One of our graduates, a Reformed pastor and church planter in the Mediterranean region, pointed me today to a troubling blog. The Communion of Reformed Evangelical Churches (CREC) is planting congregations in Europe, exporting the FV to Europe, and attempting to recruit . . . Continue reading →
Covenant, Justification, and Pastoral Ministry
The Marrow of Modern Divinity on Republication
“Nomista: But, sir, were the children of Israel at this time better able to perform the condition of the covenant of works, than either Adam or any of the old patriarchs were, that God renewed it now with them, rather than before? . . . Continue reading →
What is True Faith?
Brannan is studying HC 21. This is part 1 of 3. Part 2. Part 3
Gerald Bray Critiques N. T. Wright
In a strongly-worded editorial in The Churchman. (HT: Marty Foord).
Helm Critiques Wright's Definition of Righteousness as Covenant Faithfulness
At Helm’s Deep.
Nick is Reading Fesko on Justification and Union
And he’s finding some interesting things in Calvin’s doctrine of justification.
The Marrow of Modern Divinity on the Covenant of Works
Todd is reading the Marrow and finding it strangely relevant.
Let's Swap Bank Accounts
Martin explains
The Heart of the Gospel (and Sola Scriptura Too)
The most recent WHI is (another) not-to-miss episode. Shane has conducted more NRB interviews. Some of them are what we’ve come to expect but some are surprising. You should hear them. Along the way the fellows made three terrific points. 1. The . . . Continue reading →
Works of the Law as Boundary Markers?
Have I not over-emphasised the social and national dynamic behind Paul’s language and seriously underplayed Paul’s analysis of the radical helplessness of the human situation and his concern for the salvation of the individual?” For my part, I have no desire to . . . Continue reading →
URCNA Study Committee Rejects FV (Updated)
UPDATE: Here is the URCNA Report At Synod Calgary (2004) Synod of the United Reformed Churches in North America, in response to a complaint over a sermon preached by a (now former) URCNA minister, adopted Three Points on justification on the basis of . . . Continue reading →
A Gentle Rebuke to Brother John (Updated)
UPDATE 12 October 2009 The remarks that follow highlight areas of significant disagreement so let me preface my remarks thus: I am thankful for the good work that John Piper has done. I’m most thankful for his clear and strong stand in . . . Continue reading →
Waters Reviews Wright’s Latest
At Ref21.
Five Arguments Against Future Justification Based on Works
By Rick Philips at Ref21. UPDATE 1 June 2009: Mark Jones responded to Phililips and Nick Batzig responded to Jones on this topic.
Calvin in the Hands of Anglican Revisers (1)
N. T. (Tom) Wright has published a new volume articulating again his proposed revision of the way Paul’s doctrine of justification should be understood. The volume is Justification: God’s Plan and Paul’s Vision (IVP Academic, 2009). In the preface he indicates that . . . Continue reading →
Blomberg on Wright and Christ's Obedience
Yesterday Craig Blomberg posted a strong endorsement of Tom Wright’s latest book. (Update: The more complete review is now online). I expect to review Wright’s historical claims about Calvin this summer. For now I want to focus on the significance of Blomberg’s . . . Continue reading →
Is Faith a Virtue?
David asks, I know that we would say that faith is an instrument whereby we receive Christ’s imputed righteousness, but is there some biblical or theological reason why we would not want to say that faith is also a virtue? Can’t faith . . . Continue reading →
Melchior Leydekker on the Covenant of Works
Because so many folk define “Dutch Reformed theology” as if it began in the early 19th century or in the early 20th century—one always wonders, “From where did those churches and people come?—it is too frequently claimed that the doctrine of “the . . . Continue reading →
Does Baptism "Save"?
Merrit asks this question: “Two friends and I have been talking about this verse (1 Peter 3:21) and passage for quite some time today. The more we seem to talk about it the more confused I seem to get about it.
Brakel on Justifying Faith
At the Reformed Reader