Union With Christ In the Westminster Shorter Catechism / October 8, 2017 by Andy Schreiber

There is much debate over whether we are to view union with Christ or justification as having a logical (even if not strictly chronological) priority in salvation.

While this post certainly will not settle that debate, I thought that it might at least prove helpful to briefly examine what the Westminster Shorter Catechism has to say about the subject. It is my contention that the Shorter Catechism is abundantly clear when it comes to spelling out for us which comes first (i.e. logical priority), union with Christ or justification.

The Lamb's High Feast: Good Reasons For Weekly Communion / July 26, 2017 by Garry Vanderveen

One of the most frequently asked questions I receive from visitors is, “Why does your church celebrate the Lord’s Supper every Sunday?” There are several reasons for our practice and I organize them under three categories: Biblical/Exegetical, Theological/Practical, and Historical.

Since I serve in a Reformed congregation, visitors sometimes assume that we celebrate the Lord’s Supper 3, 4, 6, or 12 times a year. Some are genuinely puzzled that we would embrace a practice that is at odds with the practice of other local Reformed churches. I remind them that John Calvin advocated the “at least once a week” position.

Genevan Catechism Giveaway / July 19, 2017 by Shane D. Anderson

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Covenant Succession: Parenting In Faith / July 11, 2017 by Hans Saunders

The doctrine of covenant succession (whether or not I knew it by these terms exactly) drew me to the reformed faith. The language of sonship, of heirs, of family, of promise, of generations, of covenant, stood in stark contrast to casting a lot and hoping it just happens to land in the lap. Nurturing our little ones in the faith rather than herding them towards it.

Introducing ReformedDeacon.com / May 27, 2017 by Tim Hopper

Those who have served in diaconal ministry know well the prescience of the apostles in requiring deacons to be "full of the Spirit and of wisdom." Serving others in mercy ministry requires wisdom at every turn: to provide money or not, to offer counsel or hold your tongue, to consult with elders for help or handle a matter within a diaconate. Growing in wisdom should be a daily pursuit of the Christian deacon; as with all Christians, a deacon is to be transformed by the renewing of his mind and ask God "who gives generously to all without reproach" (James 1:5) to give him wisdom in a time of need.

Just Passing Through? When People Leave The Reformed Churches / April 17, 2017 by Peter Jones

Over the past 15 years, I have seen various men and women leave Reformed churches. Sometimes they move to Roman Catholicism or Eastern Orthodoxy. Other times they head for a more vanilla, antinomian, evangelical church. And sometimes they have left the faith altogether. Of course, this is anecdotal, but several things have stuck out about these conversions

Sanctified by Grace / March 13, 2017 by Andy Schreiber

Sanctification is our 'working out' what God Himself has 'worked in,' which includes not just the doing or working for His good pleasure, but even our willingness or desire to do so in the first place!

Psalm 3, You Are My Shield: Phone Wallpaper / February 22, 2017 by Shane D. Anderson

Free phone backgrounds featuring lyrics from a setting of Psalm 3 by My Soul Among Lions. Available at http://clearnotesongbook.com/song/psalm-3-you-are-my-shield-msal

The Unio Mystica is our Great Salvation / February 20, 2017 by Timothy Lee

This is a reminder that everything needed for salvation is literally in Christ alone. To all those living and walking by faith, the Triune God has proven his faithfulness to you. So let us sing with our hearts, all glory be to Christ!

Godliness With Contentment: Your Best Life Now / February 16, 2017 by Shane D. Anderson

You don't like where you live? What you have? How you look? Wishing you could have your best life now? God's surprising prescription is godliness with contentment.

Only One Covenant of Grace: The Earliest Commentary On The WCF / February 15, 2017 by Shane D. Anderson

The New Testament and Old Testament do not differ in substance but only in accident (its manner or shape fitting to its time and use). The essential unity of the Old and New Covenants is seen clearly in that both contain the same spiritual blessings: the promise of grace, forgiveness, and eternal life and blessing for believers in Jesus Christ. In addition, both covenants contain the requirement of the same faith and obedience.

Covenant Children and the Church Triumphant / February 15, 2017 by Joshua Torrey

"A child of the covenant has died. The hearts of the parents are bleeding and bid fair to break. Their pastor seeks to console them. What shall he say?" - Kuiper

John Calvin On The Sacraments As Offers Of Mercy & Pledges of Grace / February 14, 2017 by Shane D. Anderson

In this passage from the Institutes IV.14.7, Calvin argues that the rejection of Christ in the sacraments does not imply that the sacraments are not efficacious. Instead, to those who receive them in faith, the sacraments are evidences of God's grace to us, "seals of the good-will which he entertains toward us." They "nourish, confirm, and increase our faith."

Berkhof on Christian Education / February 13, 2017 by Trent Still

If Abraham diligently teaches his children the way of the Lord, then the Lord will bring upon Abraham and his descendants the things which he has promised them.

John Calvin on Obedience to the Law / February 12, 2017 by Joshua Torrey

"It is our wisdom by which we are formed and instructed to complete uprightness. It is our discipline which does not permit us to abandon ourselves in more wicked license." - John Calvin

Reformed Tradition(s) on the Eucharist / February 7, 2017 by Joshua Torrey

It is true that the Reformed disposition to covenant theology makes the depiction of the sacrament less neat and tidy. However, it would be a mistake to presume a Zwinglian position that has historically become more and more popular.

All Must Be Well / February 1, 2017 by Shane D. Anderson

Precious is the blood that healed us;

Perfect is the grace that sealed us;

Strong the hand stretched out to shield us;

All must be well.

--Mary Bowley Peters

Memorials / January 30, 2017 by Matthew Kingsbury

It’s not enough for the peoples of the earth to simply know the hand of the Lord is mighty. Each generation of the Church should ask “What do you mean by this service?” (Ex 12:26), and each member of the Church should live so that unbelievers will ask it as well. Through the memorials of our worship services, we pray all peoples will come to know that the hand of the Lord is mighty to save.

Vos: The Well Founded Presumption of Election / January 27, 2017 by Shane D. Anderson

"Vos... explained that the dualistic belief that placed covenant and election next to each other without any inner connection was prevalent among many Reformed believers in America. The covenant becomes a strengthened gospel offer. Election comes last, and functions like a second Amyraldian conclusion."

Mary And The Church / December 16, 2016 by Joshua Torrey

Since the Reformation, Protestants have looked with concern at the Mariology of the Roman Catholic Church. When a church makes doctrines concerning Mary essential to salvation there should be quizzical looks. And yet, in the rush to deny the Marian dogmas many Protestants can feel an uncomfortable tingle down their spine when they hear "Greetings Mary, God's favored one." Why is that?

Perhaps I can ask the question more practically. Why do people shudder at the sharing—common during Advent—of the depiction of Eve and Mary embraced while Mary's foot crushes a serpent? Or if I can ask even more directly, have Protestant overreacted to Roman doctrine and dismissed the true Biblical witness concerning the Virgin? Unveiled, why is it that some take issue with Mary crushing the head of the serpent?