A correspondent writes to about an Anglican minister who advised the poor, who are starving, who’ve somehow fallen through the extensive British social safety net, among his congregation, to shoplift rather than commit burglary. He asked them not to steal from small . . . Continue reading →
Reformed Ethics
“Common” is Not “Neutral”
An HB Classic
One of the more frequent criticisms of the attempt to appropriate the older Reformed “two kingdoms” (or as Calvin put, “a twofold kingdom”) approach to Reformed ethics for a post-Constantinian setting, as distinct from the “transformationalist” or some versions of neo-Kuyperianism, is . . . Continue reading →
Heidelcast 11a: The Secret of Knowing God’s Will (Pt 4)
We like the idea of direct, special revelation that speaks to our particular circumstances. Most of us don’t relish the idea of struggling in prayer, of dealing with doubt, of making a decision in the midst of uncertainty. God could clear things . . . Continue reading →
Heidelcast 10: The Secret of Knowing God’s Will (Pt 3)
Modern evangelicals often assume that the line between canonical and post-canonical life is blurry or non-existent. Making that distinction, however, is essential to knowing God’s will. This isn’t the most popular way of thinking about God’s will, however. After all, why listen to . . . Continue reading →
Calvin On Lent
At that time the superstitious observance of Lent had prevailed everywhere, because the common people thought that in it they were doing some exceptional service to God, and the pastors commended it as a holy imitation of Christ. On the contrary, it . . . Continue reading →
Of Hotels and 2 Kingdoms
An HB Classic
In view of the Oregon case in which a baker faces prosecution for refusing to make a wedding cake for a homosexual couple, it seemed like a good idea to re-post this. The original context was the challenge that there’s no good . . . Continue reading →
Why Is Guilt, Grace, and Gratitude Insufficient?
My doctrine of sanctification is the doctrine of the Heidelberg Catechism: Guilt, Grace, and Gratitude and the doctrine of the Belgic Confession Art. 24. We believe that this true faith, produced in man by the hearing of God’s Word and by the . . . Continue reading →
Office Hours: Bob Godfrey on Hebrews 3:7-4:13 (Pt 2)
Bob Godfrey is on Office Hours again, for part 2 of our discussion of Hebrews 3:7–4:13. What does Hebrews 4 mean by “Sabbath” and “rest”? Bob does a great job with these issues in full-color stereo! Here’s the part 1 of this two-part episode. I . . . Continue reading →
The Death of Santa
As a young boy I certainly believed in Santa. We made the annual cookie oblation and went to bed under the conditional covenant that he would not come if we did not sleep (or at least stay in bed). Nevertheless, I think I . . . Continue reading →
Would You Give Up the Means of Grace for 500 Million Dollars?
The recent Powerball lottery pay-off was 588 million dollars. This prompted the hosts of a Lincoln (Neb) sports-talk show, following Dan Patrick, to ask the following question: would you give up watching sports forever for $500,000,000? The guest to whom they asked . . . Continue reading →
The Real Question is Whether There is An Objective Definition of Reformed
Part of Saturday was spent trading tweets with Matthew Milliner, who teaches Art History at Wheaton College. We had a good, genial conversation from two different confessional traditions. I’m not sure but judging by his arguments I inferred that Matthew may identify . . . Continue reading →
Audio: John Bolt on What America Owes Jesus as Lord-Theocratic Fears and Patriotic Ambitions
It’s been delightful to have Calvin Theological Seminary prof, John Bolt, on campus for the last two days. He spoke Wednesday on Herman Bavinck and yesterday on “quiet theocracy.”
Truth and Consequences: The Politics of Abortion
URCNA Pastor, the Rev Dr Brian Lee, a WSC grad, has another stimulating OpEd piece in today’s Daily Caller. “The course of my life roughly coincides with the post-Roe v. Wade abortion debate in America. The Supreme Court decision was issued on . . . Continue reading →
The Death of Santa
Originally published on the HB 22 Dec 2008. As a young boy I certainly believed in Santa. We made the annual cookie oblation and went to bed under the conditional covenant that he would not come if we did not sleep (or . . . Continue reading →
Such Will Not Inherit
When one of you has a grievance against another, does he dare go to law before the unrighteous instead of the saints?
The Three Uses of the Law
One of the problems with the notion that Reformed theology is utterly divorced from the rest of Protestantism (i.e., Lutheranism) and the concomitant ignorance of the broader Protestant history and tradition is that we Reformed folk often end up losing our theology. . . . Continue reading →
New in the Bookstore: John Murray, Principles of Conduct
If you’re looking for a basic, thoughtful, careful introduction to a Reformed approach to the Christian life, John Murray’s Principles of Conduct is a great place to start. This is one of my favorite books. it’s $12.14 plus ($5.00) shipping from The . . . Continue reading →
Heidelcast: 28 February 2010 Chick-Fil-A & the Sabbath (Updated)
UPDATE Daniel writes to report that some Seventh-Day Adventists are claiming that I agree with them and they are apparently appealing to this broadcast for support. Let me try to end this foolishness right here. Here’s my response to Daniel and to . . . Continue reading →
Natural Law and Two Kingdoms in Stereo (Updated)
The book is now in the bookstore. You can order your copy from The Bookstore at WSC. If you have been wondering what all the discussion about “two kingdoms” and “natural law” is about, here’s the book for you. To accompany the . . . Continue reading →
Eric Liddell Lives
His name is Euan Murray. He plays rugby for Scotland six days a week but not on the Sabbath. “The Sabbath’s not a day for playing rugby.” Well, he didn’t say that but he could have. He did tell the UK Daily . . . Continue reading →