Reformed Christian Studies

By Bruce Gore - Posted at YouTube: Direct Link:  31. The Reformation in France - YouTube

By Bruce Gore - Posted at YouTube: Direct Link:  (5) 24. The Life and Times of John Calvin (part 2) - YouTube

By Bruce Gore - Posted at YouTube: Direct Link:  (1) 23. The Life and Times of John Calvin (part 1) - YouTube

 By Wes Bredenhof I’ve been patient with this for many years, but today I’m compelled to say it: one of the most theologically irresponsible things anyone can say is “the law is the gospel.” Sadly, I’ve lost track of the number of times I’ve heard it from people who should know better. The issue is a failure to define and distinguish properly. The categories get fuzzy. It starts with grammar. There are distinguishable imperatives and indicatives in the Bible. An imperative is a command; an indicative expresses factual statements. The typical form for biblical law is the imperative. The typical form for the gospel is the indicative. The imperative tells us what we’re to do; the indicative tells us what God has done, is doing, and will do. We also have to reckon with those passages in Scripture where law and gospel are juxtaposed. In 2 Cor. 3:6, the Holy Spirit says “For the letter kills, but the Spirit gives life.” From the context, it’s evident that “the letter” is “th

By Bruce Gore - Posted at YouTube : Source:   The Seeds of Revolution in Calvin's Thought - YouTube

 By Dr. Richard D. Phillips - Posted at Sermon Audio :

Posted at  Purely Presbyterian: John Calvin The 19th Sermon upon the second chapter of 1 Timothy [Part Nine - Conclusion] The fruits of faith. And after that Paul hath spoken of faith, he sheweth the things which are always joined with faith, and are as it were unseverable, to wit, charity and holiness. How do we shew that we renounce the abominations of this world, and dedicate ourselves to God? Is it not by faith? What causeth us to join ourselves thus together in one, as brethren and sisters? Is it not when we know that God hath chosen us for his children? What is also the cause of that modesty, that we are not given to these follies of the world? Is it not because God hath called us to the heavenly inheritance, and sheweth us that they which cleave to this world never knew what true life and salvation meant? So then, let us mark, that both charity, holiness, and modesty proceed from faith. Works are not meritorious unto salvation. And yet to make an end we must mark also i

Posted at  Purely Presbyterian: John Calvin The 19th Sermon upon the second chapter of 1 Timothy [Part Eight] “If they continue in faith and charity and holiness with sobriety.“ Now let us come to that which he setteth down touching faith, and charity, sanctification, and modesty. I said before that this was to put a difference between the faithful and the heathen. For there have been found virtuous women among the heathen, yea, more virtuous (as touching the outward shew), than we shall oftentimes see among them which term themselves to be the Church of God. And therefore if women do their duty only as touching their housewifery, and taking pains about the house, it is not enough. For there are many (as I said) which had no religion, and yet notwithstanding, left not to have this virtue, which is praiseworthy, as touching the world. Therefore let us mark that this is not the chiefest matter, that women take such pains about their housewifery: but faith and charity must g

Posted at  Purely Presbyterian: John Calvin The 19th Sermon upon the second chapter of 1 Timothy [Part Seven] Profanation of holy matrimony. If this were well printed in the heart, no doubt there would appear a better shew in marriage than there doth. But what? There be very few that know what this meaneth, “ to serve God ,” and that ground themselves upon that point. And that it is so, when there is a marriage made here in the company of the faithful, do they for the most part which come to pass such an obligation and so solemn, know that God sitteth as chief amongst us, and that these promises are made in his name? Do they know this? No no: But the most part of them come hither like calves, and like beasts. Are they before the pulpit? They are so well instructed, that they can not tell what they say. If we speak of the husband’s office, and of the wife’s, they understand no more than beasts do. And if they hear any one word whereby they may be edified, we see that as soon

Posted at  Purely Presbyterian: John Calvin The 19th Sermon upon the second chapter of 1 Timothy [Part Six] Housewifery is service unto God. Therefore let women study this lesson day and night that first of all they may play the housewives. And if women were the most negligent in the world, yet is there here matter enough to awaken them, and to correct this idleness. And how? If we take pains, we serve God, and not men. Again, when a man seeth his wife employ herself all the day long to do her duty, let him also consider whereunto God hath called him, that he also for his part may do his duty. For a man is not born to idleness, nor a woman. Therefore (as I said) let women cast their eyes hither, for there is occasion enough to correct their slothfulness, when they shall see that the question is of serving God. And how? When they fall to kneading (as the proverb is) and apply themselves to good use, and flee not the subjection which God hath set them in: for this is to str

Posted at  Purely Presbyterian: John Calvin The 19th Sermon upon the second chapter of 1 Timothy [Part Five] Despisers of this blessed vocation. 1. The World. True it is notwithstanding, that such as are scoffers and scorners of God, will think it strange, that Paul speaking here of the salvation of women, bringeth them to this, that if when they be with child and take their grief patiently, and also the travail, and bring up their children, this is to come again into favour with God. But what? Let it be sufficient for us that the Holy Ghost who is a Judge good enough, hath so given sentence. And therefore let us not think it strange: for although men will judge vices and virtues according to their own fancy, yet it is God alone that must value our works, and tell what they are worth. Hath God condemned any thing? It is a wise matter for us to praise, it will serve to much purpose. On the other side, that which we set nothing by, God esteemeth it highly, and setteth much

Posted at  Purely Presbyterian: John Calvin The 19th Sermon upon the second chapter of 1 Timothy [Part Four] “Faith, charity, holiness, & modesty“ —her general calling. Yet notwithstanding, because there are good mothers to be found even amongst the Heathen women and Infidels, and will willingly take pains for their families, Paul thought it not enough to set down that which may be common to women that have no fear of God and religion. But saith that “they must have faith and charity, they must live godly, and have that modesty,” which was spoken of before. So then we may gather good doctrine out of this text, and profitable for all, as well men as women, to wit: that God meaneth not to confound us, when he layeth our sins before our faces, but only to humble us, seeing the presumption, which otherwise would be in us. Therefore God must needs pair the nails, as well of us men as women, and use violence against us, seeing it is otherwise hard to correct the pride and loftines

Posted at  Purely Presbyterian: John Calvin The 19th Sermon upon the second chapter of 1 Timothy [Part Three] A comfort: “Notwithstanding she shall be saved in childbearing“ Now let us come to that which followeth: “That the woman shall be saved by bearing of children, so that,” saith he, “she abide in the faith, and charity, and in holy life and modesty.“ It is not without cause, that Paul addeth this comfort, to soften this heaviness which women might have conceived by that which he said before [1 Tim. 2.14], to wit, that they in the person of Eve are the cause of the Fall, which is so miserable, as we see in all mankind. We are cursed of God, we are children of wrath, the devil ruleth over us, we are in slavery to everlasting death, there is nothing but corruption in our nature—to be short, we are clean over head and ears [ i.e. hopeless]. And who is the cause of all this? The women: they are made faulty in this matter, and God pronounceth this sentence against the

Posted at  Purely Presbyterian: John Calvin The 19th Sermon upon the second chapter of 1 Timothy [Part Two] Objection: Pastors are subject to Magistrates, and yet they teach. And yet a man might move a question: for Paul bringeth this argument to shew that women ought not to have the charge and office of teaching, because they are subject, neither may have authority to speak. Why then it should follow by this, that none might teach, unless he were a King or Prince. Are not the Pastors of the Church, subject to the Magistrates? Yet so it is that God sendeth them, and giveth them this commission, to govern his people, as touching the spiritual government. The answer to this is, that a man may well in one respect be a subject, and in an other have authority: as we see how God hath separated these two things, the state of earthly governance, and the spiritual government of his Church. The Magistrates, they rule, and sit in seat of Justice, God hath given them the sword to g

Posted at Purely Presbyterian: John Calvin The 19th Sermon upon the second chapter of 1 Timothy [Part One] A Sermon on 1 Timothy 2:13-15, concerning the true calling of women, the honourableness of housewifery before God, and the purity of God’s ordinance of marriage; and likewise shewing the blasphemy and horrible sins into which those fall who despise this blessed vocation. “Let the woman learn in silence with all subjection. But I suffer not a woman to teach, nor to usurp authority over the man, but to be in silence. For Adam was first made, and after Eve. And Adam was not deceived, but the woman was deceived, and was in transgression. Notwithstanding she shall be saved through bearing of children, if she abide in faith, and love, and holiness with modesty.“ Deborah (Judges 4-5). A man might marvel, why God by the mouth of his Apostle forbiddeth women in this place the office of teaching, seeing he bestowed this grace upon some. For we see that Deborah was not on

By Dr. C. Matthew McMahon - Posted at Sermon Audio : Link: https://www.sermonaudio.com/sermoninfo.asp?SID=92106154845

By Nicholas T. Batzig - Posted at Sermon Audio : Scripture Text: 2 Timothy 4:1-6 (KJV) 4 I charge thee therefore before God, and the Lord Jesus Christ, who shall judge the quick and the dead at his appearing and his kingdom; 2 Preach the word; be instant in season, out of season; reprove, rebuke, exhort with all long suffering and doctrine. 3 For the time will come when they will not endure sound doctrine; but after their own lusts shall they heap to themselves teachers, having itching ears; 4 And they shall turn away their ears from the truth, and shall be turned unto fables. 5 But watch thou in all things, endure afflictions, do the work of an evangelist, make full proof of thy ministry. 6 For I am now ready to be offered, and the time of my departure is at hand.

By Dr. Edward Panosian - Posted at Sermon Audio : Details: Dr. Edward Panosian presents the life of reformer John Calvin in the first person. He is introduced by Pastor Greg Barkman. Link: https://www.sermonaudio.com/sermoninfo.asp?SID=518101626153

Portrait of John Calvin, French School - Wikimedia By Rev. Prof. Dr. Francis Nigel Lee, Th.D.. Ph.D. 8.       Calvin’s restoration of the office of Deaconess Originally, a usually-married male officer had cared for the poor entrusted to his care.   Yet in the Middle Ages, there was a corruption of this office of Deacon into the unbiblical mediaeval ‘office’ of Archdeacon.  There, a celibate male priest was enjoined to perform sacerdotal functions.   As a result,  even the auxiliary office of Deaconess was phased out. At the great Protestant Reformation, however, Calvin wisely revived the New Testament auxiliary office of Deaconess -- while also divesting even the three male special offices of Preacher-Elder-Deacon of their mediaeval perversions.    Thus Calvin commented that the “mercy” offices of  Rom. 12:7-13 are referring also to the “ widows   and other ministers [alias servants] who were appointed to take care of  the sick, according to the custom of the Anc

Posted at The Place for Truth : It would be difficult to underestimate the impact John Calvin’s Institutes of the Christian Religion have had on the Church. Yet while Calvin’s most significant theological work has been highly valued as a theological exposition of the Christian faith, his magnum opus was not conceived from the outset as a systematic theology text. Calvin had other purposes for his small work; his two-fold aim was education and apologetics. Dismayed by the biblical ignorance of his fellow countrymen, and anxious to defend them from the attacks of “certain wicked men,” Calvin declared in his dedication to King Francis I, ruler of France, “…it seemed to me that I should be doing something worthwhile if I both gave instruction to those I had undertaken to instruct and made confession before you with the same work.” [i] Calvin’s declared intent to “transmit certain rudiments” [ii] of doctrine as a basis for instruction in the true faith is seen in the content of th