The Genevan Foundation

How the Protestant Reformers are Still Changing the World

Month: July 2023

A Very Fine Bookstore

July 26, 2023 /
Website Address: https://edinburghbooks.net/

There are a lot of bookstores around, but finding one that specializes in Reformed Theology and Scottish church history is pretty unique. Such a bookstore actually exists in Scotland; it is called Edinburgh Books. In addition to lots of second-hand and antiquarian volumes on a million differing subjects, they have an entire room dedicated to Scottish church history. The well-stocked bookshelves run from the floor to the ceiling! I had the privilege of visiting this fine bookstore a little over a week ago. One additional benefit is that I got to go with a very old friend–Mr. Bill Potter. Bill is an absolute expert on Scottish church history, and especially on the Scottish Covenanters. I had a lot of fun discussing the value of various books that we found on the shelves, plus it led to some “sweet discoveries” that I thought about purchasing. And so, what did I actually buy?

Here we are rummaging through the Scottish church history section like two kids in a candy shop!

In answer I have to admit that I didn’t buy as much as I wanted to buy! I had to keep in mind not only my finances, but also how much room I had in my suitcase and what it might weigh with the added weight. Specifically, I was delighted to find a hardbound copy of Prof. Jane Dawson’s well-regarded biography of John Knox; Robert Shaw’s An Exposition of the Confession of Faith; a hardbound copy of Thomas Watson’s The Ten Commandments; a collection of Roger Nicole’s theological writings; and a classic work on Scottish church history by T. Ratcliffe Barnett, The Story of the Covenant. Wow, what a spectacular haul!

Overall this was a delightful excursion, and one that I hope to repeat on my next trip to Scotland! If you ever find yourself in Edinburgh this is the bookstore you want to visit. My earnest recommendation for you is taken from the life of Augustine when a small child said to him, “Tolle Lege, Tolle Lege!“–“take up and read, take up and read!”

— Dr. Marcus J. Serven

Scotland Trip (2023)

July 25, 2023 /
Here we are exploring the ruins of St. Andrews Castle

My wife and I just returned from a glorious trip to Scotland! Once I go through all of my many pictures, I’ll post images of some of the historic and special places that we visited. But, in the meantime let me say that I was stuck by the deep and abiding sense of history throughout all of Scotland. Where else could you go in one day and visit the ancient monastery tower of St. Rule (4th Century), the site of two significant Protestant martyrs, Patrick Hamilton and George Wishart (16th Century), the grave of the beloved Presbyterian preacher and professor, Samuel Rutherford (17th Century), and also enjoy some excellent fish and chips for lunch at Cromars (21st Century)? We experienced all of this in St. Andrews, UK. It was a wonderful treat to be there and spend an entire day soaking-up all the sights and sounds of this fascinating and historic city. More insights to come…

— Dr. Marcus J. Serven

Theology Study Group–On Summer Break

July 5, 2023 /

Written by Dr. Marcus J. Serven

We had a wonderful year of studying the Protestant Reformation (September 2022 through May 2023) here at Redeemer Presbyterian Church in Austin, TX. Over the months we examined all of the key people and many of the significant events of the Reformation. Plus we had the opportunity to discuss and reflect on all the essential doctrines that emerged from this important time in history. Here is a short summary of the central doctrines of the Reformation:

  1. “By Scripture Alone” (Sola Scriptura): The Bible alone is the source of God’s revelation; it contains the Law, the Gospel, and principles for how we should live, worship and think (principium cognoscendi). At the Diet of Worms (1521) Martin Luther based his whole argument on the phrase, “My conscience is captive to the Word of God.” Thus, Sola Scriptura is commonly referred to as the “formal principle” of the Reformation (Isa. 40:8; Jn. 5:39, 10:35; 2 Tim. 3:14-17, Heb. 4:12-13).
  2. “By Christ Alone” (Solus Christus): Jesus Christ is the only name by which we may be saved. The gospel is exclusive, and only faith in Christ saves (Isa. 53:1-12; Jn. 14:6; 1 Tim. 2:5-7, Acts 4:12).
  3. “By Grace Alone” (Sola Gratia): God’s grace alone is the ground of our salvation, and this is received by faith alone. Without God’s grace no one would be saved (Ps. 31:1; Eph. 2:4-10; Tit. 2:11-14).
  4. “By Faith Alone” (Sola Fide): God-given faith is the only way to receive the imputed righteousness of Christ, which results in our justification. Luther noted, “faith is the receptive organ of justification.” Hence, the gift of faith is often referred to as the “material principle” of the Reformation. Moreover, Luther insisted that justification by faith is,“the article upon which the Church stands or falls” (justificatio est articulus stantis et cadentis ecclesiae). See the following Bible passages which clearly prove this point (Hab. 2:4; Rom. 1:16-17, 3:28; Eph. 2:8-9; Tit. 3:5-7).
  5. “Before the face of God” (Coram Deo): Christians are exhorted by the Bible to live all of life in the presence of God. This implies that there is no area of life where we do not have “business with God” (Negotium cum Deo). Christ is Lord over all (Prov. 15:3; Eph. 5:1-21; Col. 3:1-17).
  6. “To God Be the Glory” (Soli Deo Gloria): God alone is the proper recipient of our gratitude in the matter of salvation and the Christian life (1 Cor. 10:31; Tit. 3:5-7; 1 Pt. 4:10-11).
  7. “The Priesthood of Every Believer” (Communio Sanctorum): Every believer is exhorted by God to live-out the Christian life as a “holy venture” that pleases God (1 Pt. 2:9-10). Our sanctification and assurance of salvation are based solely upon the finished work of Jesus Christ on the Cross (Rom.  12:1-2; 1 Jn. 1:9, 5:13; 1 Pt. 2:21-25).
  8. “After Darkness, Light” (Post Tenebras Lux): This was the town motto of Geneva, Switzerland during the time of the Reformation. It reflects the wonderful deliverance from their former way of life that the local population came to feel as they lived by the doctrines of the Bible (Jn. 3:19-21 and 8:12; Eph. 4:17-32; Col. 1:13-14).
  9. “The Church reformed, always reforming” (Ecclesia Reformata, Semper Reformanda): This slogan does not mean that the Church is always seeking to be “in step” with modern contemporary culture. Instead, it means that the Church of Jesus Christ is always measuring its doctrine and practices by Holy Scripture and reforming it when necessary. Only in this way does the Church keep itself pure and fit for service unto the Lord (Rom. 12:1-2).  

Here is a picture of our intrepid classmates (minus a few individuals who were away on the final day):

Also, a few weeks prior several of us enjoyed a fun luncheon after class at Pok-E-Joe’s BBQ here in Austin. These kinds of informal gatherings allow us to continue talking about what we are learning, while also building good friendships.

Lastly, I’ll announce the details for next year’s class soon! We plan to resume our studies on Thursday, September 14th.

— Dr. Marcus J. Serven

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