Pre-Order Now—On Being Reformed: Debates Over A Theological Identity

by R. Scott Clark on July 31, 2018

On Being Reformed marshals the exceptional historical and ecclesiastical expertise of its various contributors to address the much debated identity of the Reformed tradition. Informed in their use of sources, forthright in their arguments, and irenic in tone, these essays will serve readers well by helping them discern where the fault lines between Baptist and Reformed churches truly lie and also where the bonds of unity in faith and practice may be found. Both are necessary services for those of us who inhabit a living Reformed tradition and wish to see it flourish in days ahead.”

Scott R. Swain, James Woodrow Hassell Professor of Systematic Theology, Reformed Theological Seminary, USA. Continue reading →

Godfrey on Shepherd In 1978

by R. Scott Clark on July 29, 2018

Editor’s Preface During the controversy at Westminster Seminary (Philadelphia), not only did faculty devote meetings to the highly objectionable views of Norman Shepherd, but they also wrote articles for the seminary’s theological journal and even used class lectures to counter arguments from . . . Continue reading →

Machen Day 2018: So Thankful For The Active Obedience Of Christ

by R. Scott Clark on July 28, 2018

(HT: ChortlesWeakly)

Olevianus: The First Benefit Of The Resurrection Is The Certainty Of Our Justification

by R. Scott Clark on July 27, 2018

The resurrection of Christ is a sure testimony to us that God considers us to be as just and righteous in His eyes as the body of Christ was when He arose from the dead out of all of our sins. Continue reading →

With Janet Mefferd On What Scripture Says About Private Property

by R. Scott Clark on July 26, 2018

The eighth and tenth commandments, “You shall not steal” (Ex 20:15) and “You shall not covet” (Ex 20:17) are basic to biblical ethics. They are part of the natural law that God revealed to Adam in the garden, known by image bearers . . . Continue reading →

A Perfect Church? Not In This Life

by R. Scott Clark on July 25, 2018

In a recent book, church growth guru George Barna seems to suggest the end or irrelevance of the local congregation.1 He speaks for a significant number of people who find their congregation unsatisfying or who cannot find a church at all. It . . . Continue reading →

Orwell On The Value Of Good Writing

by R. Scott Clark on July 24, 2018

Now, it is clear that the decline of a language must ultimately have political and economic causes: it is not due simply to the bad influence of this or that individual writer. But an effect can become a cause, reinforcing the original . . . Continue reading →

Office Hours: Journeys With Jesus

by R. Scott Clark on July 23, 2018

Millions of Christians gather every week to hear sermons preached, we trust, from God’s Word. Believers read and study it. Pastors and elders study it but we do not always agree about how to understand it. How often have you heard someone . . . Continue reading →

Of Nice And Men

by R. Scott Clark on July 23, 2018

In a recent foreword to a book advocating Norman Shepherd’s peculiar brand of covenant theology, John Frame attacks some of Shepherd’s critics as “stupid, irresponsible and divisive.” Apparently, someone complained about Frame’s lack of civility so he issued an apology that the . . . Continue reading →

Clark Contra Shepherd (2001)

by R. Scott Clark on July 22, 2018

One of the gravest problems raised by Rev. Shepherd’s book, The Call of Grace is its refusal to honor the Biblical, confessional and Reformed theological distinction between Law and Gospel as expressed in the two covenants in the historia salutis. The covenant . . . Continue reading →

Resources On Norman Shepherd

by Heidelblog on July 22, 2018

Resources Explaining the Errors in the Theology of Norman Shepherd and in the So-Called Federal Vision Movement Continue reading →

Cyprian: Baptize Infants (253 AD)

by R. Scott Clark on July 21, 2018

2. But in respect of the case of the infants, which you say ought not to be baptized within the second or third day after their birth, and that the law of ancient circumcision should be regarded, so that you think that . . . Continue reading →

Hippolytus (c. 215 AD): Baptize Infants

by R. Scott Clark on July 20, 2018

3. And they shall put off their clothes. 4. And they shall baptize the little children first. And if they can answer for themselves, let them answer. But if they cannot, let their parents or someone from their family answer for them. . . . Continue reading →

New In Print: Advice To Young Preachers

by R. Scott Clark on July 19, 2018

“Advice to Young Preachers” appears in the Summer issue of Expositor, a publication of Steve Lawson’s OnePassion Ministries.

On Congregational Elections

by R. Scott Clark on July 19, 2018

A HB reader writes to ask about to think about and vote in a congregational election for elders when one does not know the nominees. This is a difficult question for a couple of reasons. First, we have little to no evidence . . . Continue reading →

Jesus: Baptism Is Death

by R. Scott Clark on July 16, 2018

In Luke 12:50, as part of a wide-ranging discourse with strong eschatological overtones, our Lord Jesus characterizes his coming death in a striking way. He said, “But I have a baptism with which to be baptized and how I constrained until it . . . Continue reading →

Augustine: Infant Baptism Is The Apostolic And Universal Practice Of The Church

by R. Scott Clark on July 13, 2018

And this is the firm tradition of the universal Church, in respect of the baptism of infants, who certainly are as yet unable “with the heart to believe unto righteousness, and with the mouth to make confession unto salvation,” as the thief . . . Continue reading →

Kuyper: The Introduction Of Hymns To Dutch Reformed Worship Was Done Unlawfully

by R. Scott Clark on July 13, 2018

Here we come to the issue of psalms versus hymns. Our fathers ruled that, with a few exceptions, only the singing of psalms was permitted in the assembly of believers. When hymns were introduced in 1807 (by unlawful ecclesiastical might) many people . . . Continue reading →

Olevianus: The Gospel Is That Salvation Is Freely Given and Received Through Faith Alone

by R. Scott Clark on July 12, 2018

8 Q. Just as there is only one way to salvation, the crucified Christ, there is also only one doctrine of salvation that freely and graciously offers us Christ and all His benefits for our possession. What is this doctrine? A.* The . . . Continue reading →