The Reformed Realist

  **The following was originally published in Covenant Conversations Vol. 2, Issue No. 3 (June 2024) Philippians 3:20 - “For our citizenship is in heaven…” [1] One sobering aspect of the Christian’s life is that he is, in this life, a pilgrim. A pilgrim by definition is a wayfarer, someone journeying to another country. By implication, during his pilgrimage, he is often threatened or harassed by various enemies, trials, and defeats, but he is also a man of great longing. The greatest of his longings concerns his desire to be home: to be back in his own country, to breathe the air of his homeland. Thus, as a pilgrim, the Christian is faced with numerous difficulties along the path to his native land in heaven (cf., Hebrews 11). [2] However, the Christian is not left without hope during his journey. The promises of the gospel work to strengthen the weary traveler’s faith and hope to be with Jesus Christ. One such promise, and therefore assurance, is the reality of what the apostle P...

“The conclusion, when all has been heard, is: fear God and keep His commandments, because this applies to every person” (Ecclesiastes 12:13). [1] In Henry’s preface to volume one, he articulated six “great and sacred principles” that governed his commentary on Holy Scripture.[2] Becoming familiar with Henry’s guiding assumptions is helpful for at least two reasons: (1) - They instruct us concerning the heart and mind of the commentator. These principles highlight what Henry believed to be true about God, man, and a theology of revelation. Thus, they aid in reading Henry’s commentary in its appropriate theological context. (2) - Henry’s six principles summarize a consistent, biblical approach to reading, teaching, and understanding God’s Word. Therefore, they assist in helping readers to develop and mature proper biblical assumptions about reading Scripture. Henry’s first great and sacred principle: "That religion is the one thing useful; and to know, and love, and fear God our Mak...