Francis Turretin on the necessity of good works

In Francis Turretin’s brilliant section on “The Law of God” in his Institutes of Elenctic Theology (11th Topic), he “affirms against the antinomians” that the law “in a certain respect…still pertains to Christians.” Here is part of his response (23rd question, paragraphs V-VII): Finally, the law is necessary in many ways to Christians. (1) With …

You might be an Antinomian, if…

Strive for…the holiness without which no one will see the Lord. ~Hebrews 12:14 Anne Hutchinson This list below was published in a few blogs, notably by Kevin DeYoung at The Gospel Coalition. Mark Jones originally brought the list to our attention with his important book Antinomianism: Reformed Theology’s Unwelcome Guest. It is a set of …

Grace Alone, Faith Alone, Christ Alone

Grace Alone, Faith Alone, Christ Alone, from a recent Reformation Day conference. More audio here.

Groundwork for a Reformed Theology of Public Aesthetics

The Apostle Paul said that “the whole law is fulfilled in one word: ‘You shall love your neighbor as yourself.’” (Galatians 5:14). How one goes about loving one’s neighbor is the subject of much discussion and controversy in Christianity. Among Reformed Christians, the debate on Christian public engagement between the Two-Kingdom advocates, the Kuyperians, the …

Postmodern Theology and Renewal By Grace

Postmodern theology is diverse, ranging from “postliberal theology” to “deconstructive theology,” and trying to capture its fundamental tenets likely conflicts with what one even does (or can do) with such theology. But one might describe postmodern theology’s fundamental tenet as a recognition that one is ‘placed’ in an interpretive context (or community) and it is …

The Gospel for a Weary Pastor on Monday Morning

Yesterday, you preached God’s Word to God’s people – His Law and His Gospel.  You administered the sacrament of the body and blood of Christ.  You ministered in prayer.  And this morning, you feel like a failure.  Empty.  Like a Monday morning agnostic – not knowing whether your efforts were all in vain.  Feeling like …

The Second Commandment: our failure, Christ’s fulfillment (part 1)

A homily on the Second Commandment:  “You shall not make for yourself a carved image – nor bow down to them nor serve them.” We’re continuing in the Westminster Larger Catechism’s biblical exposition of the Ten Commandments.  The psalmist says that God’s commandment is exceedingly broad (Ps 119:96) – meaning perfectly comprehensive.  And Westminster does …

Another First Commandment FAIL: ignorance of the one true God

A homily on the First Commandment:  “You shall have no other gods before Me…” We’re continuing to use the Westminster Larger Catechism, which gives a thorough and biblical exposition of each of the Ten Commandments.  If you think you’re keeping God’s Law just fine, thank you, you’ve never read the Larger Catechism.  I commend it …

“Yielding ALL obedience & submission to Him with the WHOLE man” – Fail!

In our Lord’s Day worship service, we read a summary of the Ten Commandments (Ex. 20) and the Great Commandment (Mt. 22).  I then highlight one of the commandments in a brief homily, to show us our sin and drive us to Christ – to prepare us for the confession of sin and assurance of …

A super simple primer on the theology of the cross v. the theology of glory

Luther is the man.  Really.  But have you ever read his Heidelberg Disputation from 1518?  He wrote out various theses, to defend in debate.  And reading them is sometimes like reading a Zen Buddhist’s koans – as in, “What is the sound of one hand clapping?”  Here’s a sample, Luther’s seventh thesis:  “The works of …