WCF- ordo salutis, law, worship

We had a fun lecture last Wednesday. Well I had fun!

We looked at the ordo salutis in the WCF. A very important and practical topic. I argued that the Gaffin approach which finds the basis of the whole ordo in union with Christ is a good way forward. I also argued that justification on the basis of imputation is essential for reformed, biblical theology. I noted that some people wonder if it is "Christ's righteouness" which is imputed, and I suggested that when you see that justification is on the basis of the work of Christ and given in union with Christ then that is what the WCF means by "imputation of Christ's righteousness". I don't think there are any NT passages which support a doctrine of the imputation of Christ's prescriptive (i.e. active) obedience, and I suggested that the "other" element in justification, along with the cross, is resurrection (c.f. Rom 4:25). I left you to read the notes on the other chapters. The discussion of assurance is specially important, since it shows how the teaching on the decrees and effectual call worked out pastorally.

Tim got us talking about the place of the law in the Christian life and the WCF's three-fold division.

Steve led us in discussing the WCF's view of worship. We talked about the regulative principle and the Sabbath.

Any comments?