Does Federal Vision Deny the Bi-Covenantal Structure of the Westminster Standards? « Johannes Weslianus

Does Federal Vision Deny the Bi-Covenantal Structure of the Westminster Standards? « Johannes Weslianus

The Reformation: Yesterday, Today and Tomorrow - ReformedForum.org

The Reformation: Yesterday, Today and Tomorrow - ReformedForum.org

Abraham Kuyper, Developer and Promoter of Common Grace

The following is an excerpt from an article by by Rev. Charles J. Terpstra:

But Kuyper's motivation for developing the doctrine of common grace was not solely theological; it was also very practical. For one thing, he sought to answer the growing effects of modernism in the church-world. He noted that modernism had a broad vision of the world and for the world, but that this vision was grounded in humanistic rationalism. He wanted the Reformed faith to have the same broad vision, but to be grounded in the sovereign work of God. Common grace gave him the answer, he thought. Further, Kuyper had become involved in a political career in the Netherlands and needed some justification for his programs and for his cooperation with other religious and secular groups in these programs. Again, common grace provided him the support he needed, he believed. Still more, in connection with these two things, Kuyper had developed a growing aversion for what he believed was an "Anabaptist" spirit in the churches of the Netherlands. There were Reformed Christians who believed that being true to the Reformed faith meant living a godly life of separation from the world. That meant no cooperation with the world in any realm, whether it be labor, religion, or politics. Kuyper's common grace sought to reprove this narrow view of the Christian's life in this world and create a full-orbed world and life view.

To read the full article click here: Abraham Kuyper, Developer and Promoter of Common Grace

Quote of the Day: Herman Hoeksema on Amalgamation

We dare not contemplate the strange medley of what calls itself church in the world and proceed from the supposition that all churches--whatever creed, superstition, or human philosophy they may embrace--are still part of the body of Christ, in order then to devise ways and means to eliminate the differences among them and to unite them all into one gigantic institution.  This is indeed the attempt in our ecumenical age.  Although this may result in amalgamation, it certainly does not tend to the manifestation of the true unity of the church and is not the unity of the body of Christ.

Rather, we must proceed from the truth of Scripture that the church is one.  Then we must ask ourselves what is the source and character of this unity and fellowship, in order then to deal with the question how we can best strive for the realization of this unity of the church in the world.

Herman Hoeksema,  Reformed Dogmatics,  Vol. 2, p. 238

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Reasonable Christian Blog Glory be to the Father, and to the Son : and to the Holy Ghost; Answer. As it was in the beginning, is now, and ever shall be : world without end. Amen. 1662 Book of Common Prayer