Category Archives: theology

One More Reason to Love Calvin:

Posted on 03.Dec.05 by | 4 comments

He was a lactivist!

“. . .the Lord does not in vain prepare nutriment for children in their mothers’ bosoms, before they are born. But those on whom he confers the honor of mothers, he, in this way, constitutes nurses; and they who deem it a hardship to nourish their own offspring, break, as far as they are able, the sacred bond of nature. If disease, or anything of that kind, is the hindrance, they have a just excuse; but for mothers voluntarily, and for their own pleasure, to avoid the trouble of nursing, and thus to make themselves only half-mothers, is a shameful corruption.”
–In his commentary on Genesis 21:7

Via TulipGirl, just wanted to be sure all my readers see it!

4 Comments

Posted in parental ponderings, theology

Happy Thanksgiving!

Posted on 24.Nov.05 by | 1 comment

We have so much to be thankful for! We Stewarts are enjoying the day with our North Carolina family. Wonderful people, memorable food and gratitude all around. Hope you are enjoying the same wherever you are.

1 Comment

Posted in feasting, theology

How to Read Scripture

Posted on 19.Nov.05 by | 2 comments

It shall greatly help ye to understand Scripture,
If thou mark
Not only what is spoken or wrytten,
But of whom,
And to whom,
With what words,
At what time,
Where,
To what intent,
With what circumstances,
Considering what goeth before
And what followeth.
—John Wyclif, via Dave, via Jen

2 Comments

Posted in theology

Gratitude

Posted on 18.Nov.05 by | 3 comments

I have been greatly convicted by Kate lately in the area of gratitude. That child is either obsessed with the phrase “thank you” or the most thankful person I have ever met. We aren’t big pushers of politeness, either, we just modeled saying thank you to her and she picked up on it on her own. Anyhow, she says thank you every time I do something for her — no matter how big or small, no matter how often I do it. I am thanked for changing diapers, for buckling her in her carseat, for giving her a hug and getting her a cup of water or a snack. It’s reminded me how much I take other people’s help for granted, especially my husband’s.

So Michael, thanks for doing kitchen cleanup and putting Kate to bed every night you are home. Thanks for giving her the vast majority of her baths and for giving me backrubs. Thanks for reminding me to eat and drink and bringing me ice cream as I lounge around. Thanks for taking Kate to run errands with you so I can have a few minutes to myself. Thank you for getting up early and going to work and tutoring and working on Saturdays. I really appreciate you.

3 Comments

Posted in family life, theology

Being Fruitful and Multiplying

Posted on 08.Nov.05 by | 4 comments

A month or so ago, Mike and I went to the dental school at MCV for a screening. He needs his wisdom teeth pulled, so we went to the screening to get evaluated by professors and make sure we qualify as patients, etc. So, we got panoramic x-rays and patient histories done, and we’re sitting in dental chairs waiting for four tenured faculty members to come around and check us out. The second one sits down, looks at my chart and remarks, “A baby last July and due again in December?” “Yes, sir.” I said. He immediately responds, “Are you obeying the command to be fruitful and multiply?” I laughed and said, “Something like that.” He looked Jewish and had a Jewish surname and when he found out where Mike taught, he nodded knowingly. I’ve just never had anyone ask me that in a secular context and I found it really funny!

4 Comments

Posted in culture, family life, theology

Happy All Saints Day!

Posted on 01.Nov.05 by | 9 comments

For all the saints, who from their labors rest,
Who Thee by faith before the world confessed,
Thy Name, O Jesus, be forever blessed.
Alleluia, Alleluia! Continue reading →

9 Comments

Posted in culture, feasting, theology

Babel and Historical Linguistics

Posted on 04.Oct.05 by | 16 comments

Has anyone read anything convincing on historical linguistics and the Tower of Babel? Jordan or Leithart, perhaps? Continue reading →

16 Comments

Posted in theology

Pelagianism and the Pearls

Posted on 02.Oct.05 by | 11 comments

This week there’s been some buzz this week in the Christian blogosphere about the Pearls and their theology. I have *mostly* avoided them on account of the few things I have read or encountered from their ministry striking me wrong. Anyhow, Tulipgirl sums up some of the problems nicely with links and all here. After studying church history, its amazing to me to see how the same heresies cycle back century after century. There is nothing new under the sun, indeed.

11 Comments

Posted in culture, theology

Lauren Winner and Doug Wilson?

Posted on 29.Sep.05 by | 2 comments

This book looks interesting.

2 Comments

Posted in books, culture, theology

Schools and Families

Posted on 27.Sep.05 by | 4 comments

The story about a girl being kicked out of a Christian school in California for her mother being a lesbian has been making waves around the Christian blogosphere. Most of those I read said something along the lines of, “That isn’t the gospel!” “Way to show Christ!” Marvin Olasky even asked if the behavior was ‘Pharisaical’? Continue reading →

4 Comments

Posted in culture, in the news, theology

Closing of the Calvinistic Mind

Posted on 26.Sep.05 by | 1 comment

Many have been discussing the new BH issue. The first article has the aforementioned title; the second article deals with AAPC, FV, NPP, etc…

My thought on both is whether the internet has to do with both of them. Now, I appreciate the blessing the internet has given us. My family in CA is able to see pictures of my daughter despite us being in VA. However, 50 years ago I would probably not have heard anything from a conference like AAPC. Men wouldn’t have been able to ‘sound the alarm’ on the internet; I would never have been able to spread my own thoughts or commented on the thoughts of others. It probably would have been discussed via papers and meetings, but never have become such a hubbub with church splits, heresy calls, and common laypeople becoming so vitrolic and divisive.

What do y’all think?

1 Comment

Posted in culture, theology

Great Book!

Posted on 18.Sep.05 by | 8 comments

I Believe


Parents, have you seen I Believe? It’s the text of the Nicene Creed, illustrated by Pauline Baynes, who also illustrated the Chronicles of Narnia and much of Tolkein’s work. It’s fabulous! We are perma-borrowing one from the library until we buy one ourselves, probably as a Christmas gift for Kate.

8 Comments

Posted in books, family life, theology