Wherefore we thought it right, to shew forth with all accuracy, in our present definition the error of such as make and venerate these, for it is the unanimous doctrine of all the holy Fathers and of the six Ecumenical Synods, that . . . Continue reading →
Author: Heidelblog
The Heidelblog has been in publication since 2007. It is devoted to recovering the Reformed confession and to helping others discover Reformed theology, piety, and practice.
Audio: Romans—The Power Of God For Salvation
Here is the AGR series on the book of Romans with Chris Gordon and R. Scott Clark Continue reading →
Resources On Church Growth And Ordinary Means Ministry
The church growth movement has been one of the more influential movements in modern evangelicalism for the last 40 years. Pastors receive a steady stream of emails and advertisements promising to “grow the church” if only his congregation will buy this product or service. In some quarters it is unquestioned dogma, it is axiomatic that if the church is not growing numerically it is failing in its mission. Continue reading →
Trueman: What “Big Eva” Is And Why It Matters To Reformed Churches
…Big Eva is not a large German who works in border control for the Bundesrepublik but my term for the network of large evangelical organizations and conferences that seeks to shape the thinking and strategy of the American evangelical churches…. What Big . . . Continue reading →
Not Just Infant Baptism: Household Baptism
The other reason why I prefer the term Household Baptist to Infant Baptist is that it keeps the evangelistic focus of the church in view. I sometimes fear that the most ardent supporters of infant baptism become too inward focused. They have . . . Continue reading →
Resources On Machen, Christianity, And Liberalism
In 1923 J. Gresham Machen, a professor at Princeton Theological Seminary, published one of the more important books in the modern history of the Reformed and Presbyterian churches, Christianity and Liberalism. It was a stirring and cogent defense of thesis that biblical, . . . Continue reading →
May Churches In Oregon Be Sued For Refusing To Host LGBTQ Weddings? It Depends
Christine Lewis, the labor bureau’s legislative director, said she couldn’t give a blanket answer as to whether churches in Oregon can legally refuse to allow gay groups to rent out their spaces. That depends on “the unique facts of each case,” she . . . Continue reading →
Beza On Sanctification (1570)
Q133 Therefore, explain fully this sanctification of ours in Christ. A133 Something is said to be sanctified which is segregated from common pollution, so that it is most pure, and wholly consecrated to God the greatest adversary of all filth. Therefore, in . . . Continue reading →
Resources On The Role Of Abraham In Redemptive History
Moses Was Not Abraham Abraham Was Not Moses Is Abraham “A” Father Or “Our” Father? (1) Is Abraham “A” Father Or “Our” Father? (2) Is Abraham “A” Father Or “Our” Father? (3) Abraham Was A Spiritual, Gracious Covenant The Abrahamic Covenant Unifies . . . Continue reading →
Cranfield On Why “Works Of The Law” Means More Than Mosaic Ceremonies
We turn now at last to Romans. The first occurrence of ἔργα νόμου is in 3:20: διότι ἐξ ἔργων νόμου οὐ δικαιωθήσεται πᾶσα σὰρξ ἐνώπιον αὐτοῦ, διὰ γὰρ νόμου ἐπίγνωσις ἁμαρτίας. Dunn explains ἔργα νόμου here as meaning quite specifically those observances . . . Continue reading →
Resources On Instruments In Worship
Below are gathered the quotations, posts, and essays from the Heidelblog on the history, theology, and practice of instruments in public worship. Continue reading →
The Presbyterian Churches Reject Images Of Jesus
Q. 109. What sins are forbidden in the second commandment? A. The sins forbidden in the second commandment are, all devising, counseling, commanding, using, and any wise approving, any religious worship not instituted by God himself; the making any representation of God, . . . Continue reading →
The Reformed Churches Reject Images Of Jesus
96. What does God require in the second Commandment? That we in no wise make any image of God, nor worship Him in any other way than He has commanded us in His Word. 97. May we not make any image at . . . Continue reading →
Why Should We Plant Reformed Churches?
As true churches of Jesus Christ, the URCNA are obligated to fulfill our Lord’s Great Commission to make disciples: “All authority in heaven and on earth has been given to me. Go therefore and make disciples of all nations, baptizing them in . . . Continue reading →
Intinction Has Led To Removal Of The Cup From The Laity
Respect the sacramental table to which you have approached, the bread of which you have partaken, the cup in which you have communicated, being consecrated by the sufferings of Christ.5 5. Note that this allusion implies that Communion in both Kinds was . . . Continue reading →
Lactantius (c. 250–c. 325): Where There Are Images There Is No Religion
Whoever, therefore, is anxious to observe the obligations to which man is liable, and to maintain a regard for his nature, let him raise himself from the ground, and, with mind lifted up, let him direct his eyes to heaven: let him . . . Continue reading →
The Reformed Followed The Ancient Fathers In Rejecting Images Of Christ
Therefore we approved the judgment of Lactantius [c.250–325], and ancient writer, who says: “Undoubtedly no religion exists where there is an image.” We also assert that the blessed bishop Epiphanius [c.315–403] did right when, finding on the doors of a church a . . . Continue reading →
Jacques Lefèvre d’Étaples On Lent
“There are men nowadays who teach a foolish godliness instead of Christ’s doctrine. What does it profit me to fast new Lents or to pay my tithes? Why trust myself to formulas of prayer of unknown authors and leave aside the prescriptions . . . Continue reading →
Pagan Assyrians Regarded Abortion As Murder
The Middle Assyrian Laws, which date as far back as the early 11th century bc, specifically addressed abortion. In these laws—a collection of legal codes including decrees of the Assyrian kings and Amorite legal customs (Tetlow, Women, Crime, and Punishment, 126)—abortion was . . . Continue reading →
Westminster Larger Catechism (1648)
Q. 1. What is the chief and highest end of man? A. Man’s chief and highest end is to glorify God, and fully to enjoy him forever. Q. 2. How doth it appear that there is a God? A. The very light . . . Continue reading →