Rooted & Unwithered
By B. C. Newton
Visit bcnewton.co for more resources.
Rooted & UnwitheredJun 04, 2022
On the Greek Exodus and John's Prologue
Having discussed the Septuagint last week, we now dive into seeing how the Greek translation of Exodus may have influenced the prologue to John's Gospel.
In Relatione (relevant links)
A New English Translation of the Septuagint (You can also read digital copies of each book here)
Septuaginta: Reader’s Edition (this is a Greek edition)
Eowyn's recommendation: The Last Battle
Gwendolyn’s recommendation: Little Penguin Gets the Hiccups
Ex Interrete (a hodgepodge of Internet items that I found interesting)
The guys at Mere Fidelity discuss 1 Timothy 2:9-15. The final conversation on women being saved through childbearing was particularly good.
A Greek Lesson on John 1:2-18 Along the lines of today's episode, James White walks through John 1:2-18, giving a glimpse at some of its wonders.
On the Septuagint
What is the Septuagint, and why is Greek translation of the Old Testament important to us today? Those are the questions before us in this episode.
In Relatione (relevant links) The Lexham English Septuagint
A New English Translation of the Septuagint
Gwendolyn's recommendation: The Man Who Preached Outside (George Whitefield)
Ex Interrete (a hodgepodge of Internet items that I found interesting)
What Can You Learn from Greek? Peter Williams gives a number of examples of what we can learn while reading the New Testament in Greek.
Childhood Isn’t Supposed To Be Stressful. Here’s How Parents Can Help. This is a fascinating interview with psychoanalyst Erica Komisar.
Gospel Freedom & Identity
That is who we are in Christ, as we share in His identity. We are blessed, chosen, holy, blameless, predestined, adopted, redeemed, forgiven, enlightened, and sealed. Or as Gordon says, “I am satisfied in God’s love as his adopted child; I am to think of myself as purchased, accepted, valued, and protected.”
Temptation & Sinful Desires
Sin is fundamentally not a behavioral issue; it is a being issue. We are not righteous people who occasionally sin. We sin because we are sinners. Our heart is corrupt, and since the heart is the core of our being, there is no aspect of ourselves that escapes corruption, behavior included. This problem of defilement, therefore, requires a solution far greater than behavior modification. For more resources for knowing and loving God's Word, visit bcnewton.co
Adultery, Divorce, & Same-Sex Marriage
We focus upon three challenges to God's design for marriage. Of course, any married person can attest to there being far more challenges to marriage than these three things, but we will focus upon these because they challenge the very institution of marriage. An argument over finances may threaten a particular marriage, but money and finances do not inherently oppose God's good design for marriage as a creation ordinance. Adultery, divorce, and homosexuality do oppose His design.
For more resources for knowing and loving God's Word, visit bcnewton.co
The Origin and Purpose of Marriage
Because marriage and the family are the smallest and most basic units of society, they are the building blocks for everything else. Again, because our world is marred by sin, some of those blocks will inevitably be warped and broken, but if the majority are healthy, society will still be healthy overall. Yet, as we see today, marital and familial dysfunction is now the norm, and the broader society cannot help reflecting that dysfunction everywhere else. That is why the hard work of “fixing” the culture can only begin by forming the kind of culture that we want within our own homes.
For more resources for knowing and loving God's Word, visit bcnewton.co
Can We Distinguish Between Sex and Gender?
The point of all of this that the introduction of gender as a separate category from sex is not harmless but is the promotion of a satanic and destructive worldview.
What If All the Conspiracies Are True?
If demonic powers can be pulling the strings behind earthly rulers, perhaps the most plausible conspiracy is that the spiritual forces of darkness are using all of the different conspiracies and fearful news headlines to distract us from wielding the sword of the Spirit.
For more resources for knowing and loving God's Word, visit bcnewton.co
A Signet Ring | Haggai 2:20-23
This sermon was preached February 16, 2020.
Read the manuscript here.
For more resources for knowing and loving God's Word, visit bcnewton.co
Question 35: Since We Are Redeemed by Grace Alone, Through Faith Alone, Where Does This Faith Come From?
We are capable of faith but not saving faith. Saving faith, like the grace itself, is a gift of God.
For more resources for knowing and loving God's Word, visit bcnewton.co
Imago Dei, Male and Female
While we are speaking of man, we should remember that we are referring to mankind or humanity. Genesis 2 will describe to us the particular process by which God created man, both the first man and the first woman, but here in chapter 1 the Bible is speaking of mankind generally, both male and female. This is crucial to understand because it reveals that mankind can only properly image God through the two sexes that God designed for us: male and female. For more resources for knowing and loving God's Word, visit bcnewton.co
I Will Bless You | Haggai 2:10-19
This sermon was preached February 9, 2020.
Read the manuscript here.
For more resources for knowing and loving God's Word, visit bcnewton.co
On Reenchanting Humanity
Biblical anthropology (the doctrine of humanity) is the predominate theological battleground of our day. Owen Strachen’s book is a great study on what Scripture has to say about mankind.
In Relatione (relevant links)
Eowyn’s Recommendation: The Parables of Jesus
(see also: Little Pilgrim’s Big Journey & The Kingdom of God Bible Storybook)
Ex Interrete (a hodgepodge of Internet items that I enjoyed)
You’ll notice that both links below have to do with Biblical Hebrew. I intend to do an episode on the near future on learning the biblical languages, but I share them here because this is the internet content that dominated my week. I have been working through Dr. Barrick’s lectures, and my girls are obsessed with the song.
Hebrew Worship – תְּהִלִּים 148 – Psalm 148 – Biblical Hebrew
The Comfort of Conforming to Christ
Although we think of our good in terms of being safe, comfortable, and happy, God, who defines goodness in Himself, calls being made like Him good. Indeed, Hebrews 12:10 expresses the same reality as the catechism: "For [our earthly father] disciplined us for a short time as it seemed best to them, but [God] disciplines us for our good, that we may share his holiness." Our good is the sharing of His holiness. For more resources for knowing and loving God's Word, visit bcnewton.co
I Will Shake All Nations | Haggai 2:1-9
This sermon was preached February 2, 2020.
Read the manuscript here.
For more resources for knowing and loving God's Word, visit bcnewton.co
On Reading for Preaching
What are some reading habits for growing in preaching? Here's a few suggestions.
In Relatione (relevant links) Eowyn’s Recommendation: The Voyage of the Dawn Treader (consider also the BBC Radio Dramas)
ESV Reader's Bible ( which also comes in a six-volume version)
I'll do future episodes sharing resources for learning the original language (and there are many!), but for now, John Dobson's books on Greek and Hebrew have both been excellent.
ESV Expository Commentary | this is an excellent basic commentary set to invest in
Best Commentaries on Each Book of the Bible
Top 5 Commentaries on Every Book of the Bible
Creeds, Confessions, and Catechisms | this is a great place to begin reading creeds and confessions
Ex Interrete (a hodgepodge of Internet items that I enjoyed) Shepherding Our Children through Hardships and Suffering
Seeing our children suffer through trials can be extremely difficult. Even parents who are well-equipped to cope with their own problems often find themselves feeling helpless when their child is the one hurting. How can we shepherd our children through adversity in a healthy, God-honoring way? When troubles find our children, here are three ways we can support them.
2 Samuel 12: On Nathan’s Brave Parable, David’s Belated Repentance, and the LORD’s Merciful Response (Bible Talk, Ep.103) The Bible Talk podcast is easily in my top five favorite podcasts.
Fighting the Sexual Revolution with Catechisms
This is the introduction to my teaching through Christopher Gordon's New Reformation Catechism on Human Sexuality.
For more resources for knowing and loving God's Word, visit bcnewton.co
I Have Stored Up Your Word | Psalm 119:11
In Luke 12, Jesus told a parable of a rich man who stored grain for himself yet died before he was able to live off of his storehouse. God’s Word, however, is not like grain or earthly treasure; storing the Bible within our hearts is an investment of eternal consequence.
For more resources for knowing and loving God's Word, visit bcnewton.co
I Am with You | Haggai 1:12-15
Preached January 26, 2020
To read this sermon and other resources, visit bcnewton.co
On Reading Calvin's Institutes
Have you ever considered reading John Calvin's Institutes of the Christian Religion but don't know where to start? Today's episode is a guide to help you begin that journey.
In Relatione (relevant links) Eowyn’s Recommendation: The Magician's Nephew (consider also the BBC Radio Dramas)
Battle's translation | the current standard English translation
Knowing God and Ourselves: Reading Calvin's Institutes Devotionally | a devotional guide by David Calhoun
1541 Banner of Truth Edition | smaller than the final 1559 edition and can also be read with Calhoun's guide.
Beveridge's translation | an older translation and a more cost-effective version
Truth for All Time | a booklet by Calvin that is often a distillation of his original 1536 edition of the Institutes.
Guide to Christian Living | a translation from the French of five chapters from the full Institutes
A Little Book on the Christian Life | a translation of the same five chapters above from the Latin version (You can also find my teachings on this book here)
Ex Interrete (a hodgepodge of Internet items that I enjoyed)The Mundanity of ExcellenceShedding A worthwhile podcast episode to listen to.
Tears Over Sorrows That May Never Come This post (from 2021 but was re-shared by Challies as a flashback this week) was instrumental in encouraging my wife to fight her anxiety of our eldest daughter's seizures.
"How, then, can I let go of such anxiety? If I have learned any antidote it is this: deliberately submitting myself to the will of God, for comfort is closely related to acquiescence. As long as I fight the will of God, as long as I battle God’s right to rule his world in his way, peace remains distant and furtive. But when I surrender, when I bow the knee, then peace flows like a river and “attendeth my way.” For when I do so, I remind myself that the will of God is inseparable from the character of God."
Question 33: Should Those Who Have Faith in Christ Seek Salvation Through Their Own Works, or Anywhere Else?
Christ alone is able to save. He is the founder and perfecter of our faith. All we need is found in Him.
For more resources for knowing and loving God's Word, visit bcnewton.co
Chapter 14 (Mortification of Sin)
A discussion of chapter 14 from my 2021 series reading through John Owen's Mortification of Sin together.
For more resources for knowing and loving God's Word, visit bcnewton.co
Let Me Not Wander | Psalm 119:10
This is a glorious image of our present walk of sanctification. We commit our whole heart to seek God, yet we place no confidence in ourselves, only in God’s faithfulness in keeping us.
For more resources for knowing and loving God's Word, visit bcnewton.co
Consider Your Ways | Haggai 1:2-11
Preached January 19, 2020
To read this sermon and other resources, visit bcnewton.co
On Providence
Today we are discussing John Piper's massive and greatly beneficial book Providence.
In Relatione (relevant links) Eowyn's Recommendation: Katie and the Mona Lisa & Katie in London
You can find the whole Katie series here.
John Piper on the Prosperity Gospel
Ex Interrete (a hodgepodge of Internet items that I enjoyed) Leading a Church Out of Casual Culture John Piper made a splash a while back with a tweet about drinking coffee during the Lord's Day gathering. Even if you think his thoughts on coffee are a bit much, it is worth hearing what he has to say.
"We will never out-entertain the world. I just need to settle that. We’ll never out-entertain the world, nor should we try, because we have something infinitely better, something our souls were made for.
"And most of our people don’t know this. They don’t know what’s better than the fun they have in watching videos and other kinds of entertainment. They just don’t know. They’ve never tasted the real thing. Something profoundly stabilizing, strengthening, refining, and satisfying at the depths of our being is what people long for, and they don’t know what they’re longing for until they’re shown it over time."
"We meet for corporate worship on the Lord’s Day morning. The service is oriented around the Word, prayer, and the sacraments. We have catechism instruction for the youth and for grown-ups. We go home to eat (and sometimes we share a meal together between services). We come back on the Lord’s Day evening for another public service where we open the Word again and pray. That is our program."
Question 32: What Do Justification and Sanctification Mean?
Although this question may appear to be nothing more than defining two dry terms of theology, understanding the meaning and distinctions of justification and sanctification is crucial for properly understanding how our salvation in Christ works. Particularly, justification and sanctification are the keys for understanding what role doing good works plays in our salvation, which will be the subject of the following two questions. For more resources for knowing and loving God's Word, visit bcnewton.co
Chapter 13 (Mortification of Sin)
A discussion of chapter 13 from my 2021 series reading through John Owen's Mortification of Sin together.
For more resources for knowing and loving God's Word, visit bcnewton.co
How Can a Young Man Keep His Way Pure? | Psalm 119:9
The more we know Jesus, the more we will love Jesus. The more we love Jesus, the more we will naturally want to be like Him. When we look more like Christ and less like our sin, the result is purity.
For more resources for knowing and loving God's Word, visit bcnewton.co
Prologue to Haggai | Haggai 1:1
Preached January 12, 2020
To read this sermon and other resources, visit bcnewton.co
On First Clement
The First Epistle of Clement to the Corinthians is one of the earliest Christian writings outside of the New Testament. Let's discuss what it says!
Eowyn's Recommendation: A Child's Introduction to Ballet (Revised and Updated): The Stories, Music, and Magic of Classical Dance
Here is the edition that I read: The Ante-Nicene Fathers, Volume 1, but I would suggest that you grab the full, massive set on Kindle for only $2.99.
This new translation from Lexham also looks promising.
In Relatione (relevant links)
Question 31: What Do We Believe by True Faith?
It is fitting that the Apostles’ Creed traditionally ends with Amen because those who believe these things can scarcely say anything else. The reminder of this good news should elicit a joyous declaration of “May it be so!” from our lips! These must be living truths within our breasts, not dead pieces of knowledge or trivia.
For more resources for knowing and loving God's Word, visit bcnewton.co
Chapter 12 (Mortification of Sin)
A discussion of chapter 12 from my 2021 series reading through John Owen's Mortification of Sin together.
For more resources for knowing and loving God's Word, visit bcnewton.co
To Obey Is Better Than Sacrifice | 1 Samuel 15:22
Like Saul, it is all too easy to attempt covering up our disobedience with sacrifice. We disobey in some manner and then resolve to do something else for God. We then feel better because we have done something tangible to make up for our sin. Unfortunately, that impulse runs contrary to the gospel. In fact, it is anti-gospel.
For more resources for knowing and loving God's Word, visit bcnewton.co
Not of This World | John 18:28-19:16
Preached on January 5, 2020
To read this sermon and other resources for knowing and applying the Bible, visit bcnewton.co
On Daily Worship
In this inaugural episode of Ex Libris Ad Cor, Eowyn talks about Swan Lake, and I discuss Jonathan Gibson's book Be Thou My Vision and the broader subject of daily worship/devotionals/quiet-time.
Listen to the end for a bonus discussion!
In Relatione (relevant links)
The Story Orchestra: Swan Lake
O Come, O Come, Emmanuel (my review)
Creeds, Catechisms, and Confessions: A Reader's Edition
You can also find a Bible reading plan that I made a few years back here.
Question 30: What Is Faith in Jesus Christ?
This is the essence of what faith is. Faith is trusting in something that cannot be seen, as Hebrews 11:1 makes clear. Faith is not a means of manipulating or forcing God's hand; rather, faith is placing one's trust and confidence in God rather than in ourselves. For more resources for knowing and loving God's Word, visit bcnewton.co
Chapter 11 (Mortification of Sin)
A discussion of chapter 11 from my 2021 series reading through John Owen's Mortification of Sin together.
For more resources for knowing and loving God's Word, visit bcnewton.co
Boiling a Young Goat in Its Mother's Milk | Deuteronomy 14:21
So, how does this command still apply?
I believe that the underlying principle is against using instruments of life as a means of death.
Mother’s milk is life-giving. Perhaps the only substance more life-giving is blood, which was forbidden for that every reason from consumption under the law.
For more resources for knowing and loving God's Word, visit bcnewton.co
Chapter 10 (Mortification of Sin)
A discussion of chapter 10 from my 2021 series reading through John Owen's Mortification of Sin together.
For more resources for knowing and loving God's Word, visit bcnewton.co
Question 29: How Can We Be Saved?
The penalty of our sins is paid by Christ, yet notice too that Christ’s own righteousness is imputed to us. The Scriptures frequently use the imagery of having our old, stained clothing removed and then given unstained, perfectly clean clothing instead. That is what Christ has done for us. He died the death we deserved to die and lived the life that we were designed to live. By His death, He took our judgment upon Himself and has placed His own righteousness upon us, so that we may now have restored fellowship with God. For more resources for knowing and loving God's Word, visit bcnewton.co
Prince of Peace
As we celebrate the birth of our Lord, His entering into our world as a lowly infant, let us give thanks that He came to bring us peace, both with God and man, now and forevermore.
For more resources for knowing and loving God's Word, visit bcnewton.co
Chapter 9 (Mortification of Sin)
A discussion of chapter 9 from my 2021 series reading through John Owen's Mortification of Sin together.
For more resources for knowing and loving God's Word, visit bcnewton.co
Question 28: What Happens After Death to Those Not United to Christ by Faith?
Eternal punishment is just whenever we properly consider not simply what sins we have committed but who we have sinned against.
For more resources for knowing and loving God's Word, visit bcnewton.co
Everlasting Father
Jesus was before all things with His Father, and His reign over us will be as a father for all eternity to come. For more resources for knowing and loving God's Word, visit bcnewton.co
Chapter 8 (Mortification of Sin)
A discussion of chapter 8 from my 2021 series reading through John Owen's Mortification of Sin together.
For more resources for knowing and loving God's Word, visit bcnewton.co
Question 27: Are All People, Just as They Were Lost Through Adam, Saved Through Christ?
Many Christians today bristle at the doctrine of election, but the Scriptures do not. Both Jesus and the Apostles blatantly call God’s people the elect or chosen, not to mention God's choosing of Israel from among the nations in the Old Testament. Ephesians 1:4 specifies that God made this choice “before the foundation of the world.” As Romans 9 displays, such a teaching is an undoubtedly bitter pill for our finite and worldly minds to swallow, but as Ephesians 1-3 displays, once accepted it becomes a foundation of great comfort and blessing for Christians.
For more resources for knowing and loving God's Word, visit bcnewton.co
A Savior Has Come | A Sermon by Joseph Alleine
When this news came that there was a Savior born, one would have thought that all the world would have received Him with triumph. But there was no room for Him in all the world, but He was thrust out into the manger. Let it not be so with you.
For more resources for knowing and loving God's Word, visit bcnewton.co
Mighty God
He conquered the unconquerable foe of man: death itself. And now He sits, alive, at His Father’s throne ruling over all creation, and we wait with great longing for the soon-coming return of Christ, our Mighty God.
For more resources for knowing and loving God's Word, visit bcnewton.co
Chapter 7 (Mortification of Sin)
A discussion of chapter 7 from my 2021 series reading through John Owen's Mortification of Sin together.
For more resources for knowing and loving God's Word, visit bcnewton.co
Question 26: What Else Does Christ's Death Redeem?
As we rightly sing, “He comes to make His blessings flow, far as the curse is found!” Every part of fallen creation shall be restored through Christ. Amen and amen!
For more resources for knowing and loving God's Word, visit bcnewton.co