The following are some of the huge number of resources available to those who wish to understand Reformed theology or interact with other Reformed thinking people online. Be aware that the value of the information available at any of the sites listed below will depend on the accuracy of the opinions of the person making the data known as well as the maker of the opinion in the first place. The Reformed Sentinel does view these sites as useful to Reformed thinking people but does not guarantee there are no errors promulgated there. I wouldn't even guarantee that of my own views - since I don't know everything as clearly as God does - though I do my best to avoid error wherever possible.
Publishers
Banner of Truth Trust One of the best sources for Puritan and Reformed books, the Banner of Truth Trust has consistently sought to provide the reader with an accurate view of what the author wrote. The Trust has always been concerned with more than just theological soundness, it has sought to provide something of the spirit of the Reformers and Puritans. Its books, therefore, are far more than merely theological resources.
Grace Treasures at Lulu.com This is a relatively new site for me. I discovered it by searching for John Angell James and his "A Call for an Earnest Ministry." Then I found they had many other books available which are equally valuable. The prices seemed reasonable and apart from the magazine which I have not assessed the books were of well-respected Reformed ministers.
Presbyterian and Reformed Publishing If I were to be limited to just two publishing companies as the source of my books, this would be right up alongside the Banner of Truth Trust. In more than 50 years of watching the spiritual and doctrinal value of the books they publish they have been consistently careful to choose those which are pure gold. Thankfully their faithful labour has encouraged other publishing endeavours to believe there is a market for solidly Reformed theological books as well as Reformed doctrine written for the more popular market.
Reformed Heritage Books A source for good Reformed books. One of the features of this site is they sell new books for reduced prices and used books for further reduced prices. For most ministers this is one of the greatest blessings - book are always expensive.
Church Websites:
Baptist
Association of Reformed Baptist Churches of America Begun in May of 1997, the Reformed Baptist Association has (according to their website) over 60 Churches nationwide. The Church Directory gives a listing of member churches with contact details listed by State (for the USA) and Province (for those in Canada). Details are also on the website to show a local Church how to apply for membership.
Southern Baptist Convention One of the few nationwide Baptist associations that publicly attempts to remain Biblical in outlook, the convention has undergone a number of upheavals in the past few years. It was based on the 1689 London Confession and its member churches have sometimes been known as Calvinistic (or Particular) Baptists.
Congregational
Evangelical Association of Reformed and Congregational Churches This is one of the few links I found to Congregational Churches. It is questionable whether the Churches it represents are actually Reformed in theology but, with Congregational polity it is hard to say. Any further information will be appreciated.
Evangelical Fellowship of Congregational Churches Historical descendants of the congregational Puritans, the fellowship exists "to provide like-minded churches with a means of mutual encouragement and support." This is because the complete independence of the local Church does not allow for any organizational structure above that of the local congregation. This is a United Kingdom fellowship.
Presbyterians (based on the Westminster Standards)
Evangelical Presbyterian Church This Church has sought to deal innovatively with the conformity required of a confessional Church and the variety in freedom of opinion allowed under the terms of the Westminster Confession of Faith. That they may have opened the door to future problems does not detract from the fact that they are seeking to be faithful to the spirit and law of the Confession of Faith. They are also a part of the Alliance of Confessing Evangelicals.
Orthodox Presbyterian Church The home website of many of the ministers I called friend and colleague in my younger days. Some are now retired, some have attained their reward and some still working. The OPC does not tend to be stampeded into hasty decisions and many of its decisions are well worth considering before making up your mind on an issue of the present day. However, it is worth remembering that the Westminster Assembly, also an august body of whom the same could be said, encouraged us to believe that all councils of men do err and have erred so that the final authority in any controversy is to be none other than the Holy Spirit speaking through the words of the Old and New Testaments in the original autographs.
Presbyterian Church of Eastern Australia One of the group of Churches I was associated with as a student. Their ministers are well-studied and write thought-provoking articles well worth the reading. I would highly recommend an article at this site on the "Kingdom of God," which reminds us that this was Jesus' great concern and one which we tend to neglect in our preaching and teaching.
Presbyterian (based on a broader base than the Westminster Standards)
CREC Main website There are some of my readers who may consider this group does not deserve to be included as a Reformed Resource alongside some of the other Church groups listed here. For the present I am convinced that their views are focused on an area of which the confessions are silent: The place and role of those in the visible Church who, though outwardly members, do not have saving grace as the Confession describes it. This means that their views are intended to fit alongside the more traditional doctrines rather than to replace them. They are included because I find I have arrived (independently of them) at many of the same conclusions.
Reformed Churches of New Zealand Based on both the Westminster Standards and the Three Forms of Unity The RCoNZ is unusual confessionally. The differences of Bible interpretation between the standards has led to many debates on seemingly minor topics. The accords reached and the respect given to the confessional standards makes this one of the key witnesses to the Reformed faith in New Zealand, if not the wider Reformed community. Though I had differences with them in the past it is possible they have since changed their approach sufficiently to overcome those difficulties. They are, if nothing else, responsive to changes in society and do what they can to maintain a faithful witness as they understand it.
Reformed (Presbyterians, based on the "Three Forms of Unity")
Canadian and American Reformed Churches This is the website for the Canadian and American Reformed Churches. They appear to be linked with the Free Reformed Churches in the Nederlands (Gereformeerde Kerken van der Nederlands (Vriegemachte)). The number of local churches now numbers just over 50, with an additional 2 house congregations. They are to be found in the provinces of British Columbia, Alberta, Manitoba and Ontario, as well as in the American states of Washington, Michigan, Pennsylvania, Maryland and Colorado.
Online Libraries and Archives
The Highway The Highway abounds with articles written by the spiritual giants of the past as well as few by modern writers. The concern to be Scriptural and historically faithful to the Reformed Faith is commendable and challenges much of what has become acceptable in today's Churches. While not always agreeing with what has been chosen to publish it is true that, before making a final determination of your stand on a particular subject, it is helpful to consult what has been said in the past. As an online resource, then, The Highway is well worth including in your bookmarks on your browser.
Monergism. A useful resource for both articles and books. More a link site than a pure online library, it is a very useful way to research a particular topic. Reformed literature, CDs, DVDs, and articles are determined to be "Reformed" from a soteriological viewpoint as is to be expected from any interdenominational group. What is a little surprising is the polemic spirit with which some varieties of Reformed thinking in our age are treated. It is to be expected of those authors cited from the past but surely not among those who seek to serve the differing denominations who trace their origins back to the Reformers. Nevertheless much of what is available here is gold and well worth the reading.
Third Millenium This is an emagazine which includes a discussion board. The published magazine may be ordered (for free) when signing up and the discussion board allows for discussion of the contents of the magazines. The worth of the discussions varies widely but the content of the magazine is pretty uniformly good.
Interdenominational Support organizations
Alliance of Confessing Evangelicals Based on the Cambridge Declaration of 1996 this alliance seeks to encourage a return to Biblical Preaching, thoroughly Biblical exegesis and a Biblical ethic. It is working for the reformation of the nation by these means. The Alliance interprets the word "Evangelical" to mean those who stand in the footsteps of the Reformers - since it was one of the early titles used by the Reformed for themselves.
Desiring God - John Piper's Site The Desiring God organization has also hosted conferences to do with Calvinism (which is the reason for its inclusion under this heading). This is one the best Reformed Baptist sites if you are wanting challenging thoughts and sound (albeit from a Baptist perspective) theologically informed comments. His interactions with many of the leading thinkers of our time make him worth reading even if you disagree with his conclusions because he usually raises issues that deserve to be considered.
Institute for Creation Research If you believe in a young earth and the day length in Genesis 1 and 2 to be 24-hour days then this is one of the sites you ought to become familiar with. The institute is a group of research scientists who are experts in their fields. Their papers are designed to provide a scientifically feasible defence of the premise "that belief in the findings science is compatible with a literal interpretation of Genesis 1 and 2." There are sites which present a more popular approach in support of the same premise.
International Council of Reformed Churches In many ways the vision which moved many in the Reformed Ecumenical Synod towards the idea of a truly international Reformed Church has been carried on by the work of this council since its founding in 1982. It expresses its five-fold purpose as: 1. to express and promote the unity of faith that the member churches have in Christ; 2. to encourage the fullest ecclesiastical fellowship among the member churches; 3. to encourage cooperation among the member churches in the fulfillment of the missionary and other mandates; 4. to study the common problems and issues that confront the member churches and to aim for recommendations with respect to these matters; 5. to present a Reformed testimony to the world.
Reformed Ecumenical Council Formerly known as the Reformed Ecumenical Synod it was the hope of the founders that as Reformed Churches became a part of the Synod a true international Church would be realized. Such, however, was not to be the case and the change of name to Reformed Ecumenical Council reflects that awareness.
World Alliance of Reformed Churches The main website of the organization which is slated to amalgamate with the Reformed Ecumenical Synod in June of 2010. Both WARC and the REC have information about this merger on their websites.
A Matter of Life and Death (Amy Mantravadi)
4 years ago
