Sola Fide

This year (2017) is the 500th anniversary of the beginning of the Reformation when Martin Luther and the other reformers set about reforming the church according to God's word. To mark the beginning of the Reformation, I thought I might write on some of the great doctrines of the Reformation in my letters this year, … Continue reading Sola Fide →

Canons of Dort Headings 3+4

I’ve been using these letters to write about the Synod of Dort which met in 1618 to 1619 to contend for the truth of the gospel against the errors of James Arminius and his followers (known as the Remonstrants and Arminians). The Remonstrants published their views in 1610 in a document known as the Five … Continue reading Canons of Dort Headings 3+4 →

Canons of Dort Heading 5

I’ve used these letters in 2019 to write about the Synod of Dort which met 400 years ago to contend for the truth of the gospel against the errors of the Remonstrants (who were also known as Arminians). They published their views in 1610 and the reformers at Dort responded with the Canons of Dort. … Continue reading Canons of Dort Heading 5 →

Canons of Dort Heading 2

In my last two letters, I wrote about the Synod of Dort and its response to the errors of James Arminius and his followers (known as the Remonstrants and also as the Arminians). The views of the Remonstrants were published in 1610 in a document known as the Five Articles of Remonstrance. The Synod of … Continue reading Canons of Dort Heading 2 →

Canons of Dort Heading 1

In my last letter, I began to write about the Canons of Dort which were published in 1619 as a response to the errors of James Arminius and his followers who were known as the Remonstrants and also as the Arminians. A recent book on the controversy has the title, ‘Saving the Reformation'. That title … Continue reading Canons of Dort Heading 1 →

Canons of Dort

The year 2017 was the 500th anniversary of the beginning of the Reformation when Martin Luther and the other reformers set about reforming the church according to God's word. I wrote about the five ‘solas' of the Reformation during 2017 to mark the anniversary. There's sola scriptura (Scripture alone), sola fide (faith alone), sola gratia … Continue reading Canons of Dort →

Nehemiah 13

Introduction I wonder whether you feel sorry for Nehemiah? Do you have any sympathy for him? In chapter 1, we read how he wept when he heard the news that the wall of Jerusalem was in ruins. In chapter 2, we read how he petitioned the king of Persia to let him return to Jerusalem … Continue reading Nehemiah 13 →

Nehemiah 11+12

Introduction Under Nehemiah's leadership, the people have rebuilt the wall of Jerusalem. Then they met in the city and listened to Ezra and the Levites as they read and explained God's word to them. They also celebrated the Feast of Booths and rejoiced before the Lord for bringing them back from exile to the Promised … Continue reading Nehemiah 11+12 →

Nehemiah 10

Introduction You'll recall that I said that the book of Nehemiah can be divided into two parts. The first part was all about the wall. The second part is about the people. The first part was about building up the wall of Jerusalem, which was in ruins when Nehemiah first arrived in the city. The … Continue reading Nehemiah 10 →

Nehemiah 09

Introduction Last week we read how God's people gathered in Jerusalem to listen to the reading of God's word; and then they celebrated the Feast of Booths and rejoiced before the Lord for bringing them back from exile to the Promised Land. In today's passage, we read how God's people once again gathered in Jerusalem. … Continue reading Nehemiah 09 →