Category: Worship

Rome’s Marian Dogma & Devotion Remains Unchanged: An Analysis of Mater Populi Fidelis

The Vatican’s note Mater Populi Fidelis does not change any doctrine or devotional practice with regard to Mary, but rather seeks to affirm and deepen it, while reframing distinctive Roman formulations in categories more acceptable to Christians, hoping we will be more amenable to Rome. Ultimately, MPF blasphemously subverts the glory, honor, and majesty exclusive to the Lord Jesus Christ.… Read More Rome’s Marian Dogma & Devotion Remains Unchanged: An Analysis of Mater Populi Fidelis

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John Calvin on the Shroud of Turin

John Calvin criticizes the proliferation of relics associated with Jesus, highlighting inconsistencies and contradictions. He questions the validity of multiple alleged face cloths and the absence of scriptural support for the Veil of Veronica and the Shroud of Turin. Calvin denounces the superstition and idolatry surrounding relics, emphasizing the need to seek and honor Christ in spirit and truth, rather than through material objects and idols.… Read More John Calvin on the Shroud of Turin

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The Abrogation of the Ceremonial Law

The ceremonial law was abolished to promote the spirituality of divine worship. That service was gross, carnal, calculated for an infant and sensitive church. It consisted in rudiments, the circumcision of the flesh, the blood and smoke of sacrifices, the streams of incense, observation of days, distinction of meats, corporal purifications; every leaf of the law is clogged with some rite to be particularly observed by them. The spirituality of worship lay veiled under a thick cloud, that the people could not behold the glory of the gospel, which lay covered under those shadows: ‘They could not stedfastly look to the end of that which was abolished’ (2 Cor. 3:13). They understood not the glory and spiritual intent of the law, and therefore came short of that spiritual frame in the worship of God, which was their duty; and therefore, in opposition to this administration, the worship of God under the gospel is called by our Saviour in the text, a worship in spirit; more spiritual for the matter, more spiritual for the motives, and more spiritual for the manner and frames of worship.… Read More The Abrogation of the Ceremonial Law

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Practical Atheism: Corrupt Prayer & Praise

Man’s practical atheism is evidenced in our corrupt matter or ends of prayer and praise. When we are importunate for those things that we know not whether the righteousness, holiness, and wisdom of God can grant, because he hath not discovered his will in any promise to bestow them, we would then impose such conditions on God, which he never obliged himself to grant. When we pray for things not so much to glorify God, which ought to be the end of prayer, as to gratify ourselves.… Read More Practical Atheism: Corrupt Prayer & Praise

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Secular Holy Days?

Some well-meaning Reformed Christians rightly understand how problematic “church calendar” observance is, given Scripture’s teaching on the Regulative Principle of Worship (RPW) and the Sabbath. In some sense they agree with the Puritan and Westminsterian position that man-made holy days are unwarranted by Scripture. And yet, while not wanting to entirely abandon them, two sorts… Read More Secular Holy Days?

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