Amandus Polanus (1561-1610)The Substance of Christian Religion (1595)Book I, pp. 172-178 Concerning the False Church. The false Church is that which followeth a false religion. A false religion, is what religion so ever is contrary to the word of God, delivered in the holy Scripture. Whosoever embraces this, are the enemies of Christ and his… Read More Concerning the False Church
It is a judicial action of the church, consisting in two things here noted: first, in examination of false doctrine and false teachers; secondly, in condemnation afterward. The examination of them is set down in these words: “and hast examined them that say they are apostles, and are not” (Rev. 2:2); and their condemning or sentence giving in the words following, “and has found them liars” (Rev. 2:2).… Read More How To Combat False Teachers
“Hold fast the form of sound words, which thou hast heard of me, in faith and love which is in Christ Jesus.” (2 Timothy 1:13). Zacharias Ursinus Commentary on the Heidelberg Catechism, pp. 129-133. IV. WHAT DO THE TERMS ESSENCE, PERSON, AND TRINITY SIGNIFY, AND IN WHAT DO THEY DIFFER FROM EACH OTHER? Essence, from the Greek ουσια, signifies,… Read More The Trinity and the Importance of Extra-Biblical Terminology
John Calvin, Commentary on Zechariah 13:3 “And it shall come to pass, that when any shall yet prophesy, then his father and his mother that begat him shall say unto him, Thou shalt not live; for thou speakest lies in the name of the LORD: and his father and his mother that begat him shall… Read More The Death Penalty for Heresy | John Calvin
“Heresy is a gross and dangerous error, voluntarily held and factiously maintained by some person or persons within the visible church, in opposition to some chief or substantial truth or truths grounded upon and drawn from the holy Scripture by necessary consequence.“ George Gillespie, A Treatise of Miscellany Questions, ch. 9. What is meant in… Read More The Biblical Definition of Heresy
Voluntaryism/the Voluntary Principle is the belief “that the only relation that ought to subsist between the State and the Church — between civil government and religion — is that of entire separation; or, in other words, its advocates maintain that nations, as such, and civil rulers in their official capacity, not only are not bound, but are not at… Read More Voluntaryism: The Real Origin of Romish and Priestly Domination
Geneva’s execution of the heretic Michael Servetus is often referred to as a point of shame for Reformed people today. But should it be? The modern Reformed insist that Reformed theology is not tainted by its history of religious intolerance, yet none-the-less consider it a blight on our history that we have moved past. But… Read More Defending the Execution of Servetus
Reformed Christians should reject outright the aberrant teaching known as “Federal Vision” (FV) theology (AKA “Auburn Avenue Theology”). As R.C. Sproul said before the PCA’s 35th General Assembly (2007): “I can’t fathom why there’s any hesitancy about [rejecting Federal Vision]. There’s too much at stake—this is the Gospel we’re talking about.” So far the ARP, OPC,… Read More Rejecting the Federal Vision: It’s a Gospel issue.
Purely Presbyterian 