Atonement – Los Angeles Theology Conference 2015

The 2015 Los Angeles Theology Conference will be held this upcoming Thursday and Friday at Biola University. The theme of LATC will be the doctrine of atonement. Here is how the organizers describe the conference: We are inviting theologians who can situate the doctrine of the atonement in its larger systematic theological context, show itsContinue reading “Atonement – Los Angeles Theology Conference 2015”

They Shall Call His Name “Immanuel”

What is the meaning of Christmas? Its quite simple – Matthew expresses it in just a couple of sentences in his gospel: She will give birth to a son, and you are to give him the name Jesus, because he will save his people from their sins…they will call him “Immanuel” which means, “God withContinue reading “They Shall Call His Name “Immanuel””

Top Ten Books of 2014

Christmas is the best time of the year to make lists! Santa Claus is checking his list of kids who were naughty and nice, deciding which kids are going to get presents and which kids are going to get coal. The nice kids are making lists of toys they want. (God bless the greedy littleContinue reading “Top Ten Books of 2014”

Geerhardus Vos on Atonement

A lot of criticisms leveled against penal substitution (PSA) are based upon the fact that PSA is far to commercial in nature. It makes it seem as though God is subject to some abstract economic theory over which he is not sovereign. It is also said that it makes atonement a cold unloving action inContinue reading “Geerhardus Vos on Atonement”

Atonement, Law, and Justice (Book Review)

There are several topics that have dominated theological discussions over the past several years. Prominent among these discussions is the topic of the atonement. Although the atonement has been a popular theological topic among non-evangelical Christians for some time now, it is only in the last decade or so that the atonement has become aContinue reading “Atonement, Law, and Justice (Book Review)”

The Direction of Atonement in Luther’s Theology

When it comes to atonement theologies people often break them up into classic, satisfaction, and subjective categories. However it might be better to classify atonement theories according to whom the atonement is directed towards. For instance, Patristic atonement theories tend to say that Christ’s work aims at achieving something in regard to the “powers.” AnselmianContinue reading “The Direction of Atonement in Luther’s Theology”

Universal Atonement & The Sin of Unbelief

In a recent blog I posted I summarized Oliver Crisp’s recent argument that there is significant room within some key reformed confessions for one to hold on to a doctrine of atonement that excludes limited atonement and is open to universal atonement. I.e. that Christ died no just for the sins of the elect, butContinue reading “Universal Atonement & The Sin of Unbelief”

Creating Wiggle Room for Calvinists (Deviant Calvinism Book Review)

The anti-Calvinist blogs will never stop spinning the same message – Calvinism as a system is cruel, it creates a monster God, its fatalistic, and it is pessimistic (just to name a few “characteristics” of Calvinism). Roger Olson, a proponent of anti-Calvinism (who sort of reminds me of hard-nosed pro-Calvinist fundamentalists) has said that IfContinue reading “Creating Wiggle Room for Calvinists (Deviant Calvinism Book Review)”

The Righteousness of God

What does Paul mean when he says, “But now the righteousness of God has been manifested apart from the law” (Romans 3:21a)? Romans 3:21-26 21 But now, apart from law, the righteousness of God has been disclosed, and is attested by the law and the prophets, 22 the righteousness of God through faith in Jesus Christ forContinue reading “The Righteousness of God”

Limited Atonement vs. “Unlimited” Atonement

Most people tend to think that if one is reformed one is required to hold to the doctrine of limited atonement, the doctrine which says that the cope of Christ’s atoning work is accomplished on behalf of and applied only to the elect. In a recent article on “hypothetical universalism” (hear unlimited or universal atonement,Continue reading “Limited Atonement vs. “Unlimited” Atonement”