If he feign another rule of faith besides the written word of God, we reject, repudiate, and refuse to acknowledge any such, and reduce the whole rule of the catholic faith to the scripture alone. …Faith, therefore, is not the gift of . . . Continue reading →
The Difference Between Sola Scriptura And Biblicism
The Reformation solas (by grace alone, through faith alone, according to Scripture alone) are not well understood today. Yesterday, however, was the anniversary of Luther’s famous declaration at the Diet of Worms. Although already under ban for his teachings, Charles V had promised . . . Continue reading →
Heidelcast 90: God’s Holy Law (13): The Ninth Commandment
The ninth commandment, however, also requires that we confess and defend the very existence of truth in an age when the notion that there is truth and that truth is distinct from error is widely doubted. Continue reading →
Heidelcast: God’s Holy Law Series In One Place
Here’s the Heidelcast series God’s Holy Law gathered into one place. There’s another episode on the way, Dv.
Why Is Sola Fide So Important?
The primary purpose of the Heidelblog is to explain the Heidelberg Catechism (1563). The catechism was written primarily by Zacharias Ursinus (1534–83) at the behest of the Elector Palatinate, Frederick III (1515–76). It was adopted by the German Reformed Church and by . . . Continue reading →
Christians To Be Made To Stop Calling Homosexuality Sin?
Can you imagine the outcry if the Times published a column saying that Jews or Muslims must be “made” to quit believing a tenet of their religion? If socialists must be “made” to disavow any of their political convictions? But not when . . . Continue reading →
Muddying The Distinction Between Justification And Salvation (2)
…although they make their boast of Him, yet in deeds they deny the only Savior Jesus, for either Jesus is not a complete Savior, or they who by true faith receive this Savior, must have in Him all that is necessary to their salvation. Continue reading →
The Pain You Feel Is Real
I understand and deeply identify with the desire to defend one’s parents. Nonetheless, it is not the state’s fault these children are suffering a “psychological burden,” nor can the state ever relieve such a burden. Many children find themselves in same-sex-headed households . . . Continue reading →
How Science Should Operate
Science is not about “consensus” but facts. Not only were some physicists not initially convinced by Einstein’s theory of relativity, Einstein himself said that it should not be accepted until empirical evidence could test it. That test came during an eclipse, when . . . Continue reading →
The Last Song Calvin Sang In His Last Public Worship Service
Calvin is not mute and his tremulous voice rises with the rest and “on his dying countenance,” says Beza, whose eyes are fixed upon his master, “was not obscurely indicated a holy joy.” They sang, as usual, the Song of Simeon, with . . . Continue reading →
Muddying The Distinction Between Justification And Salvation
Ultimately, the Socinians, the Romanists, and the moralists (e.g., Baxter) agreed: the gospel of free justification with God and free salvation must be rejected because it’s insufficient to produce the desired outcome. Continue reading →
Our Salvation Is By Grace Alone
And just as it is appointed for man to die once, and after that comes judgment, so Christ, having been offered once to bear the sins of many, will appear a second time, not to deal with sin but to save those who are eagerly waiting for him. Continue reading →
Heidelcast 89: God’s Holy Law (12)—The Eighth Commandment
The 8th commandment says: “You shall not steal” We are, by and large, a wealthy people. There is no sin in that, but there are dangers in wealth. A recent study has shown that even as the world measures happiness, the wealthy . . . Continue reading →
They Knew That They Had No “Right” To The Ring
Was one of us Jewish? The jeweler wanted to know. Was either of us leaving another religion to become Jewish? No, we were not. Well then, he was sorry but he would not give us that particular quotation. The point was non-negotiable. . . . Continue reading →
Calvin Against Baptism By The Laity
20. It is also pertinent here to know that it is wrong for private individuals to assume the administration of baptism; for this as well as the serving of the Supper is a function of the ecclesiastical ministry. For Christ did not . . . Continue reading →
A Gracious Explanation Of Christian Conviction In The Ashers Bakery Case
One Reason Why Religious Liberty Is In Jeopardy
Baker takes a job his faith says he can’t do, bad choice, like a Muslim taking a job to sell bacon. #equalrights @RScottClark @reg1776
— Chuck (@CherMemorabilia) April 9, 2015
It’s All about Eschatology
…advocacy of big government is by its very nature a quest for power and control, for the ability to use force against others—a cause that naturally attracts the bitter and intolerant. …beneath all of these factors, there is something deeper, something more . . . Continue reading →
Heidelberg 60: Only By True Faith (5)
And to the one who does not work but believes in him who justifies the ungodly, his faith is counted as righteousness (Rom 4:5; ESV) Continue reading →
Stan Freberg Remembered
Stan Freberg (1926–2015) may have been a genius but who knows these things? He was very funny and a great opponent of the stuff-shirt. Bent on driving all genuine talent out of radio, execs killed his network show (1957) so he went into advertising and made comedy records. He was able to be funny and satirical in the same sixty-second commercial. Naturally the ad people hated him too. The rest of us will miss him. Continue reading →