No Logical Barrier from Tyranny

New at Polemos
Some Good Quotes
Law, Civil

"The source of moral authority and law within a society will either be theistic or political; when the former is repudiated, the latter allows no logical barrier from tyranny."

Greg Bahnsen in Theonomy in Christian Ethics

The Salt of the Earth?

New at Polemos
Some Good Quotes
Law, Civil

"The church is called to function as a preservative in society ("the salt of the earth") (Matthew 5:13), and thus the early church and Reformers main­lined, among other things, that the civil "magistrate" is also a "minister" if God (Romans 13:4,6) and as such responsible to His authority and law. Previously the autonomous polis and natural reason, taken to be the source and authority for political law, were challenged by the church, but today the church has largely succumbed to the idea that God's law is extraneous, not only to personal morality, but to matters of statesmanship and civil government. The theologians of this century have offered no serious alternative to the world, giving the impression that "the salt has lost its saltiness." For instance, in a book on the very topic of The Christian in Politics we read these words by Walter James:

The Christian is called upon to act beside other men and no assurance is given him that he will sense God's purpose better than they. He can no more aim to be a Christian statesman than a Christian engineer. . . . He stands on a par with the non-Christian. . . . His religion will give him no special guid­ance in his public task. . .

In addition to not having anything to speak before kings (Psalm119:46) because of its endorsement of neutralism in civil affairs, the modern church has shown itself to be as antinomian in its theory of ethics as the autono­mous secular man. As a result the church fails to challenge "the powers that be" with the "power (authority)" of Christ (Romans 13:1 with 28:18) or to offer restor­ative guidance to its society...."

Greg Bahnsen in Theonomy in Christian Ethics

Systematic Theology Links

New at Polemos
Systematic Theology

• Institutes of the Christian Religion Vol. 1-4
  by John Calvin

• SystematicTheology
  by Louis Berkhof

• A Body of Doctrinal Divinity
  by John Gill

• Systematic Theology
  by R.L. Dabney

• Dogmatic Theology
  by W.G.T. Shedd

• Manual of Theology
  by J.L. Dagg

• A Body of Divinity
  by Thomas Watson

Abandoned by God

New at Polemos
Homosexuality
Sexual Sin
Romans, The Book of

• Abandoned by God, Part 1
  Romans 1:24-25
  John MacArthur
  

Reasons for the Wrath of God

New at Polemos
Eternal Punishment /Wrath of God
Romans, The Book of

1. Reasons for the Wrath of God, Part 1
   Romans 1:19-20
   John MacArthur
2. Reasons for the Wrath of God, Part 2
   Romans 1:21
   John MacArthur
3. Reasons for the Wrath of God, Part 3
   Romans 1:22
   John MacArthur
4. Reasons for the Wrath of God, Part 4
   Romans 1:23
   John MacArthur

New at Polemos...

New at Polemos
Catholicism

• Saved While Officiating Mass
  A Personal Testimony by converted Italian Roman Catholic Priest, Franco Maggiotto.

The Law of God in Light of the Kingdom

New at Polemos
Audio Links
Dispensationalism
Law of God
New Covenant Theology

Another good and sound message from Voddie Baucham:

• The Law of God in Light of the Kingdom
  Voddie Baucham
  

Celebrating American History!

New at Polemos
American History

• The Stream of Liberty from Calvin to the Founders
  by Dan Ford
• America’s First War for Independence
  by Douglas W. Phillips, Esq.
• Calvin and the Scots-Irish in America
  by Bill Potter
• John Calvin and the Puritan Founders of New England
  by Bill Potter

Miraculous Spiritual Gifts?

New at Polemos
Charismatic Movement

Article Links

• What about Prophecy and Tongues Today?
  Richard B Gaffin Jr

Audio Links

• Miraculous Spiritual Gifts; Ceased or Continuing
  Sam E. Waldron
  

The Last Judgment!

New at Polemos
Eschatology

• The Last Judgment - It's General Character
  Sam E. Waldron
• The Last Judgment - It's Incalculable Time
  Sam E. Waldron
• The Last Judgment - Its Eternal Punishment
  Sam E. Waldron
• The Last Judgment - It's Blessed Fruition
  Sam E. Waldron

The Christian's Authority: Experience or the Word?

New at Polemos
Charismatic Movement

1. The Christian's Authority: Experience or the Word?
   Part 1
   John MacArthur
2. The Christian's Authority: Experience or the Word?
   Part 2
   John MacArthur

New Biographical

New @ Polemos
Biographical

Scottish Puritans: Select Biographies (2 volume set) By Banner Of Truth

They Were Pilgrims By Marcus L. Loane / Banner Of Truth CBD Says: "They Were Pilgrims is the story of four remarkable men who shared a common spiritual aim and ideal. They were David Brainerd, Henry Martyn, Robert Murray M'Cheyne, and Ion Keith-Falconer. Their average life-span was only thirty years, but they left a spiritual impact on their generation which was altogether out of the ordinary. Their lives covered the period of history from 1718 to 1887. A clear line of spiritual descent can be traced from David Brainerd to Henry Martyn, from Brainerd and Martyn to Robert Murray M'Cheyne, and from Martyn to Ion Keith-Falconer. They were all linked to the missionary movement which had its birth in the great spiritual awakening of the eighteenth century. They were pioneers in this missionary movement: Brainerd with the Native North Americans, M'Cheyne with the Jews of Palestine and Central Europe, Martyn and Keith-Falconer in the Muslim world of Persia and Arabia. Their contribution to missionary work would be enough in itself to invest their lives with outstanding interest. But the greatest single feature in their lives was their unqualified self-surrender to the claims of God. This book tries to pull up the blinds so that readers can see through the window and can trace the inner spiritual development of these exemplary Christians. It is the freshness and clarity of this record of personal devotion which makes the story of their pilgrimage so relevant for the whole-hearted disciple of Christ today"

Creation Day 2 and 3

New at Polemos
Creationism
Audio Links

• Creation Day 2 Genesis 1:6-8
  John MacArthur
• Creation Day 3 Genesis 1:9-13
  John MacArthur

The How, Why, and When of Creation

New at Polemos
Creationism
Audio Links

• The How, Why, and When of Creation, Part 1
  Genesis 1:1
  John MacArthur
• The How, Why, and When of Creation, Part 2
  Genesis 1:1
  John MacArthur

TULIP

New @ Polemos
Doctrines of Grace (Calvinism)
Audio Links

1. TULIP, Part 1
   Introduction
   John Piper
2. TULIP, Part 2
   Assumptions - Irresistible Grace
   John Piper
3. TULIP, Part 3
   Irresistible Grace - Total Depravity
   John Piper
4. TULIP, Part 4
   Total Depravity - Unconditional Election
   John Piper
5. TULIP, Part 5
   Unconditional Election
   John Piper
6. TULIP, Part 6
   Unconditional Election
   John Piper
7. TULIP, Part 7
   Limited Atonement
   John Piper
8. TULIP, Part 8
   Perseverance of the Saints
   John Piper
9. TULIP, Part 9
   Ten Effects of Believing the Five Points of Calvinism
   John Piper

Biographical

New at Polemos
Biographical
Puritans, The

1. The Family Life of Philip and Matthew Henry
   Scott Brown
2. The Multigenerational Vision of the Mather Family
   Scott Brown

Biographical
Reformation, The

1. Calvin's Piety: The Heartbeat of the Reformation
   Dr. Joel Beeke
2. Luther - The Monk Who Shook the World
   Rev. John Greer

Puritans and Reformers

The Reformation of the Sixteenth Century

New at Polemos
Reformation, The
Articles

• John Calvin's Views on Worship
  by Dr Robert Godfrey
• God’s Gift to Scotland in John Knox and the Reformation
  James Begg
• The Reformed Faith
  Loraine Boettner

Audio

1. Our Reformation Heritage
   Albert N. Martin

Books

• The Necessity of Reforming the Church (1543)
  John Calvin
• Calvin's Commentaries
  John Calvin
• Institutes of the Christian Religion
  John Calvin
• The Bondage of the Will
  By Dr. Martin Luther
• History of the Reformation of the Sixteenth Century
  J. H. Merle D'Aubigne
  

I recently noticed that someone made the entire 20 books of D'Aubigne's History of the Reformation of the Sixteenth Century available online. This is probably the best history of the Reformation available! In light of growing movement to go back to pre-Reformation darkness and unite with the church of Rome everyone aught to at least read the first book: BOOK 1 - STATE OF EUROPE BEFORE THE REFORMATION. I love the way it starts; "The enfeebled world was tottering on its foundations when Christianity appeared."

This is my own first set; 20 books in 5 volumes (They looked like that when I got them). I'm not really sure how old they are; there's no dates in any of them. They've definitely seen some better days though.


Here's my other more modern, stuffed into one big volume edition. Its traveled all over the country with me, suffered a great deal of abuse and I have enjoyed every page of it! I just wish the print wasn't so small. Its very hard to see. Its 876 pages of small print put out by a Seventh Day Adventist publisher of all places but you really cant beat the price. You can get a new copy for around 40$ on Amazon.

If you have a few extra dollars laying around Vision Forum has some really nice sets available here:

The History of the Reformation in the Sixteenth Century (3 Vols.)

The History of the Reformation in the Time of Calvin (4 Vols.)

The World's Greatest Reformation History Set (7 Vols.)

The Trojan Horse of "Emergency"

New at Polemos
Some Quotes
Tyranny

This first quote by Hoover couldn't be more relevant!

"Every collectivist revolution rides in on a Trojan horse of "emergency". It was the tactic of Lenin, Hitler, and Mussolini. In the collectivist sweep over a dozen minor countries of Europe, it was the cry of men striving to get on horseback. And "emergency" became the justification of the subsequent steps. This technique of creating emergency is the greatest achievement that demagoguery attains." — Herbert Hoover.

"So long as the people do not care to exercise their freedom, those who wish to tyrannize will do so; for tyrants are active and ardent, and will devote themselves in the name of any number of gods, religious and otherwise, to put shackles upon sleeping men."
— Voltarine de Cleyre

"Experience hath shewn, that even under the best forms of government those entrusted with power have, in time, and by slow operations, perverted it into tyranny."
-Thomas Jefferson

"The alternative to God’s law is not no law at all, but human law; governments which do not guard the majesty of God and His righteous law have no alternative and choice but to uphold the majesty of their own human authority ... If no higher law is adhered to, then the law of man is absolute; there is no logical barrier to stop such a state from becoming totalitarian. When the state’s will is substituted for God’s will, then the only real crimes become crimes against the state (as in Imperial Rome, present day Russia, and much of the United States), for example, treason, defection, and so forth ... There is no appeal beyond the state and its rulers when God’s law is put aside; man has no realm of justice to which he has recourse in opposing the will of the state ... For Christians the choice is between a law order based on God or the potentially tyrannical oppression of a law order resting in the arbitrary will and power of the secular state."

- Greg Bahnsen, Theonomy in Christian Ethics

Less Expensive and Just Plain Easier

New at Polemos
Education
Audio Links

They are the greatest purveyors of Socialism in the United States of America. They are one of the largest governmental agencies taking some peoples hard earned money and spending it on others who didn't work for it. They threaten imprisonment and fines if not complied with. They tear apart the family and promote homosexuality, promiscuity and many other immoralities.

They are anti-Christ and forbid the practice of Christianity. They are temples of a false religion that goes by the name “Humanism.” They worship a false god and place their hope in a false messiah they call “education.”

They have produced multiple generations of people who do not understand freedom. Many of those they have produced do not even know what freedom is and most of them just don’t care anymore. The only freedom this institution promotes is freedom from the Law of God.

This institution is, perhaps, the single greatest threat to freedom in the United States of America.

What am I speaking of? No, no, not our churches, I'm talking about the Public Schools!

So why do so many professing Christians send their children to these godless places? Why do so many professing Christians send their children to the enemies of God to be “educated?” In a recent survey71% of the respondents said that they did it because it was less expensive and just plain easier. Can you believe it? Can you believe that 71% of them would be that honest? Why are we throwing our kids to the Lions? "Because its easy and cheap."

What will we do to our posterity next? Print a bunch of money to bail ourselves out of debt and give them the bill?

• What the Bible Says about Education
  Scott Brown

• The Worst Enemy to Freedom
  Kevin Swanson

• Why Christians Send Their Children to Public Schools
  Kevin Swanson

• The Phenomena of Teenagers
  Kevin Swanson

How Do We Know God Is Real & The Bible Is True

New at Polemos
Atheism
Apologetics
Audio Links

Are you an epistemologically self-conscious individual? If a little voice inside your head just said "huh?" then the answer is probably "no." But there is good news! Its not too late , with a little work you too can become epistemologically self-conscious. Just listen to this must-hear message by William Einwechter on the subject of how do we know God exists and that the Bible is His self authenticating word.

Mr. Einwechter also gives us the much needed reminder that apologetics is not meant to open minds and hearts but to shut mouths.

• How Do We Know God Is Real & The Bible Is True
  William O. Einwechter

Political Deists and Recovering Republicans

New at Polemos
Politics/Government/Law
Links

John Lofton, Recovering Republican recently left some link information in the comments section of one of my posts. After looking through some of the sites and listening to a couple of the radio shows I just had to add these links to the website. I especially enjoyed the Radio programs!

I know, I know, I hear it all the time: "Christians shouldn't concern themselves with politics" right?

But think about the logic of such sentiments with me for just a moment. God created politics and Government, didn't He? Are we really going to say that God created these things and now he isn't concerned with them any longer? Are we some sort of political deists with a God who created Government and now stands at a distance and just watches it go?

Where did we ever get the idea that politics is a God free zone that we shouldn't get involved with? Why do we seem to think that politics and government is an area of life that is exempt from the Lordship of Jesus Christ? Where are these notions taught to us in Scripture? Such ideas seem more closely related to gnostic dualism than Biblical Christianity.

Is it really any wonder that our country is in such a pathetic condition when most Christians don't even seem to think that the Bible deals with issues of Government and Law?

Thank you Mr. Lofton for the information!

• Institute on the Constitution (IOTC)

• The American View

• American View Radio

Papal History

New at Polemos
Catholicism
Church History
Audio Links

1. Papal History Part I
   Richard Bennett
   
   
2. Papal History Part II
   Richard Bennett
   

American History to 1865

New at Polemos
American History

Ive been traveling a great deal for work the last five or six months and while I am very thankful for a good job I have to admit I'm tired of being gone so often but anyhow, on the bright side, I have had a lot of time to listen to a great many sermons, lectures and other various teachings that I wouldn't have had time to listen too otherwise (at least not in such a short time).

One of the highlights of the messages that I had the pleasure of listening too was American History to 1865 by R.J. Rushdoony. On the eighteen cassette tapes that I listen too ( it also comes with a study guide and a teachers guide) Rushdoony brought out a great many insites into American History that you probably will not hear just about anywhere else in our day and the Biblical insights into the Government's financial responsibilities were of particular intrest in light of the present insanity we see on the news everyday, its hard to believe that they were recorded in 1974 or so. Rushdoony was definately ahead of his time!

Cassette Tapes

CDs

The Catholic Inquisition and The Tools of Torture

New at Polemos
Catholicism
Church History

Video

1. The Catholic Inquisition and The Tools of Torture
   Richard Bennett
   

Gods Standard of Righteousness Part 2

New at Polemos
Law of God

The Law: Gods Standard of Righteousness Part 2
Jonathan Bunnett

Someone will always reply “we’re not under Law but under grace!” (Romans 6:14) I agree, but what does Paul mean when he says that we are not “under Law”? When Paul says that we are “not under Law” is he saying that we should no longer desire to keep the Law? Does he mean that being "under grace" is somehow opposed to obeying God's Law? Does he mean that those who are "under grace" should not desire to keep the Law? Such conclusions are untenable.

Take Moses for instance. Moses was saved in the same manner we are; by grace alone through faith alone in the Messiah alone. Whatever Paul means by “under Law” and “under grace” they are clearly opposed to each other, the unregenerate person being “under Law” and the regenerate person being “under grace”. Moses, therefore, as a regenerate child of God would have been “under grace”, yet he was given the Law and told to obey it. Moses was under grace yet he sought to obey God’s Law.

The same could be said of King David. He was a regenerate child of God, he was “under grace”, but yet he loved God’s Law and sought to obey it. Grant it they lived under the Old Covenant and some aspects of that Covenant have been done away with along with the Covenant itself, but the point is this: they were “under grace” but yet kept the Law and for this reason these two things (being “under grace” and desiring to keep the God’s Law) cannot be opposed to each other.

Clearly, being “under Law” does not speak of a person as being obliged to follow the Law but rather it speaks of how that person stands relationally to God. They relate to God by means of His Law or they relate to God by means of His grace. You are “under” Law or you are “under” grace. You relate to God based on your own deeds and merits (according to Law) and and stand condemned before Him for “there are none righteous…..” Romans 3:10-20. Or you relate to God in terms Christ's merits and finished work (according to Grace) and have Christ’s righteousness credited to your account, your sin forgiven and nothing to bar you from Gods favor and fellowship.

Being “under Law” has to do with being under its condemnation, under its curse and under its wrath. It speaks of the unregenerate heart which is provoked by the Law to commit further acts of sin. (Romans 7:7-12) The Law has a claim on those who are “under” it. It has something against them. They owe it a debt.

True Christians, on the other hand, are those who have been delivered from the Law. Their “certificate of debt” has been wiped out upon the cross (Colossians 2:14) and they no longer owe the Law anything; it has no claim on them! “There is therefore now no condemnation for those who are in Christ Jesus.” (Romans 8:1) They are under grace, they relate to God in terms of grace but that does not mean that the Law no longer reveals sin and righteousness to them.

Someone else will respond: “But we have died to the Law.” (Romans 7:4) Again we have to ask, what does it mean to die to the Law? Does that mean we should no longer desire to keep it? Once again we could look at both Moses and David; both were regenerate children of God, both were saved just as we were and both loved the Law of God and desired to keep it. They too were “dead to the Law through the body of Christ”. (Romans 7:4) They were no longer in the flesh having their sinful passions aroused by the Law to bear fruit to death (Romans 7:5), but rather they were united to the Messiah. You are either in Adam or in Christ (Romans 5:14-19) and they were in Christ, yet at the same time they loved the Law of God and desired to keep it.

So what does it mean to “die to the Law”? Romans 7:6 tells us that it means to be delivered from the Law; we are removed from the former relationship that we had to it. We are delivered from its wrath, we are delivered from its curse, we are delivered from all the claims it had upon us and we are delivered from all the charges it had against us. It can no longer demand payment of debt because Christ satisfied it in full; our relationship to the Law has been radically altered.

Paul compares our relationship with the Law of God to the marriage relationship. When I die, the relationship I have with my wife will be radically altered. The relationship will not be over, but it will be different. We will see each other again and we will still love each other but the mutual obligations and the claims we had upon each other through marriage will be over with. Just so, when we die to the Law the claims that it rightly had upon us are over with and we are justified, or literally declared Just by God.

Christians are those who can stand guiltless before the Law and owe it nothing at all. And while the unbeliever’s relationship to God is contingent upon his Law keeping (but they cannot keep the Law so they stand condemned) the Christians relationship to his God is contingent upon grace for “we are not under Law but under grace.” But now, by the grace of God, we see the goodness and character of God reflected in His Law and we long to conform to it.

Brethren, while we Christians no longer relate to God on the basis of our own law keeping the Law is still a light to our feet and we should love to keep it!

The Precepts and Liberty

New at Polemos
The Law of God

THE PRECEPTS AND LIBERTY
A.W. Pink
From Studies in the Scriptures December 1946

"So shall I keep thy law continually for ever and ever. And I will walk at liberty: for I seek thy precepts" (Psa 119:44-45). But do not men at large—at least in the 'civilized' world—"walk at liberty"? The great majority think so, but they are much mistaken. The fact is that sin has thoroughly perverted the judgment of the natural man, so that he is wanting in any true sense of values; and hence, it is that the Word of truth says, "Woe unto them that call evil good, and good evil; that put darkness for light, and light for darkness; that put bitter for sweet, and sweet for bitter!" (Isa 5:20). So completely has sin blinded the unregenerate that they suppose that bondage is freedom; and freedom, bondage. The sinner imagines that he can only enjoy liberty while he is lord of himself, and that to surrender unto the claims of Christ and take His yoke upon him would be bringing him into captivity. That is why he sees in the Lord Jesus "no beauty that we should desire him" (Isa 53:2)!

A false notion of liberty possesses all of our hearts. Until the Holy Spirit takes us in hand, we want to be at our own disposal and do whatever we please, without any one to call us to account. Yet the impracticability of such a notion appears in the outworking of it in the natural world. If there were not government in the human sphere, every man doing that which was right in his own eyes, there would be a state of utter lawlessness—anarchy. Still more evident, to those with anointed eyes, is the untenability and wickedness of such a notion when applied to the spiritual realm. Since God be our Creator, since we are wholly dependent upon Him—even for every breath that we draw—it becomes us to be in subjection to Him, for to Him we are accountable for all of our actions. Manifestly, it is our duty both to will and to do that which is pleasing to our Maker, our Benefactor, our Judge.

"I will walk at liberty" (Psa 119:45). Note well, that statement is preceded by "I keep thy law continually," and is followed by "for I seek thy precepts." Rightly did Thomas Scott (1747-1821) point out, "The service of God is perfect freedom, and every deviation is proportional slavery to sin and Satan." Only in the path of God's precepts does the soul find true liberty—that is why God's Law (the expression of His will) is called "the perfect law of liberty" (Jam 1:25; 2:12)! By the Fall, we have come under the law of sin and death; and consequently, we are fettered by our corruptions and bound over to eternal misery. But God's Word makes known to us the way of deliverance from that bondage. Sin destroys man's liberty, for it prevents him prosecuting his chief end—which is to glorify God—as it equally hinders him from attaining his highest good, which is to be holy and happy. Only by heeding the Law of the Lord can emancipation be obtained.

License is not liberty, for true liberty is not the opportunity to do what we want, but it is the power to do what we ought. Freedom of heart lies in a course of obedience to God, for there is no satisfaction to the heart until it finds its satisfaction in the "good, and acceptable, and perfect will of God" (Rom 12:2). The difference between the license of the natural man and the liberty of the spiritual man is that of being the bond-slave of sin and "the Lord's freeman" (ICo 7:22); and that is determined by the chains of darkness being displaced by the cords of duty, the fetters of sin by the yoke of Christ. And Christ's yoke is "easy" (Mat 11:30), for it is lined with love. God's commandments "are not grievous" (Uo 5:3), for they are dictated by infinite wisdom and are designed for our highest good. Loving, pleasing, enjoying, praising God is the only real freedom and blessedness. God's precepts must be sought—desired and attended to—if we are to "walk at liberty."

The more whole-heartedly and constantly we "seek" God's precepts and order our lives by them, the more will we "walk at liberty."

1. Thereby we shall be delivered from the darkness of a sin-blinded understanding. "The entrance of thy words giveth light; it giveth understanding unto the simple" (Psa 119:130). "Simple" there does not mean dull-witted, weak-minded, or illiterate, but one who is plain-hearted, sincere, and with an eye single to God's glory (compare 2Co 1:12). It is the words of God being received into an honest and good heart which dispels the mists of error, disperses the clouds of prejudice, exposes the lies of Satan, and illuminates the soul. "The fear of the LORD is the beginning of wisdom: a good understanding have all they that do his commandments" (Psa 111:10). The more we walk the path of obedience, the sounder becomes our judgment, and the keener our discernment in perceiving what would pro­mote or what would make against our best interests.

2. Thereby we are delivered from the bondage of our lusts. No man can serve two masters. In our unregenerate days, we were entirely dominated by our corruptions, for God had no place in our hearts and lives. But the more He possesses our hearts, and the more we are governed by His precepts, the less will sin tyrannize us. "This I say then, Walk in the Spirit, and ye shall not fulfil the lust of the flesh" (Gal 5:16). To "walk in the Spirit" is to be governed by that Word of Truth which he dictated for us. Therefore, our daily prayer needs to be "Order my steps in thy word: and let not any iniquity have dominion over me" (Psa 119:133). If some iniquity has "dominion" over me, it is because my steps are not ordered by the Word in all things.

3. Thereby we are delivered from a sin-enslaved will. We do not propose to enter here into a philosophical disquisition on the nature and exercises of the will. The natural man's will is quite free to choose, but what determines his choice? His inclinations: he always chooses that which, everything considered, is most agreeable to him. Being fallen, he prefers to serve self rather than God, the world more than Christ, the pleasures of sin above holiness; and therefore, always chooses the former. God makes His people willing in the day of His power to choose Christ by bringing them to feel their need of Him and giving them a desire for Him. The will of the sinner is "free from righteousness"; of
the saint, "free from sin" (Rom 6:18, 20)! The more we love God's law and the pleasanter obedience becomes to us, the more the will is emancipated from the power of our corruptions.

4. Thereby are we delivered from the accusations of a guilty conscience. Just so long as we lived in rebellion against God, that inward monitor condemned us; and though at times we succeeded in drowning its voice, there were moments and seasons when our rest was disturbed. But "great peace have they which love thy law" (Psa 119:165). The more we love God's law and the more we seek His precepts, the more freedom have we from convictions of guilt.

5. Thereby are we delivered from the snares of the Fowler. The unregenerate "are taken captive by him at his will" (2Ti 2:26), so that it is his behests they perform (Job 8:44). But "If the Son therefore shall make you free, ye shall be free indeed" (Joh 8:36).

6. Thereby we are freed from the disapprobation of God. If we be truly seeking His precepts, we shall enjoy the quickenings and comforts of the Spirit; it is our self-will which "grieves" Him and restrains His gracious operations within us. So too we shall escape God's chastenings, for it is when we forsake His Law and keep not His commandments that He visits our transgressions with the rod and His providences are against us (Psa 89:30-32).

7. Thereby are we delivered from the bondage of human opinions and customs. There are not a few professing Christians whose freedom is circumscribed by "the commandments and doctrines of men" with their "Touch not; taste not; handle not"
(Col 2:20-22), but the one who is regulated only by God's precepts will walk at liberty from such impositions.

Confession of Sin

New at Polemos
Green Pastures

Joseph Caryl (1602-1673), 1645
As found in A.W. Pinks Studies in the Scriptures: December 1946

"The holiest man on earth hath cause to confess that he hath sinned. Confes­sion is the duty of the best Christians. While the ship leaks, the pump must not stand still. Confession is a soul-humbling duty, and the best have need of that, for they are in most danger of being lifted up above measure. To preserve us from self-exaltations, the Lord sometimes sends the messenger of Satan to buf­fet us by temptations, and commands us to buffet ourselves by confessions. Confession affects the heart with sin, and engages the heart against it. Every confession of the evil we do is a new obligation not to do it any more. Confes­sion of sin shows us more clearly our need of mercy, and endears it more to us. How good and sweet is mercy to a soul that hath tasted how evil and bitter a thing it is to sin against the Lord. Confession of sin advances Christ in our hearts. How doth it declare the riches of Christ when we are not afraid to tell Him what infinite sums of debt we are in, which He only, and He easily, can discharge! How it doth commend the healing virtue of His blood when we open to Him such mortal wounds and sicknesses which He only, and He easily, can cure! Woe to be those who commit sin aboundingly that grace may abound, but it is our duty to confess sin aboundingly that grace may abound.

Sincere confession of sin makes the soul very active about the remedies of sin. "I have sinned" said Job; his next word is, "What shall I do unto thee?" (Job 7:20). Many make confession of sin who are never troubled about the cure of it; nay, it may be their next action is to sin over the same sin they have con­fessed. When the Jews heard of the foulness of their sin in crucifying Christ and the sadness of their condition, they also asked, "What shall we do?" (Act 2:37). A soul truly sensible of sin is ready to submit to any terms which God shall put upon him: "What shall I do?"—I am ready to accept them. That was the sense of the Jews' question in Acts 2:37: Show us the way, let it be what it will; we will not pick and chose. So too when the Jailor found himself in the bonds of iniquity, he was ready to enter into any bonds of duty.

God is to be consulted and inquired after in all doubtful cases, especially in our sin-cases. "I have sinned; what shall I do unto thee, O thou preserver of men?" (Job 7:20). He calls upon God to know what course he should take. Though when we have opportunity to speak unto men, that is good and a duty; yet we must not rest in the counsels of men what to do in sin-cases—God must be consulted.—Joseph Caryl (1602-1673), 1645."

There Really Is a Santa Claus

New at Pol'-e-store
Church History

Regardless of what you think about celebrating Christmas this book is a fascinating look at the history of Saint Nicholas and the celebration of Christmas both in the Church and in the rest of the world.

Personally there is a lot about Christmas that I don't really appreciate but I recently heard an interview with the author and thoroughly enjoyed learning a little more about the history of Christmas.

John Ploughman's Talk

New at Pol'-e-store
Charles Spurgeon

For those who may be unfamiliar with John Ploughman's Talk (from which the preceding article on debt was taken) it is simply a 2 volume collection of writings from C.H. Spurgeon under the name of John Ploughman; a witty old farmer who loves proverbial sayings. Spurgeon tells us a little bit about these writings in the preface to John Ploughman’s Talk: Plain Advice for Plain People:

“IN John Ploughman's Talk, I have written for plowmen and common people. Hence refined taste and dainty words have been discarded for strong proverbial expressions and homely phrases. I have aimed my blows at the vices of the many, and tried to inculcate those moral virtues without which men are degraded. Much that needs to be said to the toiling masses would not well suit the pulpit and the Sabbath; these lowly pages may teach thrift and industry all the days of the week in the cottage and the workshop; and if some learn these lessons I shall not repent the adoption of a rustic style.

Ploughman is a name I may justly claim. Every minister has put his hand to the plow; and it is his business to break up the fallow ground. That I have written in a semi-humorous vein needs no apology, since thereby sound moral teaching has gained a hearing from at least 300,000 persons. There is no particular virtue in being seriously unreadable.”

While these books are entertaining, fun to read and full of good advice and easily remembered proverbs, a great many people I’ve talked with don’t even seem to know that they exist.

Christian Heritage publishers have now combined both volumes (John Ploughman’s Talk and John Ploughman's Pictures) into one volume for just $9.99

The Complete John Ploughman: Combined edition of John Ploughman’s Talk and John Ploughman's Pictures By C.H. Spurgeon / Christian Heritage

The Moral Law of God -Part 11

Law of God
Audio Links

• The Moral Law of God -Part 11
  Albert N. Martin

The America We Don't Remember

Pol'-e-store
American History

As we approach the celebration of Thanksgiving here's a few new titles Ive added at Pol'-e-store reminding us of the America we've largely lost, forgotten or sadly just givin up.

Books

Sergeant York and the Great War
By The Vision Forum, Inc

Before he became the world-famous Sergeant York depicted by Gary Cooper in the 1942 Academy Award-winning role, Alvin York was a brawling Tennessee backwoodsman---who experienced a life-changing encounter with Christ! Follow the story of this amazing World War I hero in his own words, taken from personal letters and diaries of the period. 229 pages, hardcover from Vision Forum.

To Have and to Hold: A Tale of Providence and Perseverance in Colonial Jamestown By Mary Johnston, edited by Josh & Sarah Wean / The Vision Forum, Inc Full of romance, high adventure and the tale of a fledgling colony, To Have and to Hold offers a mix of memorable characters living in Jamestown, Virginia. When a boat of brides-to-be arrives at port, Captain Percy gets more than he bargains for when he marries Lady Jocelyn Leigh. A ruthless English nobleman, a cast of settlers, pirates and more all make for a captivating tale of intrigue. This republished edition is enhanced with Christian worldview assumptions and the glory of a husband for his wife. 429 pages, hardcover with dust jacket.

Coming in on a Wing and a Prayer
By Kelly J. Brown / The Vision Forum, Inc

A tribute to a valiant member of the "greatest generation"---penned by a grateful granddaughter! Imagining that she's writing to her future grandchildren, young Kelly shares her grandfather's World War II memories, prompted by a family trip back to Iwo Jima. Readers aged 10 and up will be enthralled by his account of parachuting into enemy territory. Family and vintage photos throughout. 55 pages, hardcover.

DVDs

Jamestown: Ancient Landmark Modern Battleground DVD
By Vision Forum

This year is America's 400th birthday, and forces on the politically correct "Left" are lining up to discredit America's Christian foundations by changing the historic record of the Jamestown settlement.

This timely documentary identifies each for the biggest controversies and sets the record straight. A must-see film for every Christian pastor, parent and student.

A Comprehensive Defense of the Providence of God, DVD Set
By Various Authors / Vision Forum

The Providential Nexus of Plymouth and Jamestown DVD
By Dr. Paul Jehle / The Vision Forum, Inc

What are the true legacies of Jamestown and Plymouth? Were they established solely for the commonly-noted commercial and religious purposes? Did one give birth to the American ideal over the other? Dr. Paul Jehle clarifies misconceptions as he demonstrates that while both colonies had their differences, each had strengths that America would need for its continued colonization. 1 DVD 50 minutes.

CDs

From Jamestown to Jubilee: The 2004 Faith & Freedom Tour Audio CD Set
By The Vision Forum, Inc

Experience the 2004 Faith and Freedom Tour, from the Jamestown Settlement, to Williamsburg, to Monticello, and beyond. In this album, you will learn about the true story of the Jamestown colony and Captain John Smith, hear Patrick Henry's famous cry of "Give Me Liberty or Give Me Death!", visit Mt. Vernon, tour the Virginia Military Institute, hea r a tribute around Stonewall Jackson's grave, and much more. Listen as Doug Phillips and Historian Bill Potter tell the stories of the Great Awakening, the early charters, and anecdotes about our godly ancestors and Patriots of colonial Virginia.Topics and Places Include: Jamestown Settlement, Captain John Smith, College of William & Mary, Colonial Williamsburg, Scotchtown, Patrick Henry, Yorktown Battlefield, Mt. Vernon, Monticello, and the Virginia Military Institute.

Bible Lessons for Manhood from the Battlefield of My Father's Youth
By Scott Brown / Vision Forum

Bible Lessons from the Battlefield of My Father's Youth is a discipleship tool for dads and their sons. Filled with biblical lessons of real-life manhood that arise from the World War II battle for Iwo Jima, these messages tell the story of fighter planes, amphibious assaults, foxholes, cave warfare, and flamethrowers, elements that helped forge one man's mission of father-to-son discipleship.

Taking real battlefield scenarios, these talks show fathers specific areas that need to be covered during a son's discipleship journey as "soldiers of the cross," and provide practical advice for dads on how they can wisely encourage their sons to lead courageously, understand and embrace the gospel, handle friendships, devote oneself to the church, flee immorality, take on mighty challenges, trust in the sovereign hand of God, handle trials, and not waste their youth. Best to use as a joint father and son devotional.

Topics Include:

• Lessons for Manhood from the Battlefield of My Father's Youth
• Don't Waste Your Youth
• How Fathers Prepare Their Sons for Effective Work
• Don't Prejudge Disasters and Trust in the Sovereignty of God
• Lead Courageously and Build Long and Loyal Friendships
• Choose the Right Weapons for the Battle Against Impurity

What Has Happened to America?

American History
Audio

While providence has kept me from blogging for some time now I did recently get a chance to listen to these messages by Paul Jehle and I cant recommend them enough! Its truly sad to think about how far America has fallen and where we might be heading. May the Lord have mercy on us and take us back to our Biblical roots!

• What Is A Christian Nation?
  Mr. Paul Jehle
  
• Providential History from Christ to the Reformation
  Mr. Paul Jehle
  
• The Biblical and Colonial Roots of American Liberty
  Mr. Paul Jehle
  
• Biblical Principles in the U.S. Constitution
  Mr. Paul Jehle
  
• What Has Happened to America?
  Mr. Paul Jehle
  
• Blessed is the Nation Whose God is the Lord
  Mr. Paul Jehle

Alarm to the Unconverted!

New at Polemos
Puritans, The
Audio Links

1. Alarm to the Unconverted! part 1
   Joseph Alleine • Alleine's Alarm • 90 min.
   Grace Audio Treasures

2. Alarm to the Unconverted! part 2
   Joseph Alleine • Alleine's Alarm • 88 min.
   Grace Audio Treasures

3. Alarm to the Unconverted! part 3
   Joseph Alleine • Alleine's Alarm • 90 min.
   Grace Audio Treasures

4. Alarm to the Unconverted! part 4
   Joseph Alleine • Alleine's Alarm • 87 min.
   Grace Audio Treasures

5. Alarm to the Unconverted! part 5
   Joseph Alleine • Alleine's Alarm • 53 min.
   Grace Audio Treasures

Van Til: Reformed Apologist and Churchman

New at Pol'-e-store
Biographical

Cornelius Van Til: Reformed Apologist and Churchman
By John Muether / P & R Publishing

This work contributes to an understanding of Van Til and his apologetic insights by placing him within the context of twentieth century developments in North American Reformed theology, including the formation of Westminster Seminary and the Orthodox Presbyterian Church, the rise of neo-evangelicalism, and American reception of Karl Barth.

Cut, Carve and Wound

New at Polemos
Some Good Quotes
Suffering and Affliction

"You will not get to steal quietly into heaven, into Christ's company, without a conflict and a cross. I find crosses to be Christ's carved work that he marks out for us and that with crosses he portraits us to his own image, cutting away pieces of our ill and corruption. Lord cut - Lord carve - Lord wound - Lord do anything that may perfect thy Father's image in us and make us ready for glory."
-Samuel Rutherford

"It is the Lord's kindness that he will take the scum off us in the fire. Who know how needful winnowing is to us and what dross we have before we enter the kingdom of God? So narrow is the entry to heaven that our knots, lumps of pride, self-love, idol-love, and world-love must be hammered off us, that we may stoop low and creep through into that narrow entry."
-Samuel Rutherford

"O, what I owe to the file, the hammer, and the furnace of the Lord Jesus! I know that he is no idle husbandman - he purposes a crop."
-Samuel Rutherford

Patriarchy and Theocracy

New at Polemos
Audio Links
Fatherhood/Manhood/Patriarchy

• Patriarchy and Theocracy
  Kevin Swanson • Nasty Words or Great Ideas?
  

God's Master Fencer

New at Polemos
Some Good Quotes
Suffering and Affliction

"There is no sweeter fellowship with Christ than to bring our wounds and our sores to him."
-Samuel Rutherford

"There is as much in our Lord's pantry as will satisfy all his children and as much wine in his cellar as will quench all their thirst. Hunger on, for there is meat in hungering for Christ; go never from him, but seek him who is yet pleased with the importunity of hungry souls until he fills you; if he delays, yet do not go away, even if you faint at his feet."
-Samuel Rutherford

"I find it most true that the greatest temptation outside of hell is to live without temptations; if water stands, it rots; faith is the better for the sharp winter storm in its face and grace withers without adversity. The devil is but God's master fencer to teach us to handle our weapons."
-Samuel Rutherford

Catching the Family Vision

New at Polemos
Audio Links
Fatherhood/Manhood/Patriarchy
Children
Parenting/Grand parenting

• Why Visionary Fathers are a Rarity
  Kevin Swanson • Constructing a Family Vision
• Visionary Families that Leave a Legacy
  Kevin Swanson • A Two-Hundred Year Vision

One Return of Christ

New at Polemos
Eschatology
Dispensationalism
Audio Links

• The Day of the Lord #3 -One Return of Christ
  Albert N. Martin
  

Pre-Tribulationism Part 3

Eschatology
Audio Links

• Eschatology #41 Pre-Tribulationism Part 3
  Sam E. Waldron

Biographical

New at Pol'-e-store
Biographical

Lloyd-Jones, Messenger of Grace By Iain Murray / Banner Of Truth

The Calvinistic Methodist Fathers of Wales By John Morgan Jones, Henry Morgan & John Aaron(Editor) / Banner Of Truth

Impure Lust By John Flavel

New at Pol'-e-store
Sexual Sin

Impure Lust By John Flavel / Banner Of Truth

The Other Dark Exchange: Homosexuality

Homosexuality
Audio Links

A couple really good sermons from John Piper on the issue of homosexuality. He makes the excellent point in part 1 that while we often look at aids and such things as the judgment of God on homosexuality we frequently fail to see homosexuality as the judgment of God on the human race for loving the creature more than the Creator.

• The Other Dark Exchange: Homosexuality, Part 1
  Romans 1:24-28
  John Piper

• The Other Dark Exchange: Homosexuality, Part 2
  Romans 1:24-28
  John Piper

Pre-Tribulationism Part 2

New at Polemos
Eschatology
Dispensationalism
Audio Links

• Eschatology #40 Pre-Tribulationism Part 2
  Sam E. Waldron
  

Pre-Tribulationism Part 1

New at Polemos
Eschatology
Dispensationalism
Audio Links

• Eschatology #39 Pre-Tribulationism Part 1
  Sam E. Waldron
  
  

The Sin of Homosexuality

Homosexuality
Audio Links

• The Sin of Homosexuality
  Mark Chanski

The Virtuous Mother

Some Good Quotes
Motherhood

Charles Bridges on Proverbs 31:28

“The virtuous woman is obviously subserving her own interest. For what greater earthly happiness could she know, than her reverence, and her husband's blessing? We may picture to ourselves "her condition—crowned with years; her children grown up; perhaps themselves surrounded with families, and endeavoring to train them, as themselves had been trained. Their mother is constantly before their eyes. Her tender guidance, her wise counsels, her loving disci­pline, her holy example, are vividly kept in remembrance. They cease not to call her Messed, and to bless the Lord for her, as his invalu­able gift! No less warmly does her husband praise her. His attach­ment to her is grounded, not on the deceitful and vain charms of beauty, but on the fear of the Lord. She is therefore in his eyes to the end, the stay of his declining years, the soother of his cares, the counselor of his perplexities, the comforter of his sorrows, the sunshine of his earthly joys. (Ecc. xxxvi. 23, 24.) Both children and husband combine in the grateful acknowledgment”

- Charles Bridges as Quoted in Proverbs, Geneva Commentary Series

swine, dunces, and blockheads

Some Good Quotes
Children
Marriage

"Most married people do not desire children; in fact, they dislike them and hold that it is better to live without them because they are poor and do not have the where­withal to support a family. This is true particularly of those who are given to idleness and laziness and flee from the sweat and labor of married life. But the purpose of marriage is not pleasure and ease but the procreation and education of children and the support of a family. This is truly an immense burden, full of great cares and labors. But that is why God created you: to be a husband or a wife and to learn to bear these moles­tations. People who do not like children are swine, dunces, and blockheads, not worthy to be called men and women, because they despise the blessing of God, the Creator and Author of marriage."

-Martin Luther as quoted in What Luther Says: A Practical In-Home Anthology for the Active Christian

The Wrath of God Revealed

Eschatology
Audio Links

• Eschatology #11- The Wrath of God Revealed
  Sam E. Waldron

The Kingdom in Parables

Eschatology
Audio Links

• Eschatology # 15- The Coming of the Kingdom Part 2
  The Kingdom in Parables
  Sam E. Waldron

"...for our flickering wicks"

Some Good Quotes

Fasting

"If he who was the Light of the world fought for his fire with fasting, is there something to be learned here for our flickering wicks?"

-John Piper from A Hunger for God

"The almost universal absence of regular fasting for the Lord's return is a witness to our satisfaction with the presence of the world and the absence of the Lord. This is not the way it should be."

-John Piper from A Hunger for God

"Surely, this hunger for Christ needs to be restored in the comfortable church of the prosperous West. The absence of fasting is indicative of our comfort with the way things are. No one fasts to express how content they are. People only fast out of dissatisfaction. "The attendants of the bridegroom cannot mourn as long as the bridegroom is with them, can they? But the days will come when the bridegroom is taken away from them, and then they will fast" (Matthew 15:9). The absence of fasting is the measure of our contentment with the absence of Christ."

-John Piper from A Hunger for God