In Recovering the Reformed Confession I defined the “Reformed Confession” both narrowly (referring to the confessional documents adopted by the churches) and broadly referring to theology, piety, and practice in, with, and around the confessions themselves. Subsequent discussions here and elsewhere have . . . Continue reading →
I have been in conversations before with Roman Catholics about a sacramental view of the universe and it still leaves be flummoxed. It is akin to the Reformed w-w phenomenon where Christianity is nothing unless it provides a comprehensive account of everything. . . . Continue reading →
The History Channel reminds us that on this date in 1095, Pope Urban II ordered the First Crusade. Prior to 1979 it was more difficult than it is today to imagine such a thing, a leader of a world religion ordering a . . . Continue reading →
I was alerted to this new volume by Daniel Swift and wanted to let you know about it for two reasons: 1) It’s an interesting topic in which two groups of readers have an interesting, those interested in the history of worship . . . Continue reading →
Paul Bloom, in the NY Times Magazine (May 5, 2010), writes: A growing body of evidence, though, suggests that humans do have a rudimentary moral sense from the very start of life. With the help of well-designed experiments, you can see glimmers . . . Continue reading →
In “Beware the Puritan Paralysis” Trevin Wax cautions us about a tendency to introspection. He makes a very important point: Too many times, we dress up our introspection with flowery terms like “accountability” and “mortification” and “gospel-centered change.” Even if all these . . . Continue reading →
On this day we rightly pause to give thanks for the innumerable blessings we have received, both those common to all image bearers and those saving benefits particular to believers. Chief among the latter are saving faith and Spirit-wrought union with Christ . . . Continue reading →
Joel Kim spent some time in the office to discuss Hebrews 2:14–18. Joel is Assistant Professor of New Testament at Westminster Seminary California. In this episode we discussed what it means for Jesus to “share in flesh and blood” and to be delivered from . . . Continue reading →
When we think of Italy we probably don’t think about a growing, confessional Reformed church but it exists. The Rev Andrea Ferrari not has the coolest name in the Western world but he is the minister. He was ordained in 2010 and . . . Continue reading →
Recently a correspondent wrote to ask about the following: “An interesting story: in 1527, the year he was 18, Calvin was arrested, tried, and convicted of homosexual activity. Instead of being executed (per French law at the time), he was branded with . . . Continue reading →
Brad Gregory is a well-respected Reformation historian. He has taught at Stanford and now teaches at Notre Dame. His study of martyrdom in the Reformation period is highly regarded. He has produced a new work which is receiving a good deal of . . . Continue reading →
Kim Riddlebarger’s excellent book, A Case for Amillennialism is now available for Kindle. I just got my copy (to go along with the print version on my shelf). You never know when you might need to make reference via mobile device. Here’s . . . Continue reading →
This is going to be fun. Anyone who is interested in the history of Reformed theology, in finding out what the classical Reformed authors (of which Calvin was one) actually said, must get to grips with the work of Richard Muller. By . . . Continue reading →
The Rev. Mr. David Strain spoke again this morning to the students and faculty from Colossians 1–2. This time the focus was on the relations between proclaiming, warning, and instructing in preaching. It has been a great joy to have David on . . . Continue reading →
Parents and other catechists have sometimes said or implied to me that children just aren’t able to memorize in the modern age and therefore we shouldn’t insist that they memorize Scripture or catechism. This morning I had reason to doubt that. I . . . Continue reading →
The Rev. Mr David Strain is speaking now in chapel at Westminster Seminary California. He is pastor of Main Street Presbyterian Church in Columbus, MS (PCA) and the guest of the student association. He talking about Colossians 1 as a realistic pattern . . . Continue reading →
We seem to live in a Malthusian age, i.e., an age of increasing scarcity or perhaps fear of scarcity, where concern over how to divide an economic (and environmental) pie of limited size (called a “zero sum game”) has replaced the idea . . . Continue reading →
The HB has been back for almost two months and we’re still making tweaks here and there. We’re always working to make the site more useful. The latest is a new mobile site. We would like your feedback. Check it out on . . . Continue reading →
San Diego County inland is a series of hills, ridges, and canyons. This view is about 15 minutes north of the seminary. People who haven’t visited North San Diego County may imagine it to be much more urban than it is. There are . . . Continue reading →
Saturday morning a Roman Catholic laywoman and a male companion (who stood behind her with his rosary saying prayers) came to my door on behalf of St Mary Church in Escondido. She asked if there were any Catholics in the house. I . . . Continue reading →
