Defining “Reformed”

Godfrey: What Does It Mean To Be Reformed?

by on September 8, 2023

RESOURCES Subscribe To The Heidelblog! The Heidelblog Resource Page Heidelmedia Resources The Ecumenical Creeds The Reformed Confessions The Heidelberg Catechism Recovering the Reformed Confession (Phillipsburg: P&R Publishing, 2008) Why I Am A Christian What Must A Christian Believe? Heidelblog Contributors Resources On . . . Continue reading →

The Commander Of Yahweh’s Army: The Son And The Covenant Of Grace Present In The Types And Shadows

by on September 19, 2022 | 3 Comments

When Joshua was by Jericho, he lifted up his eyes and looked, and behold, a man was standing before him with his drawn sword in his hand. And Joshua went to him and said to him, “Are you for us, or for our adversaries?” And he said, “No; but I am the commander of the army of the LORD. Now I have come.” And Joshua fell on his face to the earth and worshiped and said to him, “What does my lord say to his servant?” And the commander of the LORD‘S army said to Joshua, “Take off your sandals from your feet, for the place where you are standing is holy.” And Joshua did so (Joshua 5:13–15; ESV). Continue reading →

1689 Vs. The Westminster Confession (9): Of Free Will

by on September 16, 2022 | 3 Comments

Our comparison and contrast of the WCF with the 2LC continues through chapter 9, “Of Free Will.” A word of explanation about this language is in order. In 2022, when we hear or read the phrase “free will,” we might be tempted to . . . Continue reading →

1689 Vs. The Westminster Confession (8): Of Christ The Mediator

by on August 24, 2022 | 5 Comments

Our comparison and contrast of the WCF with the 2LC continues through chapter 8, “Of Christ the Mediator.” WCF 8.1 2LC 8.1 1. It pleased God, in His eternal purpose, to choose and ordain the Lord Jesus, His only begotten Son, to be . . . Continue reading →

1689 Vs. The Westminster Confession (7): On The Fall, The Covenant Of Works, And The Covenant Of Grace

by on August 22, 2022 | 13 Comments

Our comparison and contrast of the WCF with the 2LC continues through chapters 6 and 7, “Of the Fall of Man, of Sin, and of the Punishment thereof” and “Of God’s Covenant with Man.” WCF 6.1 2LC 6.1 1. Our first parents, being seduced . . . Continue reading →

1689 Vs. The Westminster Confession (6): A Tale Of Two Confessions

by on August 19, 2022 | 1 Comment

Our comparison and contrast of the WCF with the 2LC continues through chapters 4 and 5, “Of Creation” and “Of Divine Providence.” WCF 4.1 2LC 4.1 1. It pleased God the Father, Son, and Holy Ghost, for the manifestation of the glory of His . . . Continue reading →

1689 Vs. The Westminster Confession (5): “One Striking Omission”

by on August 17, 2022 | 5 Comments

Our comparison and contrast of the WCF with the 2LC continues through chapter 3, Of God’s Eternal Decree. In this installment we see some interesting revisions and one striking omission. WCF 2LC 1. God from all eternity did, by the most wise . . . Continue reading →

1689 Vs. The Westminster Confession (4): Some Of These Things Are Not Like The Others

by on August 15, 2022 | 4 Comments

Our comparison and contrast of the WCF with the 2LC continues through chapter 2, Of God and of the Holy Trinity. WCF 2LC 1.There is but one only, living, and true God: who is infinite in being and perfection, a most pure . . . Continue reading →

1689 Vs. The Westminster Confession (3): The Play-By-Play

by on July 29, 2022

Our comparison and contrast of the WCF with the 2LC continues through chapter 1, “Of the Holy Scriptures.” After the first section, the documents are identical until section 2, where the Savoy and the 2LC add a definite article to the last . . . Continue reading →

1689 Vs. The Westminster Confession (2): Nature, Grace, and Revelation

by on July 27, 2022 | 17 Comments

Since I first indicated that I intended to do this series, I have been challenged repeatedly by Baptist correspondents to justify the legitimacy and necessity of the series. Some have insisted, nay, demanded that I abandon the project as worthless. More than . . . Continue reading →

1689 Vs. The Westminster Confession: Narrowing The Lens On Particular Baptist History

by on July 25, 2022 | 25 Comments

The discussion of the differences between Baptist and Reformed theology is a sensitive but important question. Thus, I think I should explain why I am writing this series. In my experience, some Baptists, especially those who identify with the Particular Baptist tradition, . . . Continue reading →

There Is No Credo Baptist Heidelberg Catechism or Why Hercules Collins Was Not Reformed

by on July 22, 2022 | 52 Comments

For some years I have complained about Baptist squatters in the Reformed house. These are those Baptists who insist on re-defining the adjective Reformed. As it turns out, however, this habit of squatting is not new at all. Indeed, one of the . . . Continue reading →

On Leaving The Mainline: Some Friendly Advice To The Alliance Of Reformed Churches

by on January 8, 2022 | 4 Comments

Kathryn Post, writing for the Religion News Service (HT: Christianity Today), writes, “On New Year’s Day, 43 congregations of the Reformed Church in America (RCA) split from the national denomination, one of the oldest Protestant bodies in the United States, in part over theological differences regarding same-sex marriage and the ordination of LGBT clergy.” This move, she says, “follows the RCA General Synod’s October decision to adopt measures for ‘grace-filled separation’ with departing churches and to appoint a team to develop a restructuring plan for those that remain.”  These 43 congregations (so far) have formed The Alliance of Reformed Churches. Continue reading →

Was The Rise And Fall Of Mars Hill Podcast Series A Mistake?

by on December 14, 2021 | 12 Comments

This is the argument of Jason Estopinal. He appeals to Proverbs 10:19, 1 Thessalonians 4:11; Philippians 4:8, Proverbs 3:30, and Matthew 18 and concludes that Christians should not be fascinated by what one critic has called the “failure porn” of the Christianity Today podcast . . . Continue reading →

An Aberration Or Standard In Progressive Covenantalism? Issues About Covenant Conditions

by on November 30, 2021 | 16 Comments

Caneday’s main argument is to undermine the law-gospel distinction. In his words, “This chapter disavows the notion that all of Scripture consists of two isolatable messages: law, consisting of God’s demands, and gospel, composed of God’s gracious giving. Instead, it argues that the formulation of covenant stipulations remain the same while the content of stipulations changes.” (pg. 103; italics original). Continue reading →

An Illuminating Podcast From Christianity Today On The Rise And Fall Of Mars Hill

by on July 1, 2021

Christianity Today has released a new NPR-style podcast series hosted by Mike Cosper, “Who Killed Mars Hill?.” It is well done and deserves your attention. So far they have released a couple of trailers and two complete episodes. Cosper is sympathetically critical . . . Continue reading →