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."
Read MoreBerkhof 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.
Read MoreJohn 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
Read MoreReformed 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.
Read MoreAll 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
Read MoreMemorials /
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.
Read MoreVos: 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."
Read MoreMary 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?
Read MoreThe 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?
Read MoreJohn 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."
Read MoreBrokenness and the Geneva Catechism /
If we are to glory in our weakness, as Paul says, let it be because this is our desire.
Read MoreThe 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.
Read MoreGiveaway 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.
Read MoreThe Great Sin Of Neglecting Infant Baptism /
Is it a sin to neglect baptism? To refuse to allow your children to be baptized?
Read MoreCalvin on the Importance of Signs /
For Calvin, baptism is at least a "promise of salvation" and this is in its application to children.
Read MoreOne 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.
Read MoreAugustine 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
Read MoreAn 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.
Read MoreCalvin 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
Read MoreSermon: 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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