The courtly Eastern Orthodox convert from Presbyterianism Josiah Trenham wrote this book with a three-fold purpose: Continue reading
Tag Archives: Holy Catholic Church
The TOC objection to Sola Scriptura
If I estimate it correctly, most of the churchist attacks on sola scriptura are based on the thesis that without an authoritative church, it is every man with his Bible and his own private interpretation Continue reading
Luther and the canon
This month our thoughts should return continually to that prince Continue reading
Coffin on Confessionalism
This is an essay in The Practical Calvinist (festschrift to Clair Davis, detailed info at end). It was written in connection with a discussion in the PCA Continue reading
Confessionalism Type B: The Case of the RPCUS
The RPCUS provides an interesting case study Continue reading
The Federal Vision: Not Catholic At All
It seems clear that one of the motivations for the Federal Vision (FV) movement Continue reading
Book: T. David Gordon on Why Johnny Can’t Sing Hymns
The surprising thing about this contribution to the debate on worship is Continue reading
The Proposed OPC Directory for Worship
The OPC (Orthodox Presbyterian Church) is in the process of ratifying a new “Directory for Worship.” It is available on-line by clicking an appropriate link here. The purpose of this essay is to bring some arguments against the proposed revision to the church. Continue reading
Introductory criticism of Wilson’s “‘Reformed’ is Not Enough”
The book “Reformed” is Not Enough created quite a stir a few years back Continue reading
On Deacons Serving Communion
At issue here is a practice, reported in some quarters, of Deacons assisting in Continue reading
Keys of Church and Presbyterial Succession
Attached is an mp3 of a Sunday School on Heidelberg Catechism 83-85, Continue reading
Heidelberg Catechism and Paedo-communion
Attached is the mp3 of a Sunday School lesson I taught yesterday on Heidelberg Catechism 81-82, including a discussion of Wilson’s (and others’) paedo-communion doctrine Continue reading
MacGregor on the Future of the Catholic Church Reformed (HCC #4)
The author was a prominent Church of Scotland man Continue reading
Why I am not a Methodist
Everyone expects me to say “Predestination” or something. But that’s so far down the list that I’ll forget to even mention it.
There are three things that prevent me from becoming a Methodist. Continue reading
Is Independency possible? (HCC #2)
Whenever I meet a Baptist or other Independent in a context where Continue reading
The Holy Catholic Church (HCC #1)
In many traditional discussions of the church, a host of definitional distinctions are brought out right away: the church invisible vs. visible; triumphant vs. militant; representational vs. lay; and so forth. All of these distinctions have their place, and in their place are very important. Here, however, I propose to start with the primary lexical meaning of the Hebrew qahal or Greek ekklesia as “the called,” which, in the biblical context, connotes a people called out of the sinful mass of humanity to be the people of God, to worship him in truth, and be constituted as the corporate body identified with the living and true God. Continue reading