Machen on Creeds and Doctrinal Advance

Thanks to Dan and GR for posting this gem from Machen.

On Precision and Latitude

Over the last year or so there seems to have been a concerted effort to discredit any sort of “two-kingdoms” (or two-spheres) approach to Reformed ethics and this despite the long-history and pedigree in Reformed theology of distinguishing between the kingdom of God and the civil or common realm.

Once More: Resources on the Two Kingdoms

Judging from the sorts of comments and criticisms I read it seems clear that a good number of people who are writing or commenting on the “two-kingoms” (or the two spheres) ethic don’t really understand it. I’ve posted resource lists in the past but here is an expanded list of resources:

Happy Birthday St Augustine

Today is St Augustine’s birthday (354 AD). In that connection I should mention the upcoming publication of Simonetta Carr’s biography of Augustine for children. Few figures in Western history are as important as Augustine. He is one of the early church fathers to whom the Reformers rightly looked as an inspiration for their theology and piety in many respects but he is more than that. He is an old and dear friend. Simonetta Carr has produced a clear, readable introduction to the life and work of this great Christian and our old friend.

Caspar Olevianus on “Final Justification” and “Spirit-Wrought Sanctity”

Kyle Scheele has posted a section from his catechism, A Firm Foundation, on the judgment that applies well to the question of trying to distinguish, as some try to do, between an “initial” justification sola gratia, sola fide,  and a final justification which is determined, at least in part, by “Spirit-wrought,” intrinsic or inherent sanctity or righteousness.

RCA Prof Predicts Demise of the RCA (and the CRC)

Donald A. Luidens is a sociology prof at Hope College and he’s written a provocative and interesting essay in Perspectives: A Journal of Reformed Thought (which I think is descended from the old Reformed Journal) in which he argues that loss of confessional orientation is one of the reasons for the decline (and impending fall) of the RCA. He says that the death knell is sounding for the CRC.

Yet Another Reason Why a Reformed Two-Kingdoms Ethic is Necessary

Critics of the two-kingdoms ethic should consider this story from Salon.com. Julie Hirschfeld Davis reports that Roman bishops and archbishops have been influential in lobbying for a social-democrat version of “health care reform.”

When Should I Leave My Congregation?

One of the themes I’ve pursued here is the churchlessness of the evangelical movement. I’ve challenged those “evangelicals” who say that they believe the Reformed faith to stop being Nicodemites. When other folk see for themselves what is happening and they begin to reconsider their relationship to broad evangelicalism it can create a crisis. One of the questions I’ve received more than once is this one, “When should I leave my congregation?”

Horton: From a Movement to a Church

What is the true church? Is it even possible to talk about a “true church” in a time when people don’t even have a conception of a visible church. Mike Horton has a new piece on this at the WHI blog.

Heidelcast Episode 6: What About Bible Translations?

Recently Mike Pohlman at the Gospel Coalition posted a link to a WSJ piece on fundamentalism including reference to the “King James Only” movement. Here are some thoughts on how we should think about Bible translations.

Heidelcast Episode 6: What About Bible Translations?

You can contact the Heidelcast directly at heidelcast@gmail.com at you can leave questions via voicemail for broadcast at 760 278 1563.

Thanks to Young-Mi Cha for the artwork!

Audio: Exposition of the Nine Points (Pt 8): Defining Grace and Faith

Expostion of the Nine Points (pt 8)-Defining Grace and Faith

We reject the errors of those:

7. who teach that Spirit-wrought sanctity, human works, or cooperation with grace is any part either of the ground of our righteousness before God or any part of faith, that is, the “instrument by which we embrace Christ, our righteousness” (BC 22-24; HC 21, 60, 86);

8. who define faith, in the act of justification, as being anything more than “leaning and resting on the sole obedience of Christ crucified” or “a certain knowledge” of and “a hearty trust” in Christ and His obedience and death for the elect (BC 23; HC 21);

Godfrey to Speak in DC Nov 12, 2009: Does Calvin Still Matter?

It’s not unusual for a president to be in the capital, but our very own President (of Westminster Seminary California) W. Robert Godfrey is to speak in Washington DC this week, November 12, 7:00 PM on the topic, “Does He Still Matter?” Calvin in the Capital is sponsored by Christ Reformed Church in DC. If you’re in the area you will want to hear Bob.

Two New Heidelcast Features (Updated and Corrected)

One of the things the HB tries to do is to offer answers to questions. I’ve set up a new email address to field questions to Heidelcast: heidelcast@gmail.com. I’ll hope to do that regularly.

You can now leave voicemail for the Heidelcast at (760) 278-1563. Leave a voicemail with a question and I may use your message in a future Heidelcast.

Meet a Grad: Chris Gordon

Chris is the pastor of Lynden URC in WA, the host of a radio show, and faithful minister of the gospel.

What the Bible is All About

Ever wondered what the big story of the Bible is? What makes it all hang together? There is a thread that ties all of Scripture together. There is a biblical way of reading the Bible.

NYT on Calvin

There’s a piece today on Calvin in the NYT. If you get to Geneva, be sure to visit the Museum of the Reformation, not far from St Pierre. It’s a fair piece and gives a sense of the ambivalence of the on the part of the citizens of Geneva. They happily celebrated Rousseau’s 300th but they’re a little more reluctant to celebrate Calvin’s 500th. This summer there was a large public display in Le Parc des Bastions but apparently the city council didn’t want to spend money on Calvin. That’s fitting. The City Council is still busting Calvin’s chops 500 years later.

Sometimes a Vid is Worth 1000 Blog Posts

This alone might put an end to liturgical dancing:

(HT: Ryan Glomsrud via Mockingbird)

Was There a Better Way to Handle This Situation?

We only have the testimony of this fellow. We don’t have the testimony of the lesbian supervisor to whom he refers in this video but as I watched this I couldn’t help but think that there must have been a better way to handle this. Assuming, for the sake of discussion, his account is basically accurate and that she was flaunting her homosexuality, did he do the right thing by confronting her? Should he have taken her out for coffee to discuss it? At one point in the video (3:10) he seems to suggest that he didn’t want her to mention her homosexuality or her impending marriage around him because “I think that’s bad stuff, as I told her.” If he wanted to communicate the gospel to her, Instead of accusing her of sin (of which she is guilty) would he have done better to accuse himself? How should Christians conduct themselves in workplaces that become hostile to traditional and Christian mores?

Actual Related Posts Intentionally Generated by the Heidelblog:

Homosexuality and Natural Law

How to React to Homosexuals in the Congregation

Horton Responds to the Latest ECT: On the BVM

At the White Horse Inn blog.

Audio: Fesko on What to Do with the “Stoning” Passage?

One of the things that offends modernist sensibilities is the law in Deuteronomy 21 that requires the stoning of incorrigibly rebellious children. On the other side we face the theonomic call to reinstitute some version of this law in post-canonical civil law. John Fesko offers an alternative to both. The WSC chapel talks are free and online here and in iTunes.