1. Of God’s Covenant of Works, with the First Adam, and his natural seed before the fall. APHORISM I. GOD was pleased to enter into covenant with the first Adam, before his fall. Under the term, Adam, Scripture sometimes comprehends both sexes, . . . Continue reading →
Rutherford: Adam Was In A Temporary, Legal, Covenant Of Works
God intended a Law-dispensation but for a time. 2. Adam, how he was ordained for a Law-life. 3. How predestinated to glory in Christ, how not. 4. That the heathens have no more universal grace than devils. 5. No ground for such . . . Continue reading →
Cartwright: The Covenant Of Grace Is Not A Covenant Of Works
Jer. chap. 31:31 Behold, the days come, says the Lord, that I will make a new covenant with the house of Israel, with the house of Judah, 32 Not according to the covenant that I made with their fathers, when I took . . . Continue reading →
Strangers And Aliens (15a): Turning The Other Cheek (1 Peter 3:8–12)
When a group faces external pressure, criticism, or perhaps even persecution of some kind it may lead to internal fractures and schism. The Apostle Peter was aware of this possibility among the congregations in (modern) Turkey. He has been urging them to respond appropriately to those outside the congregation but in this section he turns his attention to those within the congregation. How ought they to relate to one another? Continue reading →
Dickson On The Covenants Of Works And Grace In Galatians 3
Vers. 1. O Foolish Galatians, who has bewitched you, that you should not obey the truth, before whose eyes Jesus Christ has been evidently set forth, crucified among you? Because he knew that the minds of the Galatians were prepossessed with a . . . Continue reading →
The Strong Man Temptation
There are good reasons for Christians to be nervous about their place in the United States. The culture is in a period of rapid change of the sort not seen since perhaps 1967–77. That was the height of the Cold War, in . . . Continue reading →
Dort On Law And Gospel
5. In the same light are we to consider the law of the Decalogue, delivered by God to His peculiar people, the Jews, by the hands of Moses. For though it reveals the greatness of sin,1 and more and more convinces man . . . Continue reading →
Dudley Fenner: The Covenant Of Works Promised Blessedness
CHAP. XVI. Of the Covenant of Works. Righteousness thus set forth in his several parts and branches, has of God’s free goodness a reward belonging to it, (whereupon the same called the Law, or covenant of works;) as contrariwise a punishment in . . . Continue reading →
Downame On The Distinctions Between The Covenants Of Works And Grace
Touching the subject or persons to whom it is appropriate, faith is the proper and peculiar gift of God’s elect, which only [alone] distinguishes them from the rest of the world; for all other graces, be they never so bright, or shining, . . . Continue reading →
Why We Memorize The Catechism
Both children and parents in Reformed congregations often ask, “Why must we (or our children) memorize the catechism? If they must memorize anything at all, should they not memorize Holy Scripture instead?” These are fair questions, but they rest on dubious premises. Continue reading →
Questions And Answers About Baptism
Earlier this week Calvinist Batman and I discussed covenant theology, baptism, and Reformed identity. That led to a follow-up discussion with some listeners. For the sake of brevity and clarity I have re-worded and abbreviated some of the questions and I have . . . Continue reading →
Taking The Temperature Of Free Speech
When was the last time you stopped yourself from saying something you believed to be true for fear of being punished or criticized for saying it? If you live in America, it probably hasn’t been long. That’s not just a talking point . . . Continue reading →
Preston On The Distinction Between The Covenants Of Works And Grace
1. What this Covenant is. You must know, that there is a double covenant, there is a covenant of works, and a covenant of grace: The covenant of works runs in these terms: “Do this and you shall live, and I will . . . Continue reading →
The Sacraments Of The Covenant Of Works
A sacrament, is an outward sign, which God joins to his covenant, which he hath made with men. And that is either of an eternal, or temporal covenant. A sacrament of an eternal covenant, is a sacrament, whereby God confirms the promise . . . Continue reading →
Strangers And Aliens (14): Recognizing Differences (1 Peter 3:7)
Likewise, husbands, live with your wives in an understanding way, showing honor to the woman as the weaker vessel, since they are heirs with you of the grace of life, so that your prayers may not be hindered. (ESV). 7Οἱ ἄνδρες ὁμοίως, . . . Continue reading →
Calvin On The Substance Of The Covenant Of Works
Because what God so severely punished must have been no light sin but a detestable crime, we must consider what kind of sin there was in Adam’s desertion that enkindled God’s fearful vengeance against the whole of mankind. To regard Adam’s sin . . . Continue reading →
With Calvinist Batman On Covenant Theology And Reformed Identity
There are a number of evangelical people who are questioning the broadly evangelical theology, piety, and practice (whether Dispensational or Pentecostal or both) they inherited. For them covenant is a new category and they are working through the implications of the history of redemption . . . Continue reading →
Interview with Theologian R. Scott Clark
November, 2007 Nightlight Christian Adoptions As part of our blog’s adoption interview series, I’m interviewing several theologians about the doctrine of spiritual adoption and its implications for earthly adoption. I believe that the practice of earthly adoption will be significantly enriched as . . . Continue reading →
5 Minutes With R. Scott Clark
By Timothy Raymond Credo Magazine May 2012 [W]hat theologians in church history do you recommend reading to better understand the doctrine of election? Among the Fathers, Augustine’s On the Predestination of the Saints is essential. Gottschalk’s little treatise, On Predestination witnesses to . . . Continue reading →
Scott Clark: “Let’s Get Back to the Word of God”
By Will Graham Greetings brothers and sisters and welcome once again to Fresh Breeze. This week it gives me great pleasure to introduce you to Dr. R. Scott Clark. R. Scott Clark was raised on the Great Plains in the USA. He . . . Continue reading →