The Reformed understanding of Scripture is that believers are as justified and saved now as we will be at the judgment. There are not two stages of justification, initial and final. Rather, we distinguish between justification and vindication. At the judgment it . . . Continue reading →
Catechism
Distinguishing Is Not Diminishing
Distinguishing justification and sanctification does not make the second less important or nonessential, but if we do not distinguish them, we will lose the gospel of free grace and as Christians come to think of our standing with God as contingent on . . . Continue reading →
When We Assent To The Faith We Are Agreeing That God Has Come To Us In Christ
True faith rests in God as he has revealed himself, in Christ the Word of God incarnate, and in Holy Scripture, the inspired, infallible word of God written. When we give assent to the Christian faith, we are giving assent to concrete . . . Continue reading →
Video: The Heidelberg Catechism: Theology, Piety & Practice with Dr. R. Scott Clark
Rev. Chris Gordon welcomes his dear friend, Dr. R. Scott Clark, to the studio to discuss Dr. Clark’s new book, The Heidelberg Catechism: A Historical, Theological, Pastoral Commentary. The book reflects on the catechism’s theology, piety, and practice and offers commentary on . . . Continue reading →
Video: R. Scott Clark Talks With Kevin DeYoung About His New Book, The Heidelberg Catechism
R. Scott Clark chats with Kevin DeYoung about his new book: The Heidelberg Catechism: A Historical, Theological, & Pastoral Commentary. Continue reading →
Video: R. Scott Clark’s Monumental New Heidelberg Commentary
R. Scott Clark chats with the Presbycast about his new book: The Heidelberg Catechism: A Historical, Theological, & Pastoral Commentary. Continue reading →
A Review Of The New Anglican Catechism And What It Says About The State Of Anglicanism
As I emerged out of Southern Baptist evangelicalism in 1980–81 John Stott and J. I. Packer were two of the most influential writers in my journey out of Baptist evangelicalism. Hitherto my theological staples had been things on the order of Navigators Bible study materials and Rosalind Rinker’s book on hearing voices from God. I am not entirely sure how I found Stott’s Basic Christianity and Packer’s Evangelism and the Sovereignty of God. Back then we had a Christian bookstore downtown, where I mostly bought contemporary Christian records (e.g., Larry Norman and Barry McGuire). Perhaps the manager directed me to them? Those books were a Godsend. They were thoughtful, intelligent, gracious and thoroughly evangelical in the best sense of the word. They were gospel books. They pointed me away from myself and my experience and toward Christ. In the summer of 1981 Packer’s Knowing God was a major influence in my embrace of Reformed theology, piety, and practice. Continue reading →
Video: What’s the Difference Between Covenant Theology And Dispensationalism?
What are some of the differences between Covenant Theology and Dispensationalism? Why are there so many debates over Covenant Theology? Dr. Harrison Perkins joins Pastor Adriel Sanchez to discuss some of themes in his two recent books, Reformed Covenant Theology: A Systematic . . . Continue reading →
Video: Righteous by Design and Created for Communion
In this rich theological conversation, Camden Bucey welcomes Dr. Harrison Perkins—pastor, scholar, and author—to discuss his two latest books: Righteous by Design: Covenantal Merit and Adam’s Original Integrity (Christian Focus) and Created for Communion with God: The Promise of Genesis 1–2 (Lexham . . . Continue reading →
Video: Ascension, Mystery, And Benefits (Heidelberg Catechism Lord’s Day 18)
This video is from the evening worship service at New Life Presbyterian Church of La Mesa on May 4, 2025. Continue reading →
New Edition Of Ursinus’ On The Catechism
This new edition from the Reformed Free Publishing Association is a welcome sight, especially since the commentary been out of print for a few years. Compared to the earlier P & R reprint of the 1852 American publication, this edition is freshly . . . Continue reading →
Video: Creeds, Confessions, And The Catechism
Reverend Bill Boekestein joins Chris Gordon to discuss the importance of creeds and confessions and introduce his new devotional book titled Glorifying And Enjoying God. Continue reading →
Luther On The First Commandment
You shall have no other gods. 1 What this means: You shall have Me alone as your God. What is the meaning of this, and how is it to be understood? What does it mean to have a god? Or, what is . . . Continue reading →
The Catechism Was Meant To Be Heard More Than Read
This year on the Heidelcast the HRA has been releasing an audio version of one question and answer of the Heidelberg Catechism daily 6 days a week. The first reason that we are doing this is to get the catechism into peoples ears, heads, and . . . Continue reading →
If It Was True Then, How Much More Now?
…it should, I think, be made much harder than it now is to enter the Church: the confession of faith that is required should be a credible confession; and if it becomes evident upon examination that a candidate has no notion of . . . Continue reading →
Why We Memorize The Catechism
Both children and parents in Reformed congregations often ask, “Why must we (or our children) memorize the catechism? If they must memorize anything at all, should they not memorize Holy Scripture instead?” These are fair questions, but they rest on dubious premises. Continue reading →
4,251 Hours To Become A Christian
In the wake of the publication of Malcolm Gladwell’s 2008 book, Outliers, there was much discussion of his 10,000 hours rule, i.e., his claim that it takes 10,000 hours of practice to master something. Since that time, however, there’s been reaction and . . . Continue reading →
Unexpected Problems In Catechesis
Santa Claus is not part of the Christmas celebration in our family, but since it is part of the broader culture, we have told our kids that Santa is a fun pretend person. A problem arose when our literal-minded eldest daughter went . . . Continue reading →
Candychism
Years ago Leonard Coppes wrote an essay in the OPC magazine, New Horizons, on catechizing children. He called it “candychism.” In it he advocated rewarding children who memorize a catechism question and answer. To anticipate a frequent objection: No this isn’t crass . . . Continue reading →
Divorcing Doctrine From Scripture
Dear Pithius, Our dear boy, you quite misunderstand the problem. So long as Christians continue to understand the Book to contain truths, claims about the way things really are, about the enemy, about Him-who-ought-not-be-named, about His Paraclete, about humans as contracting with . . . Continue reading →