Blog Posts

Luther and the Authority of Scripture

10/27/2020

As I have spent time studying the life of Martin Luther one of the main things that he has taught me is to remember the importance of scripture. More specifically, Luther during the reformation recaptured in a fresh way the importance of adjusting all of life, to the authority of scripture. His words before the council prove that he not only confessed the authority of scripture but he based his life on the complete authority of the Bible. Luther was asked as he stood before the council to recant his books and articles. Luther’s response was compelling, “Unless I am convicted by Scripture and plain reason – I do not accept the authority of popes and councils, for they have contradicted each other – my conscience is captive to the Word of God. I cannot and I will not recant anything, for to go against conscience is neither right nor safe. God help me. Amen.”

John Calvin A Man of Faith

10/20/2020

I have been reading through the book of Acts over the past few weeks. I am coming to the end of the book and I am so encouraged at the apostle Paul’s steadfastness even in the midst of suffering, persecution and death. As a great hero of the faith Paul reached the end with great confidence. Another hero of the faith who faithfully served until the end was John Calvin(July 10, 1509 - May 27, 1564). Calvin was a pastor and leader during the reformation. Although he faced opposition throughout his ministry, his confidence grew in the atoning work of Christ until the end. Consider the words of Calvin just a few weeks prior to his death:

William Tyndale The Reformer

10/14/2020

Just like many of you today, I started my day by reading a selected section from the Bible. As I look around my bookshelf I notice many copies of the Bible and various translations. On occasion I will also use one my Bible apps or if I really want to dive deep into my study, I will open the Logos Bible software on my computer. Today as I was reading my Bible I was reminded of the great sacrifice that many have made to make Bible reading in the English language possible. I am also reminded that there are people who still have no translation of the Bible in their language. It is hard to imagine a place without a translation of the Bible but the reality is that there was a day when it was not common a translated copy and in fact it was very dangerous to translate the Bible into another language.

The Five Solas

10/6/2020

Have you ever though much about the Protestant Reformation? If the phrase is familiar chances are you have come across the name Martin Luther. Luther, a major leader of the Reformation nailed his 95 theses to the door of a Roman Catholic Church stating his independence on October 31, 1517. As a theologian, Luther was addressing perceived distortions within the Catholic Church. As a result of his boldness he received great support from the church in Germany. His actions on October 31, 1517 are identified as the beginning of the Protestant Reformation

Spiritual Maturity

9/29/2020

This Sunday we are in the section of Hebrews that challenges the believers to pursue maturity. Listen to the words of Hebrews 5:11-14:Concerning him we have much to say, and it is hard to explain, since you have become dull of hearing. For though by this time you ought to be teachers, you have need again for someone to teach you the elementary principles of the oracles of God, and you have come to need milk and not solid food. For everyone who partakes only of milk is not accustomed to the word of righteousness, for he is an infant. But solid food is for the mature, who because of practice have their senses trained to discern good and evil.

John Knox and Scotland

9/22/2020

This past Sunday we had the opportunity to hear about the gospel at work in Scotland. One of the names that has been etched into the religious history of Scotland is John Knox. A contemporary of John Calvin in the 1500’s, Knox was a Scottish minister, theologian, author and a leader of the reformation. Knox was educated under Roman Catholic instruction. Eventually John Knox would part with his Catholic training and retaliate against the French Catholics when bishops and priest were nothing more than political appointments. In 1547 the French would take Knox hostage and force him to serve as a galley slave on their warship.

Crazy Busy

9/15/2020

Over the past few weeks we have had many conversations around New Life concerning busyness. No doubt life can quickly rise to the level of insanity and get out of control because of our busy schedule. At the Harmon house it seems like we struggle with this issue on a regular basis. Now that we have a five year old in our family we get the opportunity to do kindergarten again. I am grateful for the many blessings that God has placed on our family but if we are not careful we can become consumed by our busy schedule.

God rested on the Seventh Day

9/9/2020

This past Sunday we were all challenged by the text from Hebrews 4 concerning sabbath. People have become eager to tell me two important facts about their week: 1) they are not tired and 2) their schedule is really not that busy. One of the things that I have noticed personally is that my family schedule becomes more of a challenge each year.

Meditate on God's Word

9/1/2020

...but his delight is in the law of the Lord, and on his law he meditates day and night
Psalm 1:2

One of my favorite puritans to study is John Owen. He has often been identified as one of the greatest theologians among the puritans. That is a major accomplishment when you consider the ranks of men like Jonathan Edwards.

Early Morning Prayer

8/25/2020

I remember after professing faith in Christ as a teenager I was motivated to do daily devotions. During those teenage years I was not too keen on the early morning hours. In fact, the thought of getting up early did not have much curb appeal!

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