Presbyterians of the Past

On Reformation 21

The following selection of articles by the author of Presbyterians of the Past is available courtesy of the editors of the Alliance of Confessing Evangelicals on either the Reformation 21 blog or Place for Truth. The Alliance “offers a Reformed perspective on current issues, grounding readers in the Word of God as proclaimed through the centuries.” Just click the desired link for redirection to the post. The entries are listed chronologically, newest to oldest. The header image of a painting of the Westminster Assembly has been generously provided by Reformation Art.

“The Scope of Commandment Nine” – Determines the meaning of “You shall not bear false witness against your neighbor” (Ex 20:16 & Dt 5:20) by considering the extended explanation provided by the Westminster Catechisms. The commandment not only condemns lying but also upholds truth telling in all areas of life including social media. Posted August 11, 2023.  

“At the Mercy of the Nations” – Examines the era of King Saul and his son Jonathan as recounted in First Samuel as they led Israel in battles against the technologically superior Philistines. An application is made to the current geopolitical situation regarding strategic supply lines. Posted September 27, 2022.

“He Is Our Near Kinsman” – Though brief, Ruth is an important book of the Old Testament because it provides a link of righteousness in the chain of generations leading to Christ. Even though Ruth’s story occurred during the distressing days of the Judges, there were those who looked to the Law of God to direct their lives. Posted June 17, 2022.

“Trained Up, but Going Wayward” − What do parents do when their children mature and wander from the faith? Remember the Philippian jailor’s question: “Sirs, what must I do to be saved?,” and the response by Paul and Silas, “Believe in the Lord Jesus, and you will be saved, you and your household.” Posted April 13, 2022.

“Covenant Memorials” − Tells how piles of stones in the book of Joshua should encourage Christians to count their blessings. Posted March 11, 2022.

“Two Sisters, a Desert Monastery, and a Palimpsest”− How non-professionals self taught in ancient manuscripts found an important copy of the Gospels written in Syriac when they followed their desire to see the site of God’s supernatural presence at Mt. Sinai. Posted February 1, 2022

“Thanksgiving: 400 Years Later” − This entry provides a historical study of how the holiday developed in the United States as considered in the light of the Pilgrims’ famous feast. Posted November 18, 2021

“Pilgrims and Plymouth: 400 Years Later” − A historical study with apologetic thrust that defends the Pilgrims piety and faithfulness to the Bible and political constitutional government. Posted October 19, 2020

“Such a Time as This” − Esther is a fascinating historical account of a remarkable providence and this article provides a summary of the narrative along with an application of its message. Posted August 11, 2020

 “Lord, Have Mercy on Us” − Many of the infected during the Great Plague of London called on the greatness of God for relief, but the Sovereign has been pushed out of the picture for some by the science He created when it comes to Covid. Posted May 15, 2020

“The Carpenter and the Cross,” − Was Jesus born the son of Joseph the carpenter just because the trade was as good as any, or was there purpose in God’s selection of a worker of wood to train his son with saws and planes? Posted April 9, 2020

“The Struggle in the City” − This post provides consideration of Augustine’s, City of God and its importance for Christians today.  Posted January 7, 2020

“J. A. Alexander 1809-1860” − A brief biography of a son of Archibald Alexander shows his remarkable intellectual abilities and prolific but short life. Posted July 9, 2014

“William Bridge, A Lifting Up for the Downcast” − A perspective on depression that could have used a dose of empathy. Posted March 10, 2014

“The Quest for Rest in Augustine’s Confessions” − The article presents Augustine’s search for rest in all the wrong places until he yielded to the call of the Spirit through Scripture. Posted January 6, 2014


Printing and the Reformation–Without printing the Reformation would have taken on a different and more slowly distributed form. These two articles provide the historical development of movable type printing and show how Martin Luther used the new fangled device invented by Johann Gutenberg to become the hard-copy blogger of his era.

“The Importance of the Printing Press for the Protestant Reformation, Part One.” Posted October 7, 2013

“The Importance of the Printing Press for the Protestant Reformation, Part Two.” Posted October 14, 2013

If you would like to read a more concise presentation of the subject, see on Presbyterians of the Past the condensed version, “Reformation Day 2016, Protestants & Printing.”


“Harriett Beecher Stowe’s Theological Transition” − Known for her work to abolish slavery, Stowe was a prolific writer of fiction which she used to propound the New England Theology of Samuel Hopkins. Posted September 13, 2013

Review, “Our Southern Zion: Old Columbia Seminary, 1828-1927,” by David B. Calhoun − This is a fine study of the seminary by an even finer man. Posted November 5, 2012

“The Royal Wedding” − The article addresses the marriage of Prince William and Catherine Middleton and the historical development of the banns in the marriage ceremony during the Reformation and their use by the Church of England. Posted May 21, 2011.

 

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