Although the term “covenant” (berith) is not used in Genesis to designate the original commitment that bound the newly created Adam to his creator, the essential features of later biblical covenants between God the covenant Lord and his people as his servant . . . Continue reading →
Covenant of Works
Luther: “Do This And Live” Is Ironic
For he who does them shall live by them . . . I take this passage as a general statement, like that saying of Christ (Luke 10:28): “Do this, and you will live,” so that it is a kind of irony or . . . Continue reading →
The Reformed Agree With Luther
As I have said, therefore, the statement of Moses, “Cursed be everyone who does not abide by all things, etc.,” is not contrary to Paul’s declaration that all who rely on works of the Law are under a curse. For Moses demands . . . Continue reading →
Luther: Only Christ Is The Savior
Therefore all hypocrites and idolaters try to do the works that properly pertain to the Deity and belong completely and solely to Christ. They do not actually say with their mouths: “I am God; I am Christ.” Yet in fact they arrogate . . . Continue reading →
Piper Is Wrong. Luther Is Right.
I tell you the truth, he who believes has everlasting life. John 6:47 One could preach a hundred thousand years about these words and emphasize them again and again. Yes, one can’t speak enough about these words. Here Christ explicitly promises eternal . . . Continue reading →
Luther: Reformation Basics—Good Works Follow Faith
Therefore we, being justified by faith, do good works, through which, as 2 Peter 1:10 says, our call and election are confirmed and made more certain day by day. But because we have only the first fruits of the Spirit and do . . . Continue reading →
Luther: Christ The Physician
We, on the other hand, teach and comfort an afflicted sinner this way: “Brother, it is impossible for you to become so righteous in this life that your body is as clear and spotless as the sun. You still have spots and . . . Continue reading →
Witsius Sharply Distinguished Between The Covenants of Works and Grace
For here I observe, that men of learning in other respects have stumbled, who, when explaining the nature of those Sacraments, too incautiously blend things belonging to a quite different covenant. Nothing is here to be brought in which does not belong . . . Continue reading →
Review: More Than Heaven: A Biblical Theological Argument for a Federal View of Glorification by T. Jeff Taylor
Even Reformed theology has continually grappled with the major question concerning the relationship between good works and our everlasting condition. Even some who reject the idea that our good works contribute to our final entry into glorification have argued that they play . . . Continue reading →
Heidelminicast: Witsius On The Differences Between The Covenants Of Works And Grace
These are some of our favorite Heidelquotes. Something to think about from the Heidelcast. If you are subscribed to the Heidelcast or the Heidelblog (see below) you will receive these episodes automatically. All the Episodes of the Heidelcast How To Subscribe To Heidelmedia . . . Continue reading →
Colquhoun On The Twofold Nature Of The Mosaic Covenant
The violated covenant of works, as I observed above, was not, and could not be, made or renewed with the Israelites at Sinai: for it was a broken covenant, and besides, it was a covenant between God and man as friends, whereas . . . Continue reading →
Natural Man And The Covenant Of Works
All natural and unregenerate men function entirely within the context of the covenant of works, and regardless of what their religious mindset may be, their singular objective is to be justified before God by their own merits and by the works of . . . Continue reading →
Ursinus Against The Antinomians, Libertines, And Similar Fanatics Who Deny That The Decalogue Is For Teaching in the Christian Church (Objection 9)
Obj. 9. That is not to be taught in the church which increases sin. The law increases sin. (Rom. 7:8.) Therefore, it is not to be taught. Ans. There is here a fallacy of accident in the minor proposition. The law increases . . . Continue reading →
Ursinus Against The Antinomians, Libertines, And Similar Fanatics Who Deny That The Decalogue Is For Teaching in the Christian Church (Objection 8)
Obj. 8. The law is the letter which killeth, and is the ministration of death and condemnation. (2 Cor. 3:6, 7.) But there is no condemnation to Christians. Therefore, the law does not have respect to Christians who are in Christ Jesus. . . . Continue reading →
Turretin: The Fruit Of Grace Is Works
In the first covenant [the Covenant of Works], faith was required as a work and a part of the inherent righteousness to which life was promised. But in the second [the Covenant of Grace], it is demanded―not as a work on account . . . Continue reading →
Tyndale: Justified And Beloved
Our good deeds do but testify only that we are justified and beloved. Continue reading →
The Covenant Of Works Engraven In Man’s Heart
The covenant of works, which may also be called a legal or natural covenant, is founded in nature, which by creation was pure and holy, and in the law of God, which in the first creation was engraven in man’s heart. For . . . Continue reading →
Heidelcast 219: Our Father (9): “Forgive Us Our Debts” (Plus Dr Clark Answers Heidelmail And Heideltexts)
In this episode Dr Clark answers Heidelmail from Kwan about what Acts 2:42 and signs and wonders, from Exile1986 about how to answer a child’s question about why we cannot see Jesus right now, and from Jerome about an expression in Dane . . . Continue reading →
Heidelminicast: Heidelberg Catechism 6: Did God Create Man Thus Wicked And Perverse?
The Heidelberg Catechism is one of the most beloved and well used catechisms to emerge from the sixteenth and seventeenth century Reformation. Published in its final form in 1563, the catechism has been used by millions of Christians to teach the faith . . . Continue reading →
Grace for Parents Of Prodigals
I will be a God to you and to your children… The promise is for you and for your children… As a dad of a prodigal adult child, I would like to remind myself and anyone who cares to read of a . . . Continue reading →