Question 16 Part 2: Satisfaction for Sin Few things rankle the modern mind more than the idea that God’s justice must be “satisfied.” The old liberals (and some new feminists! See Lucy Reid, She Changes Everything, 16) derided this notion as “slaughterhouse . . . Continue reading →
Note: Zacharias Ursinus was the primary author of the Heidelberg Catechism. The comments below come from his lectures on the catechism that were authorized by the Elector Palatinate, Frederick III. Happy Thanksgiving. § Having now considered the misery of man, and his . . . Continue reading →
16. Why must he be a true and righteous man? Because the justice of God requires 1 that the same human nature which has sinned should make satisfaction for sin, but one who is himself a sinner, cannot satisfy for others.2 1Rom . . . Continue reading →
Part 1 15. What kind of a mediator and redeemer then must we seek? One who is a true1 and righteous man,2 and yet more powerful than all creatures, that is, One who is also true God.3 11 Cor 15:21, 22, 25, . . . Continue reading →
Martin explains. Here’s a related essay on “Why We Memorize the Catechism.”
Note 22 April 2008: What follows is very rough draft of the beginning of a commentary on the HC. This material may not be published, re-published or distributed without the express permission of the author. Introduction It is the great need of . . . Continue reading →
15. What kind of a mediator and redeemer then must we seek? One who is a true1 and righteous man, 2 and yet more powerful than all creatures, that is, One who is also true God.3 11 Cor 15:21, 22, 25, 26. . . . Continue reading →
Part two of this series is here. 14. Can any mere creature make satisfaction for us?
Part 1 of this post. 14. Can any mere creature make satisfaction for us? None, for first, God will not punish any other creature for the sin which man committed;1 and further, no mere creature can sustain the burden of God’s eternal . . . Continue reading →
Thanks to Justin Taylor for pointing me to Robert Gagnon’s brief essay here. On one level the argument isn’t really about fidelity to the original German and Latin texts but about the meaning of the proof texts cited in HC Q. 87, . . . Continue reading →
Thanks to Stephen Ley for alerting me to this interesting discussion. I don’t pretend to understand the intricacies of PCUSA (the mainline, largest and most liberal Presbyterian body in North America). What is interesting about this sort of argument in this context is that . . . Continue reading →
14. Can any mere creature make satisfaction for us? None, for first, God will not punish any other creature for the sin which man committed;1 and further, no mere creature can sustain the burden of God’s eternal wrath against sin 2 and . . . Continue reading →
13. Can we ourselves make this satisfaction. By no means, on the contrary, we daily increase our guilt.1 1 Job 9:2, 3. Job 15:15,16. Matt 6:12. * Matt 16:26. Only Christianity accounts for sin.
12. Since then by the righteous judgment of God we deserve temporal and eternal punishment, how may we escape this punishment and be again received into favor? God wills that His justice be satisfied;1 therefore we must make full satisfaction to the . . . Continue reading →
I met Brian and Carla Bywaters last week in Ponte Vedra, FL at the Gospel-Driven Life Conference hosted by PV PCA. They were enthusiastic about the conference. In our conversations he mentioned that he had set Question 1 of the Heidelberg Catechism . . . Continue reading →
12. Since then by the righteous judgment of God we deserve temporal and eternal punishment, how may we escape this punishment and be again received into favor? God wills that His justice be satisfied;1 therefore we must make full satisfaction to the . . . Continue reading →
11. Is then God not also merciful? God is indeed merciful,1 but He is likewise just;2 His justice therefore requires that sin which is committed against the most high Majesty of God, be also punished with extreme, that is, with everlasting punishment . . . Continue reading →
10. Will God suffer such disobedience and apostasy to go unpunished? By no means,1 but He is terribly displeased with our inborn as well as our actual sins, and will punish them in just judgment in time and eternity, as He has . . . Continue reading →
10. Will God suffer such disobedience and apostasy to go unpunished? By no means,1 but He is terribly displeased with our inborn as well as our actual sins, and will punish them in just judgment in time and eternity, as He has . . . Continue reading →
10. Will God suffer such disobedience and apostasy to go unpunished?By no means,1 but He is terribly displeased with our inborn as well as our actual sins, and will punish them in just judgment in time and eternity, as He has declared: . . . Continue reading →