The Roman soldier handled Perpetua roughly. There was no question who was in charge. He took her before the Captain to be questioned and then to the Procurator. The procedure was simple. He asked her one question three times: “Are you a . . . Continue reading →
Author: R. Scott Clark
R.Scott Clark is the President of the Heidelberg Reformation Association, the author and editor of, and contributor to several books and the author of many articles. He has taught church history and historical theology since 1997 at Westminster Seminary California. He has also taught at Wheaton College, Reformed Theological Seminary, and Concordia University. He has hosted the Heidelblog since 2007.
He Is A Pastor, Not A Priest
One of the great temptations that reporters face, especially as they become famous (or notorious), is the temptation to think that they are part of the story or that they are in charge of the story. In other words, it is tempting, . . . Continue reading →
1689 Vs. The Westminster Confession (8): Of Christ The Mediator
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 →
On Being Reformed Discounted 50% Until August 29, 2022
1689 Vs. The Westminster Confession (7): On The Fall, The Covenant Of Works, And The Covenant Of Grace
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 →
The Canons Of Dork #1 For August 20, 2022
Resources How To Subscribe To Heidelmedia 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 Support Heidelmedia: use the donate button or send . . . Continue reading →
Heidelminicast: Belgic Confession Art. 3—The Written Word Of God
The Belgic Confession was written by a Reformed pastor, Guy de Bres (1522–1567), who adopted the Reformed faith as a young man and studied with several Reformed luminaries, including John Calvin, before serving as a pastor, church planter, and chaplain in France . . . Continue reading →
1689 Vs. The Westminster Confession (6): A Tale Of Two Confessions
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 →
NTJ 16.3 Summer 2022 Is Available Here
Thanks to the editor for making the NTJ available as an easily downloadable PDF. The Nicotine Theological Journal is one of few drop-everything-and-read publications that comes to me electronically or in print. I trust it will become that for you. Read it . . . Continue reading →
1689 Vs. The Westminster Confession (5): “One Striking Omission”
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
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 →
Should Lay People Administer The Sacraments?
A correspondent wrote to ask whether Christian laity should administer the sacraments? This is an ancient question, though typically we face it in a different form. In the Reformation, Calvin dealt with this question because midwives would administer baptism to infants in . . . Continue reading →
Heidelminicast: Heidelberg Catechism 127—What Is The Sixth Petition Of The Lord’s Prayer?
The Heidelberg Catechism is one of the most beloved and well used catechisms to emerge from the sixteenth and seventeenth century Reformation. Published in its final form in 1563, the catechism has been used by millions of Christians to teach the faith . . . Continue reading →
How To Prepare For Seminary
Over the years I have had the privilege of having many conversations with prospective seminary students. One of the more frequent questions has been, “how should I prepare for seminary?” This is a natural, good, and important question. A Renewed Need In . . . Continue reading →
Richard Muller—Jonathan Edwards And The Absence Of Free Choice: A Parting Of Ways In The Reformed Tradition
Lost Audio Recovered
Richard Muller’s lost lecture on Jonathan Edwards’ doctrine of free choice. Continue reading →
She Is Not A Pastor
In this space I have written several essays attempting to help Christians think biblically, in light of the Reformed confession of the faith, about the institution of the church and about the office of pastor. Easy Cases, Hard Cases Some of the . . . Continue reading →
They Are Not Pastors
In the course of catching up with goings on in the evangelical world, there was a striking confluence of news stories about men who are no longer pastors, if they ever were. As we scan and digest these stories we should draw . . . Continue reading →
Another “Idol Of The Heart” To Be Mortified: Placing Culture Over Christ
Twenty five years ago a famous preacher in NYC made the expression “idols of the heart” ubiquitous. There is another idol of the heart that needs to be added to the list. Continue reading
1689 Vs. The Westminster Confession (3): The Play-By-Play
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 the Savoy and the 2LC add a definite article to the . . . Continue reading →
Your Tax Dollars At Work: Recruiting Kids To The LGBTQ Movement?
Did you know that the tax-funded CDC maintains a web page devoted to LGBTQ “health”? Do LGBTQ youth get different kinds of acne than straight teens? Continue reading