It is the habit of some of our Particular Baptist friends to imply, suggest, or even to say plainly that the great English Reformed theologian John Owen (1616–1683) was practically Baptist in his covenant theology.1 He is arguably one of the greatest theologians . . . Continue reading →
Whether Calvin was a covenant theologian has been a matter of considerable confusion and controversy in modern Calvin studies. The answer to this question has usually been determined by whether one considers the rise of covenant theology a positive or negative development, . . . Continue reading →
I am in the midst of an interesting discussion of baptism with a friend. This friend has Baptist convictions, yet he understands Reformed theology better than many of the Reformed. He is quite sympathetic to historic and confessional Reformed theology. For example, . . . Continue reading →
Late last month I had the pleasure of talking with Pete and Nick from the Guilt, Grace, Gratitude podcast about the covenant of redemption. This is an important, if neglected, aspect of Reformed theology. From all eternity the Father, Son, and Spirit . . . Continue reading →
It is exciting to discover what are sometimes called “the doctrines of grace,” i.e., the teaching that even though by nature we are dead in sins and trespasses, we came to faith because God loved us in Christ from all eternity and . . . Continue reading →
Abounding Grace Radio exists to make known the riches of God’s grace to sinners in Christ. We confess the great Protestant doctrines of salvation sola gratia (by grace alone), sola fide (through faith alone). With the ancient Christian fathers Barnabas (AD 120), Justin . . . Continue reading →
Introduction There are varieties of Dispensationalism, e.g., classic (Darby, Scofield), modified (Chafer, Ryrie), and progressive (Bock, Blaising). To be sure there are varieties of covenant theology, e.g., classic e.g., that taught in the classical period that taught the covenant of redemption (pactum . . . Continue reading →
The Patristic Period One of the earliest concerns of the Christian church, beginning with the apostles and intensifying through the patristic and medieval periods, was that those who profess the Christian faith should live in a way befitting their profession of faith. . . . Continue reading →
Introduction There is no question among orthodox, i.e., confessional, Reformed folk whether good works are necessary as a consequence, evidence, and a fruit of justification and sanctification by grace alone, through faith alone. There is no question whether God’s moral law, whether summarized in . . . Continue reading →
Course Description An introduction to Reformed federal or covenant theology. The course surveys the historical-theological development of covenant theology, its exegetical foundations, and systematic-theological consequences. Fall Semester. 2 Credits. Course Goals —Academic Goal: To enable the student to understand and discuss intelligently the . . . Continue reading →
[as published in J. L. Schaver, The Polity of the Churches, 3rd edn (Chicago: Church Polity Press, 1947), 2.34–37] A. Infra- or Supralapsarianism In regard to the first point, infra- or supralapsarianism, Synod declares: that our Confessional Standards admittedly follow the infralapsarian . . . Continue reading →
R. Scott Clark, “Baptism and the Benefits of Christ” —— ed. Covenant, Justification, and Pastoral Ministry ——Baptism, Election, and the Covenant of Grace. ——Caspar Olevian and the Substance of the Covenant. Michael Horton, Introducing Covenant Theology ——Covenant and Eschatology. ——Lord and Servant . . . Continue reading →
Edited by and some translations by R. Scott Clark On Law and Gospel On the Covenant of Redemption (pactum salutis) On the Covenant of Works (foedus operum) On the Covenant of Grace (foedus gratiae) On Justification On Union with Christ On the . . . Continue reading →
1. Prolegómenos La teología del Pacto estructura la totalidad de la revelación Bíblica. La forma de los pactos revelados en la Escritura se tomó prestada del mundo antiguo del cercano oriente, se acomoda a él, y debe ser entendida en ese contexto. . . . Continue reading →
1. Prolegomena Covenant theology structures all of Biblical revelation. The form of the covenants revealed in Scripture was borrowed from and is accommodated to the ancient near eastern world and must be understood in that context. Covenant is the most coherent explanation . . . Continue reading →
Arguably two of the issues that separate confessional Reformed folk from their Baptist friends are the Sabbath and Baptism. For many Baptists (but not all—there are confessional Baptists who agree with the Reformed on the Sabbath) it is a given that the . . . Continue reading →
Sometime back the question was raised: We know that there are at least two categories of people within Scripture, the elect, and the non-elect. However, it might be apparent that there is a third class of people, those who have taken the . . . Continue reading →
NOTE: This document is posted here for historical interest and research only. This document was published in April, 2006 and provoked considerable discussion in conservative Presbyterian and Reformed world in connection to the Federal Vision controversy. Since that time the original publication . . . Continue reading →
Introduction The roots of Reformed covenant theology are as deep as the Christian revelation and tradition is old. Its importance to the Reformed faith cannot be overstated. The great Princeton theologian, B. B. Warfield called federal (covenant) theology, “architectonic principle” of the . . . Continue reading →