Covenant Theologian: Heinrich Bullinger
Heinrich Bullinger (1504–1575) is regarded as the most influential second-generation Reformer
“In 1522, Bullinger returned home to Bremgarten a new man. He continued his persistent study of Scripture along with his reading of the Church Fathers, Luther, and Melanchthon. The next year, he became the head teacher of the school at the Cistercian convent at Kappel. From 1523 to 1529, he instructed the monks from the... Continue Reading
The Softer Face of Calvinism
Reformed theology is more irenic and diverse than you think, says theologian Oliver Crisp
“Few figures in church history have been so much loved or hated, admired or despised as John Calvin. Calvinism—the theological orientation bearing the French theologian’s name—has also had mixed reception. Reformed theologian Oliver Crisp, professor of systematic theology at Fuller Theological Seminary, says Calvinism and the Reformed tradition is more diverse and amiable than is... Continue Reading
Reformed Tradition Taking Root In China
China may be emerging as another global center of Reformed faith and practice
“For decades China’s house churches tended to despise denominations but that has been changing rapidly as they face the need for institutional structure and better church practices in order to support the work of the ministry–defending the faith, practicing discipline, training up the children, ordaining ministers, sending out missionaries, and so on. Interestingly, their quest... Continue Reading
The American Jeremiad: A Bit of Perspective On The Rhetoric of Decline
There is a way of responding to declension—real or imagined—that only compounds the problem
“I want to introduce you to the American jeremiad. That’s the term scholars have given to what one has called “a mainstream and deeply American way of thinking about the nation’s past, present, and future.”[1] The term comes from the prophet Jeremiah, who catalogued Israel’s fall from fidelity and warned of the horrible judgments to... Continue Reading
Questioning Faith On The Front Lines Of The Ebola Outbreak
Asking medical missionaries of various religions to separate their practice from their faith asks them to deny the very reason for their service
“I was raised to revere missionaries and support them. Over the years, many of my friends in the medical profession have given their time and talents to missionary hospitals around the globe. It never occurred to me that someone might consider medical missionaries to be pressuring “their patients, at moments of maximum vulnerability and desperation,... Continue Reading
The Great Western Earthquake
Reformation - No one could have known it then, but what happened then set in motion an earthquake whose aftershocks are still being felt in the churches today.
That earthquake had three epicenters, one in Wittenburg with Martin Luther, another in Geneva with John Calvin, and still another in Canterbury with Thomas Cranmer. What were the contributions of each of these men? Wittenburg, Geneva, Canterbury. Luther, Calvin, Cranmer. An earthquake with three epicenters. The quake continues to roll. Reformation Day 2014 The date... Continue Reading
What Is Reformation Day All About?
On October 31, 1517, Martin Luther nailed his 95 Theses to the church door. What does that mean for the church today?
Though preached clearly in the New Testament and found in the writings of many of the church fathers, the medieval bishops and priests had largely forgotten the truth that our own good works can by no means merit God’s favor. Salvation is by grace alone through faith alone, and good works result from our faith,... Continue Reading
How Christians Will Know They Can Join Hands With Rome
Among other things, in order for Rome to be Christian, it must tear down its system of salvation and rebuild it after that of Scripture.
Rome sees the Reformation as a fracture of the true church, not a healing of it. For the aforementioned reasons, Rome would need to adjust its perspective on the Reformation towards being one of the best things to happen to Christ’s church. In doing so, it would need to renounce much of the doctrine affirmed in... Continue Reading
What’s the State of Theology in America?
The results of a survey that measured Americans’ theological knowledge
Considering all that we know about human nature, about the unceasing malice of the devil, and about the fanatical anti-Christian cultural pressures over the last fifty years, these figures are remarkably strong and resilient and give much cause for thanksgiving and motivation as we continue the work of teaching, preaching, and evangelizing both the world... Continue Reading
Evil, Evangelism And Halloween…
Don’t have an opinion about Halloween? Learn and think about it. And then get one.
The easiest way to be conformed to the world is by letting everything it whispers wash over us without any thought or care. If we never think about the importance of having a biblical worldview, we will inevitably begin to reflect the world and culture around us. If we want to live unthoughtfully, we will... Continue Reading