We all naturally hold to the article of justification expressed in the Council of Trent, Continue reading
Five Solas
Perkins On “The Exclusive Particle”
Throughout his works Perkins objected to the idea that one was justified by a mixed faith. On the contrary, faith was to be regarded as an instrument “to apprehend and apply that which justifies, namely, Christ and His obedience.” Perkins saw justifying . . . Continue reading →
A Timely Reminder: James 2:24 Does Not Teach Justification Before God By Works
“You see that a person is justified by works and not by faith alone.”— James 2:24 It’s not uncommon to hear some people appeal to James 2:24 in order to argue that God saves people by faith plus works. In particular, some . . . Continue reading →
Owen: The Loss Of Justification Sola Fide Leads To Rome Or Atheism
I shall take the boldness, therefore, to say, whoever be offended by it, that if we lose the ancient doctrine of justification
Heidelcast 205—What Must A Christian Believe? (21): The Forgiveness Of Sins (3)
This is episode 21 in the series, What Must A Christian Believe? In our survey of the rule of faith, i.e., the Apostles’ Creed, we are completing our brief study of the tenth article, “the forgiveness of sins.” The doctrine of justification . . . Continue reading →
Heidelcast 204—What Must A Christian Believe? (20): The Forgiveness Of Sins (2)
This is episode 20 in the series, What Must A Christian Believe? In our survey of the rule of faith, i.e., the Apostles’ Creed, we have reached the tenth article, “the forgiveness of sins.” The truth of our righteousness with God is essential . . . Continue reading →
The Nature And Value Of Christian Liberty
Do you ever feel like other people are better Christians than you are? Maybe they read their Bibles more, give more money to the church, pray more for others, are involved in church ministry, do more good deeds, or never seem to . . . Continue reading →
William Perkins On Justification (2)
In connection with Trent and Bellarmine’s stance on purgatory and the sacrifice of the Mass was Rome’s doctrine of a second justification. Bellarmine’s Scriptural basis for a second justification was Romans 3—which he saw as the first justification, and James 2—which he saw as the second justification. For Perkins, James 2 was for the justified because of Christ, “outward testimonies of the truth of our faith and profession, proving that the grace of our hearts is not in hypocrisy, but in truth and sincerity.” In other words, James 2 spoke not of justification in the same sense as Paul in Romans, but in a completely different sense, scope, and design, James 2:21 is in the demonstrative for Abraham’s “works did testify that his faith was true and sincere. Continue reading →
William Perkins On Justification
Perkins objected to Rome’s sacrifice of the Mass. For Perkins, this doctrine was attached to erroneous views of Christology, Christ’s propitiatory suffering unto death, and in turn the doctrine of justification. One of Perkins’s clearest Christological statements is found in his treatise, A Warning Against the Idolatry of the Last Times (1601), where he wrote, “For He in one person is perfect God and perfect man, our only Redeemer all-sufficient in Himself, and therefore perfect king, priest, prophet; without either partner or fellow in the work of man’s salvation.” Continue reading →
Heidelcast 202—What Must A Christian Believe? (19): The Forgiveness Of Sins (1)
This is episode 19 in the series, What Must A Christian Believe? In our survey of the rule of faith, i.e., the Apostles’ Creed, we have reached the tenth article, “the forgiveness of sins.” That phrase does not occur in the earliest . . . Continue reading →
You Are Not A Canonical Actor Or How To Avoid Nightmare Alley
Episode 8 of the Christianity Today podcast, “The Rise and Fall of Mars Hill,” illustrates the degree to which the restless, feather-swallowing (according to Luther) anti-canonical spirit has influenced modern evangelical theology, piety, and practice. The Reformation principle (if not always its practice) . . . Continue reading →
The Heart Of The Romanist Appeal To Protestants: Skepticism
Protestants are told that they cannot trust their own interpretations of Scripture, church history, the church fathers, or anything else for that matter. They cannot trust their own evaluations of the evidence. They cannot trust themselves to tell the difference between black and white. Their sensory and rational faculties are attacked at every point. Those who buy into this way of thinking start to doubt everything, and they start to wonder where they can find stable ground. The Roman apologist is waiting to tell them that the only ground of certainty is Rome. Rome will tell you what is black and what is white. Continue reading →
Heidelcast 191: What Must A Christian Believe? (9): “And I Believe In Jesus Christ, His Only Begotten Son, Our Lord” (part 2)
This is episode 9 in the series, What Must A Christian Believe? In this episode we are considering the third article of the Apostles’ Creed: “And I believe in Jesus Christ, his only begotten Son, our Lord, our Lord.” With this article . . . Continue reading →
John Piper, Future Grace: The Purifying Power of the Promises of God, rev. ed. (New York: Multnomah, 2012)—A Thorough Review
Pastor John Piper is well-known for his role in sparking the “young, restless, and Reformed” movement, mainly through his emphases on God’s sovereignty and serious expository preaching. There are no doubt numerous present members of Reformed churches who ended up there because of initial investigations of Reformed theology that began with hearing or reading John Piper. Personally, Piper was my first exposure to a thorough and biblical explanation of predestination in some of the appendices of the 2003 edition of Desiring God, which I was told to read shortly after becoming serious about my faith. Continue reading →
Owen: We Are Sanctified Because We Are Justified But We Are Not Justified Because We Are Sanctified
Now, to be justified is to be freed from the guilt of sin, or to have all our sins pardoned, and to have a righteousness wherewith to appear before God, so as to be accepted with him, and a right to the . . . Continue reading →
A True Epitaph: “Saved By Grace”
On a tombstone in the old graveyard behind the Meeting House at Knockbracken, nestling among the evergreens, rising from the grass, on a well-mown grassy mound, is a plain and modest headstone: etched upon its granite face is the name of both . . . Continue reading →
Luther: Find A Church Where This Is Preached Weekly
Simul Iustus Et Peccator Is Still True
Therefore, whoever is justified is still a sinner; and yet he is considered fully and perfectly righteous by God who pardons and is merciful. Martin Luther | The Disputation Concerning Justification (1536) | Luther’s Works, 34:152–53 (HT: Inwoo Lee) Resources How To . . . Continue reading →
Perkins: Eternal Life Is By Grace Alone, Through Faith Alone
If the inheritance of life eternal be by the law, it is no more by the promise. But it is by the promise because God gave it unto Abraham freely by promise. Therefore it comes not by the law. The opposition between . . . Continue reading →
Heidelcast 185: What Must A Christian Believe? (3)—“Credo”
This is episode 3 in the series, What Must A Christian Believe? So far we have looked at the biblical and early Christian practice of confessing the faith and what it means to say Credo or “I believe.” That is what we . . . Continue reading →
Federal Theology Is Good News For Sinners
Paul calls Christ the “last” Adam (1 Cor 15:45). So, we know that there was a definite link between the two. In Romans 5:12–21 Paul intentionally wants us to think of Adam and Christ as fulfilling similar roles. Adam was the first . . . Continue reading →