It must be observed, however, that the teachings and prescriptions of Scripture are not confined by the Confession to what is “expressly set down in Scripture.” Men are required to believe and to obey not only what is “expressly set down in . . . Continue reading →
Author Archives: Jacob Aitken
Review: Histories And Fallacies By Carl Trueman
As advocates of the Presuppositional approach to apologetics remind us ad infinitum, no one is neutral epistemologically. That is true enough. We must not, however, draw the fallacious inference that no one is objective. That does not follow. In Histories and Fallacies . . . Continue reading →
Review: Michael Horton, Theology for Pilgrims on the Way
In Tolkien’s Two Towers Gimli, Aragorn, and Legolas attack a white-clad old man, thinking him Saruman. Realizing their error, they apologize to Gandalf saying, “We thought you were Saruman.” Gandalf says, “I am Saruman, or rather Saruman as he should have been.” . . . Continue reading →
A Review Of J. H. Heidegger, Concise Marrow of Theology
“These are the guys in your footnotes.” That is a good way to describe “Classic Reformed Theology.” If one peruses a manual Heppe or reads Richard Muller, he will come across names such as Heidegger, Cocceius, and Olevianus. If he then tries . . . Continue reading →
Review: Caspar Olevianus, Exposition Of The Apostles’ Creed
Because this book is an exposition of the Apostles’ Creed, it serves as an excellent introduction to the Christian faith. Because this exposition is by Caspar Olevianus, it also serves as an excellent introduction to Reformed theology, focusing not on predestination, as . . . Continue reading →
A Sketch of the Christian’s Catechism (Ames)
William Ames (1576-1633) plays several crucial roles in the transmission and development of Reformed Orthodoxy. As a student of William Perkins, he carried forward Perkins’ strong Reformed theology. At the same time, Ames ministered among leading theologians in the Netherlands, combining both . . . Continue reading →
Review: Guy Richard’s Baptism: Answers To Common Questions
One often hears the refrain, “Doctrine is not practical,” and many Reformed folk might protest, but of all the doctrines, we can agree that baptism is the most practical. When my own daughter was born, I knew I needed to have a . . . Continue reading →
Review: Redmond, God of the Mundane: Reflections On Life For Ordinary People
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 →
How Thomas Reid Saved My Sanity
The World Was Made To Be Known And You Were Made To Know It
In 2007, I returned home after a few years at seminary thinking I knew the basics of apologetics and theology, so I decided to put my knowledge to use. What I soon found out, however, was that I had bought into the . . . Continue reading →
Review: Five Things Theologians Wish Biblical Scholars Knew
Hans Boersma, Five Things Theologians Wish Biblical Scholars Knew (Downers Grove, IL, InterVarsityPress, 2021). Introduction The idea behind this book is good. The author is right to say that no one approaches the biblical text without a prior commitment to metaphysics. Nevertheless, . . . Continue reading →