In the previous article, we summarized the arguments of David Powlison and Tim Keller, since their teaching has likely had the greatest influence in popularizing the concept of idols of the heart in Reformed churches. In order to make the biblical concern for idolatry relevant to modern people, they removed the transcendent realities from idolatry and instead wrote about idolatry only or predominately as something figurative. Continue reading →
2024 Archive
The Value Of Self-Examination In The Christian Life
Another means to be used diligently for the promoting the life of faith, is, examination of our state and ways, according to the word of God; whether we be, at present, in a state of sin and wrath, or of grace and . . . Continue reading →
Blood In The Seine: French Christian Nationalism And The St. Bartholomew’s Day Massacre: Part 2
Some of what took place in Paris beginning on August 24 can be explained by sociology and social history. There were real religious and social tensions in Paris and in Roman Catholic dominated towns in 1572. Paris itself was not yet spread out. There were about 210,000 people crowded together. Continue reading →
Top Five Posts For The Week Of August 19–25, 2024
These were the top five posts for the week beginning August 19–25, 2024. Continue reading →
Heidelcast For August 25, 2024: The Comfort of the Covenant (1)—Who Was Caspar Olevianus?
In this episode Dr Clark kicks off the new series, “The Comfort of the Covenant.” Continue reading →
Rachel Shubin’s Analysis Of Wilson’s Pastoral Errors In Two Very Serious Cases (5)
“Despite Mr. Wilson’s protestations that Christ Church ensures that Mr. Sitler is chaperoned when he attends church and that the church’s highest concern is for protecting children, one child is conspicuously absent from this concern – Mr. Sitler’s own son….” Continue reading →
Heidelminicast: Sub-Christian Nationalism (18)
Dr Clark continues evaluating the Statement on Christian Nationalism. Continue reading →
Blood In The Seine: French Christian Nationalism And The St. Bartholomew’s Day Massacre: Part 1
On August 22, 1572, Gaspard Comte de Coligny (1519–72), Admiral of France, bent to adjust his shoe or perhaps to open a letter. That unexpected movement saved his life. The bullet, fired by Charles de Louviers (d. 1583) from an upstairs window . . . Continue reading →
How To Respond To A World Gone Mad
What should Christians do when it seems the world has gone mad? Many believers in the West face that question daily. Action seems more effective than theological precision when dealing with the madness of crowds. Isn’t theological precision a luxury for when . . . Continue reading →
Stella Gets It
Have you noticed the social contagion destroying our private lives? Consider these toxic but all-too-common scenarios: A 19-year-old college student comes home and trashes her parents for their “whiteness.” A 33-year-old son tells his mother, “You’re dead to me,” because she supports . . . Continue reading →
The College Football Season Dawns: Values, Commitment, And Discipleship
We have only one day until the return of ESPN’s GameDay and football kickoff extravagances. I can still smell the freshly mown grass watered by the early morning dew, and feel salty sweat stinging eyes, and the total body ache and bruising . . . Continue reading →
Video: Planting A Church
Rev. Dr. Brian Lee joins Pastor Chris Gordon in the AGR studio. Rev. Lee worked in government in D.C. for many years and explains his transition from politics to the ministry. He and Pastor Gordon discuss the successes of church planting and take a closer look at the areas where the process could be improved. Continue reading →
Review: David Clarkson’s Prizing Public Worship Edited by Jonathan Landry Cruse
Unless one is a reader of the works of Peter Martyr Vermigli (1499–1562) or a student of modern Canadian Presbyterian history one might not know of Mariano DiGangi (1923–2008). One reason for his relative obscurity is because as minister of Tenth Presbyterian . . . Continue reading →
Calvin On Purity
Ever since God revealed himself Father to us, we must prove our ungratefulness to him if we did not in turn show ourselves his sons. Ever since Christ cleansed us with the washing of his blood, and imparted this cleansing through baptism, . . . Continue reading →
Heidelminicast Q&A: A Cappella Singing and Two Morning Services
In this episode Dr Clark talks about a cappella singing and two morning services Continue reading →
Rachel Shubin’s Analysis Of Wilson’s Pastoral Errors In Two Very Serious Cases (4)
“But I … I think it’s a reasonable restriction that he not reside with his wife and child, in the future, if in fact they have children.”—Judge Stegner Continue reading →
On The Question Of The Validity Of Lay Baptism
The laboring mother gave one last push and the baby emerged into the capable, experienced hands of the midwife. Infant mortality was high and the midwife knew it. She had seen too many babies that looked like this one die before they . . . Continue reading →
Heidelminicast Q&A: Baptism—A Sign and Seal, Federal Headship, and Republication
In this episode Dr Clark talks about baptism Continue reading →
Colquhoun: Republication Revealed Self-Righteousness
One reason, therefore, why the Lord displayed the law as a covenant of works* on Sinai was that self-righteous Israelites and all pharisaic professors to the end of time might see that as they have sinned and so have not performed perfect . . . Continue reading →
Luther: Hagar And Sarah Are About Law And Gospel
Therefore Paul separates the spiritual people of the new covenant from the Law when he says that this people is not the child of Hagar, who had a husband, but of Sarah, the free woman, who does not know the Law. In . . . Continue reading →