Book Review

A Review Of The New Anglican Catechism And What It Says About The State Of Anglicanism

by on August 7, 2025

As I emerged out of Southern Baptist evangelicalism in 1980–81 John Stott and J. I. Packer were two of the most influential writers in my journey out of Baptist evangelicalism. Hitherto my theological staples had been things on the order of Navigators Bible study materials and Rosalind Rinker’s book on hearing voices from God. I am not entirely sure how I found Stott’s Basic Christianity and Packer’s Evangelism and the Sovereignty of God. Back then we had a Christian bookstore downtown, where I mostly bought contemporary Christian records (e.g., Larry Norman and Barry McGuire). Perhaps the manager directed me to them? Those books were a Godsend. They were thoughtful, intelligent, gracious and thoroughly evangelical in the best sense of the word. They were gospel books. They pointed me away from myself and my experience and toward Christ. In the summer of 1981 Packer’s Knowing God was a major influence in my embrace of Reformed theology, piety, and practice. Continue reading →

The Reformation, The Regulative Principle, And The Modern Church: Examining John Calvin’s Dedication To Purity In Worship (Part 2)

by on August 6, 2025
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When I first read Calvin’s Institutes, the clarity with which he described the absolute transcendence and holiness of God struck me, especially as I considered how often my younger, more charismatic self was willing and eager to dismiss concerns about my preferences in worship, even if the concerns came from Scripture itself. Continue reading →

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Olevianus Against The Limbus Patrum

by on August 4, 2025

When the creed goes on to say that Christ descended into hell, does that mean that He descended into the limbus, where there is neither joy nor sorrow, so that He might liberate the patriarchs from there? Or does it mean that . . . Continue reading →

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Hippolytus On Infant Baptism

by on August 1, 2025

Now at the time when the cock crows they are at the water. The water should be flowing, or at least running. It should be so if there is no necessity, but if there is continuous and sudden necessity use any water you . . . Continue reading →

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Cyprian On Infant Baptism

by on July 31, 2025

2.1 As far as concerns the case of infants, you expressed your view that they ought not to be baptised within the second or third day of their birth; rather, the ancient law on circumcision ought to be respected and you therefore . . . Continue reading →