In the summer of 2021, the evangelical world discussed the “Rise and Fall of Mars Hill.” Embedded in that narrative was a reference to John Piper’s famous “seashells” sermon. Many of us who came to Calvinism during that time remember this sermon. . . . Continue reading →
2022 Archive
Supreme Court 9–0: Boston May Not Discriminate Against Christian Group
The SCOTUS unanimously ruled today, in Shurtleff v. City of Boston, that the City of Boston’s decision to exclude the “Camp Constitution” organization from a public flagpole, available to other groups, violated the Constitution of the United States. As Justice Kavanaugh explained, “This . . . Continue reading →
Heidelminicast: Heidelberg Catechism 74—Are Infants Also To Be Baptized?
The Heidelberg Catechism is one of the most beloved and well used catechisms to emerge from the sixteenth and seventeenth century Reformation. Published in its final form in 1563, the catechism has been used by millions of Christians to teach the faith . . . Continue reading →
The Crucifixion Contradicted Paul’s Pre-Christian Messianic Expectations
But that Jesus of Nazareth could be the expected Messiah, as his disciples maintained, was out of the question. It is unlikely that the status, career and teaching of Jesus conformed in any way with Paul’s conception of the status, career and . . . Continue reading →
Heidelcast 223: From Every Tribe, Tongue, And Nation (1)—Introduction To The Canons Of Dort
In this episode Dr Clark begins a new series on the Canons of Dort (1619). When people outside of the Reformed churches think about Reformed theology, they often think of the so-called “Five Points,” or TULIP. As it turns out, there is . . . Continue reading →
Should The Visible Church, As An Institution, Form And Express An Opinion On Political Violence?
s noted here previously, the mainline (liberal) PCUSA has adopted more than 120 positions on a bewildering variety of issues. The temptation to use the visible church to achieve one’s desired social goals is almost irresistible. Continue reading →
Heidelminicast: Heidelberg Catechism 73—Why Does The Holy Spirit Call Baptism The Washing Of Regeneration?
The Heidelberg Catechism is one of the most beloved and well used catechisms to emerge from the sixteenth and seventeenth century Reformation. Published in its final form in 1563, the catechism has been used by millions of Christians to teach the faith . . . Continue reading →
Bob Godfrey: What’s Going On Right Now? Sex, Race, Politics, And Power (13)—Five Responses To The Collapse Of Christendom
How do Christians live in hostile environment and how do they know whether it is a hostile environment? “If you live in an environment where most people don’t believe in God at all or do not believe that God is relevant to . . . Continue reading →
Trueman: It Is A Strange New World
Carl Trueman made a big splash by speaking uncomfortable truths to seemingly intractable power in The Rise and Triumph of the Modern Self (Wheaton: Crossway, 2020). In Strange New World: How Thinkers and Activists Redefined Identity and Sparked the Sexual Revolution (Wheaton: Crossway, 2022), . . . Continue reading →
Dear PCA, There Is Another Approach To Same-Sex Attraction: Rosaria Butterfield’s
One of the more strange aspects of the debate over Greg Johnson’s advocacy of “Side-B” homosexuality, the so-called “Gay Christian” approach, is that it has mostly ignored Rosaria Butterfield’s analysis of the issue and her experience. As one HB commenter wrote this . . . Continue reading →
Heidelminicast: Heidelberg Catechism 72—Does The Application Of Baptismal Water Regenerate And Cleanse Us?
The Heidelberg Catechism is one of the most beloved and well used catechisms to emerge from the sixteenth and seventeenth century Reformation. Published in its final form in 1563, the catechism has been used by millions of Christians to teach the faith . . . Continue reading →
Calvin On Romans 7: Paul Writes About The Believer’s Struggle With Sin
Paul begins now to make a closer comparison between the law and the nature of man, in order that the origin of the wickedness which leads to death may be more clearly understood. He then sets before us the example of a . . . Continue reading →
Review: Estelle, The Primary Mission Of The Church (Mentor, 2022)
Western culture is ripping apart, to varying degrees depending on the country, over issues of social justice and cultural welfare. That increasing pressure has also often included the advocates of various social causes demanding assent from everyone else. This no exception approach to ideological uniformity has also often affected the church, as proponents of cultural issues impose their views upon us as another institution that must get in line with secular orthodoxy. Continue reading →
Fedya Says: Please Continue Praying
In the meantime, he grieves his separation from his family, mourns his country’s suffering, and hopes in the gospel. “I believe the Lord is using this terrible situation to advance his gospel,” he said. “That’s the only hope for the world.” Minakov . . . Continue reading →
Heidelminicast: Heidelberg Catechism 71—Where Has Jesus Promised That Believers Are As Certainly Clean Before God As They Are Washed With Baptismal Water?
The Heidelberg Catechism is one of the most beloved and well used catechisms to emerge from the sixteenth and seventeenth century Reformation. Published in its final form in 1563, the catechism has been used by millions of Christians to teach the faith . . . Continue reading →
Sobre el papel de la mujer en la Iglesia
Entre el patriarcalismo y el igualitarismo
La ordenación de las mujeres, y, de forma más general, la participación de éstas en la iglesia, es un tema moderno que continúa produciendo numerosos libros, artículos e incluso apoyando sociedades. Lo peor que podemos hacer en las comunidades reformadas es ignorarlo . . . Continue reading →
The PCUSA Continues Its Slide Into Oblivion
Hart Reviews Noll—America’s Book: The Rise And Decline Of A Bible Civilization, 1794–1911
Many Americans born after 1960 have trouble imagining that for much of the country’s history the Bible was a chief source of national identity. Older Hollywood directors sometimes get it right. Take “Liberty Heights” (1999), written and directed by Barry Levinson (born . . . Continue reading →
Heidelminicast: Heidelberg Catechism 70—What Does It Mean To Be Washed With Christ’s Blood And Spirit?
The Heidelberg Catechism is one of the most beloved and well used catechisms to emerge from the sixteenth and seventeenth century Reformation. Published in its final form in 1563, the catechism has been used by millions of Christians to teach the faith . . . Continue reading →
Sola Scriptura Means Never Looking For Continuing Special Revelation
Sola Scriptura means the Scriptures are enough for the Christian faith and the Christian life. Continue reading →