargerFalse Jesuses, Who Is Jesus?Comment
"I Really Mean It!" -- Wisdom from the Reformed Confessions
"I Really Mean It!" -- Wisdom from the Reformed Confessions

In those independent Bible churches in which I was raised, most Sunday mornings the minister preached from a well-worn Bible, told a few stories to illustrate his point, and then reminded us that we must believe in Jesus to go to heaven. But every service ended the same way–with an altar call. Those who heard the message and were convicted of their sins were invited to come forward and speak with the minister, who would ask those brave enough to repeat the sinner’s prayer and thereby be assured of God’s favor toward them.

Sometimes prominent or long-time church members would go forward, which was always a bit of a shock, because you wondered what they did the week before which required such a public act of contrition. On those rare (but joyful) occasions, someone for whom the church had been praying, was ready to accept Jesus as their “personal Savior.” They would get up out of their pew, walk the aisle, and be received with great joy, especially when the person was known to be an unbeliever or a “backslider.”

There was something truly wonderful about this. Heaven rejoices when a sinner repents (Luke 15:7). It was comforting to be assured of Christ’s favor and to know that even in those times when we struggle with some particular sin, or when doubt chips away at our faith, we could be reassured of God’s favor in some tangible way. Yet, there was also something very troubling about this practice. There was always a qualification. The minister would tell the congregation that if we were truly sincere– “if you really mean it”– only then would God’s promises about the forgiveness of sins and the hope of heaven truly apply to us. But I wasn’t always sure “I really meant it.” No doubt others felt the same way.

To read the rest of this essay, follow the link below.

Read More
Wisdom from ConfessionsKim RiddlebargerBaptism, Lord's Supper, Sacraments, Altar Call Comments
Benedict XVI -- Papal Fashion Maven (Best of the Old Riddleblog # 2)
Benedict XVI -- Papal Fashion Maven (Best of the Old Riddleblog # 2)

From June, 2006

One of the Riddleblog readers sent this picture to me with the following caption:

"The man on the left, wearing a fabulous vintage chiffon-lined Dior gold lame gown over a silk Vera Wang empire waisted tulle cocktail dress, accessorized with a 3-foot beaded peaked House of Whoville hat, along with the ruby slippers that Judy Garland wore in The Wizard of Oz, is worried that The Da Vinci Code might make the Roman Catholic Church look foolish."

My favorite comments:

“There's no place like Rome, there's no place like Rome, there's no place like Rome...”

"To Rome, to Rome ... it's off to works we go..."

“Whoever wrote that know TOO MUCH about the fashion industry :-)”

"I suppose a scarecrow reference would be considered ad hominem. So I'll refrain. I thought that would be the strawman fallacy...”

Read More
From the Old RiddleblogKim RiddlebargerBenedict XVI on fashionComment
The Blessed Hope Podcast -- Episode Nine: "Two Women, Two Mountains, Two Covenants, Two Cities" (Galatians 4:21-31)
The Blessed Hope Podcast -- Episode Nine: "Two Women, Two Mountains, Two Covenants, Two Cities" (Galatians 4:21-31)

Paul understood Israel’s history and the biblical accounts of Moses and Abraham one way before his conversion, and in an entirely different way after. Once Jesus had come, fulfilled his messianic mission, and called Paul to faith, Paul’s understanding of the Old Testament completely changed. In Ephesians 4:21-31, Paul speaks of two women (Sarah and Hagar), two mountains (Zion and Sinai), two covenants (Abraham and Moses), two cities (the Jerusalem above and the earthly city of Jerusalem). Reading the familiar story of Genesis 16 (among others) through a Christ-centered lens, Paul reinterprets the two women, mountains, covenants, and cities from the vantage point of New Testament fulfillment. In doing so, Paul teaches us how we should read and understand the Old Testament.

To listen to this episode of the Blessed Hope Podcast, follow the link below

Read More
Blessed Hope PodcastKim RiddlebargerCovenant theology, Sarah and HagarComment
An Amazing Promise -- Zephaniah’s Prophecy of Restoration
An Amazing Promise -- Zephaniah’s Prophecy of Restoration

Zephaniah is one of the least known books in the Bible. Yet, in it, we find one of the most amazing prophecies of Israel’s restoration in the coming messianic age. Speaking forth the word of the Lord during the reign of King Josiah (between 640-609 B.C.), Zephaniah foretells of the coming Day of the Lord (cf. Zephaniah 1:7— “Be silent before the Lord God! For the day of the Lord is near; the Lord has prepared a sacrifice and consecrated his guests”). When this day dawns, the Lord will reward those who have obeyed him, as well as mete out judgment upon those who have broken his commandments.

When speaking of the future conversion of the Gentiles in 3:8-20, Zephaniah describes a coming messianic age and the spread of the gospel. Yet, in the closing verses of his prophecy (3:14-20), Zephaniah focuses upon a time of great joy for Jerusalem. The prophet sees the city cleansed and rejoicing, even though Israel’s exile in Babylon is still future. This can only mean that the prophet foretells of a two-stage fulfillment of his prophecy; one after Israel’s exile in Babylon when God’s people return from their captivity to rebuild Jerusalem and its temple, and another associated with the messianic age and those wonderful blessings to be earned for us by Jesus.

To read the rest, follow the link below.

Read More
Biblical TheologyKim RiddlebargerZephaniah, Messianic promise of restorationComment
Musings . . .
Musings . . .

Recommended:

David Van Drunen: On Race and Racism

God told me to tell you to read, R. S. Clark on the Dangers of "God Told Me"

Sen. Ben Sasse on Tech Disruption, Political Addiction, and the Loss of Community. Sen Sasse is my go-to guy on these issues.

Guelzo's book on Robert E. Lee is finally here! Guelzo is the right historian to tell the story of the “Marble Man” in the post-Charlottesville era. I can’t wait to read it

Athanasius on the Death of Arius:

Granted, there is certainly a perverse temptation to take delight in the affliction experienced by others. But when it comes to the fall of an arch-enemy of the gospel, there is a slight measure of satisfaction when justice finally prevails. It falls to Athanasius to inform us of manner of Arius’ death, the very night before Arius was to be ordained as Bishop.

“When the Bishop Alexander heard this (that Arius had under oath declared that he held the right faith) he was greatly distressed, and entering into the church stretched forth his hands unto God, and bewailed himself; and casting himself upon his face in the chancel, he prayed laying on the pavement . . . . `If Arius is brought to communion tomorrow let me, Thy servant depart, and destroy not the pious with the impious; but if Thou wilt spare Thy Church . . . . take off Arius, lest if he enter into the Church, and the heresy also may seem to enter with him, and henceforth impiety may be accounted for piety.’ When the Bishop had thus prayed, he retired with great anxiety, and a wonderful and extraordinary circumstance took place. . . . Arius . . . talked very wildly, [but] urged by the necessities of nature withdrew, and suddenly, in the language of Scripture, `falling headlong he burst asunder in the midst,' and immediately expired as he lay, and was deprived both of communion and of his life together. Such has been the end of Arius” (Athanasius, “To Serapion, Concerning the Death of Arius,” in NPNF, Vol. IV. (Grand Rapids: William B. Eerdmans, 1978), 564 ff.)

Athanasius, no doubt, felt a measure of divine vindication. “The antichristian gang of the Arian madmen has been shewn to be unpleasing to God and impious.”

Read More
Reformed Resources, History and Culture, MusingsKim RiddlebargerRace and racism, God told me, R. E. Lee, Allen GuelzoComment
An Exposition of Article Thirteen of the Belgic Confession -- "Nothing Happens Apart from His Direction"
An Exposition of Article Thirteen of the Belgic Confession -- "Nothing Happens Apart from His Direction"

Creation and providence are two doctrines which fit together like hand and glove. God created all things visible and invisible from nothing (the doctrine of creation), and God sustains the world he has made and so rules over it that all things fulfill the ends for which they have been created (this is the doctrine of providence). Christians believe God is distinct from the world (unlike the pantheists, who confuse God with the world). Yet, while distinct from the world, nevertheless, we believe and confess that God is intimately involved in every aspect of the world he has made. In believing this, we reject all forms of deism, which teach that after creating all things, God steps back (so to speak), allowing human history to simply run its course.

Articles Twelve and Thirteen of the Belgic Confession address the closely related doctrines of creation and providence. As we have seen throughout our study of articles Eight through Eleven of our confession, which deal with the Trinity and the deity of the Son and Holy Spirit, the Triune God creates and sustains all things. The Christian view of creation and providence is quite different from other monotheistic religions such as Judaism and Islam, both of which deny the deity of Jesus and the Holy Spirit, as well as their respective roles in the creation of all things.

To read the rest of this exposition, click here: An Exposition of Article Thirteen -- "Nothing Happens Apart from His Direction"

Read More
Belgic ConfessionKim RiddlebargerCreation, Providence, Divine concurrence