Many Christians have heard the phrase, “God inhabits the praises of His people.” It is often used to suggest that when the church sings, God somehow enters the room or shows up in a special way. That idea is widespread and usually . . . Continue reading →
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Shapiro: Our Duty Is To The Truth Not To Insinuations Via “Questions”
Our first duty is truth. We owe you the truth. That means we should not mislead you; it means we shouldn’t hide the ball; we shouldn’t be deliberately obscure about what we are telling you. We have an obligation to clarity and . . . Continue reading →
Images Of Christ Diminish His Humanity
Mrs. Smith: “But Jesus truly came in the flesh. Doesn’t forbidding images make Him seem less human?” Dr. Perkins: Not at all. For the disciples, seeing Jesus wasn’t sinful—it was God’s gift in history. But for us to recreate Him is presumption. . . . Continue reading →
Bavinck: The Ground Of The Free Offer Is Not A (Hypothetical) Universal Atonement
For the universal offer of grace we need no other ground than this clearly revealed will of God. We no more need to know specifically for whom Christ died than we need to know specifically who has been ordained to eternal life. . . . Continue reading →
Justification And Eastern Orthodoxy
Justification has never received much attention in Eastern Orthodox theology. The orthodox view of salvation is largely shaped by the idea of theosis based on such texts as 2 Peter 1:. The word theosis is translated “deification” in English, and the concept . . . Continue reading →
Bavinck: Hypothetical Universalism Leaves Something For Us To Do
The conclusion of universal atonement is that “Christ only secured for God the possibility of entering into a covenant of grace with us… if we believe. The most significant part of the work of salvation, that which really effects salvation, is still . . . Continue reading →
The Evangelical Journey From Fog Machines and Praise Bands To Smells And Bells
We can indeed sympathize with those who are exhausted by the irreverent and shallow approach to worship in evangelicalism, often untethered from any historical ties to the ancient church. Yet deeply embedded in the worship of Eastern Orthodoxy and Roman Catholicism (amid . . . Continue reading →
In Memoriam Paul Helm (1940–2025)
Paul Helm, who died on December 29 at home in Gloucestershire aged 85, was the leading philosophical defender of Calvinism in the United Kingdom over the past 50 years. Helm was the best kind of Calvinist: His steely intellect was concealed by . . . Continue reading →
Calvin On John 18:36: Christ’s Kingdom Is Spiritual
My kingdom is not of this world. By these words he acknowledges that he is a king, but, so far as was necessary to prove his innocence, he clears himself of the calumny; for he declares, that there is no disagreement between . . . Continue reading →
Van Asselt: Dort Versus Amyraut On The Atonement
While Amyraut posited that Christ hypothetically died for all, the Dort theologians taught that the sacrifice of Christ was sufficient for all but efficient only for the elect. According to the Dort theologians, therefore, Christ died only for the elect. Willem J. . . . Continue reading →
Bavinck Contra Hypothetical Universalism: Christ Really Saved His People
If Jesus is truly the Savior, he must also really save his people, not potentially but really and in fact, completely and eternally. And this, actually, constitutes the core of the difference between the proponents and opponents of particular satisfaction. Herman Bavinck . . . Continue reading →
Hart On Machen’s Most Important Book
Most Christians who know about J. Gresham Machen, associate him with his most popular book, Christianity and Liberalism (1923). Even in the Orthodox Presbyterian Church and extending outward to communions in NAPARC, Reformed Christians know Machen mostly through the book he wrote at the . . . Continue reading →
The Hanover Presbytery Rejected The Established Religion As Unamerican
The Memorial of the Presbytery of Hanover humbly represents, that your memorialists are governed by the same sentiments which have inspired the United States of America, and are determined that noting in our power and influence shall be wanting to give success . . . Continue reading →
Bavinck: Christ’s Intercession, Acquisition, And Application Are Inseparably Linked
The idea from which the reference to “the many” arises, however, is a very different one: Christ did not die for a few but for many, for a large multitude. He gives his life as a ransom for many; he sheds his . . . Continue reading →
Hart On The Prejudice Of American Historians
Recognizing the remarkable accomplishments of historical figures who were also flawed seems to be a bridge too far for a certain sector of Americans. Perhaps holding on to slavery as the most important aspect of American history appeals to those inclined to . . . Continue reading →
No Ordinary Possibility Of Salvation Outside The Church: Fence The Table
The second BCO clause, which refers to prior approval by the session, is not a lower bar, but a higher one, and is rarely used. The standards that would guide the session would be the same. The difference is that the session . . . Continue reading →
Female Predators In Public Schools
The institutions entrusted with the formation of young men are failing in their most basic duty of protection. This week, a 28-year-old female health teacher in Colorado was arrested, accused of a year-long sexual relationship with a 14-year-old male student. The allegations . . . Continue reading →
NJ AG Subpoena Of Pregnancy Resource Center Goes To SCOTUS
First Choice Women’s Resource Centers has been providing services to pregnant women since 1985. The organization exists to give women the information and resources they need to make life-affirming decisions for themselves and their unborn children. First Choice also provides counsel for . . . Continue reading →
Five Disturbing Discoveries About AI
Students are embracing the magical abilities of AI tools in ever-increasing numbers. Theological faculties and seminaries are scrambling to respond with appropriate ethical policies. Developers are forever finding new ways to foil AI detection. Unsurprisingly, specialist theological editors and proofreaders (such as . . . Continue reading →
The BCO Says Assistants Not Deaconesses
Churches should reconsider the practice of congregational nomination and election for those who assist the Diaconate. When the selection process mirrors or closely resembles the election of deacons, it creates unnecessary confusion. It blurs the distinction between ordained officers and those serving . . . Continue reading →