In this series we will evaluate the use of contraception in light of Scripture. Additionally, we will demonstrate that the unanimous position of the Church as a whole down through history has been one of opposition to contraception until very recently in the West. We will examine the dominion mandate, the purposes and duties of… Read More Contraception pt. 1: Abortifacients, Health Risks, Societal Factors
The doctrine of the two kingdoms is often confused as a distinction between church and state, but this is not the case. While Christ’s reign over all things in power and over His church in grace do indeed relate to the institutions of the church and the civil magistracy, the kingdom of power is not… Read More Confessional Two Kingdoms
There is a moral duty inherent in the law of nature to acknowledge God and to worship Him alone. The first commandment obliges all persons, not just as individuals, but also as families and nations; all people and institutions that God sovereignly reigns over are morally bound to acknowledge and submit to Him, and according to each… Read More What is National Covenanting?
Natural law is the reflection of God’s moral character and the moral order of creation (sometimes referred to as the secondary law of nature) as designed by God, which is written on the human heart (Rom. 2:14-15). It is no different in substance than the ten commandments (which are a summary of the entire moral… Read More The Law of Nature and the Civil Enforcement of the First Table
Although this excerpt is in relation to 1 Corinthians 11:14 and men having long hair being disgraceful, the argument Calvin makes is more widely applicable to all cultural norms and the importance of them being conformed “to the word of God, the law of nature, and human decency.“ Sermon on 1 Corinthians 11:11-16 Men, Women,… Read More The Importance of Customs Being Conformed to Nature | John Calvin
Very many modern doctrines of inspiration (particularly those among the more conservative) arose in the 19th century, through the influences of German Higher Criticism, Hegelian Romanticism, and other irrational dogmas. Organic Inspiration is the notion that the words of Scripture are not merely the Word of God, through His chosen secretaries or clerks, but that… Read More The Reformed Doctrine of Inspiration
John Calvin’s commentary on Isaiah 49:23, and the duties of magistrates under the gospel: And kings shall be thy nursing fathers. After having spoken of the obedience of the Gentiles, he shews that this relates not to the common people only, but to “kings” also. He compares “kings” to hired men who bring up the… Read More Kings Shall Be Thy Nursing Fathers
1. National covenanting – This is where the name “Covenanter” comes from. Their belief is that a covenant must be made nationally acknowledging Jesus Christ as King and vowing to be God’s people while being lovingly obedient to his laws. This includes not working with evil nations and protecting the true Christian religion. Reconstructionists don’t… Read More 8 Differences Between Covenanters and Reconstructionists
When it is said, Thou shalt labor six days, our Lord would hereby signify unto us, that we ought not to complain of yielding unto Him one certain day, when He leaves unto us six for one. As if He did say, “Shall the cost and charge be great unto you, to choose one day… Read More Calvin: ‘Bring the experiences of the Lord’s Day to the weekdays, not vice versa’
In our previous post, we discussed the nature of the church of Christ, particularly its unity, and the application of that unity in terms of church government. As an instance of this unity in government, we looked at the church at Jerusalem, which was a collection of churches existing under one group of… Read More A Presbyterian Plea, Part 2
Purely Presbyterian 