Dr Paul Allen

“This is the work of God , that you believe in Him whom He sent” (John 6:29). Hebrews 11:1 says, “Now faith is the substance of things hoped for, the evidence of things not seen.” When we put our trust in someone, we are saying, “I don’t have all the facts, but I trust you.” Let us break this trust down into three categories so we can better understand how “saving faith” differs from mere head knowledge. The Protestant Reformers declared that the multi-faceted character of authentic faith contains three key elements: notitia, assensus, and fiducia.  Notitia has to do with the content of the Christian faith and involves recognizing and understanding the truth of the Gospel message. We are not called to believe in just anything, but we are called to believe in the person and work of Jesus Christ . This understanding of the Gospel involves the activity of the mind. Unbelievers can explain the Gospel sometimes more clearly than unbelievers. We see this to be especially tr...

Roman Catholic Church in Gerse (Photo credit: Wikipedia ) Imagine a circle that represents the character of mankind . Now imagine that if someone sins, a spot—a moral blemish of sorts—appears in the circle, marring the character of man. If other sins occur, more blemishes appear in the circle. Well, if sins continue to multiply, eventually the entire circle will be filled with spots and blemishes. But have things reached that point? Human character is clearly tainted by sin, but the debate is about the extent of that taint. The Roman Catholic Church holds the position that man's character is not completely tainted, but that he retains a little island of righteousness. However, the Protestant Reformers of the sixteenth century affirmed that the sinful pollution and corruption of fallen man is complete, rendering us totally corrupt. There's no part of us that escapes the ravages of our sinful human nature There's a lot of misunderstanding about just what the Reforme...

Christ the Saviour (Pantokrator), a 6th-century encaustic icon from Saint Catherine's Monastery, Mount Sinai. NB - slightly cut down - for full size see here (Photo credit: Wikipedia ) “They will put you out of the synagogues; yes, the time is coming that whoever kills you will think that he offers God service” (John 16:2). Jesus warned the disciples of many things—the world’s hatred, persecution, temptation. He gave these warnings so that when they faced trials of this sort, they would not be shocked and overcome with fear and disappointment. As Matthew Henry wrote, “It is easier to welcome a visitor who has been expected than one who has not.” So, Jesus prepared them by describing what they could expect, and one thing that they could most assuredly expect was persecution by those who claimed to serve God. He specifically had in mind the Sanhedrin who would, after His death, raise the sword against all those calling themselves Christians . And they would do this in the ...

Four Reformers (Photo credit: keepps ) “ For God so loved the world , that he gave his only Son, that whoever believes in him should not perish but have eternal life”  (John 3:16). In the study of justification , faith is the only instrument by which we lay hold of the righteousness of Christ . This righteousness of Christ is the ground of our justification and is imputed to us when we trust in Jesus alone for salvation. The Father then declares us righteous in His sight, enabling us to inherit eternal life. This is accomplished entirely apart from any works we perform. Justification by faith alone has been opposed by Roman Catholicism , which says that a combination of our faith and good work s provides for our justification. One impetus for this understanding has been Rome ’s fear that the doctrine of justification by faith alone would encourage people to live immoral lives. Rome fears that this doctrine might lead some to think that the casual acceptance of Jesu...

Image via Wikipedia John Calvin (1509–1564) was one of the leading figures among the second generation of Protestant Reformers . His writings were widely distributed throughout Europe and were instrumental in the spread of the Reformation . Books about Calvin and his thought continue to roll of the presses to this very day. The following is a list of some of the best works by and about John Calvin. 

 Works by John Calvin John Calvin — Calvini Opera The complete works of Calvin in the original Latin are available in a number of places. The works are presently available online free at  Calvin Seminary’s Library . John Calvin —  Institutes of the Christian Religion  (1559) 
Calvin’s Institutes went through several editions before reaching its final form in 1559. The final edition is a Christian classic. John Calvin —  Commentaries  (22 volumes). John Calvin was a master exegete, and his commentaries are among the few written in his day that are still...

Image via Wikipedia One of the dangers that often goes unrecognized in the church today is the problem of the tyranny of the weaker brother. Dr. R.C. Sproul gave a timely lecture on the subject. His main text was Romans 14. Sanctification The Protestant Reformers were united in their affirmation that the Bible teaches justification by faith alone but not by a faith that is alone. Saving faith immediately, necessarily, and inevitably shows evidence of itself in the good works we produce in the process of sanctification . Paul tells us to work out salvation in fear and trembling, as God works in us to will and do (Phil. 2:12–13).  We are not to be at ease in Zion or quietists that let go and let God. The whole Christian life requires labor with the godly fear that we call reverence and with the adoration that is ever present in the hearts of those who tremble before the living God. Sanctification is not to be undertaken in a casual matter. There are, however, various pitfal...