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The Entire AGR Romans Series So Far
Author Archives: R. Scott Clark
Canons Of Dort (7): God Graciously Chose His Elect Out Of The Mass Of Fallen Humanity
The Synod of Dort gathered for several reasons but among them two were chief: to defend basic Augustinian anti-Pelagian theology and preserve the Protestant Reformation doctrines of salvation by grace alone (sola gratia), through faith alone (sola fide). They Reformed churches from . . . Continue reading →
AGR On Romans: The Power of God For Salvation (8)
Romans is one of the greatest resources available to the Christian faith and life. Written in the mid-to late AD 50s to the congregation in Rome, Paul sent this pastoral letter to make clear the gospel, that salvation is from the Lord, . . . Continue reading →
It Takes Time To Become Reformed
Anything worth doing takes time. Malcom Gladwell says it takes 10,000 hours to really master a significant skill. Whether that is true in every instance is open to debate but common experience tells us that valuable skills are are not usually gained . . . Continue reading →
A Significant Potential Threat To American Religious Liberty
Remember The “Lemon Test”?
This change in Section 512(a)(7) taxes nonprofit organizations – including houses of worship – for the cost of parking and transit benefits provided to employees. This significant change in the treatment of charitable organizations will require many nonprofit organizations to file federal . . . Continue reading →
Canons Of Dort (6): God Is The Cause Of Salvation But Not Of Reprobation
Perhaps the most fundamental complaint of the Remonstrants against Reformed theology, the concern that most animated Arminius’ desire to revise Reformed theology, was the charge that the Reformed view makes God the author of evil. In his desire to fix this problem . . . Continue reading →
On Sale Now For Cyber Monday: On Being Reformed E-Book $15.00
You have been thinking about getting this book but have been hesitating because of the price. Hesitate no longer. Now through Cyber Monday, the e-book version of On Being Reformed is on sale for $15.00, a savings of $34.99.
Calvin On Thanksgiving
It ought to be particularly noticed, that it is no ordinary token of gratitude which he promises, but such as God required for rare blessings; namely, that the faithful should come into his sanctuary, and there bear solemn testimony to the grace . . . Continue reading →
Canons Of Dort (5): God Ordains Means To Call His Elect
The first thing that the Reformed churches said in response to the Remonstrants, whom the Reformed saw as seeking to take the churches back toward the medieval system of salvation by grace and our cooperation with grace, was, in effect, “we are too sinful to be saved by any other way than by God’s unconditional favor” (sola gratia). The second thing that the Reformed did in response to the Remonstrants was to quote two passages: 1 John 1:9 and John 3:16. Continue reading →
Is Calvinism “Rigid”?
In an introductory essay on the life and work of Charles Grandison Finney (1792–1875), the writer contrasts his approach to evangelism with that of the Calvinists in the same period. The essay is attributed to the editors of Christian History magazine. They . . . Continue reading →
Q&A: Are There Limits To Male Headship?
Recently I received an email at The Heidelblog from Katie with the following question: I’m getting a lot of stick from my guy friends. They say that I should always submit to their lead and that this is biblical. I tell them that . . . Continue reading →
AGR On Romans: The Power of God For Salvation (7)
Romans is one of the greatest resources available to the Christian faith and life. Written in the mid-to late AD 50s to the congregation in Rome, Paul sent this pastoral letter to make clear the gospel, that salvation is from the Lord, . . . Continue reading →
Reformed Worship Is For Pilgrims
One of the several challenges faced by those who are moving from outside the Reformed churches to inside the Reformed churches is the transition from, e.g., worship in the broader evangelical world to worship as the Reformed churches understand it. Underneath the . . . Continue reading →
With NoCo Radio On Reformation 101: Law And Gospel
It is always fun to talk with my fellow Cornhusker Mike Abendroth, pastor of Senior Pastor at Bethlehem Bible Church in West Boylston, MA, where he’s been since 1997. He’s the author of several books and is presently preaching through the book . . . Continue reading →
What Is The Gospel?
Years ago I remember hearing an elder say that if my sermon could be accepted in a Jewish synagogue then it is not a distinctively Christian sermon. I’ve thought a lot about that over the years. What makes Christian sermons distinctively Christian? . . . Continue reading →
Angela Moved From Münster To Geneva
Maybe you’ve experienced one of these churches? Satellite campuses galore, a magnetic personality preaching on a big screen, Sunday Schools, Life Groups, rock climbing walls, an oil change ministry—the whole shebang. There was a service to suit every musical taste, and a . . . Continue reading →
Is Persisting Sin Our Identity And May We Offer It To God?
A complex question came over the electronic transom this morning. It has at least two parts: (1) Is persistent sin (e.g., sexual sin or desire) our identity, who we are; (2) Does the Lord want us to offer this sin to him? . . . Continue reading →
One Practical Benefit Of Remembering The Synod Of Dort
Eight years ago my colleague at Abounding Grace Radio, Chris Gordon, wrote some important essays calling attention to the parallels between contemporary Federal Vision movement and the Arminian movement at the Synod of Dort. He was quite right to do so. Following . . . Continue reading →
Romans: The Power Of God For Salvation (6)
Romans is one of the greatest resources available to the Christian faith and life. Written in the mid-to late AD 50s to the congregation in Rome, Paul sent this pastoral letter to make clear the gospel, that salvation is from the Lord, . . . Continue reading →
The Blessedness Of The Margins
The margins of a screen or a piece of notebook paper are the spaces between the very edge and the area where we are allowed to write. There are also social and cultural margins. Some institutions in society are right in the . . . Continue reading →