Justification

Wilhelmus à Brakel On Justification

by Inwoo Lee on November 13, 2023 | 1 Comment

He who errs in this doctrine errs to his eternal destruction. The devil is therefore continually engaged in denying, perverting, and obscuring the truth expressed in this chapter and, if he does not accomplish this, to prevent exercise concerning this truth. When . . . Continue reading →

The Gospel According To John (MacArthur)—Part 17

by R. Scott Clark on November 6, 2023 | 2 Comments

Dispensationalism is as much a theory of the church as it is of dispensations. Or rather, dispensationalism divides humanity into three distinct groups: Israel, the church, and the nations. The first two are in covenant with God. Israel has the starring role . . . Continue reading →

The Gospel According To John (MacArthur)—Part 16

by R. Scott Clark on November 1, 2023 | 4 Comments

In MacArthur’s account of the parables of the kingdom of God, the nature of saving faith, and in his use of sources, we face three interesting sets of questions and some recurring problems in chapter 13 of The Gospel According to Jesus. . . . Continue reading →

Should We Allow Wesleyans To Narrate The Reformed Tradition For Us (Or Why We Are Not Finally Saved Through Good Works) Part 2

by R. Scott Clark on September 28, 2023 | 1 Comment

Further, salvation includes three aspects: justification (i.e., God’s judicial declaration that believers are righteous), sanctification (i.e., God’s progressive and gracious work in conforming believers to the likeness of Christ), and glorification. If any aspect of salvation is said to be through good . . . Continue reading →

Should We Allow Wesleyans To Narrate The Reformed Tradition For Us (Or Why We Are Not Finally Saved Through Good Works) Part 1

by R. Scott Clark on September 25, 2023 | 11 Comments

Perhaps the most important paragraphs in Rhyne Putman’s recent review of a new volume attempting to relate good works to salvation appear near the end (16 paragraphs in): One theological topic closely related to good works and salvation is conspicuously absent in . . . Continue reading →

The Reformed Agree With Luther

by Tony Phelps on September 22, 2023 | 2 Comments

As I have said, therefore, the statement of Moses, “Cursed be everyone who does not abide by all things, etc.,” is not contrary to Paul’s declaration that all who rely on works of the Law are under a curse. For Moses demands . . . Continue reading →

The Gospel According To John (MacArthur)—Part 15

by R. Scott Clark on September 20, 2023

In chapter 15 of GAJ, MacArthur’s critique of Dispensational antinomianism (and particularly of the “carnal Christian” doctrine, which we addressed last time) turns to the parable of the sower (Matt 13:24–30). He complains about the undisciplined character of so much of contemporary . . . Continue reading →

Luther: Only Christ Is The Savior

by Tony Phelps on September 18, 2023 | 4 Comments

Therefore all hypocrites and idolaters try to do the works that properly pertain to the Deity and belong completely and solely to Christ. They do not actually say with their mouths: “I am God; I am Christ.” Yet in fact they arrogate . . . Continue reading →

Piper Is Wrong. Luther Is Right.

by Tony Phelps on September 13, 2023 | 10 Comments

I tell you the truth, he who believes has everlasting life. John 6:47 One could preach a hundred thousand years about these words and emphasize them again and again. Yes, one can’t speak enough about these words. Here Christ explicitly promises eternal . . . Continue reading →

The Gospel According To John (MacArthur)—Part 14

by R. Scott Clark on September 11, 2023 | 2 Comments

No chapter in this volume, so far, relies on MacArthur’s debt to Dispensationalism more than chapter 11, where he addresses the parable of the soils in Matthew 13. The Problem Of Dispensationalism He begins by recalling our Lord’s words, which he addressed . . . Continue reading →