Often, we employ a single word for many uses; even for similar uses. We employ “belief” (and its cognate verb) to mean at least four things, each of which can also be usefully distinguished from the others, on a continuum: prejudice, opinion, . . . Continue reading →
Paedobaptism
Abraham, Moses, and Baptism
I am in the midst of an interesting discussion of baptism with a friend. This friend has Baptist convictions, yet he understands Reformed theology better than many of the Reformed. He is quite sympathetic to historic and confessional Reformed theology. For example, . . . Continue reading →
On The Death of Infants and the Promise of the Covenant of Grace
Despite the widely accepted American dogma of an “age of accountability”–that unspecified moment when children supposedly become responsible for their sins, and for any possible rejection of Christ–there is no such doctrine taught anywhere in Scripture. Sadly, this unsupported dogma holds out . . . Continue reading →
Is Baptism A Secondary Doctrine?
More than one person has said to me, through the years, that baptism is a “secondary doctrine” and not a doctrine over which the church should be divided. Obviously, confessional Baptists do not agree with such a claim, or else they would . . . Continue reading →
Tertullian Acknowledged The Existence Of Infant Baptism
God’s approbation sends sure premonitory tokens before it; every “petition”4 may both deceive and be deceived. And so, according to the circumstances and disposition, and even age, of each individual, the delay of baptism is preferable; principally, however, in the case of . . . Continue reading →
Heidelcast Special: Chad Vegas On Covenant and Baptism (6)
This is a special episode of the Heidelcast and a special series featuring my dear friend and colleague in ministry, Chad Vegas, pastor of Sovereign Grace Bakersfield. He’s been walking his congregation from a Baptist to a Reformed understanding of covenant theology . . . Continue reading →
Why You Should Be Listening To This Series (And Stay Tuned For Part 6 Tomorrow)
I want to contend that we can have earnest and vigorous disagreement and yet have earnest and vigorous disagreement in a manner that honors Christ and that is eager to maintain the unity that we have in the Spirit. I know that . . . Continue reading →
Heidelcast Special: Chad Vegas On Covenant and Baptism (5)
This is a special episode of the Heidelcast and a special series featuring my dear friend and colleague in ministry, Chad Vegas, pastor of Sovereign Grace Bakersfield. He’s been walking his congregation from a Baptist to a Reformed understanding of covenant theology . . . Continue reading →
Heidelcast Special: Chad Vegas On Covenant and Baptism (4)
This is a special episode of the Heidelcast and a special series featuring my dear friend and colleague in ministry, Chad Vegas, pastor of Sovereign Grace Bakersfield. He’s been walking his congregation from a Baptist to a Reformed understanding of covenant theology . . . Continue reading →
Heidelcast Special: Chad Vegas On Covenant and Baptism (3)
This is a special episode of the Heidelcast and a special series featuring my dear friend and colleague in ministry, Chad Vegas, pastor of Sovereign Grace Bakersfield. He’s been walking his congregation from a Baptist to a Reformed understanding of covenant theology . . . Continue reading →
Heidelcast Special: Chad Vegas On Covenant And Baptism (2)
This is a special episode of the Heidelcast and a special series featuring my dear friend and colleague in ministry, Chad Vegas, pastor of Sovereign Grace Bakersfield. He’s been walking his congregation from a Baptist to a Reformed understanding of covenant theology . . . Continue reading →
Heidelcast Special: Chad Vegas On Covenant And Baptism (1)
This is a special episode of the Heidelcast and special series featuring my dear friend and colleague in ministry, Chad Vegas, pastor of Sovereign Grace Bakersfield. He’s been walking his congregation from a Baptist to a Reformed understanding of covenant theology and . . . Continue reading →
Heidelminicast: Why Liam Golligher Changed His Mind About Baptism
These are some of our favorite Heidelquotes. Something to think about from the Heidelcast. If you are subscribed to the Heidelcast or the Heidelblog (see below) you will receive these episodes automatically. All the Episodes of the Heidelcast How To Subscribe To Heidelmedia . . . Continue reading →
Heidelminicast: Tadaka Maruyama On Calvin’s Response To The Anabaptists
These are some of our favorite Heidelquotes. Something to think about from the Heidelcast. If you are subscribed to the Heidelcast or the Heidelblog (see below) you will receive these episodes automatically. Heidelminicast Series: Contra Postmillennialism All the Episodes of the Heidelcast How . . . Continue reading →
Settling In And Standing Firm
It is now around nine months since my wife and I moved to Grande Prairie (GP) in Alberta, Canada where I have taken a call as Minister of Word and Sacrament at Covenant Reformed URC. We are so thankful to the Lord . . . Continue reading →
Warfield: Infants Who Belong To The Lord Have A Right To Be Baptized
Naturally, therefore, this sign and seal belongs only to those who are the Lord’s. Or, to put it rather in the positive form, this sign and seal belongs to all those who are the Lord’s. There are no distinctions of race or . . . Continue reading →
Heidelminicast: John Calvin Versus The Anabaptists
John Calvin refutes the Anabaptists from Genesis 9. Continue reading →
Acts 2:39: What Is The Promise And To Whom Is It Made?
For the promise is to you and to your children and to all those who are far away, as many as the Lord our God shall call. 1 This passage is an important text in the Reformed understanding of the continuity of . . . Continue reading →
Engaging Confessional Baptists on Covenant Theology (Part 2): Unity of Salvation in the Old and New Testaments
This two-part series engages recent confessional Baptist publications on the nature of covenant theology in order to help Reformed readers understand the Baptistic view better and to have some starting points for responding to it. Part one looked at new developments in . . . Continue reading →
1689 Vs. The Westminster Confession: Narrowing The Lens On Particular Baptist History
The discussion of the differences between Baptist and Reformed theology is a sensitive but important question. Thus, I think I should explain why I am writing this series. In my experience, some Baptists, especially those who identify with the Particular Baptist tradition, . . . Continue reading →