The Heidelcast on the Baptism of Adopted Children, Private Worship, and Refuting Romanists

The Heidelcast for December 3, 2009 answers mail on the baptism of adopted infants, on the application of the regulative principle of worship, and takes a call from an irate priest.

Heidelcast for December 3, 2009

Matthew 2 As the Remake of a Great Story

Martin Downes has a meditation on Matthew 2 and Jesus as the Israel of God.

The Comfort of Prayer

Jon Moersch has an excellent post on the necessity and benefits of prayer.

Questions for the CanRC

The Committee on Ecumenical Relations and Church Union (CERCU) recently sent  a letter to the councils (i.e., the ministers, elders, and deacons of a given congregation) of the United Reformed Churches in North America (URCNA). In it they invite the councils or consistories (i.e., the ministers and elders of a given congregation)

to address questions and concerns regarding the Canadian Reformed Churches to our committee by March 15. We will forward your communications to the EU Coordinators and ask them to respond to our Synod. The March 15 deadline also allows the Canadian Reformed Synod to consider our questions. The Canadian Reformed Synod meets in May, 2010, D.V.

Audio: VanDrunen on Christ the Center

David is Robert B. Strimple Professor of Systematic Theology and Christian Ethics at Westminster Seminary California. He recently gave an interview to the guys on Christ the Center concerning his new book on bioethics.

You can hear his Oct 19 Office Hours interview on the same book here.

Audio: Bob Godfrey on Psalm 49

Bob Godfrey speaks in chapel at the beginning and end of each semester. His end-of-semester chapel talk today was from Ps 49. You can access the audio here. You can subscribe to Westminster Audio so that it will come to iTunes or to your RSS reader. These media are free to you, though we are grateful for your prayers and support.

Misc Good Stuff

• The Heidelberg Reformation Association December newsletter is online.
• The Ligonier interview with Mike Horton is complete and up. Kim has the info.
• If you’re not live chatting with WSC admissions team then you might want to listen to the Covenant Radio interview with Mike Horton.
• More from Martin: Sinclair Ferguson on substitution and sanctification
• Iain Campbell has info on the “John Murray” lecture on Assurance by Donald Macleod
• Kevin DeYoung explains justification to the Christian Science Monitor
• Did you know that you can now get the Summa Theolgica on your iPhone?

Audio: Guy Waters on the Danger of the FV

Martin has the links at AH. You can get your copy of Risking the Truth at the Bookstore at WSC for $11.44 + shipping.

Islam Isn’t What You Think Nor What We’re Told It Is

So says Sam Solomon, scholar of Islam and former professor of Shari’ah law. In this episode Sam quotes the Qur’an, in Arabic, from memory and explains the various quotations showing that Islam isn’t a “religion of peace” nor is it just another monotheistic, Abrahamic religion. You shouldn’t miss this interview.

Horton Reviews the Manhattan Declaration

At the WHI blog.

Call in to the White Horse Inn

The WHI guys are celebrating the 20th anniversary of the show and they want you to call in and celebrate it with them. The info is on the web.

Let Him Who Lacks Wisdom…

Listen to the WSC morning devotions from this fall. They’re on the web and they’re free. You may subscribe at the WSC website or on iTunes. This series includes messages by Bob Godfrey, Mike Horton, John Fesko, Steve Baugh, Bryan Estelle, and many others. Recently Lloyd Kim, a WSC alumnus (and guest on an upcoming Office Hours this summer) preached a moving message from Matt 5:13-16.

Live Chat with WSC Admissions Thurs 3 Dec 3PM Pac/6PM EST

Are you interested in attending seminary? Do you have questions about WSC?

You are invited to an interactive chat session on December 3rd at 3pm PST/6pm EST with Mark MacVey, Director of Enrollment, and Katie Chappell, Admissions Coordinator.

Join us to ask your questions on topics such as student life at WSC, classes & degree programs, financial aid, housing and more.

There is a special Office Hours interview with current WSC students and with Mark MacVey online here.

Ventura URC Bible Study Emerging

There is basic info on the web. They have an organizational meeting planned this Sunday, Dec 6, 2PM. If you’re interested please contact Walt at the Ventura URC blog.

Differences Between Lutheran and Reformed Orthodoxy

Prior to the 19th century, orthodox, confessional Lutheran and Reformed theologians used to read each other’s work and interact more than they do now. I’m not entirely sure when we stopped talking to each other but it seems clear to me that few of the orthodox Lutherans with whom I’ve talked are deeply knowledgeable about Reformed theology. Further, it seems that most Reformed folk are equally ignorant of what confessional Lutherans actually teach.

The HB Passes 1 Million Hits

As they say on the commercial, “Thanks for your support.”

An Interview with Mike Horton

At the Ligonier Blog. The HB gets a little love.

Tradition and Confession in Scripture

Jim Renihan has some helpful comments. For more on this see Recovering the Reformed Confession. It’s $16.00 at the Bookstore at WSC.

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 the bookstore through the HB.

Heidelcast Episode 10-The Secret of Knowing God’s Will (pt 2)

Heidelcast 10-Secret of Knowing God’s Will (pt 2)