Since the 1970s and 80s the Dispensational-evangelical world has been involved in a running controversy over “the Lordship of Christ.” On one side are those Dispensationalists allied with Lewis Sperry Chafer, Charlies Ryrie, and Zane Hodges, who assert that so long as . . . Continue reading →
Dear Christian Parent, Your Pastor Will Fight For Your Kids But Will You?
This essay comes from the heart as a passionate plea to parents out of our shared concern for our covenant children. It is difficult to pastor a flock in a conservative church today, but not for the reasons that you might think. It . . . Continue reading →
More Conference Audio: The Quest For Illegitimate Religious Experience
Here is the fourth installment of the audio from the conference, So You You Say You Want A Reformation? hosted by Bethlehem Bible Church in West Boylston, MA. This is one of the Saturday morning talks, on the QIRE (quest for illegitimate . . . Continue reading →
A Listener Explains The Benefit Of The Heidelcast Series On Nomism And Antinomianism
Dear Brother I want to thank you. Here, where I live, it is not easy to get Reformed teaching but thanks to technology I have been able to listen to the Heidelcast; specifically to the series on the Marrow of Modern Divinity. . . . Continue reading →
More Conference Audio: Q and A On Reformation, Sanctification, Good Works, And More (pt 2)
Here is the third installment of the audio from the conference, So You You Say You Want A Reformation? hosted by Bethlehem Bible Church in West Boylston, MA. This is the question and answer session of the conference from Friday evening. Here . . . Continue reading →
New In Print: Faithful And Fruitful: Essays For Elders And Deacons
There are three major aspects to being Reformed: theology (doctrine), piety (our reverent approach to God), and practice (how we live out our Christian life in the visible church, at work, and at home). Of these three aspects, theology, whether biblical theology . . . Continue reading →
More Conference Audio: Q and A On Reformation, Sanctification, Good Works, And More
Here is the second installment of the audio from the conference, So You You Say You Want A Reformation? hosted by Bethlehem Bible Church in West Boylston, MA. This is the question and answer session of the conference from Friday evening. Here . . . Continue reading →
Conference Audio: Law, Gospel, And Galawspel
This past Friday and Saturday I had the pleasure of speaking at the conference, So You You Say You Want A Reformation? hosted by Bethlehem Bible Church in West Boylston, MA. This is the first session of the conference from Friday evening. . . . Continue reading →
Is All Of Life Political?
Search for the phrase “all of life is political” and one finds not a few results. We expect such a sentiment to be very popular among mon-Christians, whose hope is focused on this life and this world. Remarkably, however, Christians are among . . . Continue reading →
Romans Series: The Power of God For Salvation (29)—chapter 7 (part 3)
Romans is one of the greatest resources available to the Christian faith and life. Written in the mid-to late AD 50s to the congregation in Rome, Paul sent this pastoral letter to make clear the gospel, that salvation is from the Lord, . . . Continue reading →
Young, Restless, And Augustinian?
Scholars tell us that there are at about 60 million evangelicals in North America. It is an ongoing debate among them, however, as to how to define “evangelical.” In the 16th century it meant something like this: “One who agrees with the . . . Continue reading →
With No Compromise Radio On The Lordship Controversy, QIRE, And The Reformation
In anticipation of the upcoming conference, So You Say You Want A Reformation? Mike Abendroth and I discuss some of the topics we will be considering this Friday and Saturday: law, gospel, and the confusion of the two, the Lordship Salvation controversy, . . . Continue reading →
When the Good News Becomes Bad
The word “Gospel” is so familiar and frequently used that it is possible to lose sight of its genuine meaning, “good news.” This question is vital as we face a series of movements within our churches which seek to redefine the meaning . . . Continue reading →
Luther On What Makes A Real Theologian
Therefore whoever knows well how to distinguish the Gospel from the Law should give thanks to God and know that he is a real theologian. I admit that in the time of temptation I myself do not know how to do this . . . Continue reading →
Office Hours: From The Pasture To The Pastorate
Office Hours kicks off its 11th season (247 episodes so far) with an interview with our newest faculty member, Dr Craig Troxel. Craig comes to Escondido from Bethel Presbyterian Church (OPC), Wheaton, IL. Prior to that he was pastor Glenside OPC, in . . . Continue reading →
With NoCo Radio On Reformation And Christ’s Active Obedience
Back in 2015 Mike Abendroth and I got together to discuss the importance of the Reformation, how it applies to Evangelicals, the imputation of active obedience and more. Lord permitting I am to be speaking at Bethlehem Bible Church this week, Friday and . . . Continue reading →
How Do We Know That God Is One In Three Persons (And Not Four Persons)?
Jason writes to ask: From a Christian perspective, how do we know that God is three persons (and not four or more)? Is it possible, from a Christian perspective, that God has only chosen to reveal three persons (but that God is . . . Continue reading →
New In Print And Online: “The Synod of Dort: ‘Keeping Venom from the Lips’”
In the October, 2019 issue of Ordained Servant is an introduction to the Canons of Dort, “The Synod of Dort: Keeping Venom From the Lips.” It is also available in print. Here’s just a bit with a link to the rest. Continue reading →
What Is Wrong With The Theology Of Glory?
At the 1518 Heidelberg Disputation (academic presentation), Martin Luther (1483–1546), the father of the Protestant Reformation, as he was coming to his Protestant convictions, argued: “One is not worthy to be called a theologian who looks upon the ‘invisible things of God’ . . . Continue reading →
Ursinus Anticipated And Rejected Final Salvation Through Works
Objection 4. Faith does not justify without that which is required in those who are justified. Good works are required in those who are justified. Therefore, faith is not without good works, and so does not justify alone. Answer: There is here . . . Continue reading →