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 …

Matthew Henry and Calvin on Matt. 5:20

“For I tell you, unless your righteousness exceeds that of the scribes and Pharisees, you will never enter the kingdom of heaven.” (ESV) Isn’t Jesus referring to the need for imputed righteousness, not some inherent goodness? Many Calvinists today interpret Jesus to be pointing to the pharisees’ and scribes’ need for imputed righteousness. This is …

Grace Alone, Faith Alone, Christ Alone

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

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 Fourth Word: The Lord’s Day – duty & delight

The Westminster Larger Catechism has a lot to say about this commandment, from Scripture.  And what they have to say will likely make us squirm.  First, Westminster gives us an overview of what the Fourth Commandment requires of us.  Q&A 116:  The fourth commandment requireth of all men the sanctifying or keeping holy to God …

The Third Word: Scripture twisting is blasphemy

The Third Commandment:  “You shall not take the name of the LORD your God in vain.”  The Westminster Larger Catechism gives a biblical exposition of the sins forbidden in the Third Commandment.  Let’s consider one of the phrases found in answer 113:  “The sins forbidden… are …misinterpreting, misapplying, or any way perverting the word, or …

True, Living Faith Justified by Works

An Exposition of James 2:14-26 (a sermon preached at Christ Our Hope PCA) We’re going to do something unusual this morning.  We’re going to parachute into James chapter 2, for just one sermon.  (We usually preach through books of the Bible.  Next week, God willing, we’ll start a new series through the Gospel of Luke.)  …

The Third Word: God’s Name, our blasphemy, and the Word made flesh (1)

A homily on the Third Commandment:  “You shall not take the name of the LORD your God in vain.”  We’re continuing to use the Westminster Larger Catechism’s exposition of the Ten  Commandments.  That exposition is always biblical, thorough, and convicting. Q. 112. What is required in the third commandment? A. The third commandment requires, that …

The Second Commandment: our failure, Christ’s fulfillment (4)

A fourth and final homily on the Second Commandment:  “You shall not make for yourself a carved image – nor bow down to them nor serve them.”  That’s an abbreviated version of the Second Commandment.  In Exodus 20, the LORD our God gives us the reason for this commandment in these words:  “For I, the …

The Second Commandment: our failure, Christ’s fulfillment (3)

Homily #3 on The Second Commandment:  “You shall not make for yourself a carved image – nor bow down to them nor serve them.” So we’re continuing to use the Westminster Larger Catechism, and its biblical exposition of the Ten Commandments.  This morning, let’s consider some of the sins forbidden in the Second Commandment. [A. …