Blogs by Carl Trueman

Over the last decade, it has become something of a commonplace in Reformed evangelical circles to decry the level of polemic that has historically characterised the Reformed world.  From John Frame's famous critique of Machen's warrior children to more recent... continue

The last two elements which go to make up a theologian are, for Luther, careful and constant reading, and a practical knowledge of the academic disciplines.  This last can be dealt with quickly: essentially, Luther saw a good, rounded academic... continue

The fourth element of the making of a true theologian for Luther is occasio.  This is not the easiest word to translate in context but means something like `opportunity' or `opportune moment.'As such, it is not immediately obvious to a... continue

OK, as we enter the fourth post in this series, I am conscious it might be starting to look a bit like one of those oh-so-godly-but-goodness-me-aren't-they-dull-as-ditchwater series one finds occasionally in reformed magazines, with titles such as `Reflections on the... continue

The second mark of a true theologian for Luther is, to use his chosen Latin word, tentatio.  We might translate this as `testing' or even `temptation,' but, within the context of Luther's thought, where, when he writes in German, he... continue

The first thing that makes a theologian, according to Luther, is the grace of the Spirit.  This is the foundation on which all else rests, as it is this which defines the theologian as a human being.  I noted yesterday... continue

I want to start a short series of posts today on Martin Luther's understanding of what makes a theologian.  The sources for reflection are primarily two: a passage from his Table Talk (no. 3425; not as far as I know... continue

While the judicial overturning of the gay marriage ban in California was hardly unexpected, it has raised a number of points of interest for discussion.Perhaps the most significant comment I have heard over the last few days was on MSNBC's... continue

Having just agreed to write a short introductory text on the life and thought of Thomas Aquinas for a Protestant audience, I have spent the last few days pulling various primary and secondary texts off my shelves to refresh my... continue

So Anne Rice has quit Christianity, or Roman Catholicism, or whatever.    She did it via a Facebook posting, apparently, rather than a book, but it still surely merits the response Edward Said gave to The God That Failed --... continue