Both systematic theology and biblical theology are essential to our study of Scripture for preaching. One contribution of systematic theology, including the historic creeds and confessions of the church, is to safeguard our interpretation of a particular text, lest we misread (and . . . Continue reading →
February 2024 Archive
Our Aim Is Love: Dr. A. Craig Troxel—WSC 2024 Annual Conference
Wisdom says, “keep the heart with all vigilance, because from it flow the springs of life.” Paul agrees. To safeguard love as the proper aim of the ministry, we must also consider its source in a “pure heart.” The fountainhead impacts everything . . . Continue reading →
Heidelminicast Q&A Why Not Hymns, Why Not Monks, And What About Head Coverings?
Dr Clark explains why we shouldn’t sing non-canonical hymns in worship, why the Reformation closed the monasteries, and answers a question about head coverings. Continue reading →
Review: Persistent Prayer By Guy Richard (Blessings Of The Faith Series)
“If you want to almost-instantly humble any Christian, ask him about his prayer life,” or so the maxim goes. Prayer is one of those practices of the Christian life which every Christian will affirm in importance; in practice, however, many will struggle . . . Continue reading →
Perkins Opposed Two-Stage Justification
. . . we must here observe the opposition between the law and the free promise of God in the justification of a sinner. “For if life come by the law, it comes not by the promise,” says Paul. And, “If they . . . Continue reading →
Sub-Christian Nationalism? (Part 17)
“My kingdom is not of this world. If my kingdom were of this world, my servants would have been fighting, that I might not be delivered over to the Jews. But my kingdom is not from the world.” (John 18:36) One of . . . Continue reading →
Heidelminicast Q&A: Where To Start With Vos, Was Infant Circumcision Merely A “Positive Law,” Why Not Roman Catholic?
Dr Clark answers questions about where to start reading Geerhardus Vos, why Baptists are wrong about “positive law,” and why one should not become a Roman Catholic. Continue reading →
Lessons From the Case of the “Jonesboro 7”
They wanted to see a gospel centered PCA congregation planted in their town, Jonesboro, Arkansas. It was harder than they thought it would be. In this instance, it was especially hard. Tucked within the thousands of pages of the 2023 General Assembly . . . Continue reading →
Luther: A Christian Must Believe He is In A State Of Grace
I have indicated in a variety of ways that the Christian man must believe for a certainty that he is in a state of divine grace, and that he has the cry of the Holy Spirit in his heart, especially when he . . . Continue reading →
Heidelminicast Q&A: What Is Exhorting (As Distinct From Preaching), Were Shepherds The Bottom Of The Social Barrel, And What Is Evangelism?
Dr Clark answers questions about the social status of shepherds in the ancient world, the difference between exhorting and preaching, and the nature of evangelism. Continue reading →
Until He Comes Again: A Journey Through The Reformed Liturgy
The very God who is all in all, who has revealed himself covenantally through creation and redemption, commands due worship. With human beings as God’s pinnacle creatures, worship actually tends to our greatest blessing and should be our greatest joy. We are . . . Continue reading →
Top Five Posts For the Week of February 12–18, 2024
These were the top five posts for the week beginning February 12–18, 2024. Continue reading →
Baptists, The Definition Of Reformed, And Identity Politics (Part 3)
If the objective, historical evidence is as clear as I claim about the historic definition of the word Reformed, why does this debate even exist? Again, the roots of this debate are partly to be found in the way Baptists think of themselves and others, particularly in the USA. Continue reading →
Perkins On The First Use
When Paul says [in Gal. 3:22], “We are all shut up under sin,” he puts us in mind of our most miserable condition that we are captives of sin and Satan, enclosed in our sins as in a prison, like imprisoned malefactors . . . Continue reading →
Heidelcast For Feb 18, 2024: “Feathers And All:” The Scriptures Are Enough (2)
In this episode Dr Clark begins discusses the question of the source of the modern Pentecostal movement. Did it begin the second century? Were all the ancient Christians “charismatic”? Continue reading →
No Reformed Worship, No Reformed Church
Thesis: No confessional presbyterian church will long remain confessional or presbyterian if it loses Reformed worship. First, some definitions: Confessional: orthodox soteriology and doctrine (doctrine of God, Christology, covenant) according to the Reformed confessions Presbyterian: government by ordained male (per scripture) elders . . . Continue reading →
Psalm 2: God Is King Over The Nations Part 1—The Situation
An old Scottish tune, Skye Boat Song, about Bonnie Prince Charlie begins, Speed, bonnie boat, like a bird on the wing. Onward, the sailors cry! Carry the lad that’s born to be King Over the sea to Skye. If you are not . . . Continue reading →
Audio: Gospel-Driven Life—Means of Grace
R. Scott Clark speaks at the Spring Theology Conference of the Reformation Society of Oregon (May 2009). Editor’s Note: This audio was originally published in 2009. RESOURCES Subscribe To The Heidelblog! The Heidelblog Resource Page Heidelmedia Resources The Ecumenical Creeds The Reformed . . . Continue reading →
Eusebius To The Emperor’s Sister: No Images Of Christ
You also wrote me concerning some supposed image of Christ, which image you wished me to send you. Now what kind of thing is this that you call the image of Christ? I do not know what impelled you to request that . . . Continue reading →
World And Life View: License To Baptize? (Part 3)
In an essay dated 1 March 1996, Fred Pugh sketches what has become a fairly standard view among many neo-Kuyperians.1 His account probably obviously leans to the cultural-political right, and the antithesis is established as “secular humanism.” Continue reading →