Office Hours talks with our new Library Director, James Lund. This is James’ second stint at WSC. He was Library Director from 2001–05. He took a couple of public library positions in Minnesota but now he’s back home at WSC. In this . . . Continue reading →
Heidelcast 28 With Lane Keister: Does The Federal Vision Theology Lead To Rome?
Thanks to the Wonderful Wizard of Web, who has been cleaning up the HB, we have found an orphaned episode of the Heidelcast from March, 2010. This was part 4 of a series with PCA pastor the Rev. Mr. Lane Keister, who . . . Continue reading →
Shall We Be Satisfied Merely With “He Does Not Deny”?
Shall we be satisfied with preachers who merely ‘do not deny’ the Cross of Christ? God grant that such satisfaction may be broken down! The people are perishing under the ministrations of those who ‘do not deny’ the Cross of Christ. Surely . . . Continue reading →
On Being Critical
It Isn't Always Hating
Have you ever stared at a word on the page until it lost all context and began to move around or just seem silly? That happens to writers. Consider the word “critical.” It’s a word we use frequently and in a variety . . . Continue reading →
Heidelcast 27: With Lane Keister on the Imputation of Christ’s Active Obedience
HB reader Nick writes to ask about the imputation of Christ’s active obedience. Is it true that the Westminster divines, Twisse, Vines, and Gataker opposed the imputation of the active obedience of Christ and that the phrase, “the whole obedience of Christ” . . . Continue reading →
Machen: The Good Fight Of Faith
The Apostle Paul was a great fighter. His fighting was partly against external enemies—against hardships of all kinds. Five times he was scourged by the Jews, three times by the Romans; he suffered shipwreck four times; and was in perils of waters, . . . Continue reading →
Resources For Those Beginning To Study Covenant Theology
For those just getting started in covenant theology I recommend: R. Scott Clark, “A Brief History of Covenant Theology.” Audio: What Is Covenant Theology And What Are The Implications For The Church And Family? Mike Brown and Zach Keele, Sacred Bond: Covenant Theology . . . Continue reading →
Going Back to Egypt?
The evangelical wing of the internet is buzzing today about an apology last night by Alan Chambers, President of Exodus International, and his announcement that the organization is being disbanded and will be replaced by another entity with a different mission. In . . . Continue reading →
Is Faith a Work?
The question comes (paraphrasing): Since Scripture says, “believe,” (e.g. Acts 16:31) it seems that we are commanded to believe. If the command to believe is an imperative and an imperative is “law,” and if the answer to the command “believe” is faith, . . . Continue reading →
Audio: Covenant Curses and Covenant Blessings
Here’s a recent sermon preached in my home congregation, the Escondido United Reformed Church, on Hebrews 6:4–20: Therefore let us leave the elementary doctrine of Christ and go on to maturity, not laying again a foundation of repentance from dead works and . . . Continue reading →
Jack and the Kingdom of God (Updated)
In a piece that appears in Christianity Today online Ted Olson argues that a plan, which was cancelled, to free the Korean hostages in Afghanistan by taking hostage the families of the kidnappers is a bad idea because the Apostle Paul wouldn’t . . . Continue reading →
Heidelcast 26: With Lane Keister On The Federal Vision (2)
The time warp continues as we flash back to 2010 when the Leithart case was first addressed by the PCA’s Standing Judicial Commission (which acts on behalf of the General Assembly). Back then the SJC erred that Leithart’s presbytery erred in not . . . Continue reading →
Religious Freedom Watch: Chilling Protected Religious Speech In The Military
Todd Starnes reports The Obama Administration “strongly objects” to a proposed amendment to the National Defense Authorization Act that would have protected the religious rights of soldiers – including evangelical Christian service members who are facing growing hostility towards their religion. Rep. John . . . Continue reading →
“Well, What Do You Consider A Baby?”
In this video, an Albuquerque abortionist compares having an abortion to getting a flu shot. The counselor denies that the infant feels any pain and says that an infant 24-weeks “doesn’t even look like a baby yet.” That is a lie. The . . . Continue reading →
Kloosterman: No Official Version
Since no English version of these confessions has been officially adopted, we are using those found in the 1959 edition of the Psalter Hymnal. —Rev. Dr. Nelson Kloosterman, “On The Level Of Doctrinal Commitment” [In the URCNA] Position 1, (Acts of Synod, . . . Continue reading →
The Social Consequences Of Subjectivism
Well, in my heart and my mind, you know, life begins when the mother thinks it begins, not when anybody else thinks it begins…. For some women, it’s before they conceive; for some women, it’s never. Even after they deliver, it’s still . . . Continue reading →
Grammar Tips: Using Archaic Expressions For Economy
Archaic and dated expressions have their uses. One of them is economy, saying what needs to be said in as few words as possible. Archaic words and expressions may, when used correctly, add a certain color to a sentence or paragraph. If, . . . Continue reading →
Prayer For Sgt Bergdahl June 30, 2013
The Orthodox Presbyterian Church has called for a day of prayer for Sgt Bowe Bergdahl. He has been a POW since 2009. Yesterday, June 11, 2013, the 80th General Assembly of the OPC, meeting in Moraga, California, called for a day of . . . Continue reading →
In Case You’ve Never Heard
One of the reasons why people resist the call to return to historic Reformed (and catholic) worship practices, e.g., singing God’s Word without musical instruments is because it is completely unfamiliar and thus seems implausible or entirely theoretical. It isn’t. Thanks to . . . Continue reading →
Freedom Or Tax Exemption?
Former Arkansas Governor, Presidential candidate, and current Fox News host, Mike Huckabee has raised this question to Southern Baptists (HT: Billy Hallowell). It’s a fair question. I’m not sure I agree with him and I don’t claim to know the answer to the . . . Continue reading →