Heidelcast Live!

Video/Audio: Why Do Confessional Churches Grow So Slowly? (Heidelcast Live!)

In this episode Brad Isbell and Dr Clark interact with some observations from Heidelcast listener Jonathan, who was responding to a recent Heidelminicast on the topic of slow growth among confessional Reformed churches. His observations lead to a wide-ranging and lively discussion of Reformed church life, worship and more. The hosts also answer a question from Daniel about why Dr Clark has spoken about God the Son as the Lord God identified in Genesis 3:8. Continue reading →

Heidelcast

Heidelcast for November 1, 2026: Special Guest Patrick O’Banion on Girolamo Zanchi

In this episode, Dr. Clark talk with special guest Patrick O’Banion about his work and publications on Italian Reformer Girolamo Zanchi (1516-1590). They discuss Patrick’s most recent work, “Five Books on the Nature of God, or On the Divine Attributes, Volume I,” published by Merchant Royal Press.

First published in 1577, Reformed theologian Girolamo Zanchi’s Five Books on the Nature of God, or On the Divine Attributes is one of the most in-depth and significant treatises on theology proper written during the post-Reformation period. Exegetically driven, informed by cutting-edge scholarship, pastorally focused, and deeply engaged with the long tradition of classical Christian reflection upon God, Zanchi’s work presents and awe-inspiring vision of the who God is and what He is like, especially as He makes Himself known to His people in Christ.

In addition to a historical and theological introduction, this first of five volumes includes modern English translations of Zanchi’s letter to Prince John Casimir, his brief letter to the reader, and the complete first book of The Nature of God, which takes up the divine names as its central topic.

Patrick graduated from Westminster Seminary California (MA, Historical Theology) and earned his PhD in history at St Louis University. He was professor of History at Lindenwood University (St. Charles, MO) 2009–19. He has also published three books on early Modern Spain and numerous articles in academic journals. He is the translator of Girolamo Zanchi, The Spiritual Marriage between Christ and His Church and Every One of the Faithful. Patrick was ordained as a ruling elder in the PCA in 2008 and he is now licensed to preach by the Siouxlands Presbytery, PCA. Continue reading →

Article

In By Grace, Stay In By Faithfulness? (Part 3)

Why Is [Covenant] Nomism So Attractive? “Good” motives can lead to bad, even deadly, theology. Only God knows what is in people’s hearts, so I am not judging or speaking about the personal intentions of those who would bring their own works . . . Continue reading →

Article

In By Grace, Stay In By Faithfulness? (Part 2)

In the first part we quickly introduced the basic (and erroneous) doctrine of covenant nomism—namely that God has established a system whereby sinners are admitted to the covenant by grace, but they stay in, retain that status, or retain the benefits received . . . Continue reading →

Article

In By Grace, Stay In By Faithfulness? (Part 1)

We are approaching Reformation Day, so this seems like a good time to cover the basics again. The medieval church taught that we enter a state of grace through baptism. According to that teaching, we remain in a state of grace by . . . Continue reading →

Article

Does the Westminster Confession Teach Baptismal Regeneration? (Part 3)

1280px assertion of liberty of conscience by the independents of the westminster assembly of divines, 1644

So far in this series we have surveyed some significant voices in the interpretation of the Westminster Confession of Faith (WCF), and we have considered one of the more important documents in its background, the Scots Confession. Now it remains to consider . . . Continue reading →

Article

Does the Westminster Confession Teach Baptismal Regeneration? (Part 2)

1280px assertion of liberty of conscience by the independents of the westminster assembly of divines, 1644

In order to interpret the text of the Scots Confession and the Westminster Confession we must decide on a hermeneutic, a way of interpreting confessional texts. Often in the interpretation of confessional documents the temptation is to try to interpret a specific passage without reference to the broader context, but that is no way to read a text. Continue reading →