Author Archives: R. Scott Clark

About R. Scott Clark

R. Scott Clark is the President of the Heidelberg Reformation Association, the author and editor of, and contributor to several books and the author of many articles. He has taught church history and historical theology since 1997 at Westminster Seminary California. He has also taught at Wheaton College, Reformed Theological Seminary, and Concordia University. Read more» He has hosted the Heidelblog since 2007.

Coming in January 2010: Caspar Olevianus-Exposition of the Apostles' Creed

by on November 23, 2009 | 18 Comments

This is volume in the series, Classic Reformed Theology. This is Caspar Olevianus’ 1567 explanation of the Apostles’  Creed. This is the first -ever modern, English translation. Robert Letham says about this volume, “Caspar Olevianus is a significant theologian and his exposition . . . Continue reading →

Of Sacred Cows and Secret Societies

by on November 21, 2009 | 26 Comments

At the beginning of the Christian Reformed Church (CRCNA), in 1857, there were three great reasons given for  separating from the Reformed Church in America (RCA): the RCA sang hymns instead psalms, the RCA did not send children to Christian schools, and . . . Continue reading →

Now This is the Way It's Done

by on November 19, 2009 | 55 Comments

It’s one thing for consistories, sessions, presbyteries, classes, synods, and general assemblies to make statements against the Federal Vision (and the New Perspective(s) on Paul). Those were and are necessary and important preliminary steps but those statements must be followed with ecclesiastical . . . Continue reading →

Was the Covenant of Works Gracious?

by on November 18, 2009 | 72 Comments

It is widely held in the modern period that it was. To deny that strikes many today as absurd, as impossible. The 16th and 17th century Reformed writers were not so troubled by that idea since they had much less difficulty than . . . Continue reading →

Calvin on Psalm Singing in Worship

by on November 17, 2009 | 6 Comments

As for public prayers, there are two kinds: the one consists simply of speech, the other of song…And indeed, we know from experience that singing has great strength and power to move and to set on fire the hearts of men in . . . Continue reading →

The Family of Jesus on the Kingdom of God

by on November 16, 2009 | 1 Comment

From Eusebius’ Historia Ecclesiae 3.19-20: But when this same Domitian had commanded that the descendants of David should be slain, an ancient tradition says that some of the heretics brought accusation against the descendants of Jude (said to have been a brother . . . Continue reading →

Office Hours Special: The Law is Not of Faith

by on November 16, 2009 | 12 Comments

Thanks to David VanDrunen, John Fesko, and Brian Estelle for putting in some Office Hours this week as they sit down to discuss their book, The Law is Not of Faith. In this volume, my above-mentioned colleagues along with Mike Horton, Steve . . . Continue reading →

On Precision and Latitude

by on November 13, 2009 | 79 Comments

Over the last year or so there seems to have been a concerted effort to discredit any sort of “two-kingdoms” (or two-spheres) approach to Reformed ethics and this despite the long-history and pedigree in Reformed theology of distinguishing between the kingdom of . . . Continue reading →

Caspar Olevianus on "Final Justification" and "Spirit-Wrought Sanctity"

by on November 12, 2009 | 1 Comment

119 Q. Why the next article, “From thence He shall come to judge the living and the dead”? A. As a further encouragement to our faith. Christ sits in heaven at the right hand of the Father and exercises His royal power . . . Continue reading →

RCA Prof Predicts Demise of the RCA (and the CRC)

by on November 11, 2009 | 13 Comments

Donald A. Luidens is a sociology prof at Hope College and he’s written a provocative and interesting essay in Perspectives: A Journal of Reformed Thought (which I think is descended from the old Reformed Journal) in which he argues that loss of . . . Continue reading →