Puritan
This category contains content on various Puritans such as Thomas Watson, John Owen, Jonathan Edwards, Stephen Charnock, Richard Sibbes, John Bunyan, and Jeremiah Burroughs, among others. It can mention books, quotes, brief mentions, or theological explanations from Puritan theologians.
Grace That Trains Us: Thomas Watson on Holiness and Sanctification
The Theology of Thomas Watson Series: Part 4 Grace That Trains Us: Thomas Watson on Holiness and Sanctification One of the most common confusions in modern Christianity is the relationship between grace and holiness. Grace is often spoken of warmly, passionately, even poetically. Holiness, on the other hand, is treated cautiously, sometimes suspiciously, as though it threatens joy, freedom, or assurance. Puritan Thomas Watson would not recognize that separation. For Watson, grace and holiness are inseparable. Grace does not merely…
True Repentance in an Age of Excuses: Thomas Watson on the Repentance God Requires
The Theology of Thomas Watson Series: Part 3 This third part of my Thomas Watson Series is about his view on repentance. We live in a time when almost everything gets explained away. Sin gets renamed. Conviction gets treated like trauma. Confession gets replaced with vague spiritual statements that never actually name anything. And the result is predictable: we stay stuck, we stay shallow, and we stay strangely defensive. Thomas Watson would have zero patience for that kind of Christianity.…
The God Who Is: Thomas Watson on the Attributes of God
The Theology of Thomas Watson Series: Part 2 This second part of my Thomas Watson Series is about his view on the Attributes of God. One of the reasons Puritan Thomas Watson still feels so relevant is that he never starts where modern Christianity often starts. He does not begin with our problems, our pain, our questions, or our felt needs. He begins with God. That decision alone explains much of the power of his writing. Watson believed that nearly…
Who Was Thomas Watson and Why Should Modern Christians Read Him?
The Theology of Thomas Watson Series: Part 1 The Puritans should be required reading for every serious Christian. Men like John Owen, Jonathan Edwards, Stephen Charnock, Richard Sibbes, John Bunyan, and Jeremiah Burroughs have a way of cutting through spiritual fog and forcing us to deal honestly with God, sin, and eternity. They were not writing to entertain or impress, but to shepherd souls. Out of all of the Puritans, Thomas Watson has become my personal favorite, and over time,…
Pornography Is the Silent War Destroying Men of God
Men, Stop Pretending You Can Love Christ and Cherish What Nailed Him to the Cross Brother, if you are a man in Christ, you are called to holiness. Pornography is not a hobby you manage. It is a soul disease that eats your conscience, mocks your vows, and smears the name of your Savior. It promises pleasure and leaves you empty. It offers escape and chains you deeper. Jesus did not shed His blood to purchase men who stare at…
My Top 20 Favorite Books of All Time (Outside of the Bible) – Revisited
I’m revisiting what I consider to be my all-time favorite books. The last time I made a blog post listing my favorite books of all time, I was still growing in my Christian walk. Admittedly, since then, I’ve outgrown a few of the titles and perhaps wouldn’t even put one or two in my top 50 books. No, there weren’t any prosperity authors, feel-good “TBN” celebrities, or hyper-charismatic nonsense polluting my list, but there were a few glaring issues that…
The Doctrine of Discernment and the Call to Expose False Teachers
Introduction – The Critical Need for Discernment Today If you spend any time in the broader Christian world, you will know that the very mention of certain names will stir up strong opinions. Say the name “Justin Peters,” and some will nod in appreciation, while others roll their eyes in frustration and anger. Bring up “John MacArthur,” “Todd Friel,” “Voddie Baucham,” “James White,” “Costi Hinn,” or “Phil Johnson,” and you may find the same split. Mention “Mike Winger,” “Alisa Childers,”…
Responding to the Most Common Myths About Calvinism
Grace in the Midst of the Cage Stage If you spend enough time in Christian social media comment sections or theological groups, you’ll notice something strange: people can become surprisingly combative (and ungracious) when they start talking about God’s grace. It sounds ironic, doesn’t it? The truth is, this corner of theology—what we often refer to as soteriology, the doctrine of salvation—has sparked centuries of debate between those who emphasize God’s sovereignty in salvation (often called Calvinists) and those who…
You Must Utterly Destroy Sin
Have you ever found yourself stuck in the same routine, day in and day out? I know I have. It’s so easy to fall into a pattern where we feel safe, comfortable, and in control. Our comfort zones are like warm, cozy blankets that we wrap around ourselves, protecting us from the unknown. But as men of God, we are not called to live a life of comfort and complacency. We are called to be warriors, ready to step into…
Paul Washer – Favorite Pastors Series
Paul Washer is a no-nonsense, “seize-you-by-the-throat” kind of preacher, and is also a “no-brainer” entry on my list of Favorite Pastors. Here’s a brief biography: Paul Washer is an American Christian preacher and missionary known for his passionate and uncompromising commitment to biblical truth. Born on September 11, 1961, in the United States, Washer has become a prominent figure in the evangelical community through his teaching, preaching, and writing. Washer’s journey to faith was a transformative experience. In his early…
Jonathan Edwards’ 70 Resolutions from 1722-1723
One of the greatest American preachers and Puritans, Jonathan Edwards, became deeply enthralled with the majesty and glory of God as a young believer. He had been so on fire for Christ that at the age of 19, he wanted to pen something that would aid in his commitment to living for God. So over the course of a year, he drafted the 70 Resolutions, which are Bible-based guidelines that he would resolve to follow all the days of his…