Re-posted from c. 2007 Dateline Paris, 1534. © Paris News Service By Guy LaFontaine Jean Calvin, 25, of Noyon, a leading scholar of the classics and law student in the University of Paris, has reportedly converted to the evangelical cause. A classicist . . . Continue reading →
Office Hours: Martin Klauber on Protestant Orthodoxy in the Classical Period
There aren’t many scholars who know in detail what happened to Protestant theology after the “high orthodox” period in the mid-late 17th century (think Francis Turretin). Marty Klauber is one of those fellows and we sat down to talk last spring when . . . Continue reading →
Clark Pinnock Dies at Age 73; Was God Surprised?
Too soon? Bad taste? Perhaps but so is suggesting that God might have a body (see Most Moved Mover) and that the future is “genuinely open” to God. As soon as I read of Pinnock’s death in Christianity Today the first thing . . . Continue reading →
Office Hours: But Through Faith Alone-Guy Waters on the NPP and the FV
The latest episode of Office Hours is up and it is a discussion with Prof. Guy Waters about the nature of the New Perspectives on Paul and the nature of the self-described “Federal Vision,” movement. We talk about what Paul really said . . . Continue reading →
Herman Witsius: The Practice of Christianity
1. What is the sole and perfect rule of our faith and conduct? It is the Word of God which is now contained in Holy Scripture, that is, in the canonical books of the Old and New Testament. This is the rule to which . . . Continue reading →
Office Hours-Cornelius Van Til: Family Man, Friend, and Pastor
Office Hours talks this week with Dr. John Van Til, nephew of Reformed apologist and theologian Cornelius Van Til, about CVT’s life and ministry. Dr John Van Til is a Fellow for Law & Humanities at the Center for Vision and Values, . . . Continue reading →
Anne Rice is Right (and Wrong)
I understand why Anne Rice has renounced (HT: Aquila Report) the visible, institutional church. She’s a modern and she’s an American. She might also have some “authority issues” (she was born “Howard Allen O’Brien“) but I digress. Yes, she’s Romanist but she’s . . . Continue reading →
The URCNA Justification Report Stands
More good news from the floor of the synod of the URCNA. Despite the pre-synod opposition from a few sources (e.g., Nampa, ID) the justification report was not only strengthened by synod but it also passed without audible dissent. Apparently the body . . . Continue reading →
Jeremy is Strangely Attracted to "Recovering" (Updated)
He finds the tone abrasive and high-handed at times, he accuses me of making arguments I don’t recall making (e.g., excluding congregationalists from the definition of Reformed. I’ve been accused of doing that but so far as I recall I didn’t discuss . . . Continue reading →
The Nine Points Stand!
Thanks to our reporter at synod in London, Ontario we learn that the Nine Points of Pastoral Advice, adopted by Synod 2007, will remain force. The appeal brought by the consistory of Hills URCNA (on procedural grounds) was rejected. Synod 2007 acted . . . Continue reading →
Office Hours: Missional and Reformed—Lloyd Kim Takes the Gospel & NT Scholarship to SE Asia
Office Hours talks this week to missionary, NT scholar, and 1999 WSC graduate Dr Lloyd Kim about taking the gospel to SE Asia. Here is the episode. This episode is available right now on iTunes or via RSS. More on Lloyd’s ministry . . . Continue reading →
Bavinck on the Creation Days
At the Reformed Reader.
Office Hours: The Calvin500 Interview with David Hall
This week Office Hours talks to the Rev Mr David Hall, Senior Pastor of Midway Presbyterian Church (PCA) and editor of the Calvin500 Series. In this interview we discuss the Calvin500 series and the recent volume Tributes to John Calvin. For more . . . Continue reading →
By the Power of His Deity
Heidelberg Catechism Q. 17: 17. Why must he also be true God? That by the power of His Godhead He might bear in His manhood the burden of God’s wrath,1 and so obtain for 2 and restore to us righteousness and life.3 . . . Continue reading →
We Expect the AAUP to Speak Up
An adjunct prof at the University of Illinois has been fired for offending a student (engaging in “hate speech”). What was that “hate speech”? He dared to contrast a natural-law approach to homosexuality with other approaches (HT: AR). RELATED POSTS Natural Law, . . . Continue reading →
The Glory of Rome
The election of Pope Paul III in 1534 signaled the beginning of the counter-Reformation; that is Rome’s response to Luther, Calvin and their followers. One way Paul III hoped to counter the teachings of the reformation was to complete the construction of . . . Continue reading →
When Bellicosity is No Virtue and Other Beauties
It depends, of course, upon who is being or deemed “bellicose” doesn’t it? John Muether has a helpful meditation on this question in the latest issue of the Nicotine Theological Journal (“thus think, and smoke tobacco”—Ralph Erskine (1685-1752; in “Smoking Spiritualized“). The . . . Continue reading →
Podcast
Audio Resources: The Presbyterian and Reformed Family Tree
Ever wonder whence the split Ps and broken Rs come? Here’s a great interview with WSC’s Darryl Hart on the Presbyterian and Reformed family tree.
Another Area Where a Two-Kingdoms/Spheres Ethic Would Help
Rome still doesn’t seem to understand how grave the problem of pedophile priests is. NPR (HT: RNS) reports on the new measures adopted by the Vatican, including revisions to canon law, to address the crisis.
Only God is Self-Sufficient
Martin Downes is reading Van Til: If one does not make human knowledge wholly dependent upon the original self-knowledge and consequent revelation of God to man, then man will have to seek knowledge within himself as the final reference point.