It is also very important at this point that we deal with an issue which has become very divisive among the Reformed churches of late–and that is whether or not our confession teaches that there is a covenant based upon a works-principle . . . Continue reading →
Recovering the Reformed Confession
Is The Neo-Evangelical Coalition Worth Saving?
Yesterday Trevin Wax crystalized the case for preserving the neo-evangelical coalition, which emerged after World War II and in so doing, for Reformed confessionalists, he has also made the case against the neo-evangelical coalition. What is that coalition and what are its attractions . . . Continue reading →
Office Hours: With Patrick O’Banion On Zanchi’s The Spiritual Marriage Between Christ And His Church
When most of us think about the great Reformed theologians we probably think of John Calvin. Perhaps we think of John Owen, and Charles Hodge. If we think a little harder we might think of Zacharias Ursinus, who gave us the Heidelberg . . . Continue reading →
What Is Orthodoxy?
A reader wrote to ask about the definition of orthodoxy. Continue reading
On The Value Of Confessions
The Principles Of Reformed Worship
We want to be seeker-sensitive, but we must identify the true seeker in worship. Scripture teaches that “no man seeks God,” certainly not the unregenerate, rather it is God who seeks us (Romans 3:11). Our Lord taught us that the Father seeks those who will worship in spirit and truth (John 4:23). Therefore the primary focus in Reformed worship is our living, holy, righteous, awesome Triune God. Thus when we gather before his face (Hebrews 12:18-20) we are in a sacred assembly where he has promised to give us an audience. Continue reading →
Perkins On The Order In Which To Read The New Testament
“[P]roceed to the reading of the Scriptures in this order:…read first the epistle of Paul to the Romans [and], after that, the Gospel of John (as being indeed the keys of the New Testament).” William Perkins (1558–1602) | The Art of Prophesying| . . . Continue reading →
Strain To The PCA: Exceptions Do Not Become The Rule
But the model of confessional subscription aside, I think there is mounting evidence that the role played by our Confession and Catechisms—or at least, the use made of them in the PCA—is far from healthy at the present time. Anecdotally, one interesting, . . . Continue reading →
The Psalm I Want Sung At My Graveside
To my friends, no I am not, as far as I know, in imminent danger of death. My enemies shall have to wait a bit longer. My reflections this morning are inspired by a series of posts at TGC including “The Song Scott . . . Continue reading →
One Of The Sheep Speaks Up
Yes, brothers, the world is watching, but so are those in your congregations. You have not been ordained to placate the goats. Jesus has called you to feed His sheep. I humbly and joyfully exhort you as your sister in Christ to . . . Continue reading →
The Confession Must Not Be A Lost Language For Reformed Pastors
We Are Talking About Theology, Piety, And Practice
I believe the importance of this subject for the PCA is now matched by its urgency. If I may speak personally, one of the most alarming trends that I’ve seen among candidates for the ministry and among teaching and ruling elders in . . . Continue reading →
Confessional Concerns And Conflict In The PCA With Presbycast
As always good, Presbyterian, fun was had with PCA Ruling Elder Brad “Chortles” Isbell and Wresbyterian on Presbycast last night as we discussed the Open Letter, the essay by the founder of the National Partnership, and the status and function of the . . . Continue reading →
More Thoughts About The PCA: Liberal v Conservative Is The Wrong Paradigm
I have had some interesting and illuminating responses to my analysis and critique of the anonymous “Open Letter” (OL) to the PCA published last week. Continue reading
Reconsidering The Offering As An Element Of Worship After Covid
Introduction: The Hypothesis Tested Way back in 2008 I asked the question whether the offering is an element or a circumstance of worship or neither? I argued that the offering is neither an element nor a circumstance and thus raised the question . . . Continue reading →
Why I Left The Anglican Communion
There was sometimes an expressed commitment to certain iconic traditions of Anglicanism that seemed to supersede the commitment to the gospel message and the primacy of Scripture. I began to perceive that many of Episcopalian background regard the traditions of Anglicanism as . . . Continue reading →
Bannerman: No One May Call Himself A Christian Who Does Not Believe The Christian Faith
1. There are some men who object to all authorized creeds and articles of faith whatsoever, on the ground that they make the name of Christian and the advantages of Christian fellowship dependent on assent to certain positive truths or dogmas, whether . . . Continue reading →
From “Insofar As” To “Good Faith:” The Slope To The Mainline
Introduction There is what PCA RE Brad Isbell calls a “quiet crisis” in the PCA. PCA TE Jon Payne says “the future doesn’t look good for the PCA.” The presenting issue just now is so-called “Side B” or “Gay Christianity.” On this . . . Continue reading →
Three Benefits Of The Reformed Confession
…We do this first, by our agreed upon confession. Presbyterians confess as biblical the statement of faith found in the Westminster Confession of Faith, which says: “All synods or councils, since the Apostles’ times, whether general or particular, may err; and many . . . Continue reading →
June 2021 Issue Of Table Talk Magazine: “The Confessing Church”
The June 2021 issue of Table Talk magazine (from Ligonier Ministries) is devoted to the importance and use of confessions. Here is the table of contents: “Why We’re Confessional” | Burk Parsons “The Confessing Church In History” | John Muether “Confessions and . . . Continue reading →
Updated Resource Page On The Reformed Confessions
I have added a revised resource page with good translations of some of the major Reformed confessions Continue reading