William Perkins On Baptismal Regeneration

Paul, Rom. 4. stands much upon this to prove that justification by faith is not conferred by the sacraments. And from the circumstance of time he gathers that Abraham was first justified and afterward received circumcision, the sign and the seal of . . . Continue reading →

Renée of France

A Study in the Difficulty of Reformation

UPDATE January 30, 2013: This volume is now available at Amazon. It is tempting sometimes to think of the Reformation as a magical event. Luther re-discovered glorious truths and all of Europe swooned. Of course that’s not what happened. There was resistance . . . Continue reading →

Understanding the Authentic Experience Economy

What the Church Can Learn From Interpreting Culture Carefully

James H. Gilmore has been on campus this week teaching the course, “Understanding Commerce, Culture, and Congregations.” Monday was commerce, Tuesday: culture, and this afternoon, congregations. Jim is co-founder of Strategic Horizons LLP, a business consulting firm. It’s not what you might . . . Continue reading →

French Bakery or Winchells?

An HB Classic

So there’s been a lot of discussion of John MacArthur’s recent comments at the Shepherd’s Conference. Kim Riddlebarger has replied and I’ve commented on the HB (see the resources below). I’ve promised to write something on Quistorp’s summary of Calvin’s eschatology. I’ve . . . Continue reading →

The NTJ Is Back!

One of my favorite reads, the NTJ, is back in black (and white). As the Old Lifers explain, it’s in print for now but will be migrating to an online PDF. They’ve put the latest edition, Winter 2012, online as a PDF . . . Continue reading →

Horton and VanDrunen on Apostasy

Office Hours Takes on Hebrews 6

Mike Horton and Dave VanDrunen join Office Hours  this week to discuss one of the more challenging passages in Hebrews and perhaps in the New Testament: Hebrews 5:11–6:12.  I hope you’ll listen and share this episode with others. If you’re just joining the series, . . . Continue reading →

The Killer Bs: Idols of the Minister’s Heart

An HB Classic

There are three great idols that all ministers must tear down daily cast into the fire for scrap: buildings, bodies, and budgets. These are the three things that almost invariably come up in conversation with pastors and, I must confess, I’ve too . . . Continue reading →

On Being Truly Postmodern

An HB Classic

There is a good deal of talk in contemporary evangelicalism about the rise, nature, and effect of so-called “postmodernism,” a movement in architecture, literature, philosophy, and religion associated with a circle of French writers such as Michel Foucault and Jacques Derrida. In . . . Continue reading →

What’s Your Super Secret Decoder Ring?

The Lure of the QIRC

In the 1950s, children listened to radio serials, weekly episodes of superman or other heroes. As part of these programs incentives to listen, such as a super-secret decoder ring, were offered. In my childhood the radio serials were replaced by cereal boxes . . . Continue reading →

William Perkins On Common Grace

First, that we may put a difference between Christian and heathen virtues. For, howbeit the same virtues in kind and name are and may be found both in those that profess Christ and those also that are ignorant of the true God. . . . Continue reading →

Sometimes “Nazis” Really Are Nazis

In the modern culture wars (Kulturkampf) the accusation is frequently made that one side or the other is guilty of “Nazi tractics” or “Nazi ideology.” This charge is made with such frequency that it is bound to lose its force. One reaction . . . Continue reading →