Federal Vision

"Sola Fides" is not Sola Fide

by on November 21, 2013 | 11 Comments

I’m reading Rowan Williams on Arius. Early in the book he uses the expression “sola fides.” In context, he seems to be making an indirect reference to the Protestant doctrine of sola fide. I’ve seen this in other writers. When I first noticed . . . Continue reading →

Contra Leithart: No, The Reformation Isn’t Over

Before You Reject At Least Understand It

by on November 8, 2013 | 55 Comments

In a post on the First Things blog today, Peter Leithart declares the “End of Protestantism.” It’s not at all clear, however, that he understands what he wants to end. He begins with a sociological observation about contemporary English non-conformists and uses . . . Continue reading →

Striking At The Vitals Of Religion: Understanding The Federal Vision (Links Updated)

by on November 8, 2013 | 17 Comments

Enough time has passed since the FV matter was addressed decisively, ecclesiastically, in 2007, that not everyone may be equally aware of what it is and why it matters. Here are some resources: Covenant, Justification, and Pastoral Ministry: Essays by the Faculty . . . Continue reading →

ARP: The FV Is Unacceptable

by on November 8, 2013 | 2 Comments

The “New Perspective on Paul,” and the “Federal Vision,” are in conflict with the teaching of Scripture and as such they are unacceptable. The Synod of the Associate Reformed Presbyterian Church (2009) RESOURCES Subscribe To The Heidelblog! The Heidelblog Resource Page Heidelmedia . . . Continue reading →

For Those Just Tuning In: What Is The Federal Vision?

by on November 8, 2013 | 6 Comments

In talk radio, the host is supposed to “reset” the show at regular intervals. He is to remind listeners of which show they are listening to and on what network or station. One reason why the host does this is that some . . . Continue reading →

For Elders Thinking Of Inviting Arminius Into Their Pulpit

by on November 6, 2013 | 42 Comments

From the time he entered the pastoral ministry, James Arminius (c. 1559–1609) was a controversial figure but he was also a minister in good standing in the Reformed Churches. Despite the intense controversy that his views and teaching generated, views that fractured . . . Continue reading →

A Response To Rachel Held Evans Regarding Wilson And The Definition Of “Reformed”

by on October 30, 2013 | 9 Comments

Jonathan Merritt published a critique of Doug Wilson this morning on his Religion News Service. For younger readers, who might not remember the Federal Vision (FV) controversy, Wilson is the leader of the de facto denominational home of the FV, the Communion of . . . Continue reading →

Jonestown and the Reformed Movement

by on July 13, 2013 | 2 Comments

On 18 November 1978, more than 900 people died in “Jonestown,” Guyana in one of the most spectacular examples in modern times of the danger of cults and sects.  Jonestown was a settlement on the northeast coast of an ignored South American . . . Continue reading →

When Denoms Disappoint: Setting Priorities (UPDATED)

by on July 9, 2013 | 46 Comments

UPDATE Below 7/9/13 Original Post July 2, 2013 On June 20, 2013 the General Synod of the Reformed Church in America, the mainline (liberal) and oldest Dutch Reformed denomination in the US removed the “conscience clause” from its Book of Church Order. . . . Continue reading →

Not The Complaint But The Record

by on July 7, 2013 | 1 Comment

Our dissent finds fault with the framing of the SJC’s Statement of the Issue, “Did the Complainant demonstrate…?” The Complaint was not dependent upon evidentiary sufficiency but on the Record of the Case (ROC). The correct Statement of the Issue would be: . . . Continue reading →

Is Faith a Work?

by on June 19, 2013 | 40 Comments

The question comes (paraphrasing): Since Scripture says, “believe,” (e.g. Acts 16:31) it seems that we are commanded to believe. If the command to believe is an imperative and an imperative is “law,” and if the answer to the command “believe” is faith, . . . Continue reading →