Meet the Puritans

Americans today are used to thinking of Thanksgiving as a national holiday, but it was not always that way. During the years following the Pilgrims’ feast in 1621, the holiday was celebrated primarily in New England, with other regions exhibiting limited or no interest. In 1789, the houses of...

It may be surprising, after noting his valiant tenacity, to recognize that John Knox was, by his own admission, a coward by nature when it came to embracing his call to ministry. It was, actually, something he seemingly opposed at first. Indeed, Knox did not rush into Gospel ministry. He was a man...

Among the many disturbing trends in evangelicalism today, perhaps the one that stands out as most perplexing to many of God’s people is that of what is popularly being termed as “deconstruction.” No doubt it can be difficult for some to reconcile a Reformed soteriology with the reality of apostasy...

Wittenberg, Germany—October 31st, 1517—An obscure Augustinian Monk stands outside the doors of the Castle Church. In his hand, he holds a hammer and is prepared to nail in place The Ninety-five Theses . His intention is not to deface the church or start a commotion. Rather, this is the common...

In an earlier article , we sketched the history leading up June 8, 1530, when the Basel city council considered Johannes Oecolampadius’ proposal to establish elders and reinstitute biblical church discipline. The proposal was rejected, and so the benefits Oecolampadius’ work were not immediate. On...

Note: Read the introduction to this series here . There is therefore now no condemnation to them which are in Christ Jesus, who walk not after the flesh, but after the Spirit. Romans 8:1 Wonderful things need backdrops to be more gloriously seen. A beautiful glacial lake is improved when a...

What are the important milestones for the Reformation? Traditionally, we date the beginning of the Reformation from Oct. 31, 1517, the day Martin Luther set out his ninety-five theses. That day was indeed a watershed. But we can also point to the importance of several other milestones. The pope...

Preaching the Word of God is one of the most blessed tasks a man may be called to perform. However, just as James warns that not all should desire to teach—for their judgment will be all the harsher before Christ (James 3:1)—many others prove to be ineffective communicators of gospel truth because...

Thomas Manton (1620-1677) was born in Somerset England in 1620 and was baptized on March 31 of that same year. J.C. Ryle, writing a brief memoir of Manton (found in volume 2 of Manton’s Works ) noted that Manton was “a man who could neither say, nor do, nor write anything without being observed.”...

“There is a great deal of comfort in skepticism,” writes Gordon H. Clark. “If truth is impossible of attainment, then one need not suffer the pains of searching for it… Skepticism dispenses with all effort… Skepticism is the position that nothing can be demonstrated.” [1] Sadly, rather than...