The Tulip Driven Life

The Search for a Scientific, Objective Theology According to Troeltsch, the unity that used to exist between religion (Christianity) and science has been definitely broken up since the rise of eighteenth-century rationalism. This breakup was caused by the change that occurred both in the view of science and in that of religion. Science laid aside all apriorism, became positive, and banished metaphysics. Today it exists solely as mathematical-mechanical, natural science and as the critical-comparative study of history. In both respects it is opposed to the old view of religion and theology. And so the latter gradually changed in the sense that theologians no longer want anything to do with an external authority, as much as possible reduce or abandon the supernatural elements—like prophecy, miracle, and inspiration—that occur in authority-based religion, fully accept the historical criticism of Scripture, and regard dogmas purely as expressions of personal faith. Accordingly, there ...

By: Nathan Fox  The Problem For one reason or the other, I feel as if Christianity in America is on a rapid downhill climb. We can blame it on theological faultiness (and that would be correct), or on immoralit y in the church (correct also). But I will give one overarching reason for what I believe to be a continual decline of Christianity in this country: shallow faith.  For many reasons, the Christian faith  in this country is slowly fading into  an activity, and not a wholly devoted lifestyle . Many “Christians” now walk into church not because they want to grow closer to God, but because it is something that they have traditionally done. And believe me, I was no exception to this growing up. I went to church because my parents did, and thought that my faith was something that I did, not something that I was.  There was no depth to my faith growing up, and I would venture to say I was not the only one.  I often wonder how many of us go through th...

This is Nathan Fox's first post for the TDL. I would like to first post his bio, so you can see where the Lord has brought him thus far. His actual post will follow.  Early Life The Lord blessed me to grow up in a Christian home. Both parents are heavily involved in our church, but beyond that, have taken the time grow our family through Christian principles and values. I grew up and professed faith in Christ at the age of 9, and attempted to grow in both my knowledge and application of the Bible. I loved going to church, loved reading and learning God's Word, and even more so, loved to talk about Jesus. However, as time went on, some very troubling sins creeped into my life, and ultimately took a hold on me in high school. High School Years I came to high school a quiet, calm, and kind young man (if I do say so myself). I never attempted to get into trouble, never sought out problems, and typically associated with the right people. By the time I was in high ...

I have experienced disappointment and letdown time and time again. To have a dream crushed, a promise broken, or trust violated leaves one in pieces, wary and without confidence. And the more this happens, the harder it is to hope in anything good again, to hope that our plans will actually come to fruition. This is often how it has been for me. And in this sin-shattered world I know this is how, to one degree or another, it is for everyone. I've often thought about how living in the 21st century in the most prosperous nation ever has spoiled me. No doubt it has, but I also think people living 100 years from now, or 1,000 years from now, who will be far better off than I am, will still experience disappointment and letdown, will still experience that unnerving feeling in the pit of their stomach that resonates throughout their bodies whenever they think about the next great longing that is finally visible just over the horizon, approaching at long last, yet nonetheless looms ...

My friend wrote a poem before coming to Reformation Bible College. I believe it very well voices some of the same concerns, fears, and anxieties that we all have. The poem is well done, and the theology is very sound. I found the portion where we need to remember that God is in control, knows all about me, and can see completely quite helpful. We aren't in control- God is. He tells us what to do. He made us, and bought us with His blood. He owns us doubly. We don't call the shots, we can only make requests and petitions, but in the end, we must say, not my will, but your will be done Lord. Further, God knows all about us. Meaning, He knows what we need better than we do ourselves! We don't know what is best for us. So prayer and trust in God, casting our cares and anxieties on Him, is in part an admission of this. That is something I struggle with greatly. Finally, God can see completely. This was the lynchpin for me. It is really an excellent insight. This touches on...

Until we begin to understand the true gospel again and from there start preaching it unashamedly in all its truth and glory, souls will not be saved and we will have people walking around thinking they are Christians who have no idea of the holiness of God and Jesus Christ. Many of you are probably unaware that we are slaves to sin before we are saved. So enslaved to your own sinful, fleshly desires that you cannot do a single thing that pleases God (Romans 8:8). You would not even have trusted in Christ as your Lord and Savior unless God had given you faith as a gift (Eph. 2:8-10) and had chosen you for salvation "through sanctification by the Spirit and belief in the truth, to which He called you by our gospel, for the obtaining of the glory of our Lord Jesus Christ." (2 Thess. 2:13-14). Your faith and repentance are gifts of God- in other words, you would be an unbeliever unless God gave you the desire to believe. Let that sink in- it will move you to tears over your own...