Posts by Carl Trueman

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It's been interesting seeing some of the sharp rhetoric being used about Christian voting over the last few weeks, rhetoric that has if anything become more extreme in the last twenty-four hours. But here's the thing: if you are a pastor who thinks an evangelical who voted for Trump has...
Reformation Day 1516 brings us to the final year countdown to the 500th anniversary of Luther's call for a debate about the nature and scope of indulgences, the event which is popularly seen as the start of the Reformation. It promises to be a busy year for Luther maniacs like myself and here...
If reading about Luther’s life is essential as a means of orienting you to understanding his theology, the next thing is to read that theology for yourself. If you have Latin and German and access to a decent theological library, then the Weimar edition of Luther’s works is an option...
As October looms, so does Reformation season. And this year, of course, we stand on the threshold of the 500 th anniversary of the posting by Luther of his Ninety-Five Theses Against Indulgences . Next year will no doubt bring a bumper crop of Lutherana in its wake but in a series of posts over the...
As 2017, the 500th anniversary of the nailing of the Ninety-Five Theses to that infamous door, looms, we can expect a deluge of Luther materials. It is going to be the nearest thing to church history heaven on earth for those of us who love the Doc. Almost first out of the blocks, it seems, is an...
A few weeks ago I received a small package from a man announcing himself as the father of one Wendell Kimbrough, and containing his son's new cd of Psalms. I always wince at such arrivals on the grounds that I fear I am going to have to come perilously close to breaking the Ninth Commandment...
I use the ESV and so does my church. I enjoy it as a translation, though sometimes prefer the TNIV for narrative sections. I am no biblical linguist, so that is a purely aesthetic judgment based upon readability. Scot McKnight just posted an interesting and typically provocative analysis of the...


Why has this Trinitarian issue generated such passion? Given the fact that the EFS/ERAS/anti-eternal generation view has been shown to be wrong, why has there been no ‘We’re sorry we misled the church for so long. We recant our errors. We resolve to do better in the future.’?...
I was interviewed on Wednesday for a forthcoming movie about the New Calvinism. Afterwards, the interviewer commented on how kind and charitable my comments had been compared to my writings on the subject. I responded that that was of course the case – in the movie, I was speaking for and...
Rachel Miller has a fine post tracing the relationship between CBMW and EFS/ERAS. It is also helpful in highlighting connections (which I was told I misrepresented in my first post on the subject) between various of the headlining Big Eva organizations. I am perplexed that a Christian organization...
Perhaps the most significant result of the recent Trinity/complementarian combat has been the way it has hopefully revealed to a wider audience what has been clear to many for a long time: the economy of power and influence that exists outside the formal denominational structures of the...
We see that Dr. Ware has issued an open letter to the three of us. Over the last four weeks, Dr. Ware's critics have offered on this webpage and elsewhere masses of evidence and argument demonstrating that his position is not consistent with Nicene Trinitarianism and that his use of Nicene...
I commented right at the start of the Trinitarian discussion that, while scripture has gripped the evangelical mind when it comes to the roots of serious theological error, it is the doctrine of God which has historically and theologically more often been the culprit. The statement below from...
Those who receive the podcast link by email will have been shocked to see that Rod Dreher is -- or was for a brief time (seven and a half hours, to be precise) -- an Anglican. The Mad Woman in the Attic is responsible for the blurbs. What can I say about the Mad Woman? Can't live with her; can...
A couple of weeks ago I raised the question of the ecumenical implications of the current discussion of Nicene Trinitarianism for evangelicalism. Since then it has become clear that there seem to be three basic reactions to the debate from within the evangelical camp. The theologians in the cross...
When the Spin posted the first of Liam’s articles a few weeks ago, somebody asked me how I thought things would develop. Based on past experience of such things, I predicted behind-the-scenes shenanigans to shut down the discussion; relentless criticisms of 'tone' pitched in a '...
One of the really encouraging things about the debate of the last few weeks is the number of Christians who have contacted various of us involved, wanting to know more about the classical, orthodox doctrine of the Trinity. Over at his blog , Mark Jones has published a useful annotated bibliography...
One of the really encouraging things about the debate of the last few weeks is the number of Christians who have contacted various of us involved, wanting to know more about the classical, orthodox doctrine of the Trinity. Over at his blog , Mark Jones has published a useful annotated bibliography...
Kyle Claunch has offered some thoughtful reflections on my use of his words in the current Trinitarian debate and indeed on the discussion as a whole. I will not comment on his post in detail but there is one question which he raises to which I will offer a very brief answer: Can we not (and should...
I am glad to see that Dr. Albert Mohler has entered the discussion of the Trinity and Nicene orthodoxy with a firm but measured and gracious piece on his blog. Again, though, I believe some friendly clarifications are in order by way of response, in the hope that these will help focus and shape...
I do not have the time to respond to all of Dr. Grudem’s Ref21 post . His use of the sources is critiqued in detail elsewhere . But as I am named in his piece, some remarks are in order. There are a few strange moments. For example, Grudem quotes Bruce Ware in support of his position. Now,...
A recent blog post by Sammy Rhodes , a minister in the PCA and RUF chaplain, has caused something of a storm. Pitched as an apology by a theological conservative to the LGBTQ community in the wake of the Orlando massacre, it makes interesting reading. Rhodes is, he says, speaking mainly for himself...
Carlton Wynne, my neighbor in the Bowels of the Earth at Westminster, ST prof, and stalwart of Cornerstone Presbyterian Church, offers some thoughts on the Trinity while I head off briefly to Ref21 to address LGBTQ matters. **** Properly identifying the God of Scripture and his relationship to...
UPDATE: Professor Denny Burk (with whom I have always previously enjoyed a cordial relationship and who is a brother in Christ, whatever our disagreements on this issue) has contacted me to offer to delete the relevant Twitter discussion and to assure me that he in no way meant to call into...
I am delighted (We are not worthy!) to be able to publish the following guest post from my friend and mentor, John Calvin, as a rejoinder to those who think 1Cor. 11:3 is a knockdown argument for eternal submission and its relevance to understanding male-female relations. He also asked me to warn...
Wayne Grudem -- with whom I do share a cordial personal relationship (politics and now Nicene issues aside) -- has weighed in on the issue of the day. Again, I am grateful for the measured but firm response. To respond: I accuse no-one of rejecting the Nicene Creed of 325 , as he states (at least...
Over at ref21 my Alliance colleague Nick Batzig has, at my request, graciously allowed a non-Alliance author, Bruce Ware, to offer a measured but firm reply to Liam Goligher and myself. I am also thankful to Denny Burk for passing on a copy to me in advance, with Bruce Ware’s permission. I...
The two timely posts by friend of MoS, Liam Goligher, have focused very specifically on the revision of the doctrine of God being offered, and endorsed, by some leading complementarians. Frankly, as Liam points out, we need to keep our issues with the earthly politics of gender out of our...
I have always been fascinated by the fact that, when Elijah scores his spectacular victory on Mount Carmel, he almost immediately plunges into depression. More fascinating, however, is the LORD’s response. The first thing He does is make sure that Elijah has food and rest. While Christians...
With human identity now up for grabs and the legal and cultural nastiness surrounding such issues escalating at a disturbing pace, churches need to be prepared for what is coming. There are three areas, related but distinct, which pastors and church people need to be aware of: the particular...
This just in from our Geordie critic. Notice there is no reference to the Reg Dwight problem, though I am prepared to concede the last point. Indeed this video proves both Knopfler's guitar pre-eminence and DS's complete lack of cool. I mean -- those dance moves???? TO: THE MONSIGNOR OF...
The indefatigable Rachel Miller is telling another tale . Or is it the same one? I'm losing count at this point. Given the scale of the evidence (once again) one wonders what some people have to do to lose credibility in the Christian world. But it is the Year of the Donald, I guess -- though...
Dear Carl, Many thanks for your recent article on this book which I read a little while ago. Although I am of a different churchmanship [CRT: there is only one churchmanship; if you are of a different one....] and am unacquainted with some of the background, this is indeed a very sad book. [CRT...
A friend brought my attention to this first-hand account , given in a review of David Randall's book and describing events which Randall himself recounts, of the way in which the 'not a hill to die on' strategy proved so disastrous in the Church of Scotland. It is a sobering reminder...
When Willie Philip led his congregation out of the Church of Scotland in 2012, he asked if I would write to the Presbytery of Glasgow, to plead with them to be reasonable over the legal issues surrounding the building. Willie and I had then known each other for nigh on twenty-five years, since the...
Church membership – that formal, public means of expressing your commitment to a congregation and of that congregation's commitment to you – is an important, in fact a vital, non-negotiable, part of being a Christian. As James Bannerman commented, the New Testament knows nothing of...
The Spin was told last week that the Big Eva Establishment will likely not engage us on the complementarianism issue because of our decision to adopt a tone of mockery relative to certain expressions of the movement. Being ridiculed is, of course, an occupational hazard for those who say ridiculous...
As a taster of what is to come on the Spin podcast -- we spent today recording and pulled in some high-powered guests. Tony Esolen -- Renaissance man, professor of English, translator of Dante, scourge of Fox News ('It was like trying to explain quantum physics to a golden retriever') --...
The prize for the most confusing statement of the day (and maybe the week) goes to the Gospel Coalition, who apparently found this statement worth tweeting : "It’s more masculine to be attracted to men yet obedient to God than attracted to women and disobedient to God." You can read...
My trip to Belfast last week to speak for the Reformed Presbyterians and the Evangelical Presbyterians was a great reminder of the truth of Chrissie Hynde’s lyric, some things change, some stay the same. As to staying the same, I find that every time I visit Ulster I am invited to some...
Last week’s post brought some of the usual reactions – Why do I write about celebrity all the time? Why do I appear to be hitting friends? Given that my arguments seem in danger of being dismissed because of perceived flaws in my character and motivation, some response to personal...
La Diva just sent me this comment from her blog which she was 'so humbled' to receive: Aimee. More and more you demonstrate fine writing and clear thinking [CRT: She's hanging out with me. Hey, some of my magic was bound to rub off]. It is also apparent to me that you are twice as smart...
Analyses of the ‘Trump Moment’ in American politics vary in the details but what is clear is that disillusionment with the Washington Establishment -- oft touted in previous elections but rarely seen as having practical electoral significance – might finally be having an impact...
This just in from an Australian reader who takes exception to my advice on London hostelries. Always happy to offer constructive response to those who need some guidance on life's questions: Dear Dr Carl, I used to admire your wit and intelligence [CRT: Good man! Though the past tense gives...
I am happy to give blog space to a guest post by Mark Jones, furthering the conversation on the theology of the recent creed from Ligonier: Mark writes: “We affirm that as truly man, Christ possesses all the natural limitations and common infirmities of human nature and that He is like us in...
As is well known, the Spin Team are more than happy to answer listeners' questions and here is one that came in yesterday, reprinted here with permission and commentary: Hello Dr. Trueman! My name is ***** and I'm a prospective student of Westminster. Firstly, I've been listening to...
In wake of my product placement post , a correspondent recently drew my attention to the rise of the Reformed celebrity endorsement as a most unwholesome phenomenon. Of course, such things are not entirely new. Book commendations are an example of such. I have done plenty – far too many...
The arrival of a new Christological creed from Ligonier Ministries raises some helpful questions. Over at Reformation 21, Mark Jones seems generally appreciative of the intention while critical of some of the theological shortcomings and wording of the various documents. Yet, while sharing Jones...
For any who missed it, the people at Canon Press have released a statement on the recent plagiarism issues. It should reassure the True Believers, provide fodder for those interested in researching the interconnections of personalities and publishing (but please remember -- do not use an uncredited...
Pruitt and La Diva have, as usual, pointed out the obvious: The problems of a culture where women are expected to have agonies of conscience over whether to give travel directions to a man who is lost, or whether to serve as a police officer, but where it is fine to share a gospel platform with a...