The Benedict Option versus Redeemer Presbyterian Church (NYC) is a wrestling match this writer would pay to see. Which side has the greater strength either of argument or piety than the other? To leave the mainstream culture because it is hostile to . . . Continue reading →
Review: R. C. Sproul’s Luther and the Reformation
With his characteristic clarity and story-telling ability, R. C. Sproul’s Luther and the Reformation: How a Monk Discovered the Gospel reveals the lines of connection between the personal crises of Martin Luther’s life and the development of his theological thought. As the . . . Continue reading →
Heidelminicast: Belgic Confession Art. 11—The Holy Spirit Is 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 France and . . . Continue reading →
Second Council Of Orange Contra Pelagianism
CANON 1. If anyone denies that it is the whole man, that is, both body and soul, that was “changed for the worse” through the offense of Adam’s sin, but believes that the freedom of the soul remains unimpaired and that only . . . Continue reading →
The Lapsed Now And Then: What The Decian Persecution Teaches Us About Recovering From Covid
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 →
Heidelminicast: Belgic Confession Art. 10—Jesus Christ Is True 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 France and . . . Continue reading →
Aquinas On The Source Of Truth
Aquinas did not view truths of reason and truths of revelation as incompatible or in need of synthesis. Underlying theological project of Aquinas’ two Summas is the assumption that what is true is true whatever its immediate source, given that all truth . . . Continue reading →
Paul’s Sentences And Ours
Several months ago, Dr. Clark emailed me, saying: “We are still interested in your reflections on media culture,” in reply to an earlier thread I composed about Israel’s Shema and God’s use of language—not image—to promote true knowledge of him. This brief . . . Continue reading →
Heidelminicast: Belgic Confession Art. 9—The Trinity Is A Bible Doctrine
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 France and . . . Continue reading →
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 →
Pronouns And The Destabilization Of Thought
When Vice President Kamala Harris announced her pronouns while introducing herself to pro-abortion disability rights activists, she also described what she was wearing: “I am Kamala Harris. My pronouns are she and her. I am a woman sitting at this table wearing . . . Continue reading →
Heidelcast For August 28, 2022: Every Tribe, Tongue, And Nation (14): Second Head Of Doctrine (6)
In this episode Dr Clark continues his series on the Canons of Dort where we are looking at the Second Head of Doctrine of the Canons of Dort on the atonement. One of the principals in the Arminian controversy leading up to . . . Continue reading →
How Not To Write A Thesis On The Atonement
At least two delegates at the Synod of Dort (1618-19) were toying with alternate language regarding the atonement. Continue reading →
Orwell: Social Orthodoxy And The Silencing Of Unpopular Opinions
At any given moment there is an orthodoxy, a body of ideas which it is assumed that all right-thinking people will accept without question. It is not exactly forbidden to say this, that or the other, but it is ‘not done’ to . . . Continue reading →
Peace And Purity Provided By Authority: John Thomson’s Defense Of Presbyterian Church Polity (Part 6): The Beginning Of Conflict
In 1739, the Presbytery of New Brunswick, which consisted of Gilbert Tennent, Eleazer Wales, William Tennent and Samuel Blair, submitted a document titled The Apology. It consisted of objections to the previous two acts of the Synod of 1738 and a polemical . . . Continue reading →
Heidelminicast: Belgic Confession Art. 8—The Trinity
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 France and . . . Continue reading →
Turretin: Works Justify Faith
A twofold trial can be entered into by God with man: either by the law (inasmuch as he is viewed as guilty of violating the law by sin and thus comes under the accusation and condemnation of the law); or by the . . . Continue reading →
From Baptist to Presbyterian: Reflections on Polity and Pastoral Ministry
In 2020, Dr. Clark interviewed me about my unconventional route to becoming a Presbyterian pastor and how I ended up receiving a call to the congregation I serve. It is strange to consider how much change can take place in only a . . . Continue reading →
Heidelminicast: Belgic Confession Art. 7—Scripture Is Enough
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 France and . . . Continue reading →
The Sufficiency Of Atonement For All The Elect
The Synod of Dort employed language that unequivocally specified the sufficiency of Christ’s atoning work for all the elect. Continue reading →