Dan Greenfield

Category: Theology

  • Great Sinners Need a Great Savior

    While doing some preparatory work for this coming Sunday’s message from John 1:3-5, I was reminded of some of John Newton’s last words before his death: My memory is nearly gone, but I remember two things — that I am a great sinner, and that Christ is a great Savior.…

  • Luther on John 1:3

    John 1:3 says, “All things came into being through Him, and apart from Him nothing came into being that has come into being.” If Christ is not true and natural God, born of the Father in eternity and Creator of all creatures, we are doomed…we must have a Savior who…

  • My Church and I

    A lady in our church gave me a postcard that I’ve reproduced. It was sent out in 1917 to invite friends and members of the First Baptist Church of Sayre, PA, to their Anniversary Service. It’s a great summary of our church covenant.

  • John 1:1

    Great quote on the doctrinal truths in John 1:1– It is rashness to search too far into it. It is godliness to believe it. It is Life eternal to know it. And we can never have a fully comprehension of it till we come to enjoy it. –Gaebelein, The Gospel…

  • Can Rap be Christian?

    Scott Aniol begins a series of podcasts with Michael Riley about whether rap can be legitimately used in Christian contexts. Here are some good snippets from the last 4-5 minutes or so– Form communicates something. If I’m going to represent God, I have to choose forms that say the same…

  • Amish Ordnung

    Last fall I concluded the study of What the Bible Teaches About Salvation with an introduction to and overview of what the Amish believe about salvation. In that lesson I briefly discussed the ordnung. This morning I read this and thought it an interesting and helpful explanation from an Amishman:…

  • Jehoshaphat

    2 Chronicles 17-20 relates the reign of King Jehoshaphat over the Southern Kingdom. He was a godly king who sought the Lord and did much to encourage the people he led to also seek the Lord. You will do well by carefully reading this account to learn what is involved…

  • Genealogy Gem #1

    I use Robert Murray McCheyne’s Bible reading guide for my personal Bible reading, and am presently working through the genealogies in 1 Chronicles. Let’s be honest–we don’t usually think of these passages of Scripture as sources for Christian devotion and encouragement, do we? Yet we need to remember some important…

  • Always Ready

    I heard the mail truck go by and so went out to get the mail. Junk. However, at that moment I noticed two ladies walking toward me–here’s how they looked– Dresses “Bibles” and colorful literature in hand Some sort of large purse or bag Any guesses? I’ve done my share…

  • Jonathan’s Faith

    Jonathan’s statement in 1 Samuel 14:6 has always been an encouragement: Come and let us cross over to the garrison of these uncircumcised; perhaps the Lord will work for us, for the Lord is not restrained to save by many or by few. Jonathan had biblical support for his faith,…

  • God is Spirit

    Some great quotes from the puritan Stephen Charnock’s The Existence and Attributes of God, volume 1– As it is impossible for the eye of man to see [God], it is impossible for the art of man to paint him upon walls, and carve him out of wood. None knows him…

  • Prayer for Ministers

    I’ve just started studying the life and ministry of John Newton (1725-1807), and came across this great hymn he wrote called a “Prayer for Ministers.” It is excellent; I’ve been meditating over it for about a week now. Chief Shepherd of thy chosen sheep, From death and sin set free!…

  • Obama on Origins

    I just came across this interview conducted when our President was running for office. He was asked, “What’s your attitude regarding the teaching of evolution in public schools?” His answer: I’m a Christian, and I believe in parents being able to provide children with religious instruction without interference from the…

  • Instructions to the Jury

    For this month’s series on The Bible and Evolution, I’ve been reading the complete stenographic report of the famous trial held July 10 to 21 1925, the State of Tennessee v. John Thomas Scopes. It’s been a fascinating read—well, to me anyway! On the first day’s proceedings, Judge John T.…

  • Psalm 109 quote

    I’m speaking on Psalm 109 tonight for our Bible study, but just read a great quote– Though they hated and persecuted him for his religion, yet he kept close to it; they laughed at him for his devotion, but they could not laugh him out of it. —Matthew Henry’s Commentary,…

  • God’s Holiness and Self-Righteousness

    If any man think well of himself, he has never met God. Nothing will demolish self-righteousness like one real sight of God. –R. A. Torrey, What the Bible Teaches, p. 41

  • Sin in the Light of God’s Holiness

    “All approach to God is on the ground of shed blood. The atonement has its deepest demand in the holiness of God. Any doctrine of the atonement that sees its need only in the necessity that man be influenced by a mighty motive, or in the necessities of governmental expediency,…

  • The Faith Chapter

    Hebrews 11 is a favorite chapter of many Christians–it defines faith (v. 1) and illustrates faith (the rest of the chapter). Why is this chapter where it is in the letter though? What is its purpose? In other words, what is the context in which it needs to be correctly…

  • God’s Chosen Instrument

    On pp. 17-18 of Lectures on Revivals of Religion Sprague notes the first of three indications of a genuine revival of religion, viz., that genuine revival is brought about by Scriptural means. As God’s Word is the only rule of both faith and practice, those who seek to do God’s…

  • Revivals of Religion

    In William Sprague’s book, Lectures on Revivals of Religion, he begins the subject’s treatment by giving a general definition of “revival”– special occasions on which the agency of the Spirit would be signally manifest (p. 2) With respect to revivals of religion, Sprague then gives an excellent paragraph on the…