Heidelcast 58: Nomism And Antinomianism (1)

by Heidelcast on January 15, 2014

With this episode we begin a series on the proper understanding and use of the law in the Christian life. We’ll be talking about both two of our least favorite relatives, uncle nomism and antinomianism. In contrast to these two errors we’ll . . . Continue reading →

Christ Is The Mark

by Heidelblog on January 15, 2014

…Christ is the mark whereat faith must aim; and, therefore, men’s minds do nothing else but wander when they turn aside from him. Therefore, no marvel if all the divinity of Popery be nothing else but an huge lump and horrible labyrinth; . . . Continue reading →

Heidelcast 57: Why We Can’t Move On (3)

by Heidelcast on January 4, 2014

Revisionism isn’t always a bad thing. I am a revisionist myself. I’ve been trying to help people see the history of Reformed theology rather differently from the way it was often presented from the middle of the 19th century through the 1970s. . . . Continue reading →

The Danger Of A Falling Church

by R. Scott Clark on January 1, 2014

If possible, I wish to raise an alarm without being an alarmist. The Reformed theologian, J. H. Alsted (1588-1638) said that the doctrine of justification is the article of faith by which the church stands or falls. Of course, he was only . . . Continue reading →

Office Hours: Mike Horton On Sanctification And Justification

by R. Scott Clark on December 30, 2013

The core question of the Reformation was this: how can a sinner be right with God? The medieval church had concluded that he cannot, that, before God can accept someone, a person must be entirely sanctified and sanctification is a process initiated . . . Continue reading →

Heidelcast 56: Why We Can’t Move On (2)

by Heidelcast on December 28, 2013

Sometimes it might have seemed that we haven’t had to contend for the gospel but the historical reality is that we were kidding ourselves. In every case where the gospel has been seriously challenged, whether by Pelagius, medieval semi-Pelagianism, Trent in the . . . Continue reading →

What Is True Faith? (10) A Glorious Omission

by R. Scott Clark on December 24, 2013

In part 9 we considered the role of the gospel in the Spirit’s work of creating new life and granting faith. We saw that there is no tension between the direct, supernatural working of the Spirit and his use of means in . . . Continue reading →

Heidelcast 55: Why We Can’t Move On (1)

by Heidelcast on December 21, 2013

There is a certain amount of pressure within the NAPARC world to “move on” from the Federal Vision. In the next three episodes we’re going to consider why that is and how Reformed folk, particularly ministers and elders (but laity too), should . . . Continue reading →

Ralph Erskine: The Greatest Sin Is Pardonable By Christ’s Righteousness

by R. Scott Clark on December 15, 2013

It is a great sin to think any sin little; but it is a greater sin to think the righteousness of Christ is not above all sin. Our disobedience is the disobedience of man; but Christ’s obedience is the obedience of God: . . . Continue reading →

What Is True Faith? (9) Its Gospel Agency

by R. Scott Clark on December 13, 2013

In part 8 we saw that the source of true faith is the sovereign, powerful, re-creating work of the Holy Spirit. Ordinarily, however, he works through what the classic Reformed writers, including Calvin, and the Reformed churches call “the means of grace” . . . Continue reading →

What Is True Faith? (8) Its Source

by R. Scott Clark on December 6, 2013

In part 7 we considered the object of true faith. Ironically, for a culture that is said to be awash in a sea of secularism, faith seems to be pretty popular. George Michael recorded a forgettable song about it in the late . . . Continue reading →

Economics, Trust, Imputation, and Worth (Updated)

by R. Scott Clark on November 27, 2013

Shocking as it may be, courses in medieval history and theology do not always have immediate relevance to late modern society. There is a theme in medieval history and theology, however, that does illumine what is happening to the global economy. Since . . . Continue reading →

What Is True Faith? (7): Its Object

by R. Scott Clark on November 26, 2013

In the previous installment we considered the role of Scripture in faith. Now we turn to its object. I think they’ve largely gone away but a few years back team-building “trust exercises” were all the rage. The producers even got the Duck . . . Continue reading →

"Sola Fides" is not Sola Fide

by R. Scott Clark on November 22, 2013

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 →

Perkins On Christ’s Active Obedience And Our Gratitude

by Heidelblog on November 21, 2013

CHAP. XXXVII. CONCERNING THE SECOND DEGREE OF THE DECLARATION OF GODS LOVE. The second degree, is Justification, whereby such as believe, are accounted just before God, through the obedience of Christ Jesus. 2. Cor. 5. 21. He has made him to be . . . Continue reading →

What Is True Faith? (5) A Gift

by R. Scott Clark on November 20, 2013

In the first four parts of this series we looked at what Heidelberg Catechism Q/A 21 says about the three aspects of faith (knowledge, assent, and trust). Faith, however, has an object. It always does. A mere historical faith looks to the . . . Continue reading →

Resources On the Doctrine of Sanctification And The Third Use Of The Law

by R. Scott Clark on November 18, 2013

Apparently, there is only one way to speak about sanctification and it is no longer sufficient to uphold and teach the Heidelberg Catechism, the Belgic Confession, and the Westminster Standards (Reformed confessions) on justification, sanctification, and the third use of the law. . . . Continue reading →

Are God’s Demands Always Gracious? (Updated)

by R. Scott Clark on November 14, 2013

David Robertson is pastor in the Free Church of Scotland. He has a blog and recently he reviewed Tullian Tchividjian’s latest book, One Way Love. There has been some back and forth and most recently Robertson has written an Open Letter. In . . . Continue reading →

What Is True Faith? (3) The Romanist Condemnation Of True Faith

by R. Scott Clark on November 13, 2013

In part 2 we considered the nature of assent. There is a third aspect to the Reformed definition of faith: trust. This is the crux of the disagreement between Rome and the Reformation over nature of faith in the act of justification. . . . Continue reading →

Calvin: Resolutely Adhere To The Exclusive Particle

by Heidelblog on November 9, 2013

When you are engaged in discussing the question of justification, beware of allowing any mention to be made of love or of works, but resolutely adhere to the exclusive particle. John Calvin | Commentary on Galatians 5:6, (1548) RESOURCES Subscribe To The . . . Continue reading →