Heidelcast 208—Taking Calls On Church Discipline For Doctrinal Error, Final Salvation Through Works, Divinization, Justice, Ecstatic Worship, And Providence

by Heidelcast on January 15, 2022

This episode might be what some would call a “humdinger” if only because we were able to fit in all six calls and give some answer to each. Daniel called to ask how the church should respond when a lay member adopts . . . Continue reading →

PCA Ruling Elder Brad Isbell On The Future Of The Overtures And The PCA GA

by Heidelblog on January 14, 2022

PCA Overture 37 will fail to receive the requisite two-thirds vote of the presbyteries to bring it before the 2022 PCA General Assembly for final approval. And Overture 23 (which, like 37, concerns same-sex-attracted church officers) will pass or fail by a . . . Continue reading →

Romans 2:13 As An Acid Test

by R. Scott Clark on January 14, 2022

I had the privilege of talking with my friend Pat Abendroth last night. He is the senior pastor of Omaha Bible Church. He is a gospel preacher. We were recording an episode of his excellent podcast, The Pactum and we discussed what the . . . Continue reading →

Machen’s Private Racism And Contemporary Public Segregationism

by R. Scott Clark on January 13, 2022

Andrew Bertodatti and Rasool Berry, two pastors in New York City, have written a lengthy critique of a new book by Owen Strachan. My interest in this essay is not to engage with Strachan’s book, which I have not read, nor to . . . Continue reading →

On “Meta” Ministry, Docetism, VR Church, And The Communion Of The Saints

by R. Scott Clark on January 12, 2022

Already in the apostolic period of the church there were heretics, John calls them “antichrists” (1 John 2:18, 22; 4:2–3; 2 John 1:7) who taught that Jesus only appeared to be human but that he did not have a true human body. . . . Continue reading →

The Main Purpose Of The ‘Rule Of Faith’ Is to Help Readers Identify Jesus As The One To Whom The Scriptures Point

by Heidelblog on January 12, 2022

Jesus Christ is not the solution to a puzzle, whether that solution is derived by means of a sophisticated homiletical method or a sophisticated hermeneutical method. Jesus Christ is God the Son in person. Someone, not something, is the central subject matter and scope of Scripture. Someone, not something, should be the central subject matter and scope of Christian preaching. Continue reading →

The Use Of Images Is An Indicator Of The Functional Authority Of The Standards In The PCA

by R. Scott Clark on January 11, 2022

When the Westminster Assembly (1643–52), which was composed of Episcopalians, Congregationalists, and Presbyterians, deliberated on the moral law of God, they agreed on with the church of all ages and times on the abiding validity of God’s moral law. In their Confession (19.5) . . . Continue reading →

Heidelcast 207—What Must A Christian Believe? (23): Life Eternal

by Heidelcast on January 10, 2022

This is the 23rd and final episode in the series, What Must A Christian Believe? In our survey of the rule of faith, i.e., the Apostles’ Creed, we have reached the twelfth article, “life eternal.” The twelfth article has been a part . . . Continue reading →

On Leaving The Mainline: Some Friendly Advice To The Alliance Of Reformed Churches

by R. Scott Clark on January 8, 2022

Kathryn Post, writing for the Religion News Service (HT: Christianity Today), writes, “On New Year’s Day, 43 congregations of the Reformed Church in America (RCA) split from the national denomination, one of the oldest Protestant bodies in the United States, in part over theological differences regarding same-sex marriage and the ordination of LGBT clergy.” This move, she says, “follows the RCA General Synod’s October decision to adopt measures for ‘grace-filled separation’ with departing churches and to appoint a team to develop a restructuring plan for those that remain.” These 43 congregations (so far) have formed The Alliance of Reformed Churches. Continue reading →

A Pastor’s Plea: Let The Church Help You Think Through Difficult Issues

by R. Scott Clark on January 7, 2022

Introduction Americans are an independent lot. In the secular sphere (e.g., politics and economics) that can be an admirable quality which contributes mightily to freedom and prosperity. In the sacred sphere (e.g., in the life of the church, in our spiritual and . . . Continue reading →

Warfield: A Christianity Without The Virgin Birth Is Christless Christianity

by B. B. Warfield, Heidelblog on January 7, 2022

I am, of course, well aware that this doctrine of redemption, and as well the doctrine of sin which underlies it, is nowadays scouted in wide circles. With that, however, I have no present concern. I cheerfully admit that to a “Christianity” . . . Continue reading →

Erick Read The End Of The Book

Eschatology Matters

by Heidelblog on January 6, 2022

Being nice or civil is now a sign of weakness. Having friends across the aisle is too. We can’t turn the other cheek or love our neighbors if they disagree with us. Loving our neighbors who are gay now means we have . . . Continue reading →

Wollebius On The Good News

by Inwoo Lee on January 6, 2022

Review: Five Things Theologians Wish Biblical Scholars Knew

by Jacob Aitken on January 4, 2022

Hans Boersma, Five Things Theologians Wish Biblical Scholars Knew (Downers Grove, IL, InterVarsityPress, 2021). Introduction The idea behind this book is good. The author is right to say that no one approaches the biblical text without a prior commitment to metaphysics. Nevertheless, . . . Continue reading →

Grace for Parents Of Prodigals

by Tony Phelps on January 4, 2022

I will be a God to you and to your children… The promise is for you and for your children… As a dad of a prodigal adult child, I would like to remind myself and anyone who cares to read of a . . . Continue reading →

Religious Freedom Watch: Another Federal District Issues Stay In Favor Of SEALs V. Biden

by Heidelblog on January 4, 2022

Our nation asks the men and women in our military to serve, suffer, and sacrifice. But we do not ask them to lay aside their citizenry and give up the very rights they have sworn to protect.1 Every president since the signing . . . Continue reading →

Conversion, Church Planting, And The Due Use Of Ordinary Means

by R. Scott Clark on January 3, 2022

As a follow up to the recent post about the intersection between Acts 29, Mars Hill, and the PCA, someone sent a link to the application to be filled in/out on for the Spanish River Church Planting program. One of the questions on . . . Continue reading →

Owen: The Loss Of Justification Sola Fide Leads To Rome Or Atheism

by Inwoo Lee on January 3, 2022

I shall take the boldness, therefore, to say, whoever be offended by it, that if we lose the ancient doctrine of justification

Heidelcast 206—What Must A Christian Believe? (22): The Resurrection Of The Dead

by Heidelcast on January 1, 2022

Happy New Year from the Heidelcast! This is episode 22 in the series, What Must A Christian Believe? In our survey of the rule of faith, i.e., the Apostles’ Creed, we have reached the eleventh article, “the resurrection of the dead.” The Ancient . . . Continue reading →

An Overlooked Aspect Of The Story: PCA Influence On Acts 29 And Mars Hill

by R. Scott Clark on December 31, 2021

Regular readers of the Heidelblog and listeners of the Heidelcast will know that considerable time has been spent here analyzing and interacting with the podcast series produced by Christianity Today and hosted by Mike Cosper (see the resources below).