When I was a teenager, we sometimes had a cynical way of responding to certain things. So, for example, one of my friends might say, “I think the teacher is going to give us a free period so we can go outside . . . Continue reading →
Grace
Who Applies Grace?
[T]he adversaries imagine that they are declaring the mercy of God, because they make it common to all, but if we consider the matter more closely, we attribute much more to mercy than they do. We affirm that everything depends on it, . . . Continue reading →
Heidelvideo #9—Is Grace a Medicine or God’s Favor?
Dr. R. Scott Clark explains why the Roman Catholic view of grace as a medicinal substance to be infused and cooperated with contradicts the biblical definition of grace as God’s free, unconditional favor. Continue reading →
How Should We View the Warning Passages? (Part 2)
Having looked in part one at how the Reformed church has recognized Scripture’s distinction between the law and the gospel, we will look in this article at how this distinction plays out in warning passages. A Look at Some Warning Passages There . . . Continue reading →
How Should We View the Warning Passages? (Part 1)
There is concern by some in the Reformed community that there is too much emphasis on grace in the doctrine of sanctification, and not enough emphasis on obedience and even godly fear. The question has arisen about how this matter should be addressed. Continue reading →
A Word Or A Weight?
There are seasons when sin is only a word, and others when it is a weight. Not the light sting of conscience either, but the slow crush of truth. David knew it, the feeling that one’s own soul has become its own . . . Continue reading →
Yes, We Forgive Our Enemies
It is well known that, at Charlie Kirk’s memorial, his widow, Erika, forgave the man who is charged with his murder. This has reignited a debate that I first became aware of perhaps 15 years ago. There are two sides to this . . . Continue reading →
Those Who Have Received Grace Ought To Be Most Gracious
I recently received a letter from a couple in our congregation who have been laboring for the sake of the gospel in the Congo for the better part of their lives. As I read, one line in particular stood out to me. . . . Continue reading →
“Tough Grace” Is Not Grace (And It’s Not Law Either)
In an unsigned editorial, Christianity Today came out in favor of what it calls “tough grace.”1 The presenting issue or symptom is Christianity Today’s concern that Christian institutions are failing to be both “tough” and “gracious” simultaneously. The argument is that the . . . Continue reading →
Warfield: Salvation Is Not By Grace And Cooperation With Grace
Thus it comes about that the doctrine of monergistic regeneration—or as it was phrased by the older theologians, of “irresistible grace” or “effectual calling”—is the hinge of the Calvinistic soteriology, and lies much more deeply embedded in the system than the doctrine . . . Continue reading →
Colquhoun: The Law Requires Duties, The Gospel Offers Benefits
While all duties are commanded in the law, all privileges and blessings are offered in the gospel. While the former are required of all, the latter are presented to all. Christ and all the blessings of His great salvation are in the . . . Continue reading →
Colquhoun: This Is The Record
“This is the record,” says the apostle John, “that God hath given to us eternal life, and this life is in his Son” (1 John 5:11). That God has given to us an offer of eternal life in and with His Son . . . Continue reading →
“Wretched Man That I Am”—Or Was? Part 2
The Scripture citations in this confession are provided only when a Scripture passage is directly quoted or is clearly alluded to—so there is only one direct reference to our passage. It is highly significant, however. Continue reading →
“Wretched Man That I Am”—Or Was? Part 1
Jesus said, “I am the way, the truth, and the life. No man can come to the Father except through Me.” I remember reading these words in John 14 as an unbelieving but religion-curious college student. My conscience was convicted—though I was . . . Continue reading →
Calvin: Christ Brings Only To the Father Those Given To Him By The Father
Christ brings none to the Father, but those given him by the Father; and this donation, we know, depends on eternal election; for those whom the Father has destined to life, he delivers to the keeping of his Son, that he may . . . Continue reading →
Luther On The Difference Between Hagar’s Children And Sarah
Therefore the Law or the old covenant contains only physical promises, to which some such condition as this is always attached: “If you will hear My voice” (Ps. 95:7); “If you will keep My covenant” (Ex. 19:5); “If you walk in My . . . Continue reading →
Luther: The Law And The Gospel Make Promise On Different Conditions
For the Law did not have promises added to it about Christ and His blessings, about deliverance from the curse of the Law, sin, and death, and about the free gift of the forgiveness of sins, righteousness, and eternal life. But the . . . Continue reading →
Luther: If You Are Under The Law You Are A Slave
Now it should be noted that the Holy Spirit insults the people of the Law and of works here by calling them “sons of the slave woman.” It is as though He were to say: “Why do you boast about the righteousness . . . Continue reading →
Luther On Law And Grace
Therefore we are pronounced righteous, not on the basis of the Law or of works or of our own righteousness but on the basis of pure grace. Paul insisted on the promise so vigorously and stressed it so often because he saw . . . Continue reading →
Luther: Not Our Merit But Christ’s
But by what merit have we received this righteousness, sonship, and inheritance of eternal life? By none. For what could be merited by men confined under sin, subjected to the curse of the Law, and condemned to eternal death? Therefore we have . . . Continue reading →