This article is taken from John H. Armstrong, ed., The Compromised Church: The Present Evangelical Crisis (Crossway Books: Wheaton, Ill., 1998). Used by permission of Crossway Books, a division of Good News Publishers, Wheaton, Illinois 60187, http://www.gnpcb.org/. This material is not to . . . Continue reading →
Sacraments
The Evangelical Fall from the Means of Grace
More on Fencing the Table: Dutch Reformed Voices
I’ve been thinking more lately about the scandal of fencing the table. I should have thought to do this earlier. Researching an answer to another question I ran across some interesting Dutch Reformed (in this case, Christian Reformed) sources on this question. . . . Continue reading →
Perkins on Sacramental Efficacy
Thanks to Chris Gordon for posting a brief bit from Perkins where he ties the efficacy of the sacraments, not to any power inherent in the sacraments, but to the will and good pleasure of God. He has a nice follow-up post . . . Continue reading →
Do Presbyterians Confess That Refusing to Baptize Infants is Sin?
That’s the question I received in my inbox yesterday. The writer asks, …Whereas I know that a consistent Baptist (e.g. Mark Dever) would consider a Christian refusing to be baptized subsequent to conversion as sinning and subject to church discipline, is that . . . Continue reading →
For What It's Worth: This Paedo is Not Offended
My friend Mark Dever says that baptizing infants is sin. Mike Bird and others are offended and Mark has replied. I’ve received a few emails about this. Frankly, I don’t understand why folk are in high dudgeon.
Paedocommunion Answered
By Cornel Venema. He has a book forthcoming at RHB. To whet your appetite here’s an interview with the Christ the Center guys.
Fed By Christ or the Person Next to Me?
One of the recurring questions I get is about the meaning of “body” in 1 Corinthians 11:29. The question is whether “discerning the body” in Paul’s narrative refers to “being cognizant of the congregation” or to Christ’s physical, actual body and blood, . . . Continue reading →
Zwingli and the Reformed Confessions on the Supper
The question came up on the PB whether Zwingli gets a bum rap on the Supper. It’s true that Zwingli has on the receiving end of the stick. This has provoked a reaction, led most recently by W. P. (Peter) Stephens in . . . Continue reading →
Schreiner-VanDrunen Baptism Debate Audio
Here. Thanks to Vaclav Petrik for letting us know about the online audio.
Audio: Baptism as New Creation
One of the things I missed when I was laid up recently was an excellent convocation lecture by Dr John Fesko during his visit to WSC.
Horton: Quitting Church
At WSC
Christ's Real Absence
Shane introduces the final volume in Mike Horton’s brilliant introductory series in systematic theology.
Volume 4: People And Place
The bibliopalooza continues. People and Place, the final volume of Mike Horton’s very important, four-volume systematic theology is out and available at the Bookstore at WSC for $27.46. One of the great failings of contemporary evangelical theology, piety, and practice is that . . . Continue reading →
FV Circa 115-150 AD?
The Epistle of “Mathetes” (Disciple) to Diognetus, 4.4: “And is it not also ridiculous to take pride in the mutilation of the flesh [circumcision -rsc] as a sign of election, as though they were especially beloved by God because of this?”
The Piety of John Knox
At C or C.
Strimple-Malone Baptism Debate Online
At WSC.
PCA GA News
Here is Lig Duncan’s pre-GA address on the historic Reformed view of the efficacy of the sacraments (PDF). (HT: Michael at 21st Century Tabletalk). Pastor (in PCA terms, “Teaching Elder”) Paul Kooistra was elected moderator of GA this year.
The Killer B's: Idols of the Minister's Heart
New on the Faculty Reflections page at WSC
If the Sacraments Are Elements of Worship Then…
In response to the post on what to do with the offering, Ruben asks, “I’m still curious — are you saying that if the Lord’s Supper is absent (more generally, if no sacraments are administered), it’s not (proper) worship?

