There was sometimes an expressed commitment to certain iconic traditions of Anglicanism that seemed to supersede the commitment to the gospel message and the primacy of Scripture. I began to perceive that many of Episcopalian background regard the traditions of Anglicanism as . . . 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.
Sometimes, Upon First Becoming Reformed, Some Become Jerks
Let’s admit, however, that sometimes, upon first becoming Reformed, some folk become jerks. Sometimes this phase is temporary. Mike Horton calls this the “cage phase,” when a new convert to Reformed Christianity needs to be put in a cage until he matures. . . . Continue reading →
“Play The Man, Master Ridley”
One of the most interesting bits of Oxford history is the story of the Oxford Martyrs and the statue by which they are remembered. The history of the monument itself is fascinating. In 1833, John Henry Newman (1801‑90), an Anglican priest, began . . . Continue reading →
Federal Theology Is Good News For Sinners
Paul calls Christ the “last” Adam (1 Cor 15:45). So, we know that there was a definite link between the two. In Romans 5:12–21 Paul intentionally wants us to think of Adam and Christ as fulfilling similar roles. Adam was the first . . . Continue reading →
How You Can Help The HB
HB Comments are open (subject to the rules) and comments are encouraged. Continue reading
Audacious Sheep Stealing And Comity
One reason no one wants to talk about the comity agreement is that it is not always observed. One suspects that few church planters or pastors even know that there is a comity agreement that is supposed to be informing our church . . . Continue reading →
“My Thirst For More Drove Me On”
My thirst for more drove me on. I began to explore the doctrine of the Spirit. Raised as a cessationist, I believed that the Holy Spirit comes to each believer at conversion, after that there is nothing more to it. I was . . . Continue reading →
Office Hours: Three Graduates Going To Serve The Lord
As the man said about the Grateful Dead, academic year 2020-21 has been a “long, strange, trip.” For part of the year we have been online only and for part of the year we have been in hybrid mode, with some of . . . Continue reading →
Bannerman: No One May Call Himself A Christian Who Does Not Believe The Christian Faith
1. There are some men who object to all authorized creeds and articles of faith whatsoever, on the ground that they make the name of Christian and the advantages of Christian fellowship dependent on assent to certain positive truths or dogmas, whether . . . Continue reading →
Heidelmini-cast: Why The Ten Commandments Say No And More
David writes to the Heidelcast to ask about the ten commandments. “Do you have any thoughts why the first commandment as well most of the ten commandments start with the word no?” So we know what we’re talking about let’s listen to . . . Continue reading →
Help For New Deacons (And Others) Regarding Homelessness And Addiction
What cops and others who work daily with the homeless know but what the national media will not tell you is that a relatively small percentage of people are on the street with nowhere to go due to circumstances beyond their control. Continue reading
Discounted 40% Until June 24, 2021: On Being Reformed
From now until June 21, 2021, On Being Reformed is discounted 40%. This means that the e-book price is $32.99 and the hardcover is $41.99. The Coupon code is: SUMMER21 Order here. More about the book here. Resources How To Subscribe To . . . Continue reading →
From “Insofar As” To “Good Faith:” The Slope To The Mainline
Introduction There is what PCA RE Brad Isbell calls a “quiet crisis” in the PCA. PCA TE Jon Payne says “the future doesn’t look good for the PCA.” The presenting issue just now is so-called “Side B” or “Gay Christianity.” On this . . . Continue reading →
Preparing For Persecution
Since becoming a pastor I’ve been convinced that one of my most important responsibilities it to preach and pray in a way that prepares people to suffer for the glory of God. Suffering – which is a wide and broad biblical category . . . Continue reading →
The Eternally Begotten Son Is Consubstantial With the Father
The Son’s generation involves no priority or posteriority, and certainly no inferiority but designates order alone. If it did involve priority or posteriority of any kind, then the Son would be inferior to the Father. Previously, I emphasized that the Son is . . . Continue reading →
Clear Evidence Of Declining Academic Standards
In classics, two major changes were made. The “classics” track, which required an intermediate proficiency in Greek or Latin to enter the concentration, was eliminated, as was the requirement for students to take Greek or Latin. Students still are encouraged to take . . . Continue reading →
Memorial Day 2021: We Remember
What If The Lord Does Not Accept Our Praise Music?
…We have been trained by the broader culture that how we feel when we come to worship is determined by the success of the instrumentation to create a good feeling. The assumption is that praise is created by the success of the . . . Continue reading →
Are P&R Churches “Wholly Inadequate” To Investigate Abuse?
Julie Roys reports that, on May 14, 2021, the Central Indiana Presbytery (PCA) approved a committee report recommending that the Presbytery bring charges against a pastor (Teaching Elder).
Three Benefits Of The Reformed Confession
…We do this first, by our agreed upon confession. Presbyterians confess as biblical the statement of faith found in the Westminster Confession of Faith, which says: “All synods or councils, since the Apostles’ times, whether general or particular, may err; and many . . . Continue reading →