If our salvation is based on promise, not upon law, then what is the law for then? What is based on the law? What role does it have? Wherefore then serveth the law? It was added because of transgressions, till the seed should come to whom the promise was made; and it was ordained by …
Confession of Sin
INTRODUCTION: Confession of sin is a basic activity that all Christians need to understand and practice. It is the most fundamental form of spiritual housekeeping. THE TEXT: “If we say that we have no sin, we deceive ourselves, and the truth is not in us. If we confess our sins, he is faithful and just …
Promise Before Law
We have learned that those who are under the law are under a curse. This is because being under the law does not mean that one keeps the law; rather, it means that one does not keep it, and is therefore under condemnation. How can sinful men be delivered from this state of condemnation? And …
Put Law and Gospel into a Story
I want to take a brief point I made in the comments section over at Greenbaggins and amplify it. The FV treatment of law and gospel creates the question of how “the law” relates to us as Christians in the course of our Christian lives. And so of course we hold that the law convicts …
Our Little Reformed Contretemps
Thanks to Randy Booth, who supplied me with some interesting quotes on general and special election from Calvin. Here, then, a twofold class of sons presents itself to us, in the Church; for since the whole body of the people is gathered together into the fold of God, by one and the same voice, all …
Abraham and the Gospel
We come now to the glorious example of Abraham, and the apostle Paul draws much gold out of the mines of Genesis. We will be occupied with this gold for much of the remainder of the third chapter of Galatians. Even as Abraham believed God, and it was accounted to him for righteousness. Know ye …
Some Bayly Questions
As I have said before, I respect the Bayly brothers highly, and have appreciated the integrity of their conduct in the whole FV flap, despite our obvious differences. Please take a moment to read this.
Call It a Shadow Ordo
The Westminster Standards say that non-elect covenant members partake of “common operations of the Spirit.” Calvin consistently speaks of general election and special election. Now when some in the FV have used ordo words like regeneration and applied them to those who are not of the special elect, the response from the FV critics has …
So Confusing. I Don”t Want to Pay Attention to the Adjectives.
A friend brought our attention to Calvin’s commentary on Acts 3:25, where he says, “And so, although the common election be not effectual in all, yet may it set open a gate for the special elect.” The rot is spreading. Somebody needs to bring charges, and soon. What would the charge be exactly? Well, it …
Walk the Other Way
Resentment is one of the most confused and confusing sins that we commit. Another person has wronged you and hurt you, or you believe that he has, and so you store up bitterness in your heart. But this bitterness pollutes and eats away at your own soul, not the soul of the one who wronged …