[This essay was first published informally c. 1988. It has been revised several times since] Introduction Among Western Christians there are four major views on baptism: 1 Baptism is the means of spiritual renewal and initial justification and sanctification through the infusion . . . Continue reading →
2012 Archive
The Free Offer of the Gospel
By John Murray with a new foreword by R. Scott Clark The foreword is ©2002 R. Scott Clark Foreword This essay was written by John Murray (1898–1975), professor of Systematic Theology in Westminster Theological Seminary in Philadelphia and Ned B. Stonehouse (1902–62), . . . Continue reading →
The Conclusions of Synod Utrecht (1905)
[as published in J. L. Schaver, The Polity of the Churches, 3rd edn (Chicago: Church Polity Press, 1947), 2.34–37] A. Infra- or Supralapsarianism In regard to the first point, infra- or supralapsarianism, Synod declares: that our Confessional Standards admittedly follow the infralapsarian . . . Continue reading →
Calvin’s Antidote to the Council of Trent on Justification (1547)
The doctrine of man’s Justification would be easily explained, did not the false opinions by which the minds of men are preoccupied, spread darkness over the clear light. The principal cause of obscurity, however, is, that we are with the greatest difficulty . . . Continue reading →
Pelagianism
NB: These notes were originally written for a course in theological anthropology given at Wheaton College, Spring Semester, 1997. Introduction Early in the course I made the claim, which I did not intend to be controversial, that Pelagius is a heretic. After . . . Continue reading →
Calvin on the Eucharist
by W. Robert Godfrey Originally published in Modern Reformation MAY/JUNE 1997 Both Luther and Zwingli had crucial points to make in the debate over the Lord’s Supper, but in my judgment, it was John Calvin who best resolved the question. Calvin began . . . Continue reading →
David Steinmetz on the Superiority of Pre-Critical Exegesis
David Steinmetz on the Superiority of Pre-Critical Exegesis (1980).
Calvin On Natural Law (1998)
R. Scott Clark, “Calvin and the Lex Naturalis,” Stulos Theological Journal 6 (1998): 1–22.
Reformation Charts
Reformation Theology Contrasted with Rome’s (Pt 1) Reformation Theology Contrasted with Rome’s (Pt 2)
Helvetic Consensus Formula (1675)
[Translated by Martin I. Klauber in Trinity Journal 11 (1990): 103–23. Used by permission of the translator.] Canon I: God, the Supreme Judge, not only took care to have his word, which is the “power of God unto salvation to every one . . . Continue reading →
Canons of Dort (1619)
Table of Contents Preface First Head of Doctrine: Divine Election and Reprobation Second Head of Doctrine: The Death of Christ and the Redemption of Man Thereby Third & Fourth Heads of Doctrine: The Corruption of Man, His Conversion to God, and the . . . Continue reading →
Heidelberg Catechism (1563)
Note: This edition of the catechism is based on the 1978 translation published by the Reformed Church in the United States and modified by the removal of archaic language and with minor revision of the translation according to the German and Latin . . . Continue reading →
Belgic Confession (1561)
Introduction The Belgic Confession is the confession of faith of the Dutch Reformed Churches. It was written originally, however, in French, in the French-speaking Lowlands by Guido (or Guy) deBres (1523–67) and edited by others between 1559–1561. He was a pastor who . . . Continue reading →
Consensus Tigurinus (1549)
Translated by Henry Beveridge Mutual Consent in Regard to the Sacraments Between the Ministers of the Church of Zurich and John Calvin, Minister of the Church of Geneva. Now published by those who framed it. Article 1. The Whole Spiritual Government of . . . Continue reading →
Confessing the Reformed Faith: Our Identity in Unity and Diversity
by Richard A. Muller Richard Muller is the P. J. Zondervan Professor of Historical Theology at Calvin Theological Seminary, Grand Rapids, Michigan. This address was given by Professor Muller at a meeting of the North American Presbyterian and Reformed Council on November . . . Continue reading →
The Revision of Belgic Confession Article 36
Eugene Osterhaven called this “the most difficult and disputed” article in the confession.1 As will appear below, the desire to revise this article has existed in the Reformed churches in both the Netherlands and in the USA since the late 19th century . . . Continue reading →
The “Calvin as Tyrant” Meme
For a fellow who has been dead since 1564 and for a movement that, socially considered, is little more than a demographic blip (about 500,000 people in North America) Calvin and Calvinism continue to receive a remarkable amount of attention in the . . . Continue reading →
More Resources on Covenant Theology
R. Scott Clark, “Baptism and the Benefits of Christ” —— ed. Covenant, Justification, and Pastoral Ministry ——Baptism, Election, and the Covenant of Grace. ——Caspar Olevian and the Substance of the Covenant. Michael Horton, Introducing Covenant Theology ——Covenant and Eschatology. ——Lord and Servant . . . Continue reading →
Classical Covenant Theology
Edited by and some translations by R. Scott Clark On Law and Gospel On the Covenant of Redemption (pactum salutis) On the Covenant of Works (foedus operum) On the Covenant of Grace (foedus gratiae) On Justification On Union with Christ On the . . . Continue reading →
Tesis Sobre la Teología del Pacto
1. Prolegómenos La teología del Pacto estructura la totalidad de la revelación Bíblica. La forma de los pactos revelados en la Escritura se tomó prestada del mundo antiguo del cercano oriente, se acomoda a él, y debe ser entendida en ese contexto. . . . Continue reading →