Mike Horton's nephew stands in what is left of his home in Moore, OK.

To read Mike's very personal reflection on this tragedy, and for advice on how to help, Click Here

Matthew Barrett's new book on the Canons of Dort is now available.  You can order it here:  The Grace of Godliness

Here's the publisher's description:

When the pastors and theologians who comprised the Synod of Dort met in 1618 and 1619 to frame a response to the rise of Arminian theology in Dutch churches, they were concerned to provide not just theological argument but pastoral vision. They considered seriously the implications of right theology on both growth in grace and holiness and the spiritual comfort of believers. 

Keenly aware of this vital link between theology and practice, they drew up the Canons of Dort in a manner that astutely rebutted from Scripture the Arminian Remonstrants, point by point, arguing the veracity of the doctrines of predestination, particular atonement, total depravity, effectual grace and the perseverance of the saints—the five points that have come to be known as ‘‘the doctrines of grace.” 

Matthew Barrett opens a window on the synod’s deliberations with the Remonstrants and examines the main emphases of the canons, with special attention on their relationship to biblical piety and spirituality. For example, the doctrine of predestination is shown from Scripture to establish not just God’s electing grace but assurance of salvation—comforting believers that the God who saved them will preserve them to the very end. As Dr. Barrett examines the Canons of Dort it becomes clear why they are so important. Indeed, the piety and godliness that saturates these seventeenth-century canons shows they are as relevant for the church today as they were then.

Here are the endorsements:

By reducing the discussion of Calvinism and the doctrines of grace to the simplified acrostic T-U-L-I-P, I’m afraid we have generated far more heat than light. A book that looks deeply within, behind and around the five points of Calvinism is long overdue. Whether you find yourself saying “Yea” or “Nay” to the five points, we all need to say thank you to Dr. Barrett for his delightful, informative and light-generating book. 

Stephen J. Nichols, Research Professor of Christianity and Culture, Lancaster Bible College, Lancaster, Pennsylvania

Wow! I really like this book. Matthew Barrett has given us history, theology, ministerial counsel and impetus to true piety in this treatment of the Synod and Canons of Dort. The brief but vibrant historical accounts are informative, his guidance in some thick theological discussion is expert, and his focus on piety leads us to the true purpose of all theology—the production of a sincere and pure devotion to Christ. Dr. Barrett’s continual insistence on the necessity of monergism for a truly biblical grasp of the character of salvation from beginning to end is a much needed emphasis for contemporary evangelicalism. The appendices provide valuable source material. This is an excellent account of a vitally important subject. 

Tom J. Nettles, Professor of Historical Theology, The Southern Baptist Theological Seminary, Louisville, Kentucky

Matthew Barrett offers a wonderfully simple and direct exposition of one of the more misunderstood confessions of faith. The Canons of Dort are often vilified, but under closer examination Barrett demonstrates that they are biblical and pastoral and a potent tonic for a flagging faith. Tolle et lege, take up and read!

J.V. Fesko, Academic Dean, Professor of Systematic and Historical Theology, Westminster Seminary California

Matthew Barrett has given us a thoroughly enjoyable introduction to and review of the history and the source documents of the Calvinist-Arminian debate. And with that he has given us a vivid reminder that a right understanding of these doctrines—in themselves considered and in the minds of the framers of the Canons of Dort—is indispensable to Christian worship and devotion. Highly recommended.

Fred G. Zaspel, Pastor, Reformed Baptist Church; Professor of Systematic Theology, Calvary Baptist Seminary, Lansdale, Pennsylvania

Christians speak freely and often about the Canons of Dort and the international synod of 1618–1619 which produced them without really knowing much about either. Matthew Barnett’s The Grace of Godliness will do much to remedy this lamentable situation. In a very accessible manner, referring to a number of important background documents, Barrett provides the historical context of the Synod of Dort. He also makes a solid case that the Canons themselves are filled with careful biblical reflection, wise pastoral application and exhortations to a warm and genuine Christian piety. Dort’s stalwart defense of divine monergism in the salvation of sinners does not produce a fear of God, lack of assurance of one’s salvation or indifference to good works—as critics often charge. When read and understood, the Canons of Dort present the so-called doctrines of grace as the foundation for a believer’s confidence in God’s mercy and, as the consequence, the basis for a life of gratitude.

Kim Riddlebarger, Senior Pastor, Christ Reformed Church (URCNA), Anaheim, California; co-host of the White Horse Inn radio broadcast

Matthew Barrett has produced an excellent and much-needed treatment of the intimate connection between the Canons of Dort and vibrant Christian piety. Whatever the readers’ attitude toward those canons, this book will reward them with greater understanding and appreciation of the spiritual richness and practical value of Reformed theology. I highly recommend it.

Steven B. Cowan, Associate Professor of Christian Studies, Louisiana College, Pineville, Louisiana

By breathing new life into historic events, documents and people, Matthew makes them speak to our culture, our churches and our hearts.

David P. Murray, Professor of Old Testament and Practical Theology, Puritan Reformed Theological Seminary, Grand Rapids, Michigan

I recently found these two gems in Hans Kung's Infallible:  An Inquiry (1970) which I thought were worth passing along to those interested in such things.

For a long time, too, Catholic theologians in their works on apologetics, in the service of the teaching office, were able very successfully to ward off any questioning of infallibility by the use of a basically simple recipe:  either it was not an error or--when at last and finally an error could no longer be denied, reinterpreted, rendered innocuous or belittled--it was not an infallible decision (32-33). 

Sound like the tactics of anyone we know?  Elsewhere Kung says,

And what is meant by "faithfully expounding" the deposit of revelation?  "The words `to be faithfully expounded' indicate briefly that there is a historical development of dogma itself, and not merely of theology."  On the basis of this second qualification the Roman teaching office seems to be permitted to explicate "authentically" and--as in the case of two new Marian dogmas--even to define infallibly all kinds of things on which not a word was said either in Scripture or in early tradition (74).

Ouch! 

Our text contains a warning which should give us all a moment’s pause.  Paul warns that unless we examine ourselves before we come to table of the Lord, we risk coming under God’s judgment, and as a result, getting sick or even dying.  Now that I have your attention, we are a church which celebrates weekly communion, therefore this is a passage with which we need to wrestle and consider with great care.  But great care is not fear.  Since Jesus has died for our sins (taking the covenant curse which we deserve upon himself), we need not fear coming to the table of the Lord because we are sinners and are struggling with our sins.  But we do need to examine ourselves in the matter prescribed by Paul, and that is the theme of this sermon–how do we properly examine ourselves before we come to the table of the Lord?

We are making our way through 1 Corinthians 11:17-34, where Paul rebukes the Corinthian church for the way in which they were observing the Lord’s Supper.  As we saw when we tackled verses 17-26 of this same chapter, this is an important passage, because in it we find the oldest account of the Lord’s Supper anywhere in the New Testament, written by Paul about A.D. 54, a decade or so before any of the canonical gospels had been written.  Give this early date, this passage provides an invaluable window into how the apostolic church worshiped just twenty years after the life and ministry of Jesus.  Throughout this section of First Corinthians (chapters 11-14), it is clear that the early church focused upon the preaching of Christ crucified, followed by the celebration of the Lord’s Supper.  No doubt, this was the ordinary Lord’s Day practice of the apostolic churches.

As we read through this chapter, it is readily apparent that Paul is fit to be tied with the Corinthians.  Just as with Jewish Passover, the celebration of the Lord’s Supper took place within the context of a fellowship meal after the worship service had been conducted.  But in Corinth, the church’s celebration of the Lord’s Supper had sadly degenerated into something like what went on in one of the city’s pagan temples or guild halls.  Some people were not waiting for others to be served and ate all the food which had been prepared, leaving the poor without anything to eat.  Others were drinking all the wine, getting drunk, and behaving in an unruly manner.  Paul is disgusted by this behavior and rebukes the congregation accordingly.  He has nothing good to say about this (“I do not commend you”) and is even worried that the Supper is actually doing more harm than good.  Things have gotten so bad, Paul can even say, “when you come together, it is not the Lord's supper that you eat” (or at least as it was instituted by Christ and taught to the Corinthians by Paul).

To read the rest of this sermon:  Click Here

I've always loved trains.  During the winter of 1960, my folks stopped in Independence CA (in the Eastern Sierras on US 395) to take my picture in front of the then recently-retired 1911 Baldwin-built narrow gauge locomotive #18.  Known as the "Slim Princess," #18 along with her sister #9, (now in the Laws, CA, museum) were the last operable Southern Pacific narrow gauge steam locomotives.  My dad took this picture with his old Polaroid camera in 20 degree weather.  But there I am (about 6 yrs. of age), getting my photo taken and freezing my rear-end off.

My wife and I have made countless trips to the Eastern Sierras through the years, and my two sons always had to stop and look at #18.  Those of you who frequent the Eastern Sierras will know exactly where and what I mean.  When he was a toddler, my oldest son (now almost 26) wanted his picture taken in the same spot where my parents took a picture of me.  We obliged.  This picture was taken about 1990.  

My reason for posting these photos is let those of you who love US 395 (and its beauty and history) know that #18 may actually live again.  A group of railfans (from throughout the West) along with local historians (of the Eastern Sierras and the Owens Valley) are in the process of restoring #18, and may actually have it running again in a few years. 

Here's the link to the website of the Carson and Colorado Railway (Click Here).  The folks doing the restoration are making remarkable progress.  Next time you head from So Cal to Mammoth, Tahoe, or Reno, you won't see #18 in its familiar park setting in Independence (much of it is being rebuilt off the highway).  But perhaps one day in the not too distant future you just might able to watch it run between Bishop and Laws under full steam. 

And, Lord willing, one day I'll post a picture of me with my grandkids in front of a fully restored #18, as we are about to go for a ride. 

Sunday Afternoon:  Professor Ken Samples is leading our afternoon worship.  Our afternoon service begins @ 1:15 p.m. 

Wednesday Night Bible Study 7:00 p.m. (05/22/13):  We are continuing our series "Studies in the Book of Revelation."  This week, we will go through the letter to the church in Sardis (Revelation 3:1-6).

The Academy will resume in the Fall of 2013

For more information and directions, check out the Christ Reformed website:  Christ Reformed Church

Here's the audio from this morning's sermon (the twenty-ninth in a series on the Gospel of John):  Click Here

Do we have any evidence about the existence of Jesus or the rise of Christianity from sources outside the New Testament? Is it true that passages about Jesus in the writings of Josephus have been proven to be fabrications? Joining the panel is historian Paul L. Maier, author of In The Fullness of Time and editor of Josephus: The Essential Works (originally aired June 27, 2010).

Click Here

I struggle with what to recommend--many resources are too difficult for some, or too hostile to the Christian faith.  But one set of lectures keeps coming to mind, and which people have found to be very helpful.

I am thinking about Allen C. Guelzo's lecture series "The American Mind" which was produced for The Teaching Company (Guelzo--The American Mind).  Guelzo is a great lecturer who consistently finds the right balance between mundane facts and primary sources, interesting background material, and his own interpretation of the data.  

Guelzo argues that the two streams which merge to form a distinctly "American mind" are Puritanism and the Enlightenment.  He develops this theme from America's founding through the First Great Awakening, the Jefferson/Jacksonian eras, the Civil War era, the Gilded Age, down to the present and Neo-Conservatism (a list of lecture titles can be found here:  (Guelzo--The American Mind).  The content is a bit difficult at places (if you don't have any background in history or philosophy), but using the study guide really helps.  And you can always listen more than once (which also helps).  Any course on the "American Mind" which includes the contributions of Hodge and the Old Princetonians, and mentions Machen is worth the time.

The Teaching Company courses often go on sale.  That would be the time to snag this one.

Guelzo has written a number of well-received books: [Jonathan] (Edwards on the Will), a stellar book on Abraham Lincoln (Redeemer President), a history of the Civil War (Fateful Lightning), as well as a new book on Gettysburg, which is at the top of my book pile. 

As a caveat, I have enjoyed a number of courses from The Teaching Company through the years (Greenberg's course on "How to Listen to Great Music" was especially good), but I do advise caution since they also feature Bart Ehrman's lectures on the New Testament and early church.

Researchers discovered political motivations may have evolutionary links to physical strength.

Men's upper-body strength predicts their political opinions on economic redistribution, according to the research."