The doctrinal rubber meets the ecclesiastical road today. Pray. Update. No word from Rev Stellman, but a comment on the post says that the majority report, support Pete Leithart was sustained. Update #2. The majority report arguing that Leithart’s views are within . . . Continue reading →
covenant moralism
What Justification By Faith Apart From Works Does Not Mean
Creed or Chaos Explains.
The FV Making Inroads in E. Europe?
One of our graduates, a Reformed pastor and church planter in the Mediterranean region, pointed me today to a troubling blog. The Communion of Reformed Evangelical Churches (CREC) is planting congregations in Europe, exporting the FV to Europe, and attempting to recruit . . . Continue reading →
Tom Wright's Shadow Boxing
With the Reformation. Mike’s review continues.
Does the FV Really Say That?
Yes, they do. Once more Wes White shows us the money.
It's Not Misunderstanding, It's Disagreement
It is a common refrain of Federal Visionists that the orthodox, confessional Reformed ministers and churches who’ve read the FV books, articles, web pages, and blogs, just don’t understand the FV. Once more Wes White shows that just isn’t the case.
Beach Replies to Nampa (Pt 2)
…Nampa here (inadvertently) makes the Study Committee’s point for it by presenting materials that illustrate FV ambiguities and the theological haze the FV spreads. First, we meet FV statements that report that baptism and covenantal membership constitute nothing short of divine salvation . . . Continue reading →
A Less Famous Hero
The Rev Mr Arthur Kuschke is not the most well-known hero of Reformed theology, piety, and practice. There’s a high probability that you have never heard of him but despite his relative anonymity (some in the OPC and WTS will know his . . . Continue reading →
By the Power of His Deity
Heidelberg Catechism Q. 17: 17. Why must he also be true God? That by the power of His Godhead He might bear in His manhood the burden of God’s wrath,1 and so obtain for 2 and restore to us righteousness and life.3 . . . Continue reading →
When Pastors Do Not Pay Attention
Remarkably, after a decade of controversy over the self-described Federal Vision movement, there are pastors and teachers who do not seem to understand it. One can see why one might have been confused in the early days of the discussion but now, . . . Continue reading →
PCA Commission: There Should Be A Presumption of Guilt
The Standing Judicial Commission of the Presbyterian Church in America ruled that the Missouri Presbytery erred when it failed to find a strong presumption of guilt that [Teaching Elder] Jeffrey Meyers holds views contrary to the Westminster Standards (BCO 34-5) when it . . . Continue reading →
In by Grace, Stay in By Faithfulness?
We’re coming up on Reformation Day again this seems like a good time to cover the basics again. The medieval church came to teach that we enter a state of grace through baptism. According to the medieval church, we remain in a . . . Continue reading →
In By Grace, Stay in By Faithfulness? (2)
In the first part we quickly introduced the basic doctrine of covenant nomism, namely that God has established a system whereby sinners are admitted to the covenant by grace and they stay in or they retain that status or they retain the . . . Continue reading →
Heidelcast 3a: A Gentle Rebuke to Brother John (UPDATED)
UPDATE: added to the two Heidelcast episodes audio clips from the video linked below. § These episodes grew out of the decision Desiring God Ministries to invite the de facto leader of the self-described Federal Vision movement to speak at the 2009 DGM . . . Continue reading →
Heidelcast 73: Nomism And Antinomianism (11)
Last time we considered what some folk mean by the expression “the law of Christ” and, in contrast, what the Bible means by it. It’s neither a new covenant of works, as if we could obey our way into acceptance with God . . . Continue reading →
He Treats Christ As Little More Than A Model Believer
All of this is made possible through the covenantal righteousness of Jesus Christ. His was a living, active, and obedient faith that took him all the way to the cross. This faith was credited to him as righteousness. —Norman Shepherd, The Call . . . Continue reading →
Shepherdite Theology: Covenantal Arminianism
It is not proper, therefore, to set up a dichotomy whereby according to God’s secret will, election or justification cannot be lost, but according to our covenant perspective they may be lost. The statements cited show a tendency to use typically Calvinistic . . . Continue reading →
Boston And Rutherford: Baxter Turned The Covenant Of Grace Into A Covenant Of Works
Let us take a watchword from holy and learned Rutherford: ‘We would beware (says he) of Mr. Baxter’s order of setting repentance and works of new obedience before justification; which is indeed a new covenant of works.’ Continue reading →
The Central Error Of The Federal Visionists: Temporary Union With Christ
The major point of deviation from biblical Calvinism comes when considering who shares in this vital, living union with Christ, with the four suggesting that all the baptized, head for head, regardless of their personal faith, share in this vital union. It . . . Continue reading →