I shall take the boldness, therefore, to say, whoever be offended by it, that if we lose the ancient doctrine of justification
Sola Gratia
Trent Is Nature, Heidelberg Is Grace
We all naturally hold to the article of justification expressed in the Council of Trent, Continue reading
A Devotional: The Heart of the Reformation: A 90-Day Devotional In The Five Solas
Since I am doing a Heidelcast series on prayer and have been recommending devotional materials (see the resources below for more) I was delighted to get this volume in my inbox. It is a paperback volume of 157 pages. It first appeared . . . Continue reading →
On Justification In Romans And Hebrews
One does not often think of Hebrews when it comes to the doctrine of justification—we normally go right to Paul’s writings. 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 →
Perkins: The Doctrine Of A Two-Stage Justification Is A “Popish Device”
That popish device of a second justification is a satanical delusion for the Word of God does acknowledge no more but one justification at all, and that absolute and complete of itself. There is but one justice, but one satisfaction of God . . . Continue reading →
Heidelcast For June 26, 2022: Every Tribe, Tongue, And Nation (6): First Head Of Doctrine (3)
Perhaps the most fundamental complaint of the Remonstrants against Reformed theology, the concern that most animated Arminius’ desire to revise Reformed theology, was the charge that the Reformed view makes God the author of evil. In his desire to fix this problem . . . Continue reading →
Regarding Piper’s Notion Of Justification And Love
But surely that is a progressive response of sanctification. It is not definitive, but justification is a once-for-all act of divine declaration “Righteous!” I am certainly more satisfied with Christ today than I was sixty years ago when I first believed, but . . . Continue reading →
Second Council Of Orange On The Nature And Gift Of Faith
CANON 5. If anyone says that not only the increase of faith but also its beginning and the very desire for faith, by which we believe in Him who justifies the ungodly and comes to the regeneration of holy baptism — if . . . 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 →
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 →
Friday, October 28, 2022 At 10:00 AM Pacific: Why The Reformation Matters For Ministry
In confessional Protestant churches October 31 is Reformation Day and Dr Clark will be starting his Reformation Day celebration early, this Friday, 10:00 AM, in the chapel at Westminster Seminary California. He will be speaking on the topic, “Why the Reformation Matters . . . Continue reading →
Reformation Day Lecture 2022: Why The Reformation Matters For Ministry
©R. Scott Clark. All Rights Reserved. Resources How To Subscribe To Heidelmedia The Heidelblog Resource Page Heidelmedia Resources The Ecumenical Creeds The Reformed Confessions The Heidelberg Catechism Recovering the Reformed Confession (Phillipsburg: P&R Publishing, 2008) Why I Am A Christian Support Heidelmedia: . . . Continue reading →
Faith: The Cause Of Love
The third conclusion is that true faith works by love. Hence the papists gather that love is the form and life of faith, not because it makes faith to be faith but because it makes it to be a true faith., a . . . Continue reading →
Embracing The Reformation Doctrine Of Salvation Is Not “Wearying From The Battle”
John MacArthur is the old lion of modified Dispensationalism, which has been a gateway for many into the Reformation, but which has also been an obstacle to the Reformation. State Of The Controversy One way in which that has been true is . . . Continue reading →
Perkins: Salvation, All Of It, Is By Grace Alone, Through Faith Alone
As part of my response to the claim that some Reformed orthodox theologians taught that salvation was not only in two stages but also, in some way, through works, I appealed to a quotation from William Perkins. I could have written much . . . Continue reading →
Video: Luther Under The Gospel
Video courtesy Lynden United Reformed Church (Lynden, WA) where Bob Godfrey and I spoke for their Reformation Conference: Luther Nailed It. Note: This was originally published on the Heidelblog in 2017. RESOURCES Subscribe To The Heidelblog! The Heidelblog Resource Page Heidelmedia Resources . . . Continue reading →
What Is Reformed Theology? (Part 1)
Reformed theology has enjoyed a renaissance of sorts for about thirty years. A renaissance is literally a rebirth or, more broadly, a renewal. In order for there to be a renewal, however, there had to be a classical, defining period of Reformed . . . Continue reading →
What Is Reformed Theology? (Part 2)
Unfortunately, when most people think of Reformed theology, they think of the doctrine of predestination. The reasons for this have more to do with the critics of Reformed theology than with what the Reformed themselves confess. Indeed, one of the great weaknesses of the modern Reformed renaissance is that it tends to re-define Reformed theology almost entirely in terms of the doctrine of divine sovereignty. Continue reading →
What Is Reformed Theology? (Part 3)
The Reformed confession is a catholic confession—that is, it is rooted in the Scriptures as interpreted by the church and confessed in the ancient, ecumenical creeds, but it is also a Reformation confession. Where the medieval church taught justification and salvation by . . . Continue reading →