The Habits of a Reluctant Convert

March 13, 2025 ~ Marc Sims ~ Leave a comment

Augustine’s Confessions detail approximately a 15-year-long struggle with God. His journey wanders through Manicheism, skepticism, and neoplatonism, before seriously considering the Christianity his mother taught him at a young age. After meeting regularly with the bishop, Ambrose, and attending church, Augustine’s intellectual arguments against Christianity (and the Bible) fade. He becomes compelled by the beauty and truth of … Continue reading The Habits of a Reluctant Convert

What’s Your Problem?

October 10, 2024 ~ Marc Sims ~ Leave a comment

Sometimes, when we read the Bible or study theology, we are left confused. I’ve found that being able to categorize the specific type of problem helps bring some clarity on the best way to approach it, and to triage its level of importance. Exegetical Problems Think of a part of the Bible that is hard to understand. … Continue reading What’s Your Problem?

Do Walls Make Christians?

January 4, 2024 ~ Marc Sims ~ Leave a comment

In the most popular chapter in Augustine’s Confessions (VIII), Augustine relays what led him to his conversion. But before his hallowed moment under the fig tree, Augustine met with the local bishop, Simplicianus, to talk through his spiritual angst. As Augustine asked questions, the older bishop shared the story of how the celebrity intellectual, Victorinus—whom Augustine had … Continue reading Do Walls Make Christians?

Helpful Resources for the Doctrines of Grace

March 31, 2015March 31, 2015 ~ Marc Sims ~ 1 Comment

I have decided to compile a list of some of the most helpful resources I have found in studying the doctrines of grace (commonly called the five points of Calvinism). This is a subject that deserves our full attention, because it is replete throughout all of Scripture and requires us to think deeply. I encourage … Continue reading Helpful Resources for the Doctrines of Grace

10 Tips For Studying Predestination.

March 13, 2015March 13, 2016 ~ Marc Sims ~ 4 Comments

Studying the doctrine of election and predestination for the first time can often be confusing and at times frustrating. I have been teaching this to young people for five years now, and I have never met someone who hasn't struggled with it at first. When I was first introduced to the doctrines of grace I … Continue reading 10 Tips For Studying Predestination.

Want An Introduction to “Covenants”?

January 19, 2015January 19, 2015 ~ Marc Sims ~ Leave a comment

The Bible Project is a non-profit organization that is working to help equip the church with good systematic, and biblical theology. Here is a blog containing the rest of the videos they have created.

How Were People in the Old Testament Saved?

October 14, 2014December 1, 2014 ~ Marc Sims ~ 1 Comment

How was Abraham saved? What about Noah? Adam? Moses? David? How did they get to heaven, if Christ hadn't come to die on the cross and raise from the grave yet? This is a fairly common question that pretty much anyone reading the Bible has asked (including myself). In this post I will hope to … Continue reading How Were People in the Old Testament Saved?

Pilgrim’s Conflict with Sloth

May 21, 2014October 18, 2015 ~ Marc Sims ~ 1 Comment

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=NC5ey9_wWwQ In this video, John Piper reads a poem he wrote, based off the allegorical story of Pilgrim's Progress. Pilgrim, in this poem wrestles with one of the seven deadly sins, Sloth.