John Calvin On The Sacraments As Offers Of Mercy & Pledges of Grace
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
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
"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
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
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
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
"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
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?
The Honor Due Her: Bavinck on Mary
Christ's family was really normal except for all the ways it wasn't. In Luke 1, Elizabeth is filled with the Spirit at the mere sound of Mary's greeting, and the unborn prophet jumped for joy too. What kind of woman is Mary that the sound of her greeting brought such joys?
John Calvin on the Perpetual Virginity of Mary
One is certainly inclined to disagree with the analysis of Calvin. But perhaps it would be wise to acknowledge his warning about those with "an extreme fondness for disputation."
Brokenness and the Geneva Catechism
If we are to glory in our weakness, as Paul says, let it be because this is our desire.
The Baptisms of Jesus & John
In conclusion, the gospels themselves present a uniformed baptism of Jesus and John. There is no articulated distinction between the two.
Giveaway of Calvin's Geneva Catechism
We are excited to make this available to the Reformed world once again. We look forward to the many insights that can be garnered from the words of the venerable John Calvin.
The Great Sin Of Neglecting Infant Baptism
Is it a sin to neglect baptism? To refuse to allow your children to be baptized?
Calvin on the Importance of Signs
For Calvin, baptism is at least a "promise of salvation" and this is in its application to children.
One Baptism: For Infants & Adults
There is only one baptism, for us and our children. Our approach toward baptized children should be to treat them as what they are according to what God has said of them: Christians.
Augustine on Debt and Words
"Yet woe to those who are silent about you because, though loquacious with verbosity, they have nothing to say.” —St. Augustine, Confessions 1.4
An Introduction to Calvin's Geneva Catechism
For all the clamor over his name, many continue to only read and apply popular portions of his thought. Hopefully, this catechism can work as a gateway to a renewed emphasis on truly Calvinistic thought.
Calvin on Spirit and Word
"Hence we infer that this is a most valuable treasure of the Church, that he has chosen for himself a habitation in it, to dwell in the hearts of believers by his Spirit, and next to preserve among them the doctrine of his gospel." - Calvin
Sermon: We And Our Children
Joey Pipa's recent sermon celebrated and challenged a congregation in their new catechism school by preaching on Deuteronomy 6:1-9. This is a great sermon on the duties of covenantal living--enjoy!
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Featured Posts
We need not reinvent Christianity or carve out ever-smaller enclaves to prove our faithfulness. We do not need to imitate the liberal order’s obsession with identity and control. We can return to nature, heritage, tradition, fathers, and our faith. Sectarian comfort is a false security for a people who have forgotten how to receive life from God’s hand. It will take Christian courage in an age of liberals and sects to grow deeper roots and provide a more secure and fruitful future.
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