In part 1, I began to sketch a case that for a way between neo-Pentecostalism/Charismatic piety and a sterile piety. Genuine, confessional Reformed piety is warm, Spiritual, and vital but we understand that the Spirit works through means (Word and sacraments). This . . . Continue reading →
Those who so cry up the Spirit as to cry down ordinances and the ministry do not have the Spirit of God. In the NT, when vision and inspiration were in use, the Spirit did not teach men immediately, but referred them . . . Continue reading →
Since the early 19th century American Christianity has been largely dominated by a revival of the original Anabaptist theology, piety, and practice. One can transpose much of what took place in the 19th century over the fist generation Anabaptists (1520s) and it . . . Continue reading →
The underlying problem of much of the literature on [union with Christ and ordo salutis] (one might even call it a cottage industry) is the rather massive, highly theologistic, a ahistorical attention given to Calvin’s understanding of the unio in isolation from . . . Continue reading →
Our friends at DGM have done it again. This time it’s a lecture by Tope Koleoso that has folks discussing the question of the relations between the charismatic movement(s) and Reformed theology, piety, and practice. This topic was covered on the HB . . . Continue reading →
UPDATE 20 Feb 16:18 The technical wizard has done it! The ads should be gone. Adbegone. That’s a killer app. Thanks to my technical wizard we know what is causing the ads. The company that created the widget that allows the HB . . . Continue reading →
John Calvin was undoubtedly the leading theologian and chief architect of Geneva’s Protestant church in the 16th century. But the long-term success of his religious program depended in large part on the company of reformed ministers who worked alongside Calvin with daily . . . Continue reading →
Mark Sanford, former governor of South Carolina, is running for office again. He resigned his office in 2009, after his adulterous affair came to light. As part of his campaign Sanford has spoken of a “God of second chances.” This story caught . . . Continue reading →
The folks at Logos asked me to let you know about these resources. Its the Baker Academic Heidelberg Catechism Collection (2 vols.) It includes the introduction to the Heidelberg Catechism edited by Lyle Bierma, Charles D. Gunnoe Jr., Karin Y. Maag, and . . . Continue reading →
I’ve had a fair bit of response to the HB over the years. Some of it comes over the transom from anonymous writers (anonymous comments are generally forbidden on the HB) and it usually goes where anonymous correspondence should go. This one, . . . Continue reading →
Modern aircraft have collision avoidance systems that alert pilots when another aircraft gets too close. Some modern cars have similar technology. In my experience, it’s not just cars and aircraft that avoid collisions. Churches and Christian leaders also have a tendency to . . . Continue reading →
The Season 4 series of Office Hours entitled “Jesus is Really Better” is past the halfway mark! If you haven’t been tuning in, now is the time to do so! Grab your bible and follow along as we work through the book . . . Continue reading →
Quest. 1. If it be not lawful to make the image of God the Father, yet may we not make an image of Christ, who took upon him the nature of man? Resp. No. Epiphanius seeing an image of Christ hanging in . . . Continue reading →
At the Escondido URC in addition to the the 1959 Psalter-Hymnal we use a collection of songs that includes selections from a recent Psalter published by the Free Church of Scotland, Sing Psalms. We sang a terrific setting of a psalm yesterday . . . Continue reading →
This episode of Office Hours tackles Hebrews 7:11–7:17. Who was Melchizedek and why is Hebrews so interested in him? What does the connection between Melchizedek say about Jesus and the nature of his priesthood? Why didn’t the Levitical priesthood bring perfection? How was . . . Continue reading →
The Directory FOR The Publick Worship of God CHARLES I. Parl. 3. Sess. 5. An ACT of the PARLIAMENT of the KINGDOM of SCOTLAND, approving and establishing the DIRECTORY for Publick Worship. AT EDINBURGH, February 6, 1645. THE Estates of Parliament now convened, . . . Continue reading →
THERE is no day commanded in scripture to be kept holy under the gospel but the Lord’s day, which is the Christian Sabbath. Festival days, vulgarly called Holy-days, having no warrant in the word of God, are not to be continued. Nevertheless, . . . Continue reading →
The musical instruments he mentions pertained to the time of instruction.1 Nor should we stupidly imitate a practice which was proper only for God’s old [covenant] people…. They were for use under the legal cult.2 John Calvin, From his commentary on Ps . . . Continue reading →
We say that it is a superstition to esteem one day more holy than another. or to think that to abstain from labor is something which, in itself, pleases God (Rom 14:5, 6; Col 2:16, 17). But, following what the Lord has . . . Continue reading →
Carter Lindberg tells the story of how the Reformation began to break out in Zürich in 1522: During Lent of 1522, Zwingli was at the house of Christoph Froschauer, a printer, who was laboring over the preparation of the a new edition . . . Continue reading →