The earlier Protestant tradition that produced a Milton, Bach, or Rembrandt, and later a C. S. Lewis or Makoto Fujimura was neither anti-intellectual nor aesthetically dull. Luther, a Renaissance-trained polymath, was the first individual since Jerome to translate the entire Bible into . . . Continue reading →
PCA SJC Takes Jurisdiction In Herron Case
The Presbyterian Church in America’s (PCA) highest ecclesiastical court is taking over a case allegedly mishandled by an Indiana presbytery, a letter from the presbytery shows. The case surrounds a former Indiana pastor accused of sexually harassing multiple women. The move comes . . . Continue reading →
The Fatal Mistake Of A Reasonless Christianity
It is worse than useless for Christians to talk about the importance of Christian morality, unless they are prepared to take their stand upon the fundamentals of Christian theology. It is a lie to say that dogma does not matter; it matters . . . Continue reading →
Review: Coleman and Rester, Eds., Faith in the Time of Plague
The past two-and-a-half years of COVID-19 fears, restrictions, and dissensions have led to strenuous circumstances for many professions and vocations. The callings of pastors and ministers have been no exception. It has been especially difficult for sessions, consistories, diaconates, and congregations in . . . Continue reading →
Pushing Back Against The Fashionable Narrative
I see no warrant for the claims that our “society” is experiencing an unprecedented level of disharmony and disjunction. To say that, of course, is not at all to suggest that all is well, that we have no reason for concern about . . . Continue reading →
The Fundamental Significance Of The Lord’s Supper (pt 1)
The most salient fact connected with the institution of the Lord’s Supper is, of course, that this took place at, or, to be more specific, in the midst of, the Passover Meal. It was “while they were eating” the passover meal, Jesus, . . . Continue reading →
Heidelcast For June 12, 2022: Questions And Answers On Amyraldianism, Pentecostalism, And Much More
This is a question and answer episode. Scott from VA texts to ask about Amyraldianism, is it heresy and what does it have to do with the distinction between the sufficiency of the atonement and the efficiency of the atonement. Anonymous texts . . . Continue reading →
Join The King’s Army Today
One finds profound truths in odd places. Today I found one on a fast-food sign. “Join The King’s Army Today” it read. “That is really good counsel,” I thought to myself. I am reasonably certain that the fast-food corporation and I are . . . Continue reading →
Understanding The Times: Did Christianity Become Marginal In America In 2014?
To refresh, my framework posits that during the period of secularization post-1965, America has passed through three distinct phases or worlds in terms of how secular culture views Christianity. Positive World (Pre-1994). Christianity was viewed positively by society and Christian morality was still . . . Continue reading →
Why We Need A New Reformation Catechism On Human Sexuality
The historic creeds and confessions of Protestant churches have served to preserve Christians in the truth of the gospel for centuries. We are deeply indebted to those who took the time to formulate, with great accuracy and clarity, the precious truths of . . . Continue reading →
The New Covenant In My Blood (Luke 22:20) (Part 4)
Then comes darkness. “Then came darkness upon the face of the earth for the space of three hours from noon til mid-afternoon.” This is the hour and power of darkness. Come forth then all ye that are and shall be bound by . . . Continue reading →
Heidelminicast: Heidelberg Catechism 99—What Is The Third Commandment?
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 →
Gender Activism And The Victim Narrative
Transgender activism has been making inroads into America’s public institutions. The Biden administration has recently promoted neo-pronouns and gender reassignment surgery for minors, government agencies have celebrated the expansion of identity categories such as “pansexual” and “non-binary,” and public schools across the . . . Continue reading →
My Pilgrimage From “Lordship” to Law/Gospel (part 3): Assurance
In part 2, we considered the case of the Rich Young Ruler. In this final installment, let us consider one of the most important passages in this debate: Romans 2:13. Advantage #4–Giving Assurance to Believers LS regularly calls into question a person’s . . . Continue reading →
Heidelminicast: Heidelberg Catechism 98—What About Pictures As Books For The People?
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 →
Molech Then And Now
The Ancient Near Eastern culture described in the Old Testament and in which the Old Testament scriptures were given can sometimes seem foreign to our postmodern world. There are, however, some striking points of contact. One of these is the cult of . . . Continue reading →
Godfrey: Edwards Rejected The Reformed Definition Of Faith In The Act Of Justification
In one area, however, the treatise is problematic, namely his understanding of the nature of justifying faith. Gerstner acknowledged that Edwards did express the doctrine of justifying faith somewhat differently from his Calvinistic forbears, “…there can be little doubt that Calvinistic theologians . . . Continue reading →
Heidelminicast: Heidelberg Catechism 97—What About Images Of Jesus?
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 →
“Bait And Switch” Is Not Evangelism
My Pilgrimage From “Lordship” to Law/Gospel (part 2): Test Case—The Rich Young Ruler
In part 1 we considered the definition of Lordship Salvation and the Reformation distinction between Law and Gospel. If you read the “rich young ruler” passage in Matthew 19:16-30 as the LS folks frequently do, you will see Jesus calling people to . . . Continue reading →