Introduction The first and second commandment are closely related. So closely that in the past they were considered a single commandment together; the Roman Catholic church still calls it the “first commandment”, and they make up for it by splitting the tenth commandment into two parts. The first and second commandments belong so closely together, … Continue reading Freedom to worship God as he is (LD 35)
Tag: Reformation
The Greatest Reformer
Speech delivered at the Reformation Day Rally of Eben-Ezer CanRC, Living Hope FRC, and Trinity ARP in Chatham, Ontario, on October 31, 2023. Today we celebrate and commemorate the Great Reformation. In the 1500s, the Lord used men like Luther and Zwingli and Calvin to point out error and corruption in the church, and to … Continue reading The Greatest Reformer
Where earth and heaven meet (LD 30 q&a 80)
Introduction Q&a 80 in the Heidelberg Catechism is famous for its explicit criticism of the “mass”, that is, the way the Lord’s Supper is celebrated in the Roman Catholic church. It concludes that the mass is basically … an accursed idolatry. This hard criticism of the Roman Catholic was missing in the first edition of … Continue reading Where earth and heaven meet (LD 30 q&a 80)
Special offices in the Reformed churches
Essay written for the celebration of Reformation Day, 2021, and presented at Living Hope Free Reformed Church in Chatham on October 26, 2021. The Protestant Reformation criticized the church organization of the Middle Ages. Martin Luther first pointed out the abuse of power by the bishops and other clergy, but soon he opposed the system … Continue reading Special offices in the Reformed churches
Sacraments: Reformed view vs. Roman view
The Roman church and Reformed churches have different views of the sacraments. At the heart of the matter is the question how sacraments give grace, and how they relate to the preached gospel.