If potential converts (children or adults) are so unfamiliar with basic Bible doctrine that they can understand nothing more than “asking Jesus into their heart,” they probably should wait to make a commitment, until they understand the gravity of sin, and Christ’s . . . Continue reading →
salvation
Lordship Salvation, The Federal Vision, And The Covenant Theology That The Reformation Rejected
Or Why History Is Useful
More than twenty years ago, in the summer of 2001, Mike Horton and I were sitting beside a hotel swimming pool one evening during Synod Escondido, along with several ministers from our federation (denomination) of churches (the United Reformed Churches in North . . . Continue reading →
A Christmas Letter From Ukraine
The country woke up to the sound of air raid sirens today. Russians don’t cease their missile attacks on our infrastructure and civilian objects. Yesterday dozens of families in Cherson received a call from officials that their loved ones were killed or . . . Continue reading →
The Point Of The Rich Man And Lazarus Might Not Be What You Think (Pt 1)
In Luke 16, Jesus tells a fascinating story about two contrasting characters: one who lives in luxury, and the other who lives in extreme poverty and, unlike all the other parables Jesus tells, in this particular narrative, one of the characters is . . . Continue reading →
Dr. Clark With NoCo Radio On The Federal Vision (Part 2)
Fun, frivolity, and even serious discussions about important issues ensue when our own Dr. Clark sits down to talk with HB contributor Mike Abendroth, on his radio show, No Compromise Radio. You can subscribe to NoCo Radio and listen to the episode in . . . Continue reading →
Dr. Clark With No Co Radio On The Federal Vision (Part 1)
Fun, frivolity, and even serious discussions about important issues ensue when our own Dr. Clark sits down to talk with HB contributor Mike Abendroth, on his radio show, No Compromise Radio. You can subscribe to NoCo Radio and listen to the episode in . . . Continue reading →
Second Council Of Orange: Mercy Unto Salvation Comes From God Alone
CANON 6. If anyone says that God has mercy upon us when, apart from his grace, we believe, will, desire, strive, labor, pray, watch, study, seek, ask, or knock, but does not confess that it is by the infusion and inspiration of . . . Continue reading →
Dort On Salvation For The Elect
The Synod of Dort believed that God accomplished salvation only for the elect. Continue reading →
Remonstrants Take Away The “Free” In The Offer Of The Gospel
The Reformed disagreed with the Remonstrants on their view of whether the offer of the Gospel is really “free.” Continue reading →
Turretin: The Twofold Nature Of Salvation
We remark that the obedience of Christ has a twofold efficacy, satisfactory and meritorious; the former by which we are freed from the punishments incurred by sin; the latter by which (through the remission of sin) a right to eternal life and . . . Continue reading →
When We Are Tempted To Save Ourselves
When you feel doubts about being God’s child because you have not shown God that obedience that you owe to him, know that the devil is very near you. He will attempt to falsify the gospel by convincing you that you must . . . Continue reading →
Salvation: Accomplished
It is not salvation attempted but but salvation accomplished. Continue reading →
The Problem Of Divine Intent
My Pilgrimage From “Lordship” to Law/Gospel (part 3): Assurance
In part 2, we considered the case of the Rich Young Ruler. In this final installment, let us consider one of the most important passages in this debate: Romans 2:13. Advantage #4–Giving Assurance to Believers LS regularly calls into question a person’s . . . Continue reading →
It Comes Down To Authority
Jesus climbed out of the boat to find himself in an immediate battle. The demons were contesting the Lord’s authority. In Mark 5 and verse 7 we read that the Legion of demons were seeking to bind Jesus with an oath. The . . . Continue reading →
Paul Contra Final Salvation Through Works (Romans 5:9–10)
For many evangelicals and for some ostensibly Reformed folk it has been fashionable for the last several years to teach that we are justified now by grace alone (sola gratia), through faith alone (sola fide), based on Christ’s righteousness imputed, but that . . . Continue reading →
Sabbath Perspective
Then I saw heaven opened, and behold, a white horse! The one sitting on it is called Faithful and True, And in righteousness he judges and makes war. His eyes are like a flame of fire, And on his head are many . . . Continue reading →
Believer, You Are A Romans 7:25 Christian
Against The Presumption Of Perfectionism
Thanks be to God through Jesus Christ our Lord. Therefore, consequently, on the one hand, I myself serve the law of God with my mind but, on the other, with the flesh I serve the law of sin.”—The Christian Testimony of the Apostle Paul. Continue reading →
Jesus And Sinners
Jesus did welcome and eat with sinners of various kinds. Some of them were gross sinners but he did not endorse their sin nor make them a “protected class.” He loved them and called them to faith and for all those whom the Father gave him he laid down his life. Continue reading →
Romans 5:9–10: You Were Justified And You Shall Be Saved Sola Gratia, Sola Fide
For many evangelicals and for some ostensibly Reformed folk it has been fashionable for the last several years to teach that we are justified now by grace alone (sola gratia), through faith alone (sola fide), on the basis of Christ’s righteousness imputed . . . Continue reading →