John Witherspoon is most famous for being the only clergyman to sign the Declaration of Independence. The most crucial part of that sentence is the recognition that Witherspoon was, from the age of 20 until his death at the age of 71, . . . Continue reading →
American Christianity
CRCNA Synod 2026: From Reformation to Further Reformation
“Brothers, there is reformation happening in the Christian Reformed Church in North America (CRC). And that is something that we ought to be thankful for.” This statement was not made at the Synod of the Christian Reformed Church in North America. It . . . Continue reading →
Samuel Davies (1723–61): Defender Of Religious Dissent Under The Established Pre-Revolutionary Church In America
Davies’ willingness to submit to the prevailing church-state arrangement should not be mistaken for passivity. He fought doggedly for the rights of non-conformists, arguing that the 1689 Act of Toleration, which protected dissenters in England, applied in the colonies. If dissenters like . . . Continue reading →
Machen: Are We Schismatics?
The grass withereth, the flower fadeth: but the word of our God shall stand forever.”—Isa. 40:8 When ought Christian people to withdraw from a church with which they have been connected and seek to lead other people to withdraw with them? That . . . Continue reading →
With D. G. Hart, T. David Gordon, And Presbycast On “A Presbyterian Church For Me”
Here is the audio only version: RESOURCES Subscribe To The Heidelblog! Download the HeidelApp on Apple App Store or Google Play Browse the Heidelshop! The Heidelblog Resource Page Heidelmedia Resources The Ecumenical Creeds The Reformed Confessions The Heidelberg Catechism The Heidelberg Catechism: . . . Continue reading →
A Word To The Reconquistadores (Or Why The CRC Is Not The PCUSA) (Part 2)
On September 10, 2020, the Calvin University newspaper, Chimes, reported that Neland Avenue Christian Reformed Church (CRC) had appointed a deacon who is in a same-sex marriage.1 It appeared that the CRC was about to take a dramatic step toward the so-called . . . Continue reading →
A Word To The Reconquistadores (Or Why The CRC Is Not The PCUSA) (Part 1)
There is a cadre of enthusiastic Gen-Z Presbyterians led by Richard Ackerman, a student at Dubuque Theological Seminary, who has announced plans to “reconquer” the Presbyterian Church U.S.A. (PCUSA) as part of a broader plan to take control of the mainline churches . . . Continue reading →
J. D. Hall Is Wrong Again
Tucker Carlson is at it again—platforming pro-Islamic claims that clash with reality. During a recent episode, Carlson interviewed JD Hall about Christian Zionism… At one point, Hall made the following assertion: The Ottomans didn’t charge churches tax. And so when the Ottomans . . . Continue reading →
One Mark Of Decline: Assuming The Gospel
You may have heard the story of the Mennonite Brethren movement. One particular analysis goes like this: the first generation believed and proclaimed the gospel and thought that there were certain social entailments. The next generation assumed the gospel and advocated the . . . Continue reading →
Presbyterian Signers Of The Declaration Of Independence
The almost mythical status the Declaration holds for many Americans is not the product of some twentieth-century PR spin either. From the beginning, whether from prescience or hubris, Americans believed that the founding of their new nation was an act of profound . . . Continue reading →
Contra Webbon et al.: Denying That Jesus Is A Jew Denies His True Humanity (Part 2)
Before the Apostles’ Creed was fully formed, the ancient postapostolic church confessed the “rule of faith” (regula fidei). One of the first places we see the rule is in Irenaeus’s Against Heresies, which dates to about AD 180. Book 1 included this . . . Continue reading →
Conversion To Rome And The Path To Power In DC
When Anika Smith moved to Washington, D.C., more than a decade ago, her first order of business was to find a church. She didn’t have a car, so she used the metro. Even with transportation challenges, she managed to visit about three . . . Continue reading →
Contra Webbon et al.: Denying That Jesus Is A Jew Denies His True Humanity (Part 1)
You may have likely heard or read something about Christian nationalism. Regular readers of this space will be familiar with this movement.1 As it exists in the USA, among those who identify as Reformed—whether they are actually Reformed is quite another question . . . Continue reading →
Heidelcast For March 15, 2026: On the State of Christianity and Black America with Wendell Talley
Dr. Clark and guest Wendell Talley give us a great overview of Christianity and the church in Black America, sharing their insights on its history and what’s happening now. Continue reading →
Good Mormon Families?
When discussing the success of Mormons, who prefer to be known as Latter Day Saints, in spreading their religion, people point to four points of persuasion: They have good families. They are nice people. They have had an intense religious experience. They . . . Continue reading →
Video: Reformed Pastors Give A Primer on Covenant Theology
Host Rev. Chris Gordon and guest Rev. Michael Brown unpack the fundamentals of Covenant Theology. They explore how God consistently interacts with humanity through covenants, starting with the Covenant of Works with Adam. The episode meticulously traces the devastating consequences of Adam’s . . . Continue reading →
In John’s Latitudinarian Garage
I do not know what is in your garage, but from time to time mine has become pretty cluttered, and stuff has to be pitched. What we keep and what we pitch says something about us. People have theological garages, too, in . . . Continue reading →
Review: The Search For Christian America By Mark A. Noll, Nathan O. Hatch, And George M. Marsden
Christians often mimic the tactics of non-Christians in the social and political realms. For example, the “cancel culture” found in legacy media and social media is also found in evangelical media and Christian social media. American politicians and pundits use scare tactics, . . . Continue reading →
Video: Reformed Pastors Discuss Why We Should Be Singing the Psalter
Join Pastor Chris Gordon and Pastor Peter Holtvlüwer in a discussion about Peter’s new Book series “Christ’s Psalms, Our Psalms” which shows how each psalm reveals the Saviour Jesus Christ, demonstrating the importance of the Psalter in our worship. They explore the . . . Continue reading →
Semper Reformanda: Apply Liberally
The Latin expression semper reformanda is frequently invoked but rarely understood. Baptists and Pentecostals invoke it to say that Reformed Christians should continue their journey to their traditions. That application reflects a misunderstanding of the original and true sense of semper reformanda. . . . Continue reading →