Reformation21

The Dutch reformer Wilhelmus à Brakel (1635-1711) writes insightfully in his magnum opus, The Christian's Reasonable Service: [The devil knows] that faith is the fountainhead of spiritual life, and he therefore seeks to obscure faith in all its activity. He suddenly interjects irrational...

Troubling reports are filtering through from the United Kingdom's capital. Apparently, there are concerns about a group of children, approximately seventy in number, suffering from a so far unexplained trauma. Counsellors in West London have been called in by worried parents, but the authorities...

I'm sitting in my study the morning after the week before. My study is a tip and there are books to be read and emails to be answered but I'm grateful. There are no children throwing wet sponges at me for warm up games and I'm not trying to think up a routine to reinforce yesterday's story. My...

A few days ago I was at the home of a mentor. I happened to be in a chair which I suspect he may use for some of his reading. Being that type, I picked up the book on the top of the pile and began flicking through it, opening it almost at random. I was struck by the paragraph italicised below, and...

I remember hearing the story: a gathering of ministers in a place that had known God's blessing in an unusual degree in time past, grieving over the present low state of things and seeking the Lord for his return. They pondered and discussed the ways and means that the Lord had given by means of...

8 7. 8 7 (Sussex) Grace abounding! Oh the sweetness Of those words to sinful hearts. Trace the stream of heavenly mercy That on darkened Calvary starts. Kings dispensing earthly splendours Cannot match our gracious Lord: Grace abounding! Oh the riches Of the bounty now outpoured. Grace divine! How...

Recently I spent some time with someone who wanted to talk to me because he was concerned about a conference he had been to. The conference hadn't been up to scratch, according to this guy, and though there were some good sessions he was disappointed. He felt the same about last year's conference...

Dr William Bates preached the funeral sermon of Thomas Manton. When we read how he described his departed friend, we understand why it is reported that Bates would weep whenever he spoke of Manton for some years after his friend's death. At the same time, the description below provides us with a...

If creation provides the basic mold filled by redemptive re-creation (Is 45:18; Rev 7:9; 1 Cor 15:45), and if human fathers with their children, however finitely or imperfectly, image God as the Father of His children (Matt 7:11; Heb 12:7), then many who have welcomed a new life into the world--as...

The SCRBPC is sponsored by Christ Reformed Baptist Church, Vista, CA, Grace Reformed Baptist Church, Palmdale, CA, and Trinity Reformed Baptist Church, La Mirada, CA. The primary purpose of the SCRBPC is for the edification of those in the Christian ministry. This year's topic is The Importance of...