Poem By Ralph Erskine

Here is a link for a beautiful poem of encouragement by Ralph Erskine (1685-1752).

"Faith, without trouble or fighting, is a suspicious faith; for true faith is a fighting, wrestling faith." - Ralph Erskine, 1733

The Believer's Faith and Hope Encouraged

Happy Reformation Month

October is Reformation Month! Here is a movie on the life of Martin Luther to watch!



"Luther" movie (2003)


Semper Reformanda!

Christian Despondency

For everyone to whom much is given, from him much will be required; and to whom much has been committed, of him they will ask the more. Luke 12:48

The farther we go into our Christian walk, and the more we are committed with in the faith, the greater the risk of despondency (hopelessness, despair, feelings of inadequacy). This is what I have been struggling with myself for some time, and I want to share some resources to reference and scriptures to reach even the most battle-wearied hearts with what you need to hear and know to come out of it and be effective again for Christ.

First of all, here are two excellent articles...very revealing and helpful to the despondent Christian.

Battling the Unbelief of Despondency

The Danger of Becoming Battle-Weary

Secondly remember what the Lord has done already. Meditate upon God's mighty works in your life.
Will the Lord cast off forever? And will He be favorable no more? Has His mercy ceased forever? Has His promise failed forevermore? Has God forgotten to be gracious? Has He in anger shut up His tender mercies? And I said, "This is my anguish; but I will remember the years of the right hand of the Most High." I will remember the works of the Lord; surely I will remember Your wonders of old. I will also meditate on all Your work, and talk of your deeds. Psalm 77:7-12

Finally, remember that no matter how insufficient you are for the tasks at hand, no matter how overwhelming it may all seem, God is asking you to rely completely on Him for all of it. You don't have the strength, but He does. You don't have the resources, but He does. Replace doubt in yourself or your situation, with faith in Him and His power. (Phil. 4:19-20, Heb. 7:25-28, 2 Cor. 9:8)

Who is a God like You, pardoning iniquity and passing over the transgression of the remnant of His heritage? He does not retain His anger forever, because He delights in mercy. He will again have compassion on us, and will subdue our iniquities. You will cast all our sins into the depths of the sea.(Micah 7:18-19)

Create in me a clean heart, O God, and renew a steadfast spirit within me. Do not cast me away from Your presence, and do not take Your Holy Spirit from me. Restore to me the joy of Your salvation. And uphold me by Your generous Spirit. Then I will teach transgressors Your ways, and sinners shall be converted to You. Psalm 51:10-13

But, beloved, we are confident of better things concerning you, yes, things that accompany salvation, though we speak in this manner. For God is not unjust to forget your work and labor of love which you have shown toward His name, in that you have ministered to the saints, and do minister. And we desire that each one of you show the same diligence to the full assurance of hope until the end, that you do not become sluggish, but imitate those who through faith and patience inherit the promises. Hebrews 6:9-12 [see 6:1-12].

Love in Christ!

Apologetics resource/ 3 styles of Apologetics

I thought I would post this issue of Modern Reformation (volume 15 number 2 March/April 2006) Modern Reformation mar/apr 2006, which is an awesome resource for apologetics. Here is an outline of the three styles of apologetics...1. the Classical approach, 2. The Evidential approach, 3. The Presuppositional approach. Apologetics Chart

I have frequently used elements of all three, but I'm probably considered more Presuppositional and a little Classical.

The "setting" of Presuppositionalism is Biblical (2 Cor. 4:2-6), meaning that I understand that the Word of God has the power to search out and change the heart of the person I'm speaking with in a way that I cannot. I also understand that if the truth of scripture is veiled to the lost, I must be in constant prayer that the Holy Spirit will both help me as I witness, and open the heart and mind of the person I'm speaking with.

I have found that with agnostics, the Classical approach when placed in the setting of Presupposition is a powerful defense. The scripture is not put to the side of a reasonable knowable base...they can and do coexist. Paul used this method in Acts when teaching the Romans and Greeks, who were philosophical in their approach. There are proofs of God's work...namely creation and the things unique to mankind that reflect the character of God, such as a sense of justice, conscience, creativity, desire for wisdom and knowledge, love, etc. that any reasonable person can understand, and that sets man apart from the rest of creation.

There are a few things I really like about the Evidentialist position, however I don't ascribe to the backward proof they use as far as they begin with the resurrection of Christ and work backward to the evidence of God. However, the evidence of the Resurrection is a very powerful defense. God became a man and thousands of people saw and talked about it. I also usually end up from this point on the martyrs when the person I am speaking with tries to discredit that evidence (which is easier for them to attempt, because 2,000 years makes history seem to not be absolute...especially to our generation). When I mention the first century martyrs, I usually make the point that swayed many Romans of that day, "If they really didn't see this, why are they willing to die rather than admit it?" I recommend reading "Foxe's Book of the Martyrs" for more study on the martyrs. Another argument I like from the Evidentialist position is fulfilled prophecy. Many of the people I speak with believe in a "god" but not the God of the Bible, and not Jesus Christ as the Son of God.


I find these three positions to be mostly useful in dealing with athiesm, agnosticism, and general unbelief. However, when speaking with a teacher or ascriber to false doctrine, Scripture is the best medium. It is the bedrock and central ground. Most of these people claim to believe in the God of the Bible, however, most have been reliant upon other people to tell them what it says or interpret it for them. They will tend to pull one scripture at a time, and often from a KJV (nothing against it, but it is far easier to cover bad interpretation in 17th century English). Therefore, your approach would be to first know what you believe, and what good doctrine is. Rely upon scripture alone for your doctrine, and it is helpful to read the ancient Christian creeds to see where the church has stood on basic doctrine. Secondly, you should understand the problematic doctrines of false teaching churches. These are most commonly: works based salvation, denial of the Trinity, loss of salvation, legalism, man inspired doctrine/denial of Sola Scriptura, liberal Christianity, denial of the Diety of Christ, denial of the resurrection, easy believism/denial of the doctrines of grace, and the prosperity gospel. And finally you should study your scripture. When you do defend against false doctrine, use a very respected contemporary translation (ESV, NKJV for example), and study the original language use in commonly disputed passages, always using scripture itself to prove scripture.

Why Apologetics? R.C. Sproul

Apologetics introduction

A few years back God started training me for apologetics (defense of the faith/gospel) back before I even knew what it was. I would be put in situations (usually quite unprepared) with nonbelievers and people (victims or teachers) of false teaching where I needed to defend the gospel. A few years later, my husband also began to be put in these types of situations. Usually these situations compel me to study harder, learn more, and be better prepared...which is a good thing. But I thought I would address the proper attitude to have in apologetics, because there is a right and a wrong way to do it.

I'm a fairly fiery, passionate sort of person...and God has shown me through the years how that can be both an asset and a destructive force in apologetics. Proverbs 15:1-4 A soft answer turns away wrath, but a harsh word stirs up anger. The tongue of the wise commends knowledge, but the mouths of fools pour out folly. The eyes of the Lord are in every place, keeping watch on the evil and the good. A gentle tongue is a tree of life, but perverseness in it breaks the spirit. (vs.7) The lips of the wise spread knowledge, not so the hearts of fools. (vs. 18) A hot tempered man stirs up strife, but he who is slow to anger quiets contention. The whole chapter 15 of Proverbs is excellent advice on a righteous attitude when dealing with nonbelievers. You will be discussing a very emotional topic, and the person you are speaking with will tend to get upset, angry, or aggravated. You must keep your head, and bear the fruits of the Spirit (relying upon Him for help at all times) in order to keep things from ending badly.
There are many scriptures on apologetics...and one good rule of thumb is to study the way it has been done Biblically...by Paul in Acts for instance. You should never go seeking an argument or provoking people into a fight...that is not God glorifying. You should always defend the scripture in love, yet firmly standing on the Word. My motto is "peace if possible, truth at all costs, love without exception". Remember the goal is twofold...the person you are speaking with (assuming either ascribing to false doctrine, or denial of God) is lost...this fact you should always keep before your eyes. Do not let your emotions, or the course of the discussion make you forget that. Your job is to present the Gospel, and defend the truths of scripture to the best of your ability. Secondly, your goal is to be a witness to the truth of the Gospel, both with your actions and your words.

1 Peter 3:13-16 Now who is there to harm you if you are zealous for what is good? But even if you should suffer for righteousness' sake, you will be blessed. Have no fear of them, nor be troubled, but in your hearts honor Christ the Lord as holy, always being prepared to make a defense to anyone who asks you for a reason for the hope that is in you; yet do it with gentleness and respect, having a good conscience, so that when you are slandered, those who revile your good behavior in Christ may be put to shame.

Glorious Love