Derek J. Brown Doctrine of Salvation

Justified by Works? Sola Fide (Faith Alone) and James 2:24

Roman Catholic theologians turn to James 2:24 to argue their case that justification is according to works. There is good reason for this. James says explicitly: “You see that a person is justified by works and not by faith alone” (James 2:24). We need to get a solid grasp on this passage so we can … Continue reading Justified by Works? Sola Fide (Faith Alone) and James 2:24

Derek J. Brown Christology

Christ Alone as the Center of the Reformation Distinctives

Is there a "center" of the Reformation distinctives (Scripture alone, Faith alone, Grace alone, Christ Alone, Glory of God alone)? Yes, there is, according to Michael Reeves in his foreword to Steve Wellum's excellent book, Christ Alone: The Uniqueness of Christ as Savior. Reeves argues that we must keep Christ at the center of these Reformation … Continue reading Christ Alone as the Center of the Reformation Distinctives

Derek J. Brown Doctrine of Scripture

Scripture Alone or Faith Alone: What Sola Should Come First?

When we write or teach on the solas of the Reformation, with which distinctive should we begin? In the end, this is probably a matter of preference, but after completing Reeves and Chester's (excellent) book Why the Reformation Still Matters and pondering how I would begin our young adult's study on the Reformation, I was forced to … Continue reading Scripture Alone or Faith Alone: What Sola Should Come First?

Derek J. Brown Book Reviews

‘Why the Reformation Still Matters’ by Michael Reeves and Tim Chester

Five hundred years ago this October 31st, a young Augustinian monk, disturbed about the Roman Catholic Church’s many pastoral abuses and doctrinal aberrations, nailed to a church door in Wittenberg, Germany, a list of topics he wanted to debate with the local religious authorities. Although he didn’t realize it at the time, Martin Luther’s “95 … Continue reading ‘Why the Reformation Still Matters’ by Michael Reeves and Tim Chester