Early Scots-Episcopacy

While reading about the Aberdeen doctors, I discovered that they were all Episcopalians. I thought this was interesting because I usually associate Reformed versions of episcopacy with England rather than Scotland.
John Forbes of Corse was the most famous representative of the Aberdeen doctors, and he was exiled for his views. Indeed, it seems [...]

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Reformed Anglicans

So much of trouble in the realm of Church history arises when a false barrier is erected between “Anglican” and “Reformed” theologians. This distinction makes sense now. It does not in the 16th and 17th centuries.
I don’t mean that there was no diversity. Quite the opposite is the case. There was [...]

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Bishop Bedell and Paedocommunion

William Bedell was an Irish Bishop and a contemporary of James Ussher and Samuel Ward. He took issue with Ward’s position that baptism removed original sin in all baptized infants. Joel Garver has reproduced Ward’s letter to Ussher on this topic here. Bedell seems to limit infant baptism’s immediate effect to obsignation, [...]

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Wes Baker

Before I describe all of the conference activities, I do have to say that the big surprise guru was Wes Baker.  That guy’s pretty awesome.  I think he could teach us all a few things.  He could definitely teach in our Reformed Seminaries, but he’s committed to Peru Mission which keeps him out of [...]

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BH Conference

The Biblical Horizons Conference was fabulous. We’ve got to a figure out a way to get more folks there, perhaps even, dare I say it, visitors and outsiders.
The music and the liturgy simply have to be exported. Really great stuff.

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Justification and Deification in the Tetrapolitan Confession

The Tetrapolitan Confession was written mostly by Bucer and Capito.  It is the oldest Reformed confession and served as the confessional statement for the four German Reformed cities of Strasburg, Constance, Memmingen, and Lindau.
This is what it has to say about justification by faith:

IV. On Justification by Faith
That our preachers attribute so much to [...]

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Double Justification Wrap-Up

I have concluded my series on double justification in Reformed theology.  I decided not to include Baxter, since he is entirely too complicated.  I also do not know when this subject of double justification became a theological taboo.  Since it does seems to be one these days, I’ve tried to cover a broad spectrum.  I [...]

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Bucer on Double Justification

Bucer’s entire theology of justification is that of double justification. Everywhere he speaks of imputed righteous, he always follows directly with inherent righteousness. I will quote a few examples.
Bucer penned the statement on justification at the Colloquy of Regensburg. I have pieced it together through two secondary sources. He writes:

The movement [...]

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Polhill on Double Justification

Edward Polhill had the advantage of writing late in the Puritan era. He is extremely well read and is able to cite a variety of previous doctors, as well as bring various positions together into harmony. He has much to say about double justification.
In his book A View of Some Divine Truths, he [...]

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Ussher on the the Final Judgment

Though not calling it specifically “justification,” Ussher represents the “gracious law” position that we’ve seen espoused by Diodati and Pictet. The believer’s works will be judged by the gospel. Ussher states:

Shall there be no difference in the examination of the Elect and the Reprobate?
Yes. For, 1. The Elect shall not have their sins, [...]

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