Scripture clearly teaches that Christ’s active obedience is imputed to sinners. It can also, however, be found all throughout Reformed theology in the sixteenth and seventeenth centuries, particularly in the Reformed confessions and catechisms. Continue reading →
Salvation
Steak for Lent: A Primer on the Active Obedience of Christ (Part One)
Many of us have family, friends, or co-workers who show up to events with ash on their foreheads or announce the fact that they are fasting and cannot eat certain foods on certain days. Is that what this time of the year is all about? Letting people know that you are fasting? Showing up to work or social events with ash on your forehead? What should Reformed Christians be doing at this time of the year? Continue reading →
More Than The Sinner’s Prayer
If potential converts (children or adults) are so unfamiliar with basic Bible doctrine that they can understand nothing more than “asking Jesus into their heart,” they probably should wait to make a commitment, until they understand the gravity of sin, and Christ’s . . . Continue reading →
Lordship Salvation, The Federal Vision, And The Covenant Theology That The Reformation Rejected
Or Why History Is Useful
More than twenty years ago, in the summer of 2001, Mike Horton and I were sitting beside a hotel swimming pool one evening during Synod Escondido, along with several ministers from our federation (denomination) of churches (the United Reformed Churches in North . . . Continue reading →
Heidelminicast—Calvin On Hebrews 6: Christianity Teaches Faith And Love
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 →
Embracing The Reformation Doctrine Of Salvation Is Not “Wearying From The Battle”
John MacArthur is the old lion of modified Dispensationalism, which has been a gateway for many into the Reformation, but which has also been an obstacle to the Reformation. State Of The Controversy One way in which that has been true is . . . Continue reading →
Merry Christmas From The Heidelblog!
Blessed be the Lord God of Israel, for he has visited and redeemed his people and has raised up a horn of salvation for us in the house of his servant David, as he spoke by the mouth of his holy prophets . . . Continue reading →
The Point Of The Rich Man And Lazarus Might Not Be What You Think (Pt 2)
According to Josephus and three of the four Gospel writers, Caiaphas was Israel’s high priest during the days of Jesus’ earthly ministry.7 Further, as it turns out, he was the son-in-law of Annas, who had also reigned as high priest some years . . . Continue reading →
The Point Of The Rich Man And Lazarus Might Not Be What You Think (Pt 1)
In Luke 16, Jesus tells a fascinating story about two contrasting characters: one who lives in luxury, and the other who lives in extreme poverty and, unlike all the other parables Jesus tells, in this particular narrative, one of the characters is . . . Continue reading →
Heidelcast For September 4, 2022: Every Tribe, Tongue, And Nation (15): Third/Fourth Heads Of Doctrine (1)
In this episode Dr Clark continues his series on the the Canons of Dort where we turn to the Third and Fourth Heads of Doctrine on the Application of Redemption by the Spirit to the elect. Synod intentionally repeated themselves in their . . . Continue reading →
Dort On Salvation For The Elect
The Synod of Dort believed that God accomplished salvation only for the elect. Continue reading →
Remonstrants Take Away The “Free” In The Offer Of The Gospel
The Reformed disagreed with the Remonstrants on their view of whether the offer of the Gospel is really “free.” Continue reading →
Turretin: The Twofold Nature Of Salvation
We remark that the obedience of Christ has a twofold efficacy, satisfactory and meritorious; the former by which we are freed from the punishments incurred by sin; the latter by which (through the remission of sin) a right to eternal life and . . . Continue reading →
Examining The Remonstrants On Reconciliation
The Reformed disagreed with the Remonstrants on the definition of “reconciliation.” Continue reading →
When We Are Tempted To Save Ourselves
When you feel doubts about being God’s child because you have not shown God that obedience that you owe to him, know that the devil is very near you. He will attempt to falsify the gospel by convincing you that you must . . . Continue reading →
Salvation: Accomplished
It is not salvation attempted but but salvation accomplished. Continue reading →
A Debtor’s Ethic
John Piper has complained that the historic Reformed understanding of the Christian faith and life produces what he calls a “debtor’s ethic.” The assumption is that a “debtor’s ethic” is something that we are supposed to reject out of hand. I have . . . Continue reading →
Heidelcast For June 26, 2022: Every Tribe, Tongue, And Nation (6): First Head Of Doctrine (3)
Perhaps the most fundamental complaint of the Remonstrants against Reformed theology, the concern that most animated Arminius’ desire to revise Reformed theology, was the charge that the Reformed view makes God the author of evil. In his desire to fix this problem . . . Continue reading →
The Problem Of Divine Intent
Faith, Love, and Piper: Distinguishing Reformed Categories
What’s love got to do with it? According to John Piper’s recent book What is Saving Faith?, affectional elements, including one’s love, satisfaction in and treasuring of God, are included in the definition of justifying faith itself—though, this may not come as a . . . Continue reading →