The Westminster Assembly Project, best known for the edition of Assembly minutes and papers to be published by Oxford University Press, has now entered an extensive publishing agreement with Reformation Heritage Books.

John Bower has joined historian Chad Van Dixhoorn in launching three new series of books by the Westminster Assembly, and one series of new and classic studies on the Assembly, all being published by Reformation Heritage Books. It is hoped that both texts and studies will stimulate further research in the Assembly and the religious dimension of English civil war politics. Certainly future publications on British post-Reformation theology and Puritanism will be enriched by these publications, briefly described here.

Principal Documents of the Westminster Assembly. This series will produce the six chief works authored by the Assembly for covenanted uniformity of religion in England: the Confession of Faith, Larger Catechism, Shorter Catechism, Directory for Public Worship, Directory for Church Government, and The Psalter. Each volume will contain a historical introduction, a critical text, and multi-column comparisons of original manuscripts and early editions. The inaugural volume, The Larger Catechism, has been prepared by John Bower and scheduled for a launch in March 2010.

Writings of the Westminster Divines. The aim of this series is to provide scholarly editions of texts by Westminster Assembly members and commissioners. Volumes will include previously unpublished manuscripts as well as republications of rare editions. Carefully determined editorial standards will be used to ensure an authoritative product that is accessible to modern readers, while remaining reliable for students and scholars.

Westminster Assembly Facsimiles. With this new series, Reformation Heritage Books and the Westminster Assembly Project are providing electronic and print access to publications by Assembly members in their original form. Free PDF downloads will be made available through the Westminster Assembly Project website. The same text can be purchased for your collection in paperback and hard cover from Reformation Heritage Books.

Studies of the Westminster Assembly. Complementing the primary source material in the other series, the Assembly studies will provide access to classic studies that have not been reprinted and to new studies, providing some of the best existing research on the Assembly and its members.

For more information visit the Westminster Assembly Project. Be sure to check for more information on and about this project at our RHB website and blog.

A few years ago I was sitting with an old Pastor who had labored faithfully in one congregation for decades and yet had seen little or no "growth" in his flock. I asked him if he ever got jealous when he saw other congregations growing and other ministers being used in the salvation of souls. "I used to," he replied, "and I still long to be a blessing to precious souls. However I came to realize that while God's work through me was important, God's work in me was even more important." I was puzzled and asked him to expand a bit. "Well, I have come to realize that God may have put me into the ministry primarily for my own sanctification." This startling thought has often encouraged me in my low times. And it has kept a check on me in times of blessing too. The Christian Church has all too many examples of men who have focused on God's working through them, to the neglect of God's work in them. Fellow pastors and preachers, God has called you into the ministry not only to work through you but also (primarily?) to work in you. As you face another Sunday pastoring your flock, with all its challenges, frustrations, and disappointments, remember this memorable image painted by Dave Evans: "Work is God's sandbox. He invites His children to play together in ways that help to grow them into who they are to become."

You can read Dave Evans excellent article on work here.

Read more like this at Dr. Murray's own personal blog, Head Heart Hand.

Taken from the Reformed Forum,

"Christ the Center is pleased to welcome Dr. Joel Beeke to discuss Meet the Puritans, which he wrote with Randall J. Pederson.  This volume is a wonderful collection of short biographies as well as a guide to modern reprints of many Puritan theologians.  Dr. Beeke serves as President and Professor of Systematic Theology, Church History, and Homiletics at Puritan Reformed Theological Seminary and brings a wealth of knowledge to this episode."

Listen here: Dr. Joel Beeke's interview on Christ the Center

Purchase here: Meet The Puritans

Use the coupon code "Puritan" when checking out at Reformation Heritage Books and receive $5.00 off.

51% of the Fortune 500 companies began in a recession (according to the Kaufmann Foundation). This partly explains why Clayton Christsensen, a Harvard business school professor, has claimed that the recession "would have an unmitigated positive impact on innovation...The breakthrough innovations come when the tension is greatest and the resources are most limited. That's when people are actually a lot more open to rethinking the fundamental way they do business." In other words, scarcity can be an opportunity, a boon rather than a bane.

That's a truth in the spiritual realm as well, and provides the flip side to the previous post about the risk of catastrophic victory. There is the possibility of a blessed "defeat" for the Church or the Christian. We would not have Psalm 51 without David's spiritual recession. We would not have Paul's letters to the New Testament churches without their divisions and disasters.

I've seen churches lose half their members and prayer meetings come alive. I've seen pastors leave churches "in the lurch" but "coasting" elders transformed into leaders. I've seen Christians lose their income and grow in grace. I've seen Christians lose loved ones in tragic circumstances and grow in love to God. I've seen a murderer sentenced to life imprisonment find true freedom in Christ. Spiritual recession, scarcity and loss provide us with opportunity for spiritual breakthroughs and for fundamental re-thinking of our spiritual lives. How can you turn your defeat into a victory, your bane into a boon, your recession into prosperity?

Read more like this at Dr. Murray's own personal blog, Head Heart Hand.

Online registration is now available here

Conference Pricing (per participant):

Early Registration (through August 14th): $65.00

Regular Registration (August 16th-24th): $90.00

Students (includes college and seminary students and their spouses): $25.00

Single Day: $25.00

Registration closed at the end of business day August 24, 2010

Conference accommodations at the Prince Center are limited to 450 attendees, so sign-up early to avoid disappointment. 

Send all questions and/or comments related to the Puritan Reformed Conference to Chris Hanna or call at 616.977.0599, ex. 138. You may write the seminary at 2965 Leonard Street NE, Grand Rapids, MI 49525.

The whole gospel is contained in Christ. -John Calvin

In His life, Christ is an example, showing us how to live; in His death, He is a sacrifice, satisfying for our sin; in His resurrection, a conqueror; in His ascension, a king; in His intercession, a high priest.             --Martin Luther

No man ever errs on the side of giving too much honor to God the Son. No man ever thought too much of Christ. There is an infinite fullness in Christ.           -J.C. Ryle

Unless your vision of Christ is as large as it can possibly be, you will always be in danger of heresy. --Donald English

Dear Friends,

       I am excited to invite you to the second annual Puritan Reformed conference. We are delighted to be hosting this year's event August 26 - 28, at the beautiful Prince Conference Center, on the campus of Calvin College and Seminary, in Grand Rapids. Last year's turnout was tremendous, and the response to the conference was overwhelmingly positive. Many of you said you were looking forward to coming back this year.

         We feel deeply about our conference theme this year: "The Beauty and Glory of Christ." By the Spirit's grace, we long to saturate your mind and soul for two and a half days with this glorious theme of Christ, who is the hope of our glory and the glory of our hope.

         As a Reformed Christian, I am convinced that to be truly evangelical, one must embrace doctrinally and experientially the Reformation's major tenets: sola gratia, sola fide, solus Christus, sola scriptura, and soli Deo gloria. At the heart of these stalwart truths is solus Christus (Christ alone). "Christ alone" is our life and salvation, our beauty and glory.

         Please join us at the Puritan Reformed Conference, August 26-28. Hear some of the world's finest speakers on the grandest of all subjects. Plumb the depths of God's holy Word with us on the beautiful, glorious Savior and Lord, whose "legs are as pillars of marble" (Song of Sol. 5:15), for He is strong and steadfast and is "altogether lovely" (v. 16). As Thomas Brooks said, "Christ is lovely, Christ is very lovely, Christ is most lovely, Christ is always lovely, Christ is altogether lovely. Christ is the most sparkling diamond in the ring of glory."

         If you are new to the Reformed faith, you will find no better way to meet likeminded believers and to find encouragement in your walk with Christ than to attend this year's Puritan Reformed Conference. Once again, we have kept your cost of the conference well below our cost, not wanting to hinder anyone from attending. Donations to help cover our shortfall are most appreciated.

         Pray for Chris Hanna and our team at Puritan Reformed Seminary as we prepare for another wonderful conference. Pray that God will do far more than we can ask or think (Eph. 3:20) to revive our souls at this conference with His superlative Son.

         As I write this in late January, we are going to press with a beautiful book, Calvin for the 21^st Century, containing edited versions of last year's fifteen conference addresses. As editor of this 300-page book, I know its worth. If you sign up for this year's conference by the early registration deadline and include $10 extra, we'll send you this $25 book.

         I hope to see you in August, Lord willing.

Warmly, in the Master's service,

Joel Beeke

The passage of the present health care bill will be a catastrophic victory for President Obama. So argues Peggy Noonan in her most recent WSJ article as she analyzes the administration's misjudgment of the public mood. Noonan also looks back at catastrophic victories for previous administrations and predicts that the Republicans risk a catastrophic victory in the 2010 elections.

Perhaps Noonan has inadvertently provided an explanation for why the church of Christ is often defeated, divided, and depleted? God is saving her from the risk of catastrophic victory - a victory which would result in long-term harm rather than health. In the Old Testament, God could have given Israel total victory. Instead He allowed hostile nations to remain as thorns in their sides to keep His people needy, humble, and looking to Christ through sacrifice (Judges 2:3-4). In the New Testament, God could have established perfect churches. Instead we find the Corinthians, the Galatians, the Thessalonians, etc, with all their problems and needs.

And perhaps this explains our personal defeats and disasters as well. Like Paul we are given thorns in our flesh lest we should be "exalted above measure" (2 Cor. 12:7). This thorn kept Paul needy and seeking Christ's all-sufficient grace.

In other words, though the Devil can turn our victories into defeats, God can turn our defeats into victories.

Read more like this at Dr. Murray's own personal blog, Head Heart Hand. 

Title: Admissions and Registrar Assistant

Goal of Position: Assisting the admissions director and registrar with admissions, enrollment, scheduling, and student files.

Possible Responsibilities:

·       Maintain student transcripts; track required courses for each student

·       Plan and implement all seminary course schedules

·       Schedule and conduct recruiting visits

·       Track the applicants' admissions progress

·       Conduct initial student counseling for course selections

·       Plan and manage student support events and accommodations

·       Maintain current and prospective student data files

·       Maintain contact with all professors for scheduling, maintaining syllabi, providing and collating course evaluations and proctoring exams.

·        Facilitate text book orders

·       Assist the admissions director, faculty, librarian, and staff as team member.

Report to: Admissions Director 

Required skills include:

-        facility with data entry software, Microsoft office, spread sheets, and communication technology.

-        excellent communication skills

-        ability to work with and for a variety of people

Qualifications include:

-        evident commitment to God's Word and His Christ

-        an associate or higher degree in post-secondary education

-        teachable

-        confidential

Position expectations:  part-time (50%) 2010/2011 possibly full time thereafter

Salary and Benefits are commensurate with qualifications and experience. 

Employment to begin with 2010 academic year, August 30, 2010

Contact Henk Kleyn, admissions director  or mail resume with cover letter to Puritan Reformed Theological Seminary, 2965 Leonard Street NE. Grand Rapids, MI 49525.  Telephone 616-977-0599 ext. 120 or fax 616-285-3246