In the field of Reformation studies, Professor Brad Gregory is somebody for whom I have immense respect. Those outside the discipline of history are possibly unaware of the ravages which postmodernism brought in its wake, making all narratives negotiable and fuelling a rise in interest in all manner of trivia and marginal weirdness. Dr. Gregory is trained in both philosophy and history and has done much to place the self-understanding of human agents back at the centre of historical analysis. Thus, for those of us interested in the Reformation, he has also played an important role in placing religion back into the discussion. For that, I and many others owe him a great debt of gratitude. continue

Without entering into a private spat, Carl Trueman's recent cogent and spirited riposte to Iain H. Murray's allegations inclines me to offer some personal observations on some of the effects of Dr. Lloyd-Jones' ambivalence toward some questions of ecclesiology. continue

I have spent most of my life connected in some sense to Rome. At school and then at university, I was a Classics man. I preferred Greek tragedy to Roman comedy; but when it came to history, politics, poetry and oratory, I was a Rome man. continue

Over the last few months, I have been asked in numerous contexts what I think about the young, restless and reformed (YRR) movement(s) described in Collin Hansen's book of the same name. I did do a quasi -review of this book some time ago, in which I argued that the existence of the movement seemed to indicate that all the hype surrounding the emergent business was probably overwrought and that there was no need for complete panic in Reformed circles. continue

I've been thinking recently about something television star Kelsey Grammer said. It's not because I saw a rerun of Cheers. Unfortunately, the context is tragic. Grammer has me thinking about well intentioned people who end up "packing unforgiveness." continue

The list of American idiosyncrasies could go on: the American penchant for men's shoes with tassels that, thankfully, has no counterpart in Britain; the post-colonial idea that a sausage on a lollipop stick is edible; and the constitutional right to eat cheese delivered from an aerosol can without government interference. Freedom is surely a wonderful thing. continue

Are you perplexed by Calvin, dear reader? Do you find yourself wondering what all the fuss is about, yet you can't be bothered to read the mighty Institutes? Wasn't he just a one-note theologian who just kept harping on about predestination? If I am describing you here, then you need this book. continue

As with so many aspects of theology, the church has had to wrestle with the doctrine of the atonement. While the elements for a proper and full understanding of the atonement were readily at hand for theologians in the early church, it would take maturity and sometimes even controversy for the church to come to a clear grasp of just what it was that Scripture told us about the atoning death of Christ. continue

Most of you reading this will wonder whether this is some conspiracy by Derek Thomas to wind up Carl Trueman by posting a review of two 700 page volumes on 'Welsh Cavinistic Fathers.' I'm all for getting on Trueman's goat and look forward to his responses on the blog. continue

According to the online Urban Dictionary, the word 'beepbop' is not really a word at all: it is a nonsense word to be used only when you want to really annoy someone. In that case, the British Broadcasting Corporation, otherwise known as the BBC, or more affectionately as 'the Beeb', has aired its own sort of 'beepbop' in its coverage of the digitization of the Codex Sinaiticus. continue

Of course we want to read Scripture like the great church father that shaped so much of the church's theology, and, if we understand Jesus' lecture on Biblical Theology on the Emmaus Road in Luke 24, we also want to read the Scripture Christologically. But beneath the surface, Byassee has an axe to grind. continue

I'm sure he'd be too modest to promote his own stuff, so here's a link to Iain D. Campbell's review of John MacLeod's excellent book on the religious history of the Isle of Lewis, from whence the present Mrs. T... continue

Happy Reformation Day everybody.  If Chile can celebrate it than we certainly should too.   Here are two quotes to think about as you remember October 31, 1517.  The first is from Luther, the second comes from the Lutheran hymnal/service... continue

I am just back from preaching at anniversary services at Melbourne Hall Evangelical Free Church in Leicester. The most famous occupant of its pulpit was its first minister, F.B. Meyer (of whom a recent biography by Bob Holman was published... continue

Here's one for the historians. "Memory is much more significant than originality." Samuel Wells, Improvisation:  The Drama of Christian Ethics, 147.... continue

Sorry to disappoint all my 'friends' out there.  This is not my demise but that of one of the greatest church historians Britain ever produced, a man whose erudite writings opened up the world of the early church for many... continue