It's Free For All Friday! Post on any topic you wish in this thread (not the whole sub). Our rules of conduct still apply, so please continue to post and comment respectfully.

AND on the 1st Friday of the month, it's a Monthly Fantastically Fanciful Free For All Friday - Post any topic to the sub (not just this thread), except for memes. For memes, see the quarterly meme days. Our rules of conduct still apply, so please continue to post and comment respectfully.

"When mercy is implored, interrogation ceases; when mercy is asked, judgment rages not; when mercy is sought, there is no room for punishment; where there is mercy, no question is asked; where there is mercy, the answer gives pardon" - Saint John Chrysostom, Homily ii, in Psal. 1.

We serve an amazing God. Soli Deo Gloria.

My wife and in-laws are going to be having and intervention for my sister-in-law who has been making some very poor life choices in the next two weeks and I’m very concerned for how it’s going to go. I’m not worried for the intervention itself but I’m worried about how my father-in-law (a professing believer) is going to handle it. He is generally a very kind hearted man but when his emotions are provoked he goes into absolute maniacal fits of rage. Cussing, screaming, etc. I have never seen him get physical with anyone but sometimes I wonder when I’m going to see that. I know that we will see that side of him during this intervention and frankly I have no idea how to behave or treat these situations. I want to honor God in how I approach him and also defend my sister in law from an onslaught of his attacks if it comes but I’m not sure how. I’ve told him that he’s not being productive and he needs to tone it down in the past which didn’t go over well so generally I contribute to these arguments by simply staying out of it and sitting back to observe. How should I handle this situation when/if it arise?

Anybody ever get anxious about Rome? Like in terms of how big Catholicism is and how much history is backing it? I was always very firm in my reasonings for being Reformed, but in the last year, I learned that a lot of my qualms with RCC amounted to basically strawmen, and now sometimes I look at Rome and it almost seems as though God has greatly blessed Catholicism. And so many Catholics seem to be such self-controlled, joyous people. I just wonder how many of them are actually unregenerate, and it sometimes shakes me up and wonder if I’m the one who’s wrong.

Like what if we’re wrong about imputation? That has some serious implications for assurance of salvation. Did people even believe righteousness was imputed prior to Luther? And then there’s the Eucharist, which they talk about like it’s some kind of actual nourishment, and I don’t think I’ve ever felt that in a Baptist communion, just anxiety over whether I’m taking it worthily.

Just to clarify, I really really don’t wanna convert to Rome, I just have questions. And these are honest questions, I’m not some Catholic who’s just come to troll. I just wanna be in the right place. Has anyone else struggled with this?

I agree. Semper Reformanda.

https://x.com/FoundersMin/status/1852047898810421343

Hello fellow Reddit users! I’ve wanted for along time to learn the Lord Prayer in the original language Jesus spoke. I was wondering if this is the correct translation & how to pronounce better? Also if anyone could break down every sentence in English. That would be great thanks! Awoon Dwashmaya Nithqadash shmakh Taythey Malkuthakh Akanna Dwashmaya ap barah Hawlan lahma dsunkanan yaumana Washwok-lan haubain akana dap hnan shwaqan l’hayawein Wla ta-alan l’nisyona ella pasan min beesha Mitol ddeelakhee malkutha whaila wtishbohta la-alam almeen Amen

If you have requests that you would like your brothers and sisters to pray for, post them here.

Good day to my fellow brothers and sisters in Christ,

I have recently been feeling what I've heard called "ecclesial anxiety," wherein my confidence in the Protestant/Reformed tradition has waned.

I am sure this is a common problem, especially in the 21st century where Catholic and Orthodox apologists can present their arguments to a wider audience through the use of social media. Now, I'm not saying I am convinced by many of the Catholic points, but there are a few that I can't seem to shake and would appreciate your advice on this matter. I was raised Baptist, but recently came to embrace the Reformed tradition. So I am still very new to historical theology and the various church traditions, something I am trying to remedy through casual study.

My question to my much wiser Reformed friends is this: what are the best resources defending the Protestant/Reformed faith? Whether that is websites, books, videos & lectures, etc. I would appreciate if you could send them my way as my doubts about this issue have been getting the best of me lately. Thank you and God bless!

Hello, curious if anyone has any good resources for reformation day ideas for me, my wife, and 2 year old. Thank you! Send links, and or ideas in general! Much appreciated.

Hi!
I'm currently teaching a small group of teens (13-18 years old) the Heidelberg Catechism as part of a "Credo" class for a homeschool cohort--this is not connected to our church (I do have a degree in Bible/Theology but from a non-reformed Bible College). I've never personally attended a catechism class (new to the reformed side of theology). My own teens learn and remember songs and we have done a lot of Scripture memory songs over the years like Seeds Family Worship, Steve Green, Slugs + Bugs, etc. What I would love to do is find songs that teens would enjoy that correspond to specific catechism questions, whether the theological statement posited in each question (ie: The Modern Post: My One Comfort) or songs based off one of the Scripture proofs used for that specific question.

Is there some sort of Lord's Day song list directory, similar to ones that categorize the worship songs by Scripture reference, like Worship Initiative has?

My hope is to put together a playlist for the students for each week with theologically robust/Biblically sound and musically excellent worship songs related to that specific Lord's Day catechism question(s). I personally listen to a lot of Sovereign Grace, CityAlight, Matt Boswell/Papa, Modern Post and I know about Shai Linne's Lyrical Theology. I could go through each proof and cross reference it with a worship song Scripture directory, but I would rather spend my time studying for teaching the class and hate to reinvent the wheel!

TLDR; would love links to songs that have a corresponding catechism question reference
(ie: HC#1 THe Modern Post, "My One Comfort"). Also open to songs that correspond to the WSC, New City, Keach, etc. I do know about the New City Catechism songs, Brian Sauve', and the Getty's, but am hoping to find some that may be more appealing in style to teens?

I'm a senior in high school and have pretty much avoided partying my whole life, and I haven't ever had an alcoholic drink (I've had sips, but never actually drank a bottle of beer or shots or anything of that nature).

I'm wondering, since ive gone this long without drinking alcohol, should I just commit to never having it so that it never becomes a problem for me? Is there any risk of addiction to alcohol? If I decide to have a drink or two in the future, maybe when I'm order, is there a chance I get addicted to the feeling. I'm asking this because I don't know the feeling you get after drinking alcohol, and I want a Christian perspective on this, since most of my friends aren't Christian and would probably give me bad advice.

Does anyone else feel disconnected from their family? For context, I am happily married and we have a daughter of our own. Early in our marriage, we moved several states away for several reasons not important to this post, but interesting, nonetheless. We have been back in our home town for a year now and I have finally realized that I do not really get along great with my family (parents/inlaws and siblings). I don't mean we argue or anything, but I feel like I do better away from them...if that makes sense; the love is mutual. I feel like we experienced so many things during those few years away and now feel like we are now back under the same expectations they had for me before we married and moved away. I am constantly cherishing the memories my wife and I made together when it was just us. That is when I was saved and came to Faith in Christ and where our marriage flourished. I really miss it. I feel like I have reverted back to the life I used to live in the same small Midwestern town/area I grew up in.

My wife is open to moving again, especially since there are better job opportunities pretty much anywhere and she misses many of the same things I do, but I can't deny that work isn't the leading factor here..

Is it sinful that I want to move my wife and child away from my family(parents, cousins, siblings, aunts/uncles) because I think that we could do "better" away from them?

Not sure if this is the appropriate place to ask but just curious if anybody is making that kinda drive to their church.

Can anyone recommend a book on church history? Bonus points if it’s on audible

If you have requests that you would like your brothers and sisters to pray for, post them here.

For it is wonderful how much we are confirmed in our belief, when we more attentively consider how admirably the system of divine wisdom contained in it is arranged—how perfectly free the doctrine is from every thing that savors of earth—how beautifully it harmonizes in all its parts—and how rich it is in all the other qualities which give an air of majesty to composition. - Calvin's Institutes, 1.8.1

Welcome to In the Word Wednesdays!

Here at r/reformed, we cherish the richness, the beauty, the majesty, and - most importantly - the authority of the the Bible. Often times, though, we can get caught up by the distractions of this world and neglect this glorious fountain of truth we have been given.

So here on In the Word Wednesday we very simply want to encourage everybody to take a moment to share from, and discuss, scripture! What have you been reading lately? What have you been studying in small group? What has your pastor been preaching on? Is there anything that has surprised you? Confused you? Encouraged you? Let's hear it!

It doesn't have to be anything deep or theological - although deep theological discussions focusing on scripture are always welcome - it can be something as simple as a single verse that gave you comfort this morning during your quiet time.

(As ITWW is no longer a new concept, but we are more than welcome to receive ideas for how to grow the concept and foster an increased discussion of scripture. If you have any ideas for ITWW, please feel free to send the mods a message via mod mail.)

I will be meeting with a Catholic who is going to try to justify any Catholic teachings and beliefs. He is extremely well educated on both Catholic and Protestant theology. What questions should I bring to him? Any stumpers?

Curious as to what peoples thoughts are on this topic. I am looking for clarification between the churches responsibility to mitigating and serving the church body only, vs. heavy involvement and service in the local (non-Christian) community. There is obviously weight to both sides, but I have recently been going through a few books that imply more importance to the church body, in so far as to say that it is not the churches responsibility at all to be involved in the community. Just looking for thoughts and ideas, is there a balance to be found here, or is it not the churches responsibility outside of its walls.

I’ve considered seminary and FT ministry over the years. Circumstances have changed which will allow me to pursue a MDiv and it’s something I’m seriously considering. However, I want to be sure I have an effectual call before taking the leap. How does one know with reasonable certainty?

Recently stumbled upon Francis Schaffer's L'Abri organization.

I am wondering if anyone here has ever stayed here and participated? If so, what was your experience?

https://labri.org/

Given than it’s nearly November I thought I’d continue the time honoured tradition of referencing Christmas earlier and earlier, and on a supposedly Reformed board no less!

There was someone who brought up the whole “Should I Celebrate Christmas“ thing and of course the good ol’ Regulative Principle was brought up. One link that was posted by Brian Schwertley who argued that even private celebration of Christmas was to be opposed, given that the RPW applies to private worship as well as public.

But if that’s the rule that should be applied I fear it risks spiralling into incoherence. For example, an exclusive Psalmody proponent could never even think of uninspired hymns. Since how can a believer think of words ascribing praise to Christ and not consider that worship?

What if at home you invite some people to look at your holiday pictures of some beautiful mountains. One of them says “isn’t God’s creation wonderful!“ Has he then not made that slide show an element of worship? If it’s not allowed in church why is it allowed at home?

If the RPW does not apply at home then how do we decide what is allowed? Surely we can’t make offerings to a golden calf we call God. Are holy days permissible? How would we decide? If things should be rejected from public worship on the basis that they are not commanded, how can we do those things in private?

P.S. Looking forward to my annual turkey roast, decorated tree and gift exchange day that happens to be on the 25th December!

If you have requests that you would like your brothers and sisters to pray for, post them here.

Both seems to deny libertarian free will and embrace compatibilist free will. Both seem to suggest that God chooses to save some and not others.

Summa Theologiae > First Part > Question 23 > Article 3, Reply to Objection 1:

"God loves all men and all creatures, inasmuch as He wishes them all some good; but He does not wish every good to them all. So far, therefore, as He does not wish this particular good—namely, eternal life—He is said to hate or reprobated them."

The above quote says "He does not wish every good to them all". Another relevant quote:

"I answer that, God does reprobate some. For it was said above (Article 1) that predestination is a part of providence. To providence, however, it belongs to permit certain defects in those things which are subject to providence, as was said above (I:22:2). Thus, as men are ordained to eternal life through the providence of God, it likewise is part of that providence to permit some to fall away from that end; this is called reprobation. Thus, as predestination is a part of providence, in regard to those ordained to eternal salvation, so reprobation is a part of providence in regard to those who turn aside from that end. Hence reprobation implies not only foreknowledge, but also something more, as does providence, as was said above (I:22:1). Therefore, as predestination includes the will to confer grace and glory; so also reprobation includes the will to permit a person to fall into sin, and to impose the punishment of damnation on account of that sin."

I don't have a problem with this since Romans 9 says:

"What shall we say then? Is there injustice on God's part? By no means! For he says to Moses, “I will have mercy on whom I have mercy, and I will have compassion on whom I have compassion.” So then it depends not on human will or exertion, but on God, who has mercy. For the Scripture says to Pharaoh, “For this very purpose I have raised you up, that I might show my power in you, and that my name might be proclaimed in all the earth.” So then he has mercy on whomever he wills, and he hardens whomever he wills."

And in the following quote, the way he uses the term "free will" suggests that he has a compatibilist definition of free will in mind and not the libertarian one:

Summa Theologiae > First Part > Question 83

"Reply to Objection 3. Free-will is the cause of its own movement, because by his free-will man moves himself to act. But it does not of necessity belong to liberty that what is free should be the first cause of itself, as neither for one thing to be cause of another need it be the first cause. God, therefore, is the first cause, Who moves causes both natural and voluntary. And just as by moving natural causes He does not prevent their acts being natural, so by moving voluntary causes He does not deprive their actions of being voluntary: but rather is He the cause of this very thing in them; for He operates in each thing according to its own nature."

Is it true that St. Thomas Aquinas's views on free will are similar to those of John Calvin? Both say that

1. "He does not wish every good to them all"
2. God "moves causes both natural and voluntary", "He the cause of this very thing in them".

Welcome to r/reformed. Do you have questions that aren't worth a stand alone post? Are you longing for the collective expertise of the finest collection of religious thinkers since the Jerusalem Council? This is your chance to ask a question to the esteemed subscribers of r/Reformed. PS: If you can think of a less boring name for this deal, let us mods know.

Hello I am someone who is thinking more and more about christian theology. However I am struggling with the morality of the concept of determinism in Gods omniscience and the morals of Hell. I have not found a proof for free will in a deterministic system, however I do not go as far as saying there is no "control" in that system.

I wrote the proof assuming a deterministic system,

Given: the world is deterministic, free will does not exist in a deterministic world,

then: this does not mean there is no reason to combat determinism, through combating determinism steps can be taken to change ones nurture and thought process, change in thought process leads to change in behavior/belief.

It is important to say that I don't believe that not having free will does not mean that we can not control our actions. It is that we can not control what we want, and those wants are what shape how we act.

Assuming that is true, I struggle to see the morality in an righteous, all-good God condemning those who he created and whose futures are predetermined to what Jesus describes hell to be in the gospels, a place of eternal torment and suffering. I don't see how a loving God would condemn his creation for their own stupidity.

I know that I don't know much, I'm reading the gospel and trying to learn, trying to be closer to to the lord. I know that I am not meant to question, I am meant to be shown, but I struggle to believe in that things that I can not prove/disprove, Even if I want to.

Thank you all so much I'm sorry if this comes off wrong I genuinely just want to get a better understanding.

Anybody here have experience reading this book? I decided to pick up the paperback on Amazon. It’s very dense, esoteric and deals with the occult, ancient mythology, symbology, etc. I enjoy reading this kind of material, but always bring anything like this that I read to the standard of Scripture and try to tread lightly. There seems to be a lot of useful things in the book, but it’s obviously very deep and abstract at times. Should I even bother with it? I don’t take it as Gospel truth; just want your thoughts. I’ve been told I’m “inviting demons” by reading it. I hope that’s not true.

Hey all,

any resource/article/book/ministry recommendations for parenting a child (7 years old) with autism+adhd?

Cheers

Obviously reformed adheres to the 5 solas and are creedal/confessional. Had a pastor (calvary) recently try to argue to me that the reformed church isn't sola scriptura because of creeds and confessions in the same way RCC isn't because of their catechisms and traditions. Any thoughts on how to respond to that claim?