Church History

The Road Not Taken

Brad Litttlejohn
Oct 28, 2019
As we remember the Reformation this week, those who stop to think about the anniversary (too few of us, no doubt) will probably either celebrate it as the birthday of the Protestant churches, or lament it as the beginning of a great schism that still divides the western church today. We will think...

Nikolaus Von Amsdorf – More than a Beer-Drinking Friend

Simonetta Carr
Oct 22, 2019
Nikolaus Von Amsdorf – More than a Beer-Drinking Friend Nikolaus Von Amsdorf is usually remembered as one of the two friends (the other being Philip Melanchthon) who drank beer with Martin Luther while “God dealt the papacy a mighty blow.” [1] But there is much more to this man, his relationship to...

Clement Read Vaughan – a Faithful Friend

Simonetta Carr
Oct 15, 2019
Clement Read Vaughan – a Faithful Friend Today, Clement Read Vaughan (1827-1911) is remembered only occasionally for his comparison of faith to a bridge – an illustration used by many pastors. Not much is known about his life – mostly what Thomas Cary Johnson (1859-1936) recorded in his biography...

Is Middle Knowledge Biblical? An Evaluation

Charles Rennie
Oct 14, 2019
In part one of this series , the doctrine of middle knowledge was set forth and explained on its own terms. Its principal concern is to reconcile the sovereignty of divine agency and the liberty of human agency by inserting a third logical moment between God's natural knowledge and visionary...

Theoretical-Practical Theology Vol. II

Jonathan Master
Oct 7, 2019
Theoretical-Practical Theology Vol. II 17th-century Reformed theologian Petrus Van Mastricht wrote a comprehensive treatment of theoretical-practical theology. This extensive collection is gradually being made available in English by Todd Rester, lead translator of this massive work. The second...

Isabella Graham – an 18th-Century Problem-Solver

Simonetta Carr
Oct 2, 2019
Isabella Graham – an 18 th -Century Problem-Solver “Who are these children, that idly ramble through the streets, a prey to growing depravity and vicious example?” Isabella Graham asked in 1804. By that time, she had already created a vast program of assistance to the needy, a program that included...

Is Middle Knowledge Biblical? An Explanation

Charles Rennie
Sep 30, 2019
Middle knowledge, otherwise known as Molinism , derives its name from a 16th century Jesuit named Luis de Molina (1535-1600). There is evidence that within a decade of Molina's death, his view of middle knowledge had a profound influence upon the theology of James Arminius--though there is some...

Sanctification: Justification & Sanctification, What's the Difference?

Steven McCarthy
Sep 30, 2019
There are several places in the writing of the Apostle Paul where he warns that “the unrighteous shall not enter the kingdom of heaven.” He goes on to furnish examples that, though not exhaustive, are comprehensive enough to catch any of our besetting sins, from sexual immorality and idolatry to...

Anne Dutton and Her Reasons for Writing

Simonetta Carr
Sep 24, 2019
Anne Dutton and Her Reasons for Writing From the time of her youth in 17 th -century Northampton, England, Anne was described as a lively and outspoken girl. Over the course of her life, she combined this zeal and candor with her natural clarity of thought and expression in order to provide...

Reciting the Creed

Adam Parker
Sep 23, 2019
Why do we recite the historic creeds of the church in our worship services? There are a few ways to answer this question. First, we believe these creeds are really just recitations of the content of Scripture. All we are doing is reading a summary of what the Bible says. Second, we believe...