Post Archives

Mark Herzer
September 20, 2021

Joseph Caryl on God Answering Prayer

Isaiah 65:24, “And it shall come to pass that before they call I will answer, and while they are yet speaking I will hear.” In the very act of praying, the answer came forth; yea, the answer sometimes antedates our asking, and the grant comes before the petition. The giving out of the answer may […]

September 20, 2021

Thoughts from Westminster Divines

I intend to upload small and large quotes and passages from some of the Westminster Divines I have been reading of late. I have been reading them to write a commentary on the Larger Catechism so many of the selections might cover similar themes and theological topics taught in the Larger Catechism. I will also […]

March 19, 2021

Virtual Worship?

Virtual Worship? Many articles talk about the benefits of having “virtual worship.” Some sites offer helpful and simple ways to do it.[1] All of them assume its need and its inevitability. One site allows you to download “worship”: “Download if you need some worship for your service!” — you can have this singer with his […]

February 27, 2021

The Larger Catechism #172

The Larger Catechism Question 172 172.     Q. May one who doubteth of his being in Christ, or of his due preparation, come to the Lord’s supper?     A. One who doubteth of his being in Christ, or of his due preparation to the sacrament of the Lord’s supper, may have true interest in Christ, though he […]

January 31, 2021

Practical Lessons from the Book of Job

The following extract comes from Joseph Caryl, a Westminster Assembly divine. I took the text from the 1959 reprint edition with very few minor changes. Our church read this out loud in our Sunday School class and discussed its content. You will find the reading very practical, insightful, and moving. Caryl lists all the major […]

December 27, 2020

Joshua 6: The Judgment of Jericho

Remember, the residents of Jericho were filled with terror (2:9-11) and this odd spectacle the people in Jericho witnessed and heard no doubt both puzzled them and brought a sense of dread into their souls. Who would have thought a whole city would collapse by this procedure? It was a supernatural destruction and not a […]

November 30, 2020

Larger Catechism #1, Pt. 2

The Larger Catechism Question 1 1.   Q. What is the chief and highest end of man? A. Man’s chief and highest end is to glorify God[1], and fully to enjoy him for ever[2]. Enjoying God Not only are we called to glorify Him but we must also enjoy Him: “and fully to enjoy him […]

August 17, 2020

Creeds and Christianity

Creeds and Christianity[1] An important question needs to be entertained here. Why bother with man made confessions and creeds? Are not the words of Scripture sufficient? Shouldn’t we simply keep with the very words of Scripture to be safe?[2] Isn’t the making of Creeds an arrogant expression of dissatisfaction with God’s revelation? At first blush, […]

July 20, 2020

Larger Catechism #1, Pt. 1

The Larger Catechism Question 1 1.   Q. What is the chief and highest end of man? A. Man’s chief and highest end is to glorify God[1], and fully to enjoy him for ever[2]. Scriptural Proofs and Commentary [1] Romans 11:36. For of him, and through him, and to him, are all things: to whom […]

May 18, 2020

Christ’s Exaltation and His Resurrection

I will be removing all my Larger Catechism posts eventually because I am updating all of them. The updated versions will directly interact with many of the Westminster divines. If the author quoted has a † symbol, then it denotes that he was one of Westminster divines. I am close to finishing my first draft […]

Page 1 of 17