Reformation

As Reformation Day, 2021 approaches I am thinking about the idea of a Reformed church and Reformed thought as it exists and is defined in our culture today and in modern evangelical America. Like the word "Christian" the word "Reformed" has morphed into something, perhaps unrecognizable from the historical meaning.

Reformed does not simply mean adherence to the 5 points of Calvinism. That barely scratches the surface. It does not simply mean practicing sacramentalism, although that is part of it. Volumes have been written on it. Men and women have staked their lives on it, because the Gospel is central to it.

The Reformation happened over 500 years ago and is still happening today.

As Reformed Christians look to Scripture as their highest authority, view salvation as the work of the Triune God received by grace alone, through faith alone, in Christ alone, to the glory of God alone, as they view the Word of God as two words to us (Law and Gospel), as they confess their faith with heart and lips as their brethren have for centuries, they transform (minds), conform (to the image of Christ) and reform (as individuals and corporate bodies).

Reformed Christians worship with one catholic and apostolic church. They confess with believers from ages past, the Nicene, Apostles, and Athanasian Creeds, The Belgic and Westminster Confessions, The Westminster and Heidelberg Catechisms, The Canons of Dordt, The 39 Articles and they pray along with the church,  from the Book of Common Prayer.

They listen to teachers, scholars, and theologians like Luther, Calvin, Cranmer, and Ursinus for wisdom and instruction in the Word.

They reject movements and religions that distort God, Gospel, and good works.

They look with confidence assured hope to the work of Christ for and outside of them, for the resurrection of the dead and the life of the world to come.

"Lord, Lord..."

Lord, Lord...

The Gospel Gal Mama Bear Monday Episode on this topic is here: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=LgVOtX4S5tc&ab_channel=GospelGal

The words of Jesus in Matthew 7 is a passage of Scripture that sends a jolt of panic down the

spines of many Christians.

Should they? We can emphatically answer, NO!

Those who the Lord casts out are those who look to themselves and their own works for justification. Read Matt 7: 21 “Not everyone who says to Me, ‘Lord, Lord,’ will enter the kingdom of heaven, but the one who does the will of My Father who is in heaven will enter. 22 Many will say to Me on that day, ‘Lord, Lord, **did we not prophesy in Your name, and in Your name cast out demons, and in Your name perform many miracles?’ 23 And then I will declare to them, ‘I never knew you; leave Me, you who practice lawlessness.’

But those who rest in Christ's work, by grace, through faith alone have eternal life.

Read John 3: 16 “For God so loved the world, that He gave His only Son, so that everyone who believes in Him will not perish, but have eternal life. 17 For God did not send the Son into the world to judge the world, but so that the world might be saved through Him. 18 The one who believes in Him is not judged; the one who does not believe has been judged already, because he has not believed in the name of the only Son of God.

Brothers and Sisters: All the terror of God's anger and wrath is done away. Rest in Jesus! The life He lived, the death He died, all He has done outside of you, for you has fully provided for your salvation.

Meditation Monday #7: The Apostles Creed: "I believe in ... Jesus Christ... who was conceived by the Holy Spirit, born of the virgin Mary" with Lord's Day 14 (Heidelberg Catechism)

Meditation Monday #7: The Apostles Creed: 

"I believe in ...Jesus Christ...who was conceived by the Holy Spirit, born of the virgin Mary" and Lord's Day 14 (Heidelberg Catechism)

(You can listen to the episode by this same title on my YouTube Channel at: https://youtu.be/lXC1lvN2hTM )

In this phrase, we focus in again on Jesus Christ, our Mediator, the only Mediator between God and man, and how He serves us in the capacity of Mediator.

The Creed says, "I believe in Jesus Christ... who was conceived by the Holy Spirit and born of the Virgin Mary..."The Heidelberg Catechism 35 explains...

"What do you confess when you say:
He was conceived by the Holy Spirit,

born of the virgin Mary?

The eternal Son of God,
who is and remains true and eternal God,
took upon himself true human nature
from the flesh and blood of the virgin Mary,
through the working of the Holy Spirit.
Thus he is also the true seed of David,
and like his brothers in every respect,
yet without sin. "

In this regard, Ursinus wrote: "Christ was miraculously conceived in the womb of the Virgin, by the immediate action, or operation of the Holy Ghost, without the seed and substance of man, so that his human nature was formed from his mother alone, contrary to the order of things which God has established in nature, as it is said, "The power of the Highest shall overshadow thee." (Luke 1:35.) "

He goes on: "The Holy Ghost miraculously sanctified that which was conceived and produced in the womb of the Virgin, so that original sin did not attach itself to that which was thus formed; for it did not become the Word, the Son of God, to assume a nature polluted with sin, for the following reasons: 1. That he might be a pure sacrifice; for it behooved him to make satisfaction for sin. 2. That he might also, by his purity, sanctify others. 3. That we might know that whatever the Son says is truth; for that which is born of flesh, which is sinful, and not sanctified, is flesh, falsehood and vanity."

And of the virgin birth, he writes:

"...He was born of the Virgin Mary. It behooved the Messiah to be born of the Virgin according to the predictions of the prophets, that he might be a High Priest without sin, and the type or figure of our spiritual regeneration, which is not of the will of flesh, but of God. Hence it is added in the Creed, that Christ was born of the Virgin Mary: 1. That the truth of the human nature assumed by the Son of God might thus be signified, that is to say, that Christ was conceived by the power of the Holy Ghost, and was born a true man from the substance of Mary his mother; or, the flesh of Christ, although miraculously conceived, was nevertheless taken, and born of the Virgin. 2. That we may know that Christ has descended from the fathers from whom Mary also was, that is to say, that he was the true seed of Abraham, being born from his seed, and that he was the Son of David, being born from the daughter of David, according to the prophecies and promises. 3. That we may know that the Scriptures are fulfilled, which declared, "Behold a Virgin shall conceive and bear a son." "The seed of the woman shall bruise the serpent's head." (Is. 7:14. Gen. 3:15.) From this fulfillment of prophecy, by which it was foretold that Christ should be born of a Virgin of the family of David, and that by a miraculous conception, which the prophets did in a manner foretell, it is most clearly manifest that this man Jesus, born of the Virgin, is the promised Messiah, or the Christ, the redeemer of the human race. 4. That we may know that Christ was sanctified in the womb of the Virgin, by the power of the Holy Ghost, and is, therefore, pure and without sin. 5. That we may know that there is an analogy between the nativity of Christ, and the regeneration of the faithful; for the birth of Christ of the Virgin is a sign of our spiritual regeneration, which is not of blood, nor of the will of the flesh, nor of the will of man, but of God."

And Heidelberg Catechism 36 goes on to discuss the ways in which this mediation benefits us.

"What benefit do you receive
from the holy conception and birth of Christ?

He is our Mediator,
and with his innocence and perfect holiness
covers, in the sight of God,
my sin, in which I was conceived and born."

What is a mediator? Blue Letter Bible defines it this way: "A mediator is, as the name suggests (and as the Greek word used for mediator, mesites, literally means) “the one who mediates or stands in the middle”. Thus, a mediator is one who has links with two opposing sides. He sympathizes with both and is trusted by both. And as the assigned “middle man”, he represents each side to the other with the goal of mending a broken relationship."

With regard to Jesus Christ, our Mediator, Caspar Olevianus adds: "



So we understand and believe that Jesus Christ is a real, historical man. He was conceived of the Holy Spirit and the virgin to fulfill prophesy as the Serpent Crusher from Genesis 3, the seed of Abraham and the root of David, and He is for us the long-awatied Messiah, Mediator and Advocate. We believe and can have no doubt that He is all our salvation and all our peace with God. He has reconciled us to God by His perfect, one and only sacrifice. He has actively and passively fulfilled all righteousness on our behalf and ever lives to make intercession for us. 

In closing, listen to these words from the Heidelberg:

12. Q. Since, according to God's righteous judgment
we deserve temporal and eternal punishment,
how can we escape this punishment
and be again received into favour?
A.God demands that his justice be satisfied. 
Therefore we must make full payment,
either by ourselves or through another. 

13. Q.Can we by ourselves make this payment?
A. Certainly not.
On the contrary, we daily increase our debt. 

14. Q. Can any mere creature pay for us?
A. No.
In the first place,
God will not punish another creature
for the sin which man has committed. 
Furthermore,
no mere creature can sustain
the burden of God's eternal wrath against sin
and deliver others from it. 

15. Q. What kind of mediator and deliverer
must we seek?
A. One who is a true 
and righteous 
man,
and yet more powerful than all creatures;
that is, one who is at the same time true God. 

Based on the truths covered in this post, we can come to no other conclusion and can come to no other understanding than that Jesus Christ is our only Mediator. Thanks be to God for the work He's accomplished for us in being conceived of the Holy Ghost and born of the virgin.

Sources:

*The Apostles Creed

*The Heidelberg Catechism

*The Commentary of Dr. Zacharias Ursinus on The Heidelberg Catechism

*The Blue Letter Bible

*Exposition of the Apostles Creed: Caspar Olevianus

Gospel Gal: Sunday Snippet with Joy on the 1517 Conference

Gospel Gal: Sunday Snippet with Joy on the 1517 Conference

This past weekend, my co-host Joy had the opportunity to attend the 1517 Conference in Las Vegas. In this short episode, Joy and I discuss the Conference and the blessing our Lutheran brothers in Christ have been to bring us consolation in Christ because of His work, Extra Nos.

You can listen to the YouTube episode here: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=B1xvzfAwflg&ab_channel=Marissa

Gospel Gal Mama Bear Monday: Christian Liberty, the Weaker Brother or the Pharisee

Gospel Gal Mama Bear Monday: Christian Liberty,

the Weaker Brother or the Pharisee

Compiled by Joy Dudey and Marissa Namirr

Gospel Gal YouTube episode: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=TTwqK1LtTyE&t=414s&ab_channel=Marissa

This past weekend, Joy and I recorded an episode on Christian liberty. The topic is often misunderstood in the larger evangelical community. The focus is most often on behavior, conscience, preferences, what is allowed, what is indifferent? However, the Reformers' view was not primarily on the thoughts, motives, behavior of the Christian, but was first of all focused on the heart of Christ for sinners, union with Christ, and justification. It is from justification and union with Christ that our hearts change and flow forth with obedience to the Father, Son, and Holy Spirit who gave us so great a salvation. So in this episode, we first cite Calvin and Luther on justification leading to newness of life and freedom of conscience, liberty to obey for the first time. Then we moved into what it means to express Christian liberty, and how we exercise it in relation to our neighbors, the weaker brother, and the legalist.

Listen to Calvin, Luther, and the Apostle Paul on the liberty of the Christian being grounded in our justification.

Calvin: "Christian Liberty, the explanation of which certainly ought not to be omitted by any one proposing to give a compendious summary of Gospel doctrine. For it is a matter of primary necessity, one without the knowledge of which the conscience can scarcely attempt any thing without hesitation, in many must demur and fluctuate, and in all proceed with fickleness and trepidation. In particular, it forms a proper appendix to Justification, and is of no little service in understanding its force. "

Luther: "Justification is the key to Christian Liberty: “Therefore the first care of every Christian ought to be, to lay aside all reliance on works, and strengthen his faith alone more and more and by it grow in the knowledge, not of works, but of Christ Jesus, who has suffered and risen again for him.” Luther: Concerning Christian Liberty

Justification by faith alone in Christ alone is the key to understanding Christian liberty. In

justification we understand that Christ’s righteousness has been imputed to us. By being justified by faith alone in Christ alone, we are now free from the tyranny of sin and the condemnation of the law. We now understand that the primary way to please the Lord is to believe Him when He says that our sins are forgiven.

Luther says: "Now since these promises of God are words of holiness, truth, righteousness, liberty, and peace, and are full of universal goodness, the soul which cleaves to them with a firm faith, is so united to them, nay thoroughly absorbed by them, that it not only partakes in, but is penetrated and saturated by, all their virtue. For if the touch of Christ was healing, how much more does that most tender spiritual touch, nay absorption of the word, communicate to the soul that belongs to the word. In this way, therefore, the soul through faith alone, without works, is from the word of God justified, sanctified, endued with truth, peace, and liberty, and filled full with every good thing, and is truly made the child of God as it is said “To them gave he the power to become the sons of God, even to them that believe in his name” John 1:12"

Apart from justification by grace alone, through faith alone, in Christ alone, there is no Christian liberty. But with the benefits of Christ to us we are set free for new obedience as beloved sons of a most generous and gracious Father.

With this truth in view, we moved on to fleshing out this concept of Christian liberty in matters of conscience, matters indifferent and undefined for the New Covenant believer. Here, we made clear that these matters are not matters of the Moral Law or the ten commandments which are in perpetuity. For the believer, we always receive the Law in its first (moral) and third (normative) use. The second (civil/ceremonial) use has been fulfilled by Christ. Listen to the White Horse Inn episode cited in this Gospel Gal episode on this particular connection with Christian liberty.

With regard to Christian liberty and the weaker brother, Calvin and Luther have some very helpful direction.

Luther discusses the way in which we view our liberty as we consider our neighbors, both the weaker one and the legalist: "“A Christian man is the most free lord of all and subject to none; a Christian man is the most dutiful servant of all, and subject to everyone” - Martin Luther

“As Christ by His birthright has obtained these two dignities, so He imparts and communicates them to every believer in Him, under that law of matrimony..., by which all that is the husband's is also the wife's. Hence all we who believe on Christ are kings and priests in Christ, as it is said: "Ye are a chosen generation, a royal priesthood, an holy nation, a peculiar people; that ye should shew forth the praises of him who hath called you out of darkness into his marvellous light." (1 Pet. ii. 9.) These two things stand thus. First, as regards kingship, every Christian is by faith so exalted above all things, that, in spiritual power, he is completely lord of all things; so that nothing whatever can do him any hurt; yea, all things are subject to him, and are compelled to be subservient to his salvation. Thus Paul says: "All things work together for good to them who are the called" (Rom. viii. 28 ); and also; "Whether life, or death, or things present, or things to come: all are yours; and ye are Christ's. (I Cor. iii. 22, 23.)”

And Calvin compares two ways of erroneous ways of thinking of Christian liberty. "...those who seriously fear God will hence perceive the incomparable advantages of a doctrine which wicked scoffers are constantly assailing with their jibes; the intoxication of mind under which they labour leaving their petulance without restraint. This, therefore, seems the proper place for considering the subject. Moreover, though it has already been occasionally adverted to, there was an advantage in deferring the fuller consideration of it till now, for the moment any mention is made of Christian liberty lust begins to boil, or insane commotions arise, if a speedy restraint is not laid on those licentious spirits by whom the best things are perverted into the worst. For they either, under pretext of this liberty, shake off all obedience to God, and break out into unbridled licentiousness, or they feel indignant, thinking that all choice, order, and restraint, are abolished. What can we do when thus encompassed with straits? Are we to bid adieu to Christian liberty, in order that we may cut off all opportunity for such perilous consequences? But, as we have said, if the subject be not understood, neither Christ, nor the truth of the Gospel, nor the inward peace of the soul, is properly known."

Finally, we discuss that from which we have been freed, in order to comprehend our liberty in Christ. It is in Christ that we have been delivered from all the power and penalty of sin. And further, we have been set free to obey the God who has loved us and given Himself for us. In light of this love, we go on to serve God and neighbor with a free and good conscience.

And we remember Paul's words to us on the liberty to which we have been called, and admonishes us to throw off the legalism that so readily undermines what Christ has accomplished for us.

"5:1 For freedom, Christ set us free. Stand firm, then, and don’t submit again to a yoke of slavery. 2 Take note! I, Paul, am telling you that if you get yourselves circumcised, Christ will not benefit you at all. 3 Again I testify to every man who gets himself circumcised that he is obligated to do the entire law. 4 You who are trying to be justified by the law are alienated from Christ; you have fallen from grace. 5 For we eagerly await through the Spirit, by faith, the hope of righteousness. 6 For in Christ Jesus neither circumcision nor uncircumcision accomplishes anything; what matters is faith working through love. (Epistle to the Galatians)

Sources:

1. Michael Horton: White Horse Inn episode: "The Law and Christian Liberty" 2. Martin Luther: Concerning Christian Liberty 3. John Calvin: The Institutes of the Christian Religion

Meditation Monday #6: The Apostles Creed: "I believe...in Jesus Christ, His *only begotten Son, our *Lord..." and Lord's Day 13 (Heidelberg Catechism)

Meditation Monday: The Apostles Creed: 

"I believe...in Jesus Christ, His *only begotten Son, our *Lord..." 

and Lord's Day 13 (Heidelberg Catechism)

Marissa Namirr, Gospel Gal 

You can listen to the YouTube Episode by the same title here: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=UYR5g1EEcSo&t=15s&ab_channel=Marissa

The Creed:

I believe in God the Father Almighty,

Maker of Heaven and earth.

And in Jesus Christ, His only begotten Son, our Lord;

who was conceived by the Holy Spirit,

born of the virgin Mary;

suffered under Pontius Pilate;

was crucified, dead, and buried;

He descended into hell;

the third day He rose again from the dead;

He ascended into heaven,

and sits at the right hand of God the Father Almighty;

from there He shall come again to judge the living and the dead.

I believe in the Holy Spirit;

a holy catholic Church,

the communion of saints;

the forgiveness of sins;

the resurrection of the body;

and the life everlasting. Amen.

Lord's Day 13

33. 

Q. Why is he called God's only-begotten Son,
since we also are children of God?
A. Because Christ alone
is the eternal, natural Son of God. 1
We, however, are children of God by adoption,
through grace, for Christ's sake. 2

1.Jn 1:1-3, 14, 18; 3:16; Rom 8:32; Heb 1; 1 Jn 4:9.
2.Jn 1:12; Rom 8:14-17; Gal 4:6; Eph 1:5, 6.

With regard to Christ as the Only-Begotten and our sonship by adoption, Ursinus writes: 

"...the divine essence is communicated from the Father to Christ wholly according to his Divinity. As we are, therefore, the natural sons of our parents, so Christ is according to his divine nature the natural and only Son of God, of the same essence and nature with the Father, out of whose substance he was begotten from everlasting, in a manner altogether beyond our comprehension. “As the Father has life in himself, so also has he given to the Son to have life in himself.” (John 5:26) The Father has, therefore, communicated to him the life by which he himself lives by himself, and by which he quickens all creatures, which life is that one and eternal Deity by whom all things are. They are sons by grace, who at one and the same time began to be, and to be the sons of God. That they are sons results, either from the grace of creation, or from the grace of conception by the Holy Spirit and union with the Word... Christ alone according to his human nature is the Son of God, by the grace of conception by the Holy Spirit, and of union with the Word; because, according to this, he was the Son of God by grace, even from the very moment in which he began to be man and to be born; and that because, by virtue of the Holy Spirit, he alone was from the substance of the Virgin, pure from all stain or corruption, and was personally united with the Word. They are adopted sons who do not begin at one and the same time to be, and to be sons; but who were already before they were adopted, or who had an existence before their adoption as sons. They have been made sons by law and the will of him who has adopted them, and given them the right and title of sons, so that they occupy the same place as if they were natural sons. So Adam, after his fall, and all those who are regenerated, are the adopted sons of God, received into favor with him on account of his natural Son, Jesus Christ. All these were the children of wrath before they were adopted into the family and church of Christ.

And Olevianus writes: 

    the love of God which is in Christ Jesus.

The Westminster Shorter Catechism (Question 34) puts it simply, but also profoundly.

"Q: What is adoption?
A: Adoption is an act of God's free grace,1 whereby we are received into the number, and have a right to all the privileges of the sons of God.2"

1 John 3:1. Behold, what manner of love the Father hath bestowed upon us, that we should be called the sons of God: therefore the world knoweth us not, because it knew him not.
John 1:12. But as many as received him, to them gave he power to become the sons of God, even to them that believe on his name.
Romans 8:17. And if children, then heirs; heirs of God, and joint-heirs with Christ; if so be that we suffer with him, that we may be also glorified together.

And JI Packer describes our relationship to the Father beautifully: 
"But this is not to say that justification is the highest blessing ofthe gospel. Adoption

is higher, because of the richer relationship with God that it involves...This free gift of acquittal and peace, won for us at the cost of Calvary, is wonderful enough, in all conscience—but justification does not of itself imply any intimate or deep relationship with God the judge...But contrast this, now, with adoption. Adoption is a family idea, conceived in terms of love, and viewing God as father. In adoption, God takes us into his family and fellowship—he establishes us as his children and heirs. Closeness, affection and generosity are at the heart of the relationship. To be right with God the judge is a great thing, but to be loved and cared for by God the Father is a greater." #JIPacker #KnowingGod 

34. 

Q. Why do you call him our Lord?
A. Because he has ransomed us,
body and soul, 1
from all our sins,
not with silver or gold
but with his precious blood, 2
and has freed us
from all the power of the devil
to make us his own possession. 3

1.1 Cor 6:20; 1 Tim 2:5, 6.
2.1 Pet 1:18, 19.
3.Col 1:13, 14; Heb 2:14, 15.

With regard to Jesus Christ as Lord, Olevianus writes:  And Ursinus states:  To be Lord is to have a right over some thing or person. Christ, therefore, is our Lord and the Lord of all, 1. Because he has dominion over us, and over all things: he has a care for all things, keeps and preserves all, and especially those who have been purchased and redeemed by his blood. 2. Because all things are subject to him, and we are bound to serve him, in body and soul, that he may be glorified by us. {203} The name Lord belongs to both natures of Christ, just as that of Prophet, Priest and King; for the names of the office, benefits, dignity and beneficence of Christ towards us are affirmed of his whole person, not by the communication of properties, as the names of the two natures and attributes of Christ, but properly in respect to each nature. For both natures of Christ will and secure our redemption: the human nature paid the price of our redemption by dying for us, and the divine gives and offers to the Father this price, and applies it unto us by the Spirit. Christ is, therefore, our Lord not only in respect to his divine nature, which has created us, but also in respect to his humanity; for even in as far as he is man, the person of Christ is Lord over all angels and men." He goes on:  "Christ is our Lord, not only in one, but in many respects. 1. By right of creation, sustenance and government in its general character, as well as that which he has in common with the Father and Holy Spirit... 2. By the right of redemption peculiar to himself; because he alone is the mediator, who has redeemed us by his blood, from sin and death, delivered us from the power of the devil and set us apart for himself. The way in which we have been redeemed is most precious, because it was far greater to redeem us with his blood than with money... 3. By reason of our preservation Christ is our Lord; because he defends us even to the end, and keeps us unto eternal life, not only by preserving our bodies from injuries, but our souls also from sin. For our preservation must be understood not only concerning our first rescue from the power of the devil, but also concerning our continual preservation and the consummation of his benefits... 4. In respect to ordination or appointment; because the Father ordained the Word, or this person, Christ, to this, that he might through him accomplish all things in heaven and on earth. For Christ is our Lord not only in that he preserves us, having rescued us from the power of the devil and made us the sons of God; but also because the Father has given us to him, and has constituted him our Prince, King and Head..." On the Grace to You website, John MacArthur is quoted saying, "One thing would do more than anything else to answer every challenge to Christ’s authority: the restoration of clear, powerful, expository preaching to its rightful place at the center of all the church’s activities. If we truly believe Christ is Lord of the church, then the church needs to hear His voice. His Word must be proclaimed and its content taught accurately, systematically, and unrelentingly whenever the church comes together. Jan Hus said the same thing. Declaring that the lordship of Christ over His church means emphatically “that the Christian ought to follow the commandments of Christ...” We would agree with Hus on this point, " the Christian ought to follow the commandments of Christ." Of this there can be no doubt. We, who are sons by adoption, by the help of the Spirit begin to gratefully obey the Father, who loved us and gave His only begotten Son for us. But MacArthur fails to present the Lordship in a way that provides us with little motivation but duty and fear. Listen again to how the Reformers position us with Christ as our Lord. There is nothing but grace expounded. With Jesus as our Lord, we recognize primarily His benefits to us and our gaze does not shift from them as His Lordship is defined. He redeems us with His blood, defends us from the presense and power of sin and the devil, and preserving us to life eternal as Prophet, Priest, King and Lord. Not surprisingly, Reformation theologians viewed Christ's authority as pure grace, blessing and benefit in the life of God's children. Their teaching on the matter is cool water in a desert of funda-gelical dogma that turns the alluring Shepherd King into a lording taskmaster. But our Shepherd King and Lord beckons and woos us. He assures us of His kindness, gives Himself for us, purchases us from slavery, and leads us with a gentle hand, rather than a driving prod, all the way to glory. Thanks be to God for His faithfulness and for providing faithful teachers who have taught us about the heart of God toward us.  Sources:  1. Zacharius Ursinus Commentary on the Heidelberg Catechism 2. Caspar Olevianus Exposition of the Apostles Creed 3. The Heidelberg Catechism 4. JI Packer: Knowing God 5. The Westminster Shorter Catechism 6. John MacArthur: " The Lord of The Church" (Grace to You Website)