Not everything in my (surface) mailbox at work is equally fascinating but on Monday afternoon I found these sent as a gift from someone (thank you!) from The Dort Store in Otsego, MI (about 37 miles south of Grand Rapids). These are . . . Continue reading →
September 2018 Archive
Pilgrim Theology Versus Ethnic Theology
In recent decades it has become fashionable to qualify theology with one’s ethnicity or sexuality. The most famous example of such is James Cone’s 1969 Black Theology and Black Power. In this work Cone correlated “black theology” to the “Black Power” movement of . . . Continue reading →
Bible Presbyterian Church: We Reject A Final Justification Through Works
In every generation, the doctrine of justification by faith alone comes under attack. As the heart of the gospel, the doctrine of justification is most fundamental to the definition of salvation and any adequate understanding of the atoning work of the Lord . . . Continue reading →
Word Of The Day: Anachronism
One of the themes that emerged from yesterday’s discussion of Machen’s ugly letter is the problem of anachronism. It has probably three senses and the one most relevant to this discussion is the expectation that earlier figures in history should know what . . . Continue reading →
Machen’s Letter To His Mother Or What To Do With Dead Sinners?
J. Gresham Machen (1881–1937) was born in the American South. He was born fewer than 20 years after the end of the Civil War. He was born to wealth and privilege. He also inherited the attitudes of many in the American South . . . Continue reading →
Labor Day 2018: Fun In The Sky And On The Water In An ICON A5
Longtime readers of this space will know that I am a flying enthusiast. Climbing into a cockpit and flying a plane is something wonderful. I have been in a couple of small planes beginning in Shafter, CA in 1986 and again flying . . . Continue reading →
Olevianus On The Second Commandment And Worshiping The True God
Second it is useful and necessary that in our invocation of God we know what God we are invoking—that true God with whom we have entered into a covenant of faith, who has testified to us in an eternal covenant that He . . . Continue reading →
Why Foot Washing Is Not A Sacrament
Heidelblog reader Randy writes to ask why footwashing (pedilavium) is not regarded as a sacrament. The answer is twofold: 1) from the nature of the sacraments; 2) from the nature and intent of the act of footwashing in the life of our . . . Continue reading →