It’s probably a dated image but I remember door-to-door salesmen. Today salesmen are more likely to come round via phone, email, or pop-up ads. I guess they still come round but things have changed enough that it’s just a little unnerving to . . . Continue reading →
Covenant, Justification, and Pastoral Ministry
Office Hours: But Through Faith Alone-Guy Waters on the NPP and the FV
The latest episode of Office Hours is up and it is a discussion with Prof. Guy Waters about the nature of the New Perspectives on Paul and the nature of the self-described “Federal Vision,” movement. We talk about what Paul really said . . . Continue reading →
The URCNA Justification Report Stands
More good news from the floor of the synod of the URCNA. Despite the pre-synod opposition from a few sources (e.g., Nampa, ID) the justification report was not only strengthened by synod but it also passed without audible dissent. Apparently the body . . . Continue reading →
The Nine Points Stand!
Thanks to our reporter at synod in London, Ontario we learn that the Nine Points of Pastoral Advice, adopted by Synod 2007, will remain force. The appeal brought by the consistory of Hills URCNA (on procedural grounds) was rejected. Synod 2007 acted . . . Continue reading →
A Less Famous Hero
The Rev Mr Arthur Kuschke is not the most well-known hero of Reformed theology, piety, and practice. There’s a high probability that you have never heard of him but despite his relative anonymity (some in the OPC and WTS will know his . . . Continue reading →
Beach Replies to Nampa (Pt 2)
…Nampa here (inadvertently) makes the Study Committee’s point for it by presenting materials that illustrate FV ambiguities and theological haze the FV spreads. First, we meet FV statements that report that baptism and covenantal membership constitute nothing short of divine salvation and . . . Continue reading →
Putting Existential Union with Christ into Perspective
Darryl does it nicely. John Owen is very helpful here in his Greater Catechism (1645) where he makes (existential) union with Christ one of the benefits of faith.
N. T. Wright to Speak at Redeemer NYC (Updated)
UPDATE A PCA Ruling Elder in NYC reviews Wright’s appearance and raises some of the same concerns that I raised about the wisdom of Redeemer inviting NTW to speak at Redeemer NYC. Original Post 25 Mar 2010 He’s appearing under the auspices . . . Continue reading →
Saved By His Life
More good stuff from WSC alumnus Josh Martin.
Lutheran or Reformed? You Make the Call (UPDATED)
The answer: This Q/A was written by the Reformed theologian Caspar Olevianus (1536-87), who cooperated in the production of the Heidelberg Catechism (1563), who taught and ministered in Heidelberg and Herborn. The quotation is question 10 from his 1567 popular catechetical work, . . . Continue reading →
Federal Vision Error #8: Denying An Essential Protestant Distinction
Wes White continues his analysis of the Joint Federal Vision Statement from 2007 (content no longer available). The latest post is on their denial of the Protestant distinction between law and gospel. It is a good indicator of the prevailing theological, hermeneutical, . . . Continue reading →
It Takes One to Know One
Wes White is a penitent ex-federal visionary. He’s engaged in a serious struggle in his PCA presbytery with Federal Visionists and they’ve pulled out all the stops to try to shut him up by complaining in the courts of the church against . . . Continue reading →
Romans 2:13 and the Covenant of Works
It has been suggested in recent years that the true sense of Rom 2:13 is that it intends to say that there are two stages to justification, an initial justification by grace alone, through faith alone, in Christ alone and an alleged . . . Continue reading →
A Ruling Elder Pleads on Behalf of the Flock
One of the many excellent points that Lane Keister made in our recent Heidelcast interview is that at the heart of the FV controversy is the well-being and safety of the sheep. Hitherto it has too often seemed as if the under-shepherds . . . Continue reading →
The Struggle Against the FV on the Ground in the PCA (Updated)
The 2007 GA decision against the FV was just the first phase of the struggle. It was the air campaign but wars are won on the ground and the ground war over the Federal Vision seems to be heating up. Lane Keister . . . Continue reading →
Baptism is Not Faith: Reformed Theology v the Federal Vision
Thanks to Shane for reminding us why we should expend the energy to oppose the Federal Vision of baptismal union with Christ. In contrast, Reformed theology is neither sacerdotalist, nor quasi-sacerdotalist, nor mere sacramentarianism.
Tabletalk Takes on the New Perspective(s)
The latest issue of Tabletalk (Feb, 2010) devoted to answering the question: “What N.T. Wright Really Said” as it looks at the controversy surrounding N.T. Wright and the doctrine of justification. Tabletalk is a devotional magazine of substance featuring a remarkable array . . . Continue reading →
It’s Déjà Vu All Over Again: Keister Refutes Moon
Ever had a déjà vu experience? Ever had a déjà vu experience? Ever had a déjà vu experience? Ever had a déjà vu experience? This is the experience I’ve been having watching the discussion concerning the Federal Vision in the PCA Siouxlands Presbytery. I’ve been having . . . Continue reading →
What’s Going On in the Siouxlands Presbytery (PCA)? Updated
Update 29 Jan 2010 Wes White re-publishes the 2007 rejection of the FV by Siouxlands Presbytery. UPDATE 26 Jan 2010. Wes White has the latest including his protest against the finding that there is no strong presumption of guilt in the teaching . . . Continue reading →
On Defining Conservatives, Liberals, Latitudinarians, and Good Behavior
Pastor (Teaching Elder) Brian Carpenter has an update about the FV controversy in the Siouxlands Presbytery (PCA). In two PCA presbyteries men are doing the hard work that needs to be done for the sake of the peace and purity of the . . . Continue reading →