James writes to ask, I am trying to work out the Law/Grace distinction, and am having some trouble understanding the imperative/indicative divide. For example, in Acts 3 Peter is preaching what appears to be the gospel in the Temple, and he preaches . . . Continue reading →
Berkhof Contra Dispensationalism On The Essential Unity Of Redemptive History
As was already said in the preceding, the distinction between the law and the gospel is not the same as that between the Old and the New Testament. Neither is it the same as that which present day Dispensationalists make between the . . . Continue reading →
Three Things Dispensational Apologists Should Stop Saying
There are varieties of Dispensationalism, e.g., classic (Darby, Scofield), modified (Chafer, Ryrie), and progressive (Bock, Blaising). To be sure there are varieties of covenant theology, e.g., classic e.g., that taught in the classical period that taught the covenant of redemption (pactum salutis), . . . Continue reading →
Reconsidering The Covenant Of Works
If one learned Reformed theology, in the English-speaking world, before 2005 the probabilities are that the version learned did not include either the covenant of works between God and Adam before the fall or the eternal covenant between the Father and the Son . . . Continue reading →
Boston: Galatians Proves Adam Was In A Covenant Of Works
1. I shall confirm this great truth, and evince the being of such a covenant. It is altogether denied by the Arminians that there was any such covenant, and amongst ourselves by Professor Simson, that it was a proper covenant. The weight . . . Continue reading →
Law, Gospel, And The Three Uses of the Law
By “law and gospel” I’m referring to the debate between those of us who hold to the historic and confessional distinction between those places in Scripture where God commands and promises blessing conditioned upon our obedience (law) and where he promises blessing . . . Continue reading →
Manton: Lent Is Just Another Phony Tradition
That they [Romanists] cry up a private, unproved, unwritten tradition of their own, as of equal authority with this safe and full rule, which is contained in this written Word of God. Their crime and fault may be considered, partly with respect . . . Continue reading →
Howe: The Law Was A Covenant Of Works And The Gospel A Covenant Of Grace
It therefore now appears, that as the law or dictates of pure nature, comprehended together with other fit additionals, became at first one entire constitution aptly suited to the government of man in his innocent state, unto which the title did well . . . Continue reading →
Leigh: Paradise Was A Little Model Of Heaven
Paradise signifies a garden, the word being translated out of Greek into Latin, and so into French and English. In Hebrew it is called Heden, which signifies delights, a garden of all manner of delights, a place beset with all kind of . . . Continue reading →
With Janet Mefferd On The Social Gospel
Here’s today’s episode of Janet Mefferd Today in which we discussed the “social gospel,” Walter Rauschenbusch, the emergent/emerging church movement and what it means that evangelicals seem to be heading back to this well for inspiration. We also talked about some alternative . . . Continue reading →
Office Hours: Mike Horton On The Spirit’s Work In The Application Of Redemption
We know that Jesus came to save us. We know that he obeyed for us. We know that he died for us. We know that he was raised for us who believe by grace alone but how do we come into possession . . . Continue reading →
Gillespie: Christ Fulfilled The Covenant Of Works And Earned Condign Merit
1. Christ is a doer and fulfiller of the covenant of works most exactly in all points, both the command, and the curse and penalty of the Covenant, is satisfied by him; this is works, and this was the condition required upon . . . Continue reading →
The Covenant Of Works: Basic To Reformed Biblical Exposition
Verse 47. “Verily verily, I say to you, He that believes on me, has everlasting life.” Christ having digressed this far (being interrupted with their murmuring) to show the cause of their distemper; He returns now to inculcate and press the former . . . Continue reading →
Heidelcast 99: The Noah Paradigm
Christians in the USA live in an increasingly confused, confusing time. Hostility to the faith seems to be increasing. We seem to be witnessing a growing hostility even to the very idea that there is such a thing as nature with fixed . . . Continue reading →
Grammar Guerrilla: Proud, Prideful; Converse, Conversate
HB reader Barbara asks, “Is conversate a word? I am a nurse and see other nurses using it in their progress notes. Example: ‘The resident was seen conversating with her room mate.’ Thanks Barbara. That is a good question. In English, verbs, . . . Continue reading →
Roberts: God Made An Implicit Covenant Of Works With Adam
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 →