In confessional Protestant churches October 31 is Reformation Day and Dr Clark will be starting his Reformation Day celebration early, this Friday, 10:00 AM, in the chapel at Westminster Seminary California. He will be speaking on the topic, “Why the Reformation Matters . . . Continue reading →
October 2022 Archive
Heidelminicast: Belgic Confession Art. 36—On Civil Government
The Belgic Confession was written by a Reformed pastor, Guy de Bres (1522–1567), who adopted the Reformed faith as a young man and studied with several Reformed luminaries, including John Calvin, before serving as a pastor, church planter, and chaplain in France . . . Continue reading →
The Search for A Second Adam: A New Way of Reading Scripture (Part 3)
In Part 1 and Part 2 of this series, we looked at the ongoing search for God’s promised seed of the woman who would crush the head of the serpent. Though many of the patriarchs and Israel’s national leaders seemed to come . . . Continue reading →
Ursinus Against The Antinomians, Libertines, And Similar Fanatics Who Deny That The Decalogue Is For Teaching in the Christian Church (Objection 9)
Obj. 9. That is not to be taught in the church which increases sin. The law increases sin. (Rom. 7:8.) Therefore, it is not to be taught. Ans. There is here a fallacy of accident in the minor proposition. The law increases . . . Continue reading →
Heidelcast For October 23, 2022: Every Tribe, Tongue, And Nation (22): Fifth Head Of Doctrine (2)
In this episode, Dr. Clark continues his series on the Canons of Dort where we are looking at the Fifth Head of Doctrine concerning the perseverance of the saints. We turn to what Synod confessed positively about how Christ graciously preserves his . . . Continue reading →
Peace And Purity Provided By Authority: John Thomson’s Defense Of Presbyterian Church Polity (Part 14): Terms Of Communion
As a particular church, Thomson argued that the officers of the church needed to exercise their authority to adopt a confession for their communion. As a Synod not formally associated with any other church, the Synod could adopt a set of standards . . . Continue reading →
Turretin On The Pactum Salutis
XII. And it seems superfluous to inquire here whether this covenant was made with Christ as one of the contracting parties and in him with all his seed (as the first covenant had been made with Adam and in Adam with his . . . Continue reading →
Heidelminicast: Belgic Confession Art. 35—The Reformed Churches Confess That Believers Are Fed By The Proper And Natural Body And Blood Of Christ In Holy Communion
The Belgic Confession was written by a Reformed pastor, Guy de Bres (1522–1567), who adopted the Reformed faith as a young man and studied with several Reformed luminaries, including John Calvin, before serving as a pastor, church planter, and chaplain in France . . . Continue reading →
Reformation Conference At New Life PCA In La Mesa, CA
New Life Presbyterian Church of La Mesa is hosting their Reformation Conference 2022 on the theme of “The Reformation and the Christian Life”. The conference will use four figures to explore three topics that are not oft-considered outcomes of the 16th century . . . Continue reading →
A Note On Christian Perfectionism
Is perfection in this life possible, or is it a heretical concept that misunderstands the nature of original sin and total depravity? Hint: it’s not possible! Continue reading →
Shattering Creaturely Independence In The Presence Of The Creator
To come into the presence of our Creator shatters any illusion of creaturely independence and self-sufficiency. We are not our own and are undone before him. Apart from him we have no existence (Col 1:16-17). It is God who created us, as . . . Continue reading →
The Search for A Second Adam: A New Way of Reading Scripture (Part 2)
In Part 1 of this series, we looked at the search for the promised seed of the woman, the one who would crush the serpent’s head, the new Adam. As each one of the Patriarchs rises with glimmers of hope, so also . . . Continue reading →
Federal Vision Qualifies Salvation By Faith Alone
Because the FV generally denies the existence of merit, many fail to understand whether there is any real concern with the FV’s formulation. But the formulation is elusive. Wilson writes, “Obedient faith is the only kind that God ever gives, and when . . . Continue reading →
Review of Brian Brock’s Wondrously Wounded: Theology, Disability, and the Body of Christ
Churches in the modern world must increasingly realize that we have to reckon with difficult issues involving mental wellbeing, disability, and related concerns. As a pastor in London, one of the world’s largest urban centers where there were fewer ways even just . . . Continue reading →
Letter To The Editor Regarding “A Radical Narrowing Of The Gospel”
Editor’s Note: The following is a letter to the editor in response to an article by the Rev. Mr. Doug Barnes, “A Radical Narrowing of the Gospel,” in The Outlook vol. 72, issue 5 (Sept/Oct, 2022). § Dear Sir, I just read . . . Continue reading →
Supporting The HRA Without Using PayPal
Like many other organizations the HRA is in the process of moving away from PayPal, which has recently signaled its intent to limit access by organizations that do not meet their ideological (and religious) standards. We are working on this. We will . . . Continue reading →
Speaking In Foreign Languages In The Church? The Adoption Of Business Language In The Church In Light Of 1 Corinthians 14:27
What then, brothers? When you come together, each one has a psalm, a lesson, a revelation, a foreign language, or an interpretation. Let all things be done for building up. If any speak in a foreign language, let there be only two . . . Continue reading →
Second Council Of Orange On The Succor Of God
CANON 9. Concerning the succor of God. It is a mark of divine favor when we are of a right purpose and keep our feet from hypocrisy and unrighteousness; for as often as we do good, God is at work in us . . . Continue reading →
A Remarkable Sermon On An Even More Remarkable Passage
Last week, Dr. Clark was in the Detroit metro celebrating the installation of our own Harrison Perkins as pastor of Oakland Hills Community Church (OPC). In the evening sermon, the Rev. Mr. Andy Longwe, minister of London City Presbyterian Church (Free Church . . . Continue reading →
Heidelminicast: Belgic Confession Art. 34—The Reformed Churches Confess The Baptism Of Believers And Their Children
The Belgic Confession was written by a Reformed pastor, Guy de Bres (1522–1567), who adopted the Reformed faith as a young man and studied with several Reformed luminaries, including John Calvin, before serving as a pastor, church planter, and chaplain in France . . . Continue reading →