It is believed by some that the Roman communion has abandoned the doctrine and practice of indulgences. The HB has noted, however, that the practice of indulgences continues. In one of these posts it was suggested that Rome has never authorized the . . . Continue reading →
forgiveness
The Web is Bandit Country
Says Carl at Ref21.
Dealing with Disappointment with the Church
“The church let me down.” That’s probably true. Now what? Kevin DeYoung is addressing this question.
What Does an Alcoholic/Addict Need?
The question came up recently about how Christians should think about the “12-Step” programs that treat alcoholism/addiction as a disease and that catechize alcoholics/addicts into deism. More than twenty years ago I began to try to address these issues in a paper. . . . Continue reading →
The Inquisition Isn’t Over, It Just Changed Clothes
RNS has a story today about the Vatican’s policy of “pontifical secrecy.” Read the story. The approach Rome is taking toward the problem of sex abuse by priests reminds one of the policies followed in the inquisition. What was established for the . . . Continue reading →
Mercy Musings: Psalm 5
Some thoughts from Psalm 5 this morning. I was especially struck by the first seven verses. 1Hearken to my words, O Lord, attend to my cry. 2Attend to the voice of my supplication, my King, and my God: for to thee, O . . . Continue reading →
Heidelberg 56: In The Church: The Forgiveness Of Sins
There are few things more difficult than forgiving when one has been wronged. First, when a wrong has been done, quite apart from its effect for us (and its affect in us), justice itself has been violated. Second, to be wronged is . . . Continue reading →
Contra Favoritism: James’ Response To Injustice In The Church As A Model For Our Response To Racism
For the last several Lord’s Days I have been meditating on James 2:14 (and the surrounding context). I have been thinking about what James said to the largely Jewish congregation in Jerusalem. I think of James as a New Testament counterpart to . . . Continue reading →
Luther Delivered Us From The Doctrine Of Purgatory But Critical Theory Will Have It Reinstated
R. Scott Clark, professor of church history at Westminster Seminary California in Escondido, California, told Campus Reform that “Dr. Thompson calls Lutherans to repent for ‘systemic racism’ and takes for granted that we should all accept this new, rather radical redefinition of racism which, in her account, entails a new, decided un-Lutheran definition of repentance.” Continue reading →
There Is Only One Way—But Thank God That There Is A Way
The Illusion Of Choices One of the first Bible verses I learned as a young Christian remains near the forefront of my mind because it captures an essential truth. It is John 14:6, “I am the way, the truth, and the life. . . . Continue reading →
“Father Forgive Them, For They Know Not What They Do” (Luke 23:34)
Guilt And Forgiveness “Please forgive me.” These might be three of the most difficult words in the English language to say sincerely. To say these words sincerely is to confess sin, i.e., transgression of the God’s holy moral law. God’s Word says, . . . Continue reading →
Heidelcast 219: Our Father (9): “Forgive Us Our Debts” (Plus Dr Clark Answers Heidelmail And Heideltexts)
In this episode Dr Clark answers Heidelmail from Kwan about what Acts 2:42 and signs and wonders, from Exile1986 about how to answer a child’s question about why we cannot see Jesus right now, and from Jerome about an expression in Dane . . . Continue reading →
What Churches Can Do To Reconcile With Those Who Left
How The Church Can Model The Covenant Of Grace
A few days ago I made an appeal to those who left their congregations over disagreements with church leadership about how the visible church responded to Covid. I asked for understanding and forgiveness. I also argued that, in most cases, those who . . . Continue reading →
The Payback Machine
My father died when we were both too young. He was a mechanic at a GM dealership. Among my few memories of him is him driving to work in his sky-blue Buick Skylark wearing grey overalls and coming home with grease-smudged hands . . . Continue reading →
The Lapsed Now And Then: What The Decian Persecution Teaches Us About Recovering From Covid
The Roman soldier handled Perpetua roughly. There was no question who was in charge. He took her before the Captain to be questioned and then to the Procurator. The procedure was simple. He asked her one question three times: “Are you a . . . Continue reading →