The presbyter is the same as the bishop, and before parties had been raised up in religion by the provocations of Satan, the churches were governed by the Senate of the presbyters. But as each one sought to appropriate to himself those . . . Continue reading →
Church History
Fifth-Century Church: Instruments Were For Moses
Q: If songs were invented by unbelievers with a design of deceiving, and were appointed for those under the law, because of the childishness of their minds, why do they who have received the perfect instructions of grace, which are most contrary . . . Continue reading →
Schaff: There Was Opposition To The Organ At The Council Of Trent
The Latin church introduced it pretty generally, but not without the protest of eminent men, so that even in the Council of Trent a motion was made, though not carried, to prohibit the organ at least in the mass. The Lutheran church . . . Continue reading →
The Difference Between Sola Scriptura And Biblicism
The Reformation solas (by grace alone, through faith alone, according to Scripture alone) are not well understood today. Yesterday, however, was the anniversary of Luther’s famous declaration at the Diet of Worms. Although already under ban for his teachings, Charles V had promised . . . Continue reading →
The Three Points Of Synod Kalamazoo (1924)
Synod, having considered that part of the Advice of the Committee in General which is found in point III under the head: Treatment of the Three Points, comes to the following conclusions The First Point Concerning the first point, touching the favorable . . . Continue reading →
Godfrey On The Crusades
Cincinnati Conference: Reformed In America Feb 5–6 2015
Two NAPARC congregations in Cincinnati are hosting a conference on the history of the Reformed and Presbyterian traditions in America. Good Shepherd OPC and Westside Reformed Church (URCNA) have invited Rev. Dr. Alan Strange and Dr. Darryl G. Hart to address this . . . Continue reading →
Nicene-Constantinopolitan Creed
We believe in one God, the Father Almighty, Maker of heaven and earth, and of all things visible and invisible. And in one Lord Jesus Christ, the only-begotten Son of God, begotten of the Father before all worlds; God of God, Light . . . Continue reading →
A Seventh-Century Opinion On Every-Member Ministry
It does not befit a layman to dispute or teach publicly, thus claiming for himself authority to teach, but he should yield to the order appointed by the Lord, and to open his ears to those who have received the grace to . . . Continue reading →
Apostles’ Creed
1. I believe in God the Father Almighty, Maker of heaven and earth. 2. And in Jesus Christ his only begotten Son, our Lord. 3. Who was conceived by the Holy Spirit, born of the Virgin Mary. 4. Suffered under Ponce Pilate, . . . Continue reading →
Coming Soon: The Acts And Documents Of The National Synod Of Dort
Thanks to the good work of Donald Sinnema, Christian Moser, and Herman Selderhuis (series editor), volume 1 a modern edition of Latin text of the Acts of the National Synod of Dort (Acta et Documenta Synodi Nationalis Dordrechtanae (1618–1619)) is scheduled to . . . Continue reading →
Definition Of Chalcedon
We, then, following the holy Fathers, all with one consent, teach men to confess one and the same Son, our Lord Jesus Christ, the same perfect in Godhead and also perfect in manhood; truly God and truly man, of a rational soul . . . Continue reading →
Athanasian Creed
1. Whosoever will be saved: before all things it is necessary that he hold the catholic faith: 2. Which faith except every one do keep whole and undefiled: without doubt he shall perish everlastingly. 3. And the catholic faith is this: That . . . Continue reading →
Melville: Two Kings, Two Kingdoms
Sir, we will always humbly reverence your majesty in public; but since we have this occasion to be with your majesty in private, and since you are brought in extreme danger both of your life and crown, and along with you the . . . Continue reading →
Sectarians: Socinians, Arminians, And Pietists
By the end of the seventeenth century, there was a sense that sectarian groups – a list that included Socinians and Arminians, as well as Pietists — were increasingly establishing themselves throughout Europe to the detriment of true Christianity. As Elisée Géraud . . . Continue reading →
The Long Struggle To Reform Dutch Reformed Worship
As we saw several synods in the 16th century and the National Synod of Dordtrecht in 1619 decided that only Datheen’s psalms were allowed in worship. On this ground it has many times been asserted that Calvinists in the Netherlands did sing . . . Continue reading →
The Church Fathers Reject Instrumental Music In Public Worship
…there are many passing references to music scattered throughout the writings of the Fathers. Most of the passages deal with psalmody and vocal music, but a few are concerned with musical instruments. The authors of these passages were almost unanimous in rejecting . . . Continue reading →
Psalms, Hymns, Spiritual Songs, and Instruments In The Latin Bibles (2)
The Latin Bible was a major formative influence on the way the Reformed theologians interpreted Scripture. The King James Version/Authorized Version (1611) particularly reflects the influence of the Latin Bible but its influence reverberates in many English translations. It influenced their word . . . Continue reading →
Aquinas: The Use Of Instruments In Public Worship Is Judaizing
Obj. 4. Further, In the Old Law God was praised with musical instruments and human song, according to Ps. 32:2, 3: “Give praise to the Lord on the harp, sing to Him with the psaltery, the instrument of ten strings. Sing to . . . Continue reading →
Psalms, Hymns, Spiritual Songs, and Instruments In The Latin Bibles
We Reformed folk like to think that what we do now in public worship is what we have always done. This is especially easy to do when we are cut off from or unaware of the original sources and practices of our . . . Continue reading →