The Riddleblog

Year-End Musings (12/31/2022)

If you listen to the Blessed Hope Podcast, you know I stress Bible reading—especially reading entire books of the Bible in one sitting whenever possible. Here is the annual list of Ligonier Bible Reading Plans. Please find one that works for you and get to it!
How do Christians feel about climate change and global warming? Pew Has the Answer
OK, so we Californians have to put up with Gavin Newsom. But at least we don’t have to deal with this: Iguana Causes Large Scale Power Outage in South Florida. In California the power goes out because of government green energy and environmental policies, not because of gigantic lizards!
Here’s a gift our governor wouldn’t appreciate. The perfect gift for the right governor
What could go wrong here? Atlanta Church Wants to Grow and Dispense Medical Marijuana. Dude, pass the offering plate . . . The deacons are gonna buy Doritos and Jack-in-the-Box tacos for everyone!
To read the rest, follow the link below

MusingsKim RiddlebargerDecember 31, 2022Year end musings Comments

Musings (11/30/2022)

Riddleblog Updates:

The Reformed Confessions tab has been edited and updated to support the new series on the Canons of Dort
Thanks much to Nick for the updated (and improved) Blessed Hope Podcast artwork.

Musings (links):

To read the rest of my “musings” follow the link below

MusingsKim RiddlebargerNovember 30, 2022Christian nationalism, Reading Bavinck, Hart on Ben FranklinComment

Musings (10/31/2022)

Riddleblog Readers will very much enjoy Dr. Scott Clark’s Reformation Day lecture given at Westminster Seminary California. A must listen: Dr. Scott Clark's Lecture on Reformation Day 2022

Here’s yet another important reminder that, “yes, our Reformed theological forefathers were indebted to Aquinas for a number of things.” Acknowledging this to be true is a fact of historical theology, not necessarily a step on the slippery slope to Rome as some fear. Here’s a great example of what I mean. David VanDrunen on "Standing on Aquinas' Shoulders"

Another important short essay on “appropriations” and Christology from Fred Sanders. Distinctions and correct terminology matter. Fred Sanders on Important Christological Distinctions

If you don’t think that things have gotten absolutely crazy among Christian nationalists, here are three links which should disabuse you of the notion that this movement is not theologically problematic.

To read the rest of my “Musings” follow the link below

MusingsKim RiddlebargerOctober 31, 2022Aquinas, Christian nationalism, Free commentaries, Spam is cool again, Reformation DayComment

Musings (10/01/2022)

According to CNN, "Rapture anxiety” is really a thing. An improper understanding of our Lord’s return leads to anxiety on the part of God’s people (when the second coming is to be thought of as the “blessed hope”) and mockery on the part of unbelievers who, barring faith and repentance, should be terrified of the Lord’s return.
If Rapture anxiety is really a thing, it is time to check the "Rapture Ready Index" which tells us it is time to "fasten our seat belts!" The cynic in me asks if the whole point of the Rapture is to be caught up with the Lord in the air, why should I put on a seat belt? That might leave a mark.
Califonia’s governor, Gavin Newsom, sans mask and while dining at the French Laundry, went after Grace Community Church during the Covid lock-down. Newsom has also paid for billboards around the country with grossly misused Bible verses encouraging women seeking abortions to come to California as a sort of abortion haven. John MacArthur, who won his court case against Newsom, and who clearly occupies the high-moral ground, calls Gavin Newsom to repentance in a very public manner. John MacArthur's "open letter" to Governor Newsom.
Read it and weep. Ligonier’s annual doctrinal survey is a sad and serious indicator of the fruit of a whole generation of American evangelicals telling us that doctrine doesn’t matter. Evangelicals know premarital sex is wrong (nearly 90% agree), but nearly half embrace the most serious heresy in church history without knowing it (Arianism). Evangelicalism has been swamped by the “subjective turn” — “I think, I feel . . .” Ligonier's "State of Theology" Survey

To read the rest of my “Musings,” follow the link below

Musings (9/7/22)

Much thanks to Abounding Grace Radio for giving us the entire series (all sixteen lectures) by Dr. Godfrey in one place: Dr. Godfrey on the End of Christendom
Someone asked me, why don’t you address postmillennialism? Simple. It has already been done: Will There Be a Golden Age Before Christ Returns? (Charles Lee Irons)
This looks Interesting: A new book coming on the history of dispensationalism in America: The Rise and Fall of Dispensationalism -- Coming May 2023
Empirical proof of original sin? The Average Person Lies Four Times a Day
California has its problems. This is not one of them: Gator kills elderly woman If we had Gators, they move to Texas or Florida, or they’d be taxed to death.

To read the rest, follow the link below

MusingsKim RiddlebargerSeptember 7, 2022Dr. Robert Godfrey, The end of Christendom, Lying Comment

Musings (8-13-22)

Musings:

Richard Muller on Misrepresenting Aquinas with Prejudice
This guy was really swallowed by a whale and lived to tell about it! Swallowed by a Whale -- Jonah, Anyone?
Amazon . . . The Beast or the False Prophet???? If this thing scanned the back of my hand, I'd really be worried
Dr. Godfrey continues his lecture series, "Whats Going on Right Now?" (Lecture 15)
A Great Interview with Rosaria Butterfield on Human Sexuality (AG Radio)
Scott Clark on "Three Things Dispensational Apologists Should Stop Saying
The Vatican has big-time money woes. Too Big to Fail? The Vatican's Deficit Projections Gives Uncertain Outlook
To read the rest of my “Musings” follow the link below

Musings and Riddleblog Updates (7/16/2022)

Riddleblog Updates:

The mountains are calling — the annual Summer slowdown here at the Riddleblog is at hand. Our regular programming will resume in August. But there will be a few signs of life in the meantime
The second season of the Blessed Hope Podcast is in the works—a deep dive into the Thessalonian letters. Also, I’ll have a big announcement for those of you who make it through the first season of the Blessed Hope Podcast (the fourteen episodes on Galatians)
New Warfield and Biblical Studies Tabs have been added to the Riddleblog header
My lectures on “Apologetics in a Post-Christian Age” from the C-Ref Wednesday night Bible studies are now posted under sermons and lectures (Apologetic in a Post-Christian Age (scroll down)

To read the Musings, follow the link below

MusingsKim RiddlebargerJuly 16, 2022Riddleblog updates Comment

Musings and Updates (6/22/2022)

A Few Updates

Thanks to all of you listening to the Blessed Hope Podcast. Season One (my niche exposition of Galatians) is doing much better than I anticipated. Thanks too to those of you who gave me five-star reviews and comments! Please keep `em coming! The more reviews the easier it is to find and subscribe to the podcast.
Lord willing, I’ll have a free gift for those of you who make it through all fourteen episodes of Season One. Details to come once the entire first season is posted on the various podcast feeds. If you can stand me for fourteen hours, you ought to get something for your efforts. Watch for updates.
Also, watch for updates on Season Two, which will be devoted to Paul’s Thessalonian Letters. Lots of Eschatology! Coming in the Fall, Lord Willing.
The annual summer slowdown at the Riddleblog is drawing near. I retired from Christ Reformed Church at the end of 2020, and then took up the role of visiting professor at Westminster Seminary California in February of 2021, teaching a class or two each semester since. With Covid disrupting travel, I and my missus have not had a break since I retired. So . . . a break is coming. The mountains are calling . . .
The move from the old Riddleblog to this new version is nearly complete. If you want any of the stuff posted on the old blog, get it now. Sermon texts on the old Riddleblog (in PDF) will eventually move to the Christ Reformed website archives (and perhaps here too).
I’m doing some editing and updates of the blog. A couple of new tabs are in the works to make finding things more accessible.

To See the “Musings,” follow the link below

Musings (5/20/22)

More great stuff from Dr. Godfrey’s lecture series at the Escondido URC:

Dr. Godfrey -- "What Is Going on Right Now?" Lecture 13

Dr. Godfrey -- "What Is Going on Right Now?" Lecture 14

Speaking of the Escondido URC, pastor Chris Gordon’s New Reformation Catechism on Human Sexuality is now out and available from Reformation Heritage Books. You can check out the forward by Rosaria Butterfield here: "Forward" to the New Reformation Catechism
By the way, if you ever want to visit Escondido via road trip, there is a pretty decent soundtrack: The Road to Escondido
Gaffin on why the Book of Acts focuses on Peter and Paul: Peter and Paul in the Book of Acts
Nancy Guthrie gives us four good reasons to read the Book of Revelation: Four Reasons Why We Should Read and Study the Book of Revelation
To read the rest, follow the link below

Musings (4/25/22)

My favorite political theorist, Yuval Levin, nails it (again): Levin: How to Cure the Culture War
A great summary from Craig Carter: 25 Theses on Classical Christian Trinitarianism
Putin is not alone. More wannabe autocrats are on the rise. The world order is changing, and not for the better: The Age of the Strong Man
The prophecy pundits must be going crazy over this one—a call to rebuild the Jerusalem Temple. Granted it is one thing to call for the temple to be rebuilt, but entirely another to actually clear off the Al Aqsa Mosque and begin construction. A more important question: “why would you want to see the Temple rebuilt with animal sacrifices resuming?” If you think this is a great idea, please re-read the Book of Hebrews: Time to Rebuild the Temple
To read the rest of this edition of Musings, follow the link below

Musings (3/17/22)

So, will Vlad the Invader use nukes? What is current Russian military doctrine regarding the use of tactical nuclear and chemical weapons on the battlefield? There is an informative (if disconcerting) discussion of Russian doctrine in episode 21 of the School of War Podcast. This one is highly recommended, especially as the tides of war seem to be shifting in Ukraine’s favor. The more Vlad the Invader is backed into a corner, the more this becomes an issue.
Another installment of Dr. Godfrey’s great series. Dr. W Robert Godfrey: " What is Going on Right Now?" (11)
Arians beware! Here’s a helpful look at the doctrine of eternal generation: Scott Swain on John 8 and the Eternal Generation of the Son
The prophecy pundits are back! To all who think (and preach) that Vlad the Invader’s attack upon Ukraine is predicted in biblical prophecy, here’s a nice rebuttal. Jesus did predict wars and rumors of wars as a characteristic of the inter-advental age, but many have got the whole “Gog” thing wrong (More End Times Fiction)
Here’s yet another reason why a proper distinction between law and gospel helps us to understand all the Bible. Scott Clark on Luke 18:18-30 and the Rich Young Ruler
To read the rest of Musings, follow the link below

Musings (3/3/2022)

I grew up during the cold war. I remember duck and cover drills in elementary school. Our teacher told us to stay away from the windows during these drills, because if there was a blast nearby, the glass would shatter and injure us. I grew up hearing the monthly testing of civil defense air raid sirens. There was a small Nike-Ajax missile base just a couple of miles from my house—the missiles pointing skyward for all to see. We knew where the local bomb shelters were and the secret hospitals and emergency bunkers (under shopping centers and county buildings) were not terribly secret. I vividly remember Lyndon Johnson’s famed “Daisy Girl” Political Advertisement, which nuked Barry Goldwater’s 1964 presidential hopes—one of the most effective television commercials ever run.

I am so very thankful that my wife and I raised our sons without that kind of fear hanging in the air. Apparently, many Europeans in the EU and NATO-allied nations remember those days too, and have decided that Vlad the Invader’s murderous dream to re-incorporate Ukraine into a revived Russian empire cannot stand. In two short weeks, the world has changed. A truly remarkable turn of events.

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MusingsKim RiddlebargerMarch 3, 2022Comment

Musings ( 02/16/2022)

Dr. Godfrey continues his series, “What Is Going on Right Now?” These lectures are “must listen”

Dr. Robert W. Godfrey: "What Is Going on Right Now?" (9)

Dr. W. Robert Godfrey: "What Is Going On Right Now? (10)

The more progressivism seeks to replace religion (especially Christianity), the more it becomes an alternative religion: Craig Carter: “The Religion of Progressivism”
Critical scholars push the long refuted “Bauer Thesis” yet again. The Jesus of history, and the Jesus of the early church are supposedly not the same person. Here’s a basic response: Michael Kruger Reviews "After Jesus, Before Christianity"
To read the rest of my “Musings” follow the link below

Musings ( 1/26/22)

Carl Trueman addresses the question, “What do we do when we discover that our favorite theologians have feet of clay? Since they all do, it is worthwhile taking the time to consider what we should think of them when we learn of their flaws and foibles.

While we are on the topic of the flaws and sins of our heroes, what about the accusation of racism raised against Machen? Scott Clark addresses Machen's racist comments in his private correspondence
All partisan opinions aside, it is painfully obvious that Joe Biden simply is not very good at being President. “All of you people get off my lawn!”
To see further musings, follow the link below

Musings (12/14)

Michael Kruger discusses The Inclusion of the Book of Revelation into the New Testament Canon
How should Christians respond to the anger generated by political tribalism? This is what it means to love our neighbor. Nancy French: Extending Civility in an Age of Tribalism

To read the rest of the 12/14 musings, follow the link below

Musings (10/22)

Thank You!

The new Riddleblog is one year old (as of yesterday)! Thanks to all of you regular readers! I’ve nearly finished transferring stuff from the old Riddleblog to the new. Once that’s done, the old blog will go the way of all flesh.

Must Listen!

Bob Godfrey on "What's Going On Right Now?" This is the introductory session from Dr. Godfrey’s new series taught in his regular adult Sunday school class at the Escondido URC. Thanks to Abounding Grace Radio for making it available. Hopefully, other sessions will follow—several hints were dropped at what is coming next, and sure whet my appetite for more. Dr. Godfrey is a first-rate historian and perhaps the wisest man I know.

To read the rest, follow the link below

MusingsKim RiddlebargerOctober 22, 2021Dr. Robert Godfrey, Favorite Podcasts Comments

Musings . . .

God told me to tell you to read, R. S. Clark on the Dangers of "God Told Me"

Sen. Ben Sasse on Tech Disruption, Political Addiction, and the Loss of Community. Sen Sasse is my go-to guy on these issues.

Guelzo's book on Robert E. Lee is finally here! Guelzo is the right historian to tell the story of the “Marble Man” in the post-Charlottesville era. I can’t wait to read it

Athanasius on the Death of Arius:

Granted, there is certainly a perverse temptation to take delight in the affliction experienced by others. But when it comes to the fall of an arch-enemy of the gospel, there is a slight measure of satisfaction when justice finally prevails. It falls to Athanasius to inform us of manner of Arius’ death, the very night before Arius was to be ordained as Bishop.

“When the Bishop Alexander heard this (that Arius had under oath declared that he held the right faith) he was greatly distressed, and entering into the church stretched forth his hands unto God, and bewailed himself; and casting himself upon his face in the chancel, he prayed laying on the pavement . . . . `If Arius is brought to communion tomorrow let me, Thy servant depart, and destroy not the pious with the impious; but if Thou wilt spare Thy Church . . . . take off Arius, lest if he enter into the Church, and the heresy also may seem to enter with him, and henceforth impiety may be accounted for piety.’ When the Bishop had thus prayed, he retired with great anxiety, and a wonderful and extraordinary circumstance took place. . . . Arius . . . talked very wildly, [but] urged by the necessities of nature withdrew, and suddenly, in the language of Scripture, `falling headlong he burst asunder in the midst,' and immediately expired as he lay, and was deprived both of communion and of his life together. Such has been the end of Arius” (Athanasius, “To Serapion, Concerning the Death of Arius,” in NPNF, Vol. IV. (Grand Rapids: William B. Eerdmans, 1978), 564 ff.)

Athanasius, no doubt, felt a measure of divine vindication. “The antichristian gang of the Arian madmen has been shewn to be unpleasing to God and impious.”

Reformed Resources, History and Culture, MusingsKim RiddlebargerOctober 2, 2021Race and racism, God told me, R. E. Lee, Allen GuelzoComment