Brenden is Reading Covenant, Justification, and Pastoral Ministry

At True Blue. He’s reading Dennis Johnson’s chapter, “Simul iustus et Peccator: The Role of Justification in Pastoral Counseling.” You can order your copy from the Bookstore at WSC for $17.36 (+$5.00 shipping). Remember, it helps the HB when you go to . . . Continue reading →

On Defining Conservatives, Liberals, Latitudinarians, and Good Behavior

Pastor (Teaching Elder) Brian Carpenter has an update about the FV controversy in the Siouxlands Presbytery (PCA).  In two PCA presbyteries men are doing the hard work that needs to be done for the sake of the peace and purity of the . . . Continue reading →

Olevianus on the Imputation of Christ's Righteousness

Todd is reading Olevianus’ Exposition of the Apostles’ Creed at In Principio Deus (in the beginning God) and he notices a strong contrast between the way Olevianus wrote about the imputation of Christ’s merits and the way the Federal Vision writes about . . . Continue reading →

Office Hours: John Fesko on Justification

Office Hours Video

This week Office Hours talks with the Rev Dr John Fesko, Academic Dean and Associate Professor of Systematic Theology at Westminster Seminary California. The topic this week is Dr Fesko’s landmark book, Justification: Understanding the Classic Reformed Doctrine. Here is the episode. Listen to Office Hours . . . Continue reading →

A Ruling Elder Pleads on Behalf of the Flock

One of the many excellent points that Lane Keister made in our recent Heidelcast interview is that at the heart of the FV controversy is the well-being and safety of the sheep. Hitherto it has too often seemed as if the under-shepherds . . . Continue reading →

Romans 2:13 and the Covenant of Works

It has been suggested in recent years that the true sense of Rom 2:13 is that it intends to say that there are two stages to justification, an initial justification by grace alone, through faith alone, in Christ alone and an alleged . . . Continue reading →

The Three Uses of the Law

One of the problems with the notion that Reformed theology is utterly divorced from the rest of Protestantism (i.e., Lutheranism) and the concomitant ignorance of the broader Protestant history and tradition is that we Reformed folk often end up losing our theology. . . . Continue reading →

Federal Vision Error #8: Denying An Essential Protestant Distinction

Wes White continues his analysis of the Joint Federal Vision Statement from 2007 (content no longer available). The latest post is on their denial of the Protestant distinction between law and gospel. It is a good indicator of the prevailing theological, hermeneutical, . . . Continue reading →

Keister: Doug Wilson Denies Sola Fide

A good lot of so-called “conservative” (what are they conserving?) Reformed types have told me, “Yes, Wilson has some weird views but he’s different from the other Federal Visionists.” Really? Rhetorically perhaps, but substantially? Lane Keister, who has been sitting in with . . . Continue reading →

Who Says the Gospel is No Motive to Holiness?

One of the more disturbing things I’ve heard during the recent decade of controversy concerning the various attempts to revise the Reformed doctrine of justification is the claim made by some well-regarded, quite influential, Reformed folks that “guilt, grace, gratitude” structure of . . . Continue reading →

N. T. Wright to Speak at Redeemer NYC (Updated)

UPDATE A PCA Ruling Elder in NYC reviews Wright’s appearance and raises some of the same concerns that I raised about the wisdom of Redeemer inviting NTW to speak at Redeemer NYC. Original Post 25 Mar 2010 He’s appearing under the auspices . . . Continue reading →

Online: "The New Perspective on Calvin"

This is a thoughtful and thought-provoking piece of research by the Rev Tom Wenger (MA, Historical Theology), a graduate of Westminster Seminary California on the way Calvin is being presented in some contemporary Calvin scholarship. This piece grew out of his 2003 . . . Continue reading →

What is the Power of the Christian Life?

For Christians who believe God’s Word, the Holy Scriptures and who confess the Reformed faith there can be no question whether we ought to live the Christian life. The question is, however, how do we live the Christian life? From where do . . . Continue reading →