tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8280221785169915064Wed, 28 Aug 2024 07:21:12 +0000Reformed ChurchChristian LifeChurchHistoryCovenantHolinessWorshipAuthorityGospelSalvationScriptureStoryChristian Freedomhttp://reformedtheologymadesimple.blogspot.com/noreply@blogger.com (Daniel C)Blogger46125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8280221785169915064.post-6703630953747509538Thu, 06 Oct 2016 00:41:00 +00002016-10-05T17:41:00.482-07:00ChurchReformed ChurchSacraments: Lord's SupperBaptism is the rite of initiation. The Lord's Supper however is a rite of covenantal renewal. It is where the Lord feeds us in faith, nourishing our souls as we remember His death and resurrection for us.The Lord's Supper was first instituted by our Lord on the night he was about to be betrayed, as He partook of the meal together with his 12 disciples. The Last Supper, ashttp://reformedtheologymadesimple.blogspot.com/2016/10/what-is-reformed-church-preaching-and_47.htmlnoreply@blogger.com (Daniel C)0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8280221785169915064.post-7249890427736076207Wed, 05 Oct 2016 11:24:00 +00002016-10-05T04:24:48.255-07:00ChurchReformed ChurchSacraments: GeneralDuring the Protestant Reformation, the Reformers rejected the Roman Catholic seven sacraments and only embraced two sacraments as being those instituted by Christ: Baptism and the Lord's Supper. For these two sacraments, we have explicit evidence from Scripture that Christ instituted them for the church. Since we only do in worship what God commands, therefore we are not to http://reformedtheologymadesimple.blogspot.com/2016/10/what-is-reformed-church-preaching-and_5.htmlnoreply@blogger.com (Daniel C)0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8280221785169915064.post-1795160713072744673Wed, 05 Oct 2016 08:24:00 +00002016-10-05T01:24:53.834-07:00ChurchReformed ChurchThe church-centered means of grace: Preaching and sacramentsSanctification in the Reformed faith is to be done through attending to the means of grace: preaching, sacraments, and prayer. The objective and church-based means are preaching and the sacraments. Thus, while prayer and striving to live a godly life are important, the main focus of Reformed piety is attending to the public means of http://reformedtheologymadesimple.blogspot.com/2016/10/what-is-reformed-church-preaching-and.htmlnoreply@blogger.com (Daniel C)0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8280221785169915064.post-8360346685291947518Tue, 04 Oct 2016 13:48:00 +00002016-10-04T06:48:49.634-07:00ChurchReformed ChurchWorshipWorship and the Christian SabbathQ 59: Which day of the seven has God appointed to be the weekly Sabbath? A: From the beginning of the world to the resurrection of Christ, God appointed the seventh day of the week to be the weekly Sabbath; and the first day of the week ever since, to continue to the end of the world, which is the Christian Sabbath. (WSC Q59)Which day ought we to worship God? http://reformedtheologymadesimple.blogspot.com/2016/10/what-is-reformed-church-worship-part-3.htmlnoreply@blogger.com (Daniel C)0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8280221785169915064.post-2028870101856449796Tue, 04 Oct 2016 12:46:00 +00002016-10-04T05:46:28.275-07:00ChurchReformed ChurchWorshipNadab and AbihuNadab and Abihu desired to offer sacrifices to God. Yet, they were not commanded to do so (Lev. 10:1) and therefore their sacrifices were unauthorized. In this incident, God decided to punish this sin by burning Nadab and Abihu to death by fire.While it is true that the sacrifices were unauthorized, the reason why they so is because God did not command them to sacrifice in this http://reformedtheologymadesimple.blogspot.com/2016/10/what-is-reformed-church-worship-part-2.htmlnoreply@blogger.com (Daniel C)0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8280221785169915064.post-5766712547352945765Tue, 04 Oct 2016 11:11:00 +00002016-10-04T04:14:38.600-07:00ChurchReformed ChurchWorshipWorship: Broadly and Narrowly ConsideredWhat is the chief end of Man? The chief end or purpose of Man is to glorify God and enjoy Him forever (Westminster Shorter Catechism Question 1). Worship is the giving of glory and honor and praise to God, and it is the goal of our existence. As such, worship is very important for the Christian life.There is a broad sense in which any life submitted to God http://reformedtheologymadesimple.blogspot.com/2016/10/what-is-reformed-church-worship-part-1.htmlnoreply@blogger.com (Daniel C)0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8280221785169915064.post-4591918591846863874Mon, 03 Oct 2016 17:04:00 +00002016-10-04T02:45:16.277-07:00Christian LifeChurchReformed ChurchChurch and Life: Special Calling and OrdinationIn a church, traditionally there is what is called the "clergy" and what is called the "laity." The "clergy" are those who do full-time ministry in the context of a church, especially in preaching and the administration of the sacraments. The "laity" refers to all other members of the church. In congregationalism, and especially in the modern http://reformedtheologymadesimple.blogspot.com/2016/10/what-is-reformed-church-church-part-5.htmlnoreply@blogger.com (Daniel C)0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8280221785169915064.post-1776399835165260770Mon, 03 Oct 2016 15:22:00 +00002016-10-03T08:22:14.487-07:00ChurchReformed ChurchReformed Church Distinctive: Presbyterian Church Polity: Office bearersIn the history of the Reformation, various church bodies emerge, which adopt various ways of governing the church. The Church of England opted to retain the episcopal form of government, while the Particular Baptists and Congregationalists adopted the congregational form of government. The Reformed and Presbyterian churches http://reformedtheologymadesimple.blogspot.com/2016/10/what-is-reformed-church-church-part-4.htmlnoreply@blogger.com (Daniel C)0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8280221785169915064.post-7508554957178644312Fri, 30 Sep 2016 08:13:00 +00002016-09-30T01:13:51.346-07:00ChurchReformed ChurchIrresistible GraceIrresistible Grace teaches that God intends to save a person, the grace given to him or her at that time will most definitely result in his or her salvation. It does not teach that sinners can never resist God's grace, for we all do that all the time, but that the grace which intends to save will save.Historically, this is grouped together in the Canons of Dordt in discussions http://reformedtheologymadesimple.blogspot.com/2016/09/what-is-reformed-church-church-part-3b.htmlnoreply@blogger.com (Daniel C)0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8280221785169915064.post-8352783459690807442Fri, 30 Sep 2016 07:21:00 +00002016-09-30T00:21:52.502-07:00ChurchReformed ChurchReformed Church Distinctive: TULIPIn the history of the Reformed Church, errors of various kinds have crept into in an attempt to subvert the faith. One such error was Arminianism, which was condemned at the Synod of Dort in 1618-1619. Due to the international (for its time) scope of the Synod, this Synod approximates an ecumenical council to a large extent, and therefore to the degree that it ishttp://reformedtheologymadesimple.blogspot.com/2016/09/what-is-reformed-church-church-part-3.htmlnoreply@blogger.com (Daniel C)0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8280221785169915064.post-6283220959699826820Mon, 26 Sep 2016 16:06:00 +00002016-09-26T09:06:19.987-07:00ChurchReformed ChurchPure and Less Pure churchesIV. This catholic Church has been sometimes more, sometimes less visible. And particular Churches, which are members thereof, are more or less pure, according as the doctrine of the Gospel is taught and embraced, ordinances administered, and public worship performed more or less purely in them.V. The purest Churches under heaven are subject both to mixture and error; http://reformedtheologymadesimple.blogspot.com/2016/09/what-is-reformed-church-church-part-2.htmlnoreply@blogger.com (Daniel C)0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8280221785169915064.post-550908316213596001Sat, 17 Sep 2016 07:08:00 +00002016-09-17T00:08:33.364-07:00ChurchReformed ChurchThe Visible and Invisible ChurchThere are churches, and there are churches. In this period of history, there is what we might call the democratization of the church. The church is seen to come into being when a bunch of Christians come together to form a community of believers. While not denying that the church is called by God, modern people understand the calling to refer to the invisible http://reformedtheologymadesimple.blogspot.com/2016/09/what-is-reformed-church-church.htmlnoreply@blogger.com (Daniel C)0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8280221785169915064.post-583694004440502877Fri, 16 Sep 2016 14:44:00 +00002016-09-16T07:44:24.289-07:00HolinessReformed ChurchThe means of sanctificationIn the practice of sanctification, are there disciplines we should be doing in the Christian life that will enrich our walk with God? What did God prescribe to us for our growth in godliness?This question is a very practical one now, and it was a practical question back then during the Reformation. Medieval piety had plenty of options for those who were devout, ranging http://reformedtheologymadesimple.blogspot.com/2016/09/what-is-reformed-church-sanctification_58.htmlnoreply@blogger.com (Daniel C)0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8280221785169915064.post-2598571339567094861Fri, 16 Sep 2016 13:33:00 +00002016-09-16T06:33:23.276-07:00HolinessReformed ChurchThe practice of sanctificationSanctification is to be done by the power of God and by the power of the Holy Spirit (Gal. 3:3, 5:16). While it is we who need to be striving towards holiness, we are not to be striving on our own strength but in dependence upon the Holy Spirit who empowers us.The practice of sanctification comes in two parts: Mortification, putting to death the Old Man (2 Cor. 5:17)http://reformedtheologymadesimple.blogspot.com/2016/09/what-is-reformed-church-sanctification_16.htmlnoreply@blogger.com (Daniel C)0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8280221785169915064.post-8710419170294946299Fri, 16 Sep 2016 11:55:00 +00002016-09-16T04:55:15.623-07:00HolinessReformed ChurchSanctification: The necessity of sanctificationTherefore lift your drooping hands and strengthen your weak knees, and make straight paths for your feet, so that what is lame may not be put out of joint but rather be healed. Strive for peace with everyone, and for the holiness without which no one will see the Lord. (Heb. 12:12-14)Q35: What is sanctification? A. Sanctification is the work of God’shttp://reformedtheologymadesimple.blogspot.com/2016/09/what-is-reformed-church-sanctification.htmlnoreply@blogger.com (Daniel C)0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8280221785169915064.post-2218964179989096567Wed, 24 Aug 2016 15:18:00 +00002016-08-24T08:18:09.329-07:00Reformed ChurchSalvationJustification: Christ AloneThe basis for our justification is the grace of God in Jesus Christ, not how much faith we have. The ground of our justification is in Christ, and thus it does not depend on us, and not on our works. The reason why we are justified by grace alone through faith alone is because justification is in Christ alone. The ground of salvation is outside of us (extra nos) and http://reformedtheologymadesimple.blogspot.com/2016/08/what-is-reformed-church-justification_24.htmlnoreply@blogger.com (Daniel C)0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8280221785169915064.post-4047327466876296080Wed, 24 Aug 2016 14:02:00 +00002016-08-24T07:04:36.923-07:00Reformed ChurchSalvationWhy justification by faith?The story of mankind is that of creation, ruin and then salvation. Jesus in history sets up the New Covenant so as to save sinners from their sins and the consequences of their sins. But what is sin? Sin is any want of, or transgression of, the law of God (Westminster Shorter Catechism Question 14). In other words, sins can be sins of omission, not doing what is right http://reformedtheologymadesimple.blogspot.com/2016/08/what-is-reformed-church-justification.htmlnoreply@blogger.com (Daniel C)0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8280221785169915064.post-56473707454084930Sat, 20 Aug 2016 14:57:00 +00002016-08-20T07:57:13.576-07:00CovenantHistoryReformed ChurchThe Covenant at Creation: The Covenant of WorksIn the beginning, God created the heavens and the earth (Gen. 1:1). All things in space and time came into being by God speaking the universe into being. God created all things including mankind, with the first couple Adam and Eve being created by God and placed into the Garden of Eden.At the beginning after creation, the first human couple were purehttp://reformedtheologymadesimple.blogspot.com/2016/08/what-is-reformed-church-covenant-our_58.htmlnoreply@blogger.com (Daniel C)0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8280221785169915064.post-5658604351212247761Sat, 20 Aug 2016 08:54:00 +00002016-08-20T01:54:07.048-07:00CovenantHistoryReformed ChurchStoryBefore the world began: Covenant of RedemptionIn the beginning, there was nothing but God. Then, in the beginning, God created the heavens and the earth (Gen. 1:1). In the beginning, there was (past tense) the Word, and the Word was with God and the Word was God (Jn. 1:1). God existed before anything existed. He is eternity. Everything else is created and has a beginning. God is eternal and http://reformedtheologymadesimple.blogspot.com/2016/08/what-is-reformed-church-covenant-our_20.htmlnoreply@blogger.com (Daniel C)0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8280221785169915064.post-5418972260261498439Thu, 04 Aug 2016 01:08:00 +00002016-08-03T18:09:31.234-07:00CovenantHistoryReformed ChurchStoryNarrative and HistoryThe distance between God and the creature is so great, that although reasonable creatures do owe obedience unto Him as their Creator, yet they could never have any fruition of Him as their blessedness and reward, but by some voluntary condescension on God's part, which He has been pleased to express by way of covenant (WCF 7:1)Narratives have a beginning and an end. History http://reformedtheologymadesimple.blogspot.com/2016/08/what-is-reformed-church-covenant-our.htmlnoreply@blogger.com (Daniel C)0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8280221785169915064.post-8704774597839374346Fri, 29 Jul 2016 02:21:00 +00002016-07-28T19:21:34.625-07:00Reformed ChurchScriptureSufficiencySo Scripture comes from God. But is Scripture sufficient? Put another way, are there other places of authority I can seek? Or has God spoken elsewhere and thus I can "supplement" Scripture with "new revelation"?The Reformed Church holds to the sufficiency of Scripture. That sets the Reformed Church apart from Roman Catholicism (and Eastern Orthodoxy) on the one hand, and the http://reformedtheologymadesimple.blogspot.com/2016/07/what-is-reformed-church-scripture-as_28.htmlnoreply@blogger.com (Daniel C)0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8280221785169915064.post-7210193235553913840Fri, 29 Jul 2016 01:44:00 +00002016-07-28T18:44:32.599-07:00Reformed ChurchScriptureScripture as authorityIf the creeds and confessions are the doctrinal constitution for the church, the ultimate authority is Scripture. The creeds and confessions frame our doctrinal conversations, but the source and authority in all things are the Scriptures themselves. The Scriptures only are revealed from God, fully inspired from God, consist of the canon of the 66 books of the Bible, and are http://reformedtheologymadesimple.blogspot.com/2016/07/what-is-reformed-church-scripture-as.htmlnoreply@blogger.com (Daniel C)0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8280221785169915064.post-4003299018850457656Mon, 25 Jul 2016 02:48:00 +00002016-08-24T07:03:37.462-07:00Christian FreedomReformed ChurchConfession and its benefits: Setting parameters that are good for everyoneAs the constitution of the church, the creeds and confessions function to frame the general framework for how one ought to read and interpret the Bible, a framework which the church is convinced is derived from Scripture itself. But how does having this framework help us in the life of the church?The main thing that we http://reformedtheologymadesimple.blogspot.com/2016/07/what-is-reformed-church-confession-and_24.htmlnoreply@blogger.com (Daniel C)0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8280221785169915064.post-1400222489153644673Mon, 25 Jul 2016 00:42:00 +00002016-07-24T17:42:55.593-07:00AuthorityChurchReformed ChurchConfession: It is biblicalA Reformed church holds on to the historic creeds and confessions. But what relation do these creeds and confessions have to biblical truth? After all, if it functions as the constitution for the church, does this not make it above Scripture in terms of authority?The struggle to understand how something that is not the Bible is the constitution has produced two responseshttp://reformedtheologymadesimple.blogspot.com/2016/07/what-is-reformed-church-confession-and.htmlnoreply@blogger.com (Daniel C)0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8280221785169915064.post-4868151231127726034Mon, 18 Jul 2016 22:20:00 +00002016-07-18T15:21:36.084-07:00ChurchReformed ChurchWays of holding on to the confessionA Reformed Church holds to the historical catholic creeds and the Reformed confessions. But what role do these have in the life of the church?There are couple of ways these doctrinal statements could be understood and used in the life of the church. They could be treated as summaries of correct doctrine (Paradigm 1). They could be treated as historical http://reformedtheologymadesimple.blogspot.com/2016/07/what-is-reformed-church-confession-as.htmlnoreply@blogger.com (Daniel C)0