The Establishment Principle Upheld in Protestant Creeds
2019-01-24
Most churches have departed from their original creeds
A Dutch Reformer’s Advice to Parents about Holy Days
2018-12-31
A “Puritan” Dutch theologian
Gillespie on Confederacies and Associations
2018-11-14
Co-belligerence, Parachurches, and other considerations
John Brown: Objections Answered: #1
2018-07-23
Freedom of Conscience and The Establishment Principle
John Brown: The Promotion of Heresies and Popery
2018-05-30
Toleration of heresies is a licence for heretics to war against the Most High
Guthrie: A Converted Man’s Attitude Towards Lawful Liberties
2018-04-16
Things of liberty are not “indifferent” to the Christian.
John Brown: The Law of Nature
2018-03-23
Even the light of nature proves that magistrates should support the true religion.
The Five Articles of Perth
2018-01-22
Christmas and Easter were opposed by the Scottish Church in 1618.
John Brown: The New Testament does not abolish the establishment principle
2018-01-08
God still requires magistrates to punish evildoers and to legislate the true religion
Martyred this Month, in AD 250
2018-01-01
Fabian, the bishop of Rome, was the first person of eminence who felt the severity of this persecution. The deceased emperor, Philip, had, on account of his integrity, committed his treasure to the care of this good man. But Decius, not finding as much as his avarice made him expect, determined to wreak his vengeance […]
Worship and Electronic Devices
2017-12-01
Thoughts on bringing smartphones, tablets, etc. into worship services.
John Brown: Only the true religion renders good subjects
2017-11-20
and so false religion casts a nation into the depths of depravity
Westminster Shorter Catechism Q&A 1
2017-11-06
By BB Warfield, from The Princeton Theological Review, Vol 6 , 1908 No catechism begins on a higher plane than the Westminster Shorter Catechism. Its opening question, “What is the chief end of man?” with its answer, “Man’s chief end is to glorify God and to enjoy him forever” – the profound meaning of which […]
The Three Forms vs. the Westminster Standards
2017-10-27
Differences between the Belgic Confession, Canons of Dort & the Heidelberg Catechism and the Westminster Standards.
John Brown: The government should be concerned with the spiritual well-being of its subjects
2017-09-25
Christ is King of the nations
Coming across the mass during a public procession
2017-09-18
A Protestant’s response to seeing the mass at a public event
Coming across the mass during a wedding (William Gardiner)
2017-09-15
A Protestant’s response to seeing the mass at a wedding
John Brown: The establishment principle proved from parenting
2017-07-21
Implications of the fifth commandment
John Brown: The establishment principle proved from the fourth commandment and public fasting
2017-06-12
Further reasons to uphold the biblical requirements of magistrates.
Scudder: The Third Commandment
2017-05-31
Reflections of the third commandment during prayer & fasting.
Vancouver Reformed Church is now the Vancouver Free Presbyterian Church of Scotland
2017-05-24
Still Reformed in worship, doctrine and practice.
John Brown: Godly rule requires a fear of God
2017-05-15
Magistrates must suppress evil if good is to come.
Scudder: The Second Commandment
2017-05-01
Reflections of the second commandment during prayer & fasting.
John Brown: Magistrates are to be “Ministers of God”
2017-04-17
If murder ought to be punished as an injury and dishonour to God, why not also public blasphemy, idolatry, and heresy, …
Scudder: The First Commandment
2017-04-03
Reflections of the first commandment during prayer & fasting.
John Brown: The Extent of Magistrates’ Rule in Religious Affairs
2017-03-20
Magistrates, using the Word, should judge in matters of church schism and error.
John Brown: The Right Application of Romans 13:4
2017-02-20
Magistrates should not force “conversion” but they should restrain evil.
Scudder on Fasting: Practical Tips
2017-02-06
What to do the night prior, the morning of the fast, and the rest of the day
Flavel: Jesting, Humour and Daydreaming in Church?
2017-01-28
John Flavel on God’s jealousy over His worship.
John Brown: Magistrates Should Enact Laws Concerning Religion
2017-01-23
Civil laws relative to the external concerns of religion should be based upon the law of God.
Westminster Cross Reference Project: An Overview
2017-01-12
Introduction and progress report on the Scripture indexing of the Westminster Standards.
Scudder on Fasting: When and How Long?
2017-01-09
Guidelines on frequency and purpose of fasting
John Brown: It is a Sin for Civil Leaders to Tolerate False Religions
2016-12-26
Scripture makes it plain that magistrates sin and cause harm when they give licence to promoters of false religion.
John Brown: Atheistic principles are at the root of pleading for toleration of false religions
2016-11-28
John Brown of Haddington unearths the heart behind tolerating false religions: atheism.
Scudder: Reasons for Fasting
2016-11-14
As gluttony can lead your soul to sin, fasting can help lead you away from sin.
Worldly Entertainments:
2016-10-31
The question is not, “Is it lawful?” but “Is my joy complete in Christ?”
Scudder: Working with Those Over You and Under You
2016-10-17
How to be a godly superior or inferior.
John Brown: Implications of Tolerating False Religions
2016-10-03
Magistrates ought never attempt to force men to believe with their hearts… but…
Scudder: Family Worship and Work
2016-09-20
After starting the day with prayer, turn to family worship, and then to your work.
John Brown: Limitations to Governance
2016-09-05
Authorities must govern within certain limits
Scudder: When Your Prayers Lack the Spirit
2016-08-23
When your prayers lack spirituality, be humbled but not discouraged.
J. Brown on Toleration: Biblical Warrant, Part 3
2016-07-28
The greatest good occurs when authorities are harmoniously working together. When an authority neglects its duty, another authority may take on some of those duties.
Scudder: Remedies for Worldliness
2016-07-11
Five remedies for putting worldliness at bay are offered.
Brown and Toleration: Bible Warrant, Part 2
2016-06-27
Although all persons in authority must promote godliness and oppose ungodliness, each must do so within his own sphere of responsibility.
Scudder: Signs of Worldliness
2016-06-13
Worldliness has taken the upper hand in our meditations when our worldly affairs are our first thoughts, our principal thoughts,…
Scudder: Starting the Day with Peace with God
2016-05-31
Begin your day by renewing your peace with God by faith in Jesus Christ.
J. Brown against Toleration: Biblical Warrant, Part 1
2016-05-16
God is the governor of all things. The rights of those in authority must therefore come from God, and are directed by God. Those in authority must therefore not do anything in opposition to God’s glory and revealed will.
Scudder: Cautions Concerning Morning Prayer
2016-05-02
Morning prayer is a necessary and wonderful part of a Christian’s life, but there are few hazards to be mindful of.
J. Brown: Confessional Standards Relating to the Magistrate
2016-04-18
Reformed Confessions, particularly the Westminster Confession and the Scottish Church confessions, uphold the civil magistrate’s authority to suppress false religion.
Scudder: What is a Religious Fast?
2016-04-04
What defines a religious fast? When is fasting warranted?
J. Brown against Toleration: Historical Background
2016-03-22
How did the idea of civil toleration of false religion enter the Reformed Church?
Scudder on Preparing to Pray
2016-03-14
Before you begin prayer and thanksgiving … that these duties may be the better performed… prepare yourself by meditation…
Scudder on Starting the Day
2016-02-22
Immediately upon awakening, let your heart be lifted up to God…
An Introduction to John Brown of Haddington
2016-02-08
Here is a man that a surprising number of Reformed Christians have never heard of.
Henry Scudder on Recreation
2016-01-25
We need recreation, but how do we glorify God in our recreations? What are the best recreations?
Scudder on Keeping Company with Unbelievers and Lukewarm Professors
2015-12-23
If you may choose, avoid evil or sinful company and come not into it at all…
Old Paths
2015-12-14
Welcome to the Vancouver Reformed Church blog, “Old Paths.” Following the practice of the Free Presbyterian Church…