Peter Martyr Vermigli on the Imago Dei

Because I’ve been working on T.F. Torrance’s doctrine of the Imago Dei this quarter I decided to look into the doctrine in the works of several reformers. Of course I’m looking at Calvin but I’m also looking at others like Vermigli, Musculus, Bucer, etc. It’s not always easy to know exactly where to go ifContinue reading “Peter Martyr Vermigli on the Imago Dei”

My Most Significant Publication Yet…

I received a copy of Philosophia Christi (The journal of the Evangelical Philosophical Society) in the mail today. It contains my article, “Peter Martyr Vermigli’s Account of Petitionary Prayer.” As wierd as it sounds this is the most personally significant essay I have ever published…. The year was 2007 and I was sitting in myContinue reading “My Most Significant Publication Yet…”

Jonathan Edwards on the Atonement (Review)

It is well known that some of Edward’s followers, sometimes known as the New Divinity, advocated for a view of atonement known as the “governmental theory” or according to Oliver Crisp, penal non-substitution.  This view (in its orthodox form) was first proposed by Hugo Grotius. He suggested that Christ acted as a penal example, demonstratingContinue reading “Jonathan Edwards on the Atonement (Review)”

Reforming the Law: John Calvin and the Use of the Law in Geneva (Pt. 1)

Addressing “The Pattern of the Law for Piety,” John Calvin states that the law profits believers in two ways: 1) it instructs us about God’s will and 2) it exhorts Christians to obey it. Given these two functions of the law, which are related to its “third use” (McKee, 266), we may wonder what roleContinue reading “Reforming the Law: John Calvin and the Use of the Law in Geneva (Pt. 1)”

John Calvin & the Four Nicene Marks of the Church

One theme that emerges throughout Calvin’s works as well as some Calvin biographies is the importance he places upon ecclesiology. We see this in various ways, for instance in his fight for the unity of the protestant movement, in his emphasis on the proper understanding of the Eucharist, and his constant attempts at establishing churchContinue reading “John Calvin & the Four Nicene Marks of the Church”

Book Giveaway – What is Reformed Theology?

Its that time again, time to win a free book! This time around I am giving away a free copy of R.C. Sproul’s, What is Reformed Theology? You can read my review of the book here. To win a copy of the book all you need to do is one of the following: Tweet outContinue reading “Book Giveaway – What is Reformed Theology?”

What is Reformed Theology?

 In some circles being “reformed” is a badge of honor, elsewhere bearing that name is enough to get you blacklisted. So what does it mean to be “Reformed?” R.C. Sproul unpacks this in this 2016 edition of a theological best seller. In this book he contrasts “God-Centered Theology” and “Man-Centered” theology, claiming essential that ReformedContinue reading “What is Reformed Theology?”

Reformed Views on Predetermined Human Action

I recently came across a quote by Richard Muller (“Grace, Election and Contingent Choice” in The Grace of God, the Bondage of the Will) in which he disagrees with a commonly held misconception about Reformed views on Freedom. There he says: It was never the Reformed view that the moral acts of human beings areContinue reading “Reformed Views on Predetermined Human Action”

Kyle Strobel on Jonathan Edwards’ Doctrine of Theosis

A few weeks ago Kyle Strobel (Talbot Seminary) came in to Oliver Crisp’s Jonathan Edwards Seminar to present a paper on Jonathan Edwards’ doctrine of theosis. For those of you who are interested in this topic – here are my rough notes: Is there such a thing as a Reformed Doctrine of theosis? • Isn’tContinue reading “Kyle Strobel on Jonathan Edwards’ Doctrine of Theosis”

Top Ten Books of 2014

Christmas is the best time of the year to make lists! Santa Claus is checking his list of kids who were naughty and nice, deciding which kids are going to get presents and which kids are going to get coal. The nice kids are making lists of toys they want. (God bless the greedy littleContinue reading “Top Ten Books of 2014”