Some objected to the critics of the Federal Vision that the social crisis is too great that to be arguing about the Federal Vision. That objection has resurface in recent days in the wake of a social media post in which a prominent member of the Young, Restless, and Reformed Movement and a Baptist theologian has argued, “The Father is the Father because he sends the Son. The Son is the Son because he submits to the Father’s will. The Spirit is the Spirit because the Father and the Son send Him. There is no Trinity without the order of authority and submission” (emphasis original). As one might imagine, this line of reasoning has prompted a considerable response. In response to the critics, some have re-stated the same argument made by the Federal Visionists and their enablers in 2008: “Are we really going to start arguing about ESS again? With all the other stuff going on in the world, this is the battle some of you want to fight? Again? I seriously do not understand some of you. Like, at all.” Continue reading →
October 2021 Archive
Bob Godfrey On “What’s Going on Right Now: Sex, Race, Politics & Power” (2)
Bob Godfrey has been teaching the Adult Sunday School class in (what is now) the Escondido United Reformed Church for forty years. Some of that material has made its way into print and, in that way, perhaps you have benefited directly from . . . Continue reading →
How Nebuchadnezzar Helps Explain Our Moment
When Nebuchadnezzar’s dreams were interpreted by Daniel, a surprising prophecy was made that Nebuchadnezzar’s kingdom would soon fall, and “the God of heaven will set up a kingdom that shall never be destroyed, nor shall the kingdom be left to another people. . . . Continue reading →
If We Sang Only God’s Word This Could Not Happen
If God’s Word is sufficient for anything, it is sufficient for public worship. If we sang only God’s Word then we would never sing a hymn about climate change. Continue reading →
Yet Another Reason To Leave Public School
Errors in judgment abound here but clearly the adults are no longer in charge. The person in the white dress is a male student. The adult male in the chair is the school principal. Yes, you saw what you saw. The point . . . Continue reading →
Happy Reformation Day! On Sale For $5.00 Until Monday: Still Protesting
RHB is selling D. G. Hart, Still Protesting for $5.00 until Monday. That’s a discount of $13.00. See the resources below for a review and an interview with Darryl about this volume. See the resources below for a cornucopia of other resources . . . Continue reading →
Corporate America Is Selling More Than Candy
Corporate America has a message and it is neither sweet nor good for children. Continue reading →
Wilentz: Taking Down Jefferson Is A Symbolic Take Down Of The Declaration
Removal of the David D’Angers statue of Thomas Jefferson from City Hall would be a direct attack on a symbol of the democratic values New Yorkers hold dear. The statue specifically honors Jefferson for his greatest contribution to America, indeed, to humankind: . . . Continue reading →
Défense Du Baptême Des Enfants
Cet essai a d’abord été écrit sous forme de livret vers 1988 pour ma congrégation à Kansas City comme une explication simple de la doctrine réformée du baptême des enfants pour ceux qui ne sont pas familiers avec notre théologie et notre pratique. Pour des explications et des réponses plus détaillées, voir les annexes ci-dessous. Continue reading →
Riddlebarger On Belgic Confession Art. 14 And The Covenant Of Works
It is also very important at this point that we deal with an issue which has become very divisive among the Reformed churches of late–and that is whether or not our confession teaches that there is a covenant based upon a works-principle . . . Continue reading →
Heidelcast 195: What Must A Christian Believe? (12) On Christ’s Descent Into Hell
In our survey of the rule of faith, i.e., the Apostles’ Creed, we have reached the fourth article: “suffered under Pontius, Pilate, crucified, dead, and buried. He descended into hell.” In this episode we focus on the last clause, “he descended into . . . Continue reading →
Presbyterial Problems
This has not been a wonderful week in American Presbyterianism. Earlier this week Aimee Byrd published the letter she received from the Southeast Presbytery of the Orthodox Presbyterian Church and then she announced that she is leaving her OPC congregation and the . . . Continue reading →
University Professor To Be Fired Because He Did Not Apologize For Students Rushing To Judgment
Theater students study the principle of the “willing suspension of disbelief,” meaning that in order to enjoy a show, audience members must suspend their critical thinking and believe that the performance onstage is really happening. To make sense of Coastal Carolina University’s . . . Continue reading →
Religious Freedom Watch: Kansas City Church Wins Settlement Over Religious Discrimination
A Kansas City-area Baptist megachurch has reached a $150,000 settlement with the county over coronavirus restrictions, with the church claiming that the county treated them more harshly than secular institutions when it came to COVID protocols. Abundant Life Baptist Church, which has . . . Continue reading →
Twenty-Four Attorneys General File Amicus Brief In Support Of A Coach’s Right To Pray After The Football Game
The Bremerton School District prohibited Coach Kennedy from “engag[ing] in demonstrative religious activity, readily observable to (if not intended to be observed by) students and the attending public.” App. 37, 81. The District suspended Coach Kennedy for violating this directive when he . . . Continue reading →
Riddlebarger On The Reformed Altar Call
In those independent Bible churches in which I was raised, most Sunday mornings the minister preached from a well-worn Bible, told a few stories to illustrate his point, and then reminded us that we must believe in Jesus to go to heaven. . . . Continue reading →
Christian Employers Alliance Sues Biden Administration Over Sex Transition Surgery Requirement
The Christian Employers Alliance filed a lawsuit against the Biden administration on Monday over two mandates that force religious nonprofit and for-profit employers to fund “gender transition surgeries, procedures, counseling, and treatments.” On Tuesday, Alliance Defending Freedom filed a motion asking a . . . Continue reading →
The Theologically Liberal Empire Strikes Back
In 1923 J. Gresham Machen (1881–1937) published his incisive and devastating critique of theological liberalism, Christianity and Liberalism. At the outset let me emphasize that we are discussing theological liberalism. There are other uses of the word liberalism, e.g., “classical liberalism” refers to . . . Continue reading →
Heidelcast 194: What Must A Christian Believe? (11) On Christ’s Obedience And Atoning Death
In our survey of the rule of faith, i.e., the Apostles’ Creed, we have reached the fourth article: “suffered under Pontius, Pilate, crucified, dead, and buried. He descended into hell.” In this episode we consider Christ’s suffering and death and in the . . . Continue reading →