Defining “Reformed”

The Commander Of Yahweh’s Army: The Son And The Covenant Of Grace Present In The Types And Shadows

by R. Scott Clark on September 19, 2022 | 3 Comments

When Joshua was by Jericho, he lifted up his eyes and looked, and behold, a man was standing before him with his drawn sword in his hand. And Joshua went to him and said to him, “Are you for us, or for our adversaries?” And he said, “No; but I am the commander of the army of the LORD. Now I have come.” And Joshua fell on his face to the earth and worshiped and said to him, “What does my lord say to his servant?” And the commander of the LORD’S army said to Joshua, “Take off your sandals from your feet, for the place where you are standing is holy.” And Joshua did so (Joshua 5:13–15; ESV). Continue reading →

1689 Vs. The Westminster Confession (8): Of Christ The Mediator

by R. Scott Clark on August 24, 2022 | 5 Comments

Our comparison and contrast of the WCF with the 2LC continues through chapter 8, “Of Christ the Mediator.” WCF 8.1 2LC 8.1 1. It pleased God, in His eternal purpose, to choose and ordain the Lord Jesus, His only begotten Son, to be . . . Continue reading →

1689 Vs. The Westminster Confession (7): On The Fall, The Covenant Of Works, And The Covenant Of Grace

by R. Scott Clark on August 22, 2022 | 13 Comments

Our comparison and contrast of the WCF with the 2LC continues through chapters 6 and 7, “Of the Fall of Man, of Sin, and of the Punishment thereof” and “Of God’s Covenant with Man.” WCF 6.1 2LC 6.1 1. Our first parents, being seduced . . . Continue reading →

1689 Vs. The Westminster Confession (6): A Tale Of Two Confessions

by R. Scott Clark on August 19, 2022 | 1 Comment

Our comparison and contrast of the WCF with the 2LC continues through chapters 4 and 5, “Of Creation” and “Of Divine Providence.” WCF 4.1 2LC 4.1 1. It pleased God the Father, Son, and Holy Ghost, for the manifestation of the glory of His . . . Continue reading →

1689 Vs. The Westminster Confession (3): The Play-By-Play

by R. Scott Clark on July 29, 2022

Our comparison and contrast of the WCF with the 2LC continues through chapter 1, “Of the Holy Scriptures.” After the first section, the documents are identical until section 2, where the the Savoy and the 2LC add a definite article to the . . . Continue reading →

1689 Vs. The Westminster Confession: Narrowing The Lens On Particular Baptist History

by R. Scott Clark on July 25, 2022 | 25 Comments

The discussion of the differences between Baptist and Reformed theology is a sensitive but important question. Thus, I think I should explain why I am writing this series. In my experience, some Baptists, especially those who identify with the Particular Baptist tradition, . . . Continue reading →

There Is No Credo Baptist Heidelberg Catechism or Why Hercules Collins Was Not Reformed

by R. Scott Clark on July 22, 2022 | 52 Comments

For some years I have complained about Baptist squatters in the Reformed house. These are those Baptists who insist on re-defining the adjective Reformed. As it turns out, however, this habit of squatting is not new at all. Indeed, one of the . . . Continue reading →

An Aberration Or Standard In Progressive Covenantalism? Issues About Covenant Conditions

by Harrison Perkins on November 30, 2021 | 16 Comments

Caneday’s main argument is to undermine the law-gospel distinction. In his words, “This chapter disavows the notion that all of Scripture consists of two isolatable messages: law, consisting of God’s demands, and gospel, composed of God’s gracious giving. Instead, it argues that the formulation of covenant stipulations remain the same while the content of stipulations changes.” (pg. 103; italics original). Continue reading →

An Illuminating Podcast From Christianity Today On The Rise And Fall Of Mars Hill

by R. Scott Clark on July 1, 2021

Christianity Today has released a new NPR-style podcast series hosted by Mike Cosper, “Who Killed Mars Hill?.” It is well done and deserves your attention. So far they have released a couple of trailers and two complete episodes. Cosper is sympathetically critical . . . Continue reading →

Another Way The Reformed Confessions Can Help Us If We Let Them

by R. Scott Clark on April 19, 2021 2 Comments

I am in the studio today to work on an Office Hours podcast for May so there is just time for a quick thought about another way the Reformed confessions can help the churches be more faithful. Continue reading →

Understanding The New Calvinists: Neither New Nor Calvinists

by R. Scott Clark on December 18, 2020 | 4 Comments

The New Calvinist movement is probably about 20 years old or so. Collin Hanson’s Young, Restless, and Reformed appeared in 2008, just before Recovering the Reformed Confession. Whether it is Reformed is a matter to be debated. In recent years, however, the movement has certainly shown itself to be restless. One prominent figure in the movement has publicly abandoned the Christian faith. Three prominent figures, James MacDonald, C. J. Mahaney, and Mark Driscoll, have been either been removed from their churches or resigned amidst scandals. One might think of them as elephants in the YRR/New Calvinist room. Continue reading →