May 21, 2010

Can The Gospel Be Found In The Stars?

R. Scott Clark answers a resounding “no” and I’m thankful for his clarifying voice. I’ve been surprised to hear this kind of thinking by some Reformed Christians.

“Fundamental to the “gospel-in-the-stars” error is its implicit confusion of nature for grace and its implicit confusion of law and gospel. According to the Apostle Paul in Rom 1-2 nature reveals only God’s existence and his righteous justice and coming judgment. There is no gospel in the command: “do this and live” whether it is revealed in nature, in the covenant of works, or at Sinai. Law is law. It never becomes gospel. It never says, “Christ shall do for you” or “Christ has done for you.” The law is relentless and ruthless. The law says, “Cursed is everyone who does not continue to do everything which is written in the book of the law.” (Gal 3:10). That is essentially a different word from: “Come to me all who are burdened and I will give you rest.” According to God’s Word as confessed by the Reformed (and Lutheran) churches, we only know the gospel from special revelation (grace) not from nature or law.”

You can read his whole article here.

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May 13, 2010

Rome and Pentecostals

…have a lot in common according to R. Scott Clark.

I was told on several occasions during my Pentecostal days not to speak ill of the Roman Catholic Church as the same “revivals” and “manifestations” the our church was experiencing were happening across the road during their meetings. One of those churches even helped the local Roman Catholic Church run their “evangelistic programs”.

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April 16, 2010

Preaching To The QIRE

Dr. R. Scott Clark shares some great thoughts on the “QIRE” (Quest for Illegitimate Religious Experience) after he read an article in Christianity Today.

Here’s an excerpt:

“Sometimes people object to my critique of the QIRE (see RRC) as if I’m just a kill-joy. I’m not. One great problem with the QIRE is that not only can you achieve the experience you crave with the right drugs, you can also do it with other world religions. In other words, it’s a natural phenomenon. It’s not supernatural. It’s not inherently Christian (just like the modern ‘tongues’ movement, anyone can do it)…In other words, you don’t [need] Jesus to have that experience. If you don’t need Jesus to achieve the experience you want, then the experience you want isn’t Christian. I’m not saying that it’s demonic; it’s just natural but nature isn’t grace and redemption from sin.”

Read the rest of Clark’s post The Addiction to Religious Euphoria.

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February 21, 2010

Experiential Ecstasy and the Christian's "Quiet Time"

…are a couple of things Scott Clark has been writing (and speaking) about lately. Take the time to read this article and then listen to his latest Heidelcast.

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January 24, 2010

Circumcision and Baptism in Colossians 2:11-12

R. Scott Clark has a helpful piece discussing circumcision and baptism in Colossians 2:11-12.

If you’re interested in such topics you may benefit from reading the comments as well.

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January 17, 2010

Why are the Ten Commandments Still for New Covenant Believers?

Why do Reformed Christians (and the Reformed confessions) state that the moral law (the Ten Commandments) remains binding on all men of all ages? Dr. R. Scott Clark answers that question in his latest edition of the Heidelcast.

Clark makes reference to a series by the faculty of Westminster Seminary California entitled, The Law of God and the Christian. You can purchase and download the series via this link.

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December 11, 2009

The Canons of Dordt

The Canons of Dordt (often referred to today as the “Five Points of Calvinism”) are expounded and explained by R. Scott Clark in an edition of Tabletalk Magazine from 2008:

Everyone knows the acronym TULIP, but not everyone knows where this acronym comes from. The Canons of Dordt are among the most famous but unread deliverances of any Reformed Synod. The canons are more than five letters. The canons teach a pastoral doctrine of grace and provide a model for the stewardship of the Gospel.

Read The Canons of Dordt by R. Scott Clark

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October 28, 2009

What Does “World” Mean in John 3:16?

Dr. R. Scott Clark offers some helpful insights in John’s use of kosmos (“world”) in John 3:16, its wider use within his gospel, and the extent of the atonement.

Take 24 minutes out of your day and listen to Heidelcast Episode #5.

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October 22, 2009

Christless Christianity Review: A Response to John Frame

How many blogs must comment on something before the blogosphere can be abuzz? We’ve seen eight or nine posts over the last several days commenting on John Frame’s recent “book review” of Mike Horton’s Christless Christianity. So, we’re not quite convinced that this is a dispute of blogospheric proportions, but we also thought in the interests of fairly characterizing Frame’s review for what it is, we should provide some kind of response.

via whitehorseinn.org

Earlier this week John Frame posted a strongly critical review of Michael Horton’s Christless Christianity, today, the White Horse Inn respond.

Update: Darryl G. Hart and R. Scott Clark have also responded.

 

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September 22, 2009

On Being Missional, Reformed, and Foolish

R. Scott Clark blogged:

I spent Friday and Saturday in beautiful Traverse City, MI with the brothers and sisters of Redeemer PCA and with the presbyters meeting as the Great Lakes Presbytery (PCA). I gave two talk, preached once, and held and Sat AM Q & A session with the presbyters. The first talk was on the matter of defining the adjective “missional” and relating it to marks of the church. The second was on “The Joy of Being Reformed” and the sermon was on 1 Cor 1:18-21.

I’ve not listened to the above audio by R. Scott Clark, but am very much looking forward to sitting down with a nice brew of coffee and my iPod.

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