The April 2025 issue of Tabletalk will explore the discipline of apologetics and answer common apologetical questions. The Apostle Peter tells us that we must always be ready to give an answer for the hope within us and that we must give this defense with gentleness and respect (1 Peter 3:15). Apologetics—the defense of the faith—is therefore the task of every believer. All Christians should be prepared to give at least a brief answer to the most common questions that people have about Christianity and the frequently raised objections to the faith. This issue of Tabletalk will seek to equip Christians to always be ready to give an answer for the hope within them. Contributors include Burk Parsons, Stephen J. Nichols, Sinclair B. Ferguson, Keith A. Mathison, Kevin DeYoung, John D. Currid, Jared S. Oliphint, Greg Lanier, Bruce P. Baugus, Brandon D. Crowe, James N. Anderson, Greg Koukl, William Boekestein, Robert W. Carver, Sarah Ivill, Derek W.H. Thomas, Eric Bancroft, Tedd Tripp, and Nathan W. Bingham.

Can you turn to God by your own free will? Are you able to earn your salvation by partnering with His grace? To these questions, Erasmus of Rotterdam gave an emphatic yes. He was one of the most influential scholars in the sixteenth century, so his word carried great weight. Yet Erasmus did not go unanswered. Seeing that the gospel itself was at stake, Martin Luther wrote a thunderous response that has remained influential even half a millennium later. This five-hundredth-anniversary edition of The Bondage of the Will recaptures the urgency of Luther’s appeal to Scripture. It was this defense of our absolute need for God to deliver us from our captivity to sin that Luther considered his most important book. Take up this Reformation classic and rejoice in the freedom found in sovereign grace alone. Included in this anniversary edition: Dr. R.C. Sproul’s introductory essay on The Bondage of the Will Helpful summaries and explanatory footnotes Study questions for reflection or group discussion

What does it mean to seek true glory? Today, Stephen Nichols explores C.S. Lewis’ The Weight of Glory, reflecting on our deepest longings, the promise of eternity, and how the gospel shapes our view of others.

No matter how hard atheists try to suppress the truth of God, they cannot escape the fact that their lives were created with meaning. Today, Sinclair Ferguson poses the biblical solution for an inconsistent life of unbelief.

Christians are called to a different way of life, and that will only happen if we pattern our thinking after the Word of God. Today, R.C. Sproul shows how Christians learn to make choices and evaluations according to the mind of Christ.

to what happened in the fall of man: we turned from righteousness to unrighteousness. In doing so, we fractured the peace we had enjoyed with God and instead created enmity with Him. We exchanged the joy of fellowship with Him for the misery of alienation from Him. But God is a life-giving God, who made us to live with Him in righteousness, peace, and joy. Therefore, He set out to restore that relationship with us (Gen. 3:15).

Our merciful heavenly Father wants us to be like the man of Psalm 1, who delights in the law of the Lord and meditates on it day and night. Why? Because that man is like a tree planted by streams of water that yields its fruit in its season, and its leaf does not wither. In all that he does, he prospers. (Ps. 1:3)

We delight in God’s law when we understand it to be the life-blessing law of our life-giving God. God desires us to pursue holiness because He wants us to be planted, fruitful, enduring, and prosperous now and forever. The Father’s will for us is: Wholehearted joy in God through Christ and a love and delight to live according to the will of God by doing every kind of good work. (Heidelberg Catechism 90)

In our pursuit of holiness, gratitude for Christ is the great antidote to legalism. We do not pursue holiness in order to make ourselves acceptable to God. We pursue holiness in gratitude for the redemption that is ours by Christ’s blood and the renewal that is being accomplished in us by Christ’s Spirit. We pursue holiness with joy because it is what we were made and remade to do: For by grace you have been saved through faith. And this is not your own doing; it is the gift of God, not a result of works, so that no one may boast. For we are his workmanship, created in Christ Jesus for good works, which God prepared beforehand, that we should walk in them. (Eph. 2:8–10).

May God guard us from legalism and guide us by His grace and Spirit as we pursue holiness.

Why do I have to suffer in this way? In this broken world, we’re often threatened by deep heartache and enduring pain. Even if we’re prepared, suffering can catch us by surprise. But Christians can be certain of this: Our pain has a purpose in God’s good plan, and the Savior who suffered is still with us when we hurt. In this booklet, Dr. R.C. Sproul offers pastoral counsel to help us trust God in our darkest days. As we learn from biblical examples of those who looked to the Lord in their distress, we can be equipped to face suffering without losing sight of the goodness and sovereignty of God. The Crucial Questions booklet series by Dr. R.C. Sproul offers succinct answers to important questions often asked by Christians and thoughtful inquirers.

Does the New Testament have a message for us? From the opening verses of Matthew to the final page of Revelation, the New Testament covers a lot of ground. Each of these twenty-seven books teach us about Jesus and His gift of salvation, but it’s easy to get lost in the details. What are the main ideas to help us find our way? In this booklet, Dr. R.C. Sproul shows us how to navigate the New Testament by exploring its key themes. We must know Scripture’s essential message to walk by faith in Christ, live under His reign, and look to His promised return. The Crucial Questions booklet series by Dr. R.C. Sproul offers succinct answers to important questions often asked by Christians and thoughtful inquirers.

Didn’t Jesus say not to swear by anything? The idea of swearing an oath or making a vow may seem old-fashioned to us today. Why do we need to swear at all, and when is it necessary? What did Jesus teach about this subject? In this booklet, Dr. R.C. Sproul draws from the Bible and the Westminster Confession of Faith to show the importance of making oaths and vows—and keeping them. It’s a serious responsibility to remain true to our word and to honor God’s name with our promises. The Crucial Questions booklet series by Dr. R.C. Sproul offers succinct answers to important questions often asked by Christians and thoughtful inquirers.

in and her body was icy to the touch. The sensation was eerie, defying logic.

Sleep makes the passage of time seem instantaneous. In what seemed like the span of a few minutes, my mother had changed from a breathing, warm, excited person to a lifeless statue. I stood transfixed in disbelief, caught in the absurdity of it. Within the span of 24 hours, I passed through the emotions of seeing my son take his initial breaths of life and seeing my mother in the coldness of death.

A significant part of our lives is driven by the pursuit of two words: “Well done.” Today, Barry Cooper observes that the pursuit of glory is not a bad thing—as long as we’re seeking it in the right place.

When Adam first set his eyes on Eve, he knew that she was just what he needed. Today, Sinclair Ferguson conveys the Bible’s foundational teaching on the relationship between men and women as image-bearers of God.

We’ve all experienced life-changing moments—experiences that leave a lasting impact on the way we view ourselves and the world around us.

But Holy Week is a celebration of the most important week in history, the week that changed the world. It recalls Jesus’ final days in Jerusalem when the Son of God accomplished His mission to bring forgiveness of sin and eternal life to all who trust in Him.

Holy Week_ is a new book collecting several of Dr. R.C. Sproul’s reflections on the climactic week in Jesus’ redemptive ministry.** As you read, you’ll be prompted to meditate on Christ’s atoning work for our sins.

In These Pages You Will:

Examine the meaning of the Last Supper, Witness the drama of Judas’ betrayal, Consider the gravity of Christ’s atoning death, and Dwell on the significance of Jesus’ resurrection.

Read a sample of the book today.

Dr. Sproul proclaimed the significance of Christ’s resurrection throughout his ministry, teaching and preaching with confidence in our Lord’s redemptive work. Gathering several of his sermons on Jesus’ suffering, death, and resurrection, Holy Week is a book designed to strengthen your faith and deepen your devotion to the risen Savior. Order your copy today.

manner are certainly, infallibly, and effectually regenerated, and do actually believe.”

Finally, the Fifth Head of Doctrine reaffirms the confessional Reformed doctrine of perseverance of the saints. As Article 8 explains: Thus, it is not in consequence of their own merits or strength, but of God’s free mercy, that they do not totally fall from faith and grace, nor continue and perish finally in their backslidings; which, with respect to themselves, is not only possible, but would undoubtedly happen; but with respect to God, it is utterly impossible, since His counsel cannot be changed nor His promise fail, neither can the call according to His purpose be revoked, nor the merit, intercession and preservation of Christ be rendered ineffectual, nor the sealing of the Holy Spirit be frustrated or obliterated.

Historical Impact

The Arminian challenge to the doctrine and practice of the Reformed Churches was far-reaching and long-lasting. Although the Synod of Dordt rejected the Remonstrant doctrines, the teachings survived in various ecclesiastical settings. Some Arminians continued to develop the doctrines in a more and more Pelagian direction. Others developed the doctrines along more evangelical lines. We see this, for example, in Wesleyan theology. Twentieth-century dispensationalists often referred to themselves as four-point Calvinists because they accepted one of the points of Arminianism—namely, unlimited atonement.

All of this started as a result of Arminius’ difficulties with predestination and his suggestion that election is conditional upon foreseen faith. Often, in contemporary debates, one will hear this idea expressed in these words: “God looks down the corridors of time and elects those whom He foresees will believe in Jesus.” A moment’s consideration, however, will reveal the serious problems with this idea. What exactly are “the corridors of time” that God is looking down, and where did these corridors come from? For God’s election to be truly as unconditional as Arminians desire, these “corridors” would have to exist independently of God. That, however, would lead us outside of biblical Christianity altogether. But if the “corridors” and all that is going on within them are not independent of God, then neither can election be conditional in the Arminian sense of the term. In other words, as the Synod of Dordt understood, if God is God, Arminian doctrine is ruled out.

What would it take to make you happy—truly happy? Today, R.C. Sproul gets to the heart of our discontentment and conveys the source of lasting fulfillment.

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Dei*. Thus, Jesus’ words in Mark 10:6–8 teach us not only that male and female are essential to marriage but also that marriage points to the image of God—thus bringing together both the nature of marriage and the nature of humanity.

Marriage, therefore, is not a basic human or civil right but a sacred covenant designed by God. As Christians, we do not claim rights of our own; our only identity and purpose are found in Christ. Furthermore, sex is not about personal freedom or what individuals choose to do with their bodies.

“From the beginning,” God’s design for marriage is a lifelong covenant between male and female, intended to reflect His own nature and character. Any distortion of marriage—including adultery, premarital sex, or same-sex unions—not only violates God’s will but also dishonors the image of God that marriage is designed to reflect.

The confusion surrounding sexuality today is not just a cultural issue—it’s a spiritual one. When we distort marriage and sexuality, we are distorting the very image of God. But Christ, the perfect image of God (Col. 1:15), came to restore what was broken. He calls us not to conform to the world’s shifting definitions but to be transformed by the renewing of our minds (Rom. 12:2). True freedom is not found in redefining sexuality but in surrendering to the One who created it.

When we sing with the church, we are ministering to one another while we offer our praise to God. Today, Sinclair Ferguson distills three lessons from one of the most important verses in the New Testament about singing.

How we think about God determines how we think about the world and our lives in it. Today, R.C. Sproul testifies to the importance of theology for every aspect of the Christian life.

Is it possible for a Christian to lose their salvation? Today, Ken Jones explains why true believers are eternally secure in Christ, emphasizing the sufficiency of His atonement and the assurance of God’s saving grace.

the biblical pattern. Paul exhorted Timothy to be “trained in the words of the faith and of the good doctrine” (1 Tim. 4:6). If you are a small-group leader, you must move beyond mere facilitating to be able to explain and defend such important doctrines as justification and sanctification. This means that we need to set aside time to learn and meditate on the truths of Scripture so that we will be adequately equipped to teach others. Seeking out resources from knowledgeable pastors can prove to be a great help to this end.

Third, the Lord commands His people to instruct others in how to fulfill their life-callings in a variety of ways. Seasoned saints are called to bring along younger believers. Older women in the faith can have an effective ministry of instructing younger wives and mothers in how they may love their husbands and children (Titus 2:3–5). Fathers have the great privilege and responsibility of bringing up their children “in the discipline and instruction of the Lord” (Eph. 6:4). In various seasons and life stages, we all need the loving guidance of those who have walked the path before us to teach us how to make wise decisions and faithfully fulfill God’s leading in our lives.

As a member of the body of Christ you have been given various gifts for the building up of that body to maturity. In God’s kind providence, He has seen fit to establish mutual instruction as one integral component toward this end. May God show you ways in which you may humbly and diligently instruct others, for His glory, your joy, and the benefit of other believers.

Christians certainly aren’t the only people who sing, but we do sing in a truly unique way. Today, Sinclair Ferguson discusses the God-centered direction of our songs, no matter what it is we’re singing about.

is no supervisor to watch you, do you take advantage of the gap in oversight and do whatever you want?

Why is it that our behavior changes when no one is watching? Why do businesses have clocks where workers have to punch in every day? Why can’t we just expect people to come to work and leave when they’re supposed to? It’s because of sin. It’s because we have a tendency to behave in one way when we are being watched and act differently when we’re free of supervision. Consider the parable of the prodigal son in Luke 15:11–32. Isn’t it interesting that the son took his father’s inheritance to a far-off country to squander it? He did this because nobody knew him in the foreign land. Nobody was watching. He could be free from all restraint.

The wicked servant is neither faithful nor wise. He is like the fool in Psalm 53:1 who says in his heart, “There is no God.” The most serious and fatal self-delusion of the wicked is their belief that God will not judge them. The Bible tells us that God is long-suffering and patient. The reason for this kindness and mercy is to give us time to repent and turn to Christ. But we should never assume that God’s gracious patience means that He won’t call us to account. Many are tempted to think this way. In this passage, Jesus is addressing those who assume that the Master will never return. They think this gives them license to do whatever they want. No supervision. No faithfulness. No trust. No wisdom.

The master of the servant will come on a day when the servant isn’t looking for him, and at an hour of which he is unaware. And the master will say to the faithful servant, “I left you with responsibility. I blessed you. I gave you an elevated status in my kingdom and increased responsibility.” But to the wicked slave there will be nothing but judgment and separation from the house of the master. The response of the wicked slave will be weeping and gnashing of teeth.

Have you ever seen a person weep and gnash their teeth? I once knew a man who was caught in a very serious sin. He began to cry, wail, and sob. Nothing could comfort him. As his weeping was drawing to an end he said, “How could I have done this? Why did I do this?” This is going to be the scene of those who have ignored their master.

So the obvious question is, What will you be doing when He comes? Will He find you faithful? Not casually or occasionally, but all the time? Christ has bought us for Himself, and He has given us a task to perform whether we can physically see Him or not. May He find us faithful when He comes.