What is the excellency of this benefit [of adoption by God’s grace]? Answer. Great every way (John 1:12). He which is the child of God is heir and fellow-heir with Christ (Rom. 8:17), and that of the kingdom of heaven, and of . . . Continue reading →
Salvation
Perkins In Defense Of Particular Redemption
Whereas Paul says that “the promise is given to believers,” [Gal. 3:22] it is manifest that the promise is not universal in respect of all mankind, but only indefinite and universal in respect of believers. Wherefore their doctrine is not sound that . . . Continue reading →
Perkins: The End Of The Law Is Conviction
Mark further, the end of the law is conviction. And the end of our conviction is that the promise of mercy may be given to them that believe. Here is notable comfort, with encouragement to all good duties. Does the law as . . . Continue reading →
Perkins: Salvation Is A Public Donation
Lastly, in that Paul says, God “gave” and freely bestowed the “inheritance by the promise,” it must be considered that this giving is no private but a public donation. For Abraham must be considered as a public person. And that which was . . . Continue reading →
Audio: Gospel-Driven Life—Means of Grace
R. Scott Clark speaks at the Spring Theology Conference of the Reformation Society of Oregon (May 2009). Editor’s note: This audio was originally published in 2009. RESOURCES Subscribe To The Heidelblog! The Heidelblog Resource Page Heidelmedia Resources The Ecumenical Creeds The Reformed . . . Continue reading →
Audio: Gospel-Driven Life—Union With Christ
R. Scott Clark speaks at the Spring Theology Conference of the Reformation Society of Oregon (May 2009). Editor’s note: This audio was originally published in 2009. RESOURCES Subscribe To The Heidelblog! The Heidelblog Resource Page Heidelmedia Resources The Ecumenical Creeds The Reformed . . . Continue reading →
Heidelminicast Q&A: What Is Regeneration?
In this episode Dr Clark answers a series of questions about the definition of regeneration. Continue reading →
Review: Arminius and the Reformed Tradition: Grace and the Doctrine of Salvation By J. V. Fesko
In his work Arminius and the Reformed Tradition: Grace and the Doctrine of Salvation, J. V. Fesko, the Harriet Barbour Professor of Systematic and Historical Theology at Reformed Theological Seminary, Jackson, Mississippi, makes a narrow yet explosive claim—namely, that Jacob Arminius’s (1560–1609) . . . Continue reading →
Heidelminicast Q&A: What Did Ursinus And Olevianus Say About The Extent Of The Atonement?
Dr Clark answers a question about what Ursinus and Olevianus taught regarding the extent of the atonement. Continue reading →
Heidelminicast Q&A: Is Denying Christ Under Persecution Unforgivable?
Dr Clark answers questions about apostasy in the face of persecution. Continue reading →
Vos: Don’t Give Stones For Bread
In the Judaistic controversy which shook the early church, forces and tendencies were at work deeply rooted in the sinful human heart. In modernized apparel they confront us still to the present day. There are still abroad forms of a Christless Gospel. . . . Continue reading →
Baxter’s “Hot Peppercorn” Of Justification And Salvation Through Good Works
Touching the latter, how far he will extol the peppercorn of our own works, and righteousness to justification and salvation he does not here (though afterward, he does) in express words signify. But that he means to extol them, he does enough . . . Continue reading →
Perkins: Salvation, All Of It, Is By Grace Alone, Through Faith Alone
As part of my response to the claim that some Reformed orthodox theologians taught that salvation was not only in two stages but also, in some way, through works, I appealed to a quotation from William Perkins. I could have written much . . . Continue reading →
Should We Allow Wesleyans To Narrate The Reformed Tradition For Us (Or Why We Are Not Finally Saved Through Good Works) Part 2
Further, salvation includes three aspects: justification (i.e., God’s judicial declaration that believers are righteous), sanctification (i.e., God’s progressive and gracious work in conforming believers to the likeness of Christ), and glorification. If any aspect of salvation is said to be through good . . . Continue reading →
Should We Allow Wesleyans To Narrate The Reformed Tradition For Us (Or Why We Are Not Finally Saved Through Good Works) Part 1
Perhaps the most important paragraphs in Rhyne Putman’s recent review of a new volume attempting to relate good works to salvation appear near the end (16 paragraphs in): One theological topic closely related to good works and salvation is conspicuously absent in . . . Continue reading →
An Example Of Correction And Sanctification
Puritan concerns sometimes led to excesses. On the one hand, Thomas Watson (1620–86) urged people to press into the kingdom with little mention of faith in Jesus Christ. On one occasion, he even misstated the role of Christ’s blood as the ground . . . Continue reading →
The Good News Of Union With Christ: A Primer on the Resurrection (Part 2)
Resurrection & Sanctification All those who are justified, will also be sanctified. What is Sanctification? “Sanctification is the work of God’s free grace, whereby we are renewed in the whole man after the image of God, and are enabled more and more . . . Continue reading →
The Good News Of Union With Christ: A Primer On The Resurrection (Part 1)
The resurrection of Jesus Christ from the dead is a supernatural historical event that is well attested in the Biblical data. Furthermore, the resurrection of Christ is central to the biblical story of God redeeming his people, and thus, it is an . . . Continue reading →
Beza: No Good Works Can Save You
Therefore, this is our thesis: No good works of the regenerate, even which are most excellent before others from themselves or in themselves, can endure the judgment of God, because they are imperfect, impure, and mixed with vice, and therefore they have . . . Continue reading →
The Three Marys: A Good Friday Meditation
They are present in John’s gospel as objects of his love. Yes, Mary was standing (stabat) but she was standing there with the other two Marys not as Mediatrix and not as co-Redemptrix, but as a sinner saved by the favor of God alone (sola gratia), through faith alone (sola fide). Continue reading →