The advice of the Committee is that the Synod accede to the overture of Classic Grand Rapids East, that is a) ‘To amend Article 69 of our Church Order….so that a synodically approved collection of hymns may be added which may be . . . Continue reading →
2014 Archive
Grammar Guerilla: Wary And Weary
These are two distinct words. They aren’t quite homophones (there and their are homophones, two distinct words that have the same pronunciation)2 but they do sound sufficiently similar to create confusion. To be wary is to be cautious or concerned “about possible dangers…”.1 . . . Continue reading →
The Difference Between Tolerance And Approval
All right, then. I understand there are men who have not attained the healthy masculine nature I hope my son will attain. I don’t make fun of them. I don’t wish them ill. I count some among my friends. I extend to . . . Continue reading →
Heidelcast 71: Nomism And Antinomianism (10)
We’ve come to the 3rd part of the Marrow, “Of the law of Christ.” This is a phrase that occurs frequently in this discussion. Neither the antinomian nor the neonomian are satisfied with the law of Christ the way it is. The . . . Continue reading →
Social Justice Includes Religious Liberty
Here’s the thing about justice: it extends beyond political correctness. Each one of us has a duty to defend others who are being forced to act in a way that denies their deeply held moral and religious convictions. This moral obligation to . . . Continue reading →
Juxtaposition
Flying Leathernecks
This gallery contains 5 photos.
The Multi-Ethnic Implications Of The Gospel
The multi-ethnic implications of the gospel should compel every church planter and church member to critically analyze their practice to see if they are putting up unnecessary barriers to diversity. Every Christian should desire congregations that closely resemble the diversity present in . . . Continue reading →
Seed, Seeds, And Infant Baptism
The new covenant is the new administration of the Abrahamic covenant. Just as the typological (looking forward) sign and seal of admission to the administration of the covenant of grace was applied to Abraham’s children (beginning with Ishmael) so the sign and . . . Continue reading →
Classic Reformed Covenant Theology And Its Opponents
I have found it absolutely necessary to oppose different opinions; both those of the public adversaries of the reformed churches, amongst whom I reckon, first, the Socinians and the Remonstrants, who, by their daring comments have defiled the doctrine of God’s covenants; . . . Continue reading →
A Really Short Case For Infant Baptism (117 words)
There are about 60 million evangelicals in North America. Most of them assume or hold a Baptist interpretation of redemptive history, a Baptist hermeneutic (way of reading Scripture), and consequently, a Baptist view of the sacraments or signs and seals of the . . . Continue reading →
Witsius On The Relation Between Human Reason And Divine Authority
III. Let then these things be premised. First. Reason signifies either that faculty of man where by he perceives, and judgeth, and distinguisheth truth from falsehood, or those maxims, aphorisms, or axioms, which are either self evident, or believed to be rightly . . . Continue reading →
Johannes Marckius On Witsius’ Embassy To England
…He had always the preference given him in their synods, and was twice honored with the supreme government and headship of the university; namely, in the years 1686, and 1697. Nor must we omit, that when, in the year 1685, the states . . . Continue reading →
Comments Policy
Quick update. Heidelreaders are essential to the HB. So, comments are welcome and important to the HB. Civil, patient discussion is an important way to learn and grow. As a reader, writer, and teacher I’m in almost constant discussion with someone (via . . . Continue reading →
A Dad Shows Up In Pop Media
Dad hasn’t fared well in pop culture for a long time. I suppose there have been a few positive portrayals of father in pop culture in recent decades but it isn’t easy to think of them. Dad did reasonably well in the . . . Continue reading →
Classical Liberalism Now Looks Conservative
Silber was often labeled “conservative.” In fact, and as he always insisted, he was a liberal of the old school. He believed in advancement according to merit, not quotas; colorblind justice; the disinterested pursuit of truth; and open debate, not ideological conformity. . . . Continue reading →
The Dissonance Of Sin
By Joshua Martin Rev. Joshua Martin is a graduate of Westminster Seminary California and an ordained minister of the Orthodox Presbyterian Church. He currently serves as the Pastor of Redeemer Church (OPC) in Santa Maria, CA. § Some time ago I picked . . . Continue reading →
Helm: Modified Classical Theism And The Evangelical Big Top
It occurs to me that in this convergence of views in the direction of what is called ‘modified classical theism’ there is the makings of a theology for the ‘big tent’ of evangelicalism, a formula for providing space for the various disparate . . . Continue reading →
Heidelberg 31 And 32: He Is The Savior And We Are The Saved
Introduction I first encountered the Reformed theology, piety, and practice (c. 1980) in St John’s Reformed Church, in Lincoln, Neb. There were a couple of fairly recent seminary graduates, who had both studied at the Reformed Episcopal seminary in Philadelphia in the . . . Continue reading →
Setting Priorities For The Congregation
August is the time of year when the heat of summer is accompanied by a blessedly slower pace, unless one is a college football player, in which two-a-day practices begin. Nebraska football is a month away! It’s vacation season for many (e.g., . . . Continue reading →