Reformation on SermonAudio

Preached in Newcastle-Under-Lyme, England, UK

In this lecture, Jonathan Arnold teaches that the canon of Scripture consists of books inspired by God and providentially preserved, whose authority the church recognises rather than confers. The Protestant canon of sixty-six books reflects this principle, upheld through the early church and Reformation. Scripture's authority rests upon its Divine origin, internal harmony, spiritual power, and the inward witness of the Holy Spirit. The Apocrypha, although historically included in some Bibles for reading, does not possess inspired authority and cannot establish doctrine. Confidence in God's preservation extends to Scripture's contents. Believers are therefore called to receive, study, and obey God's Word as the rule of faith and life.

In this episode, John Unger sits down with Pastor Cogbill and Pastor Ahlenius to discuss questions on the ties between the Church and the individual Christian. What does it mean to be a part of the catholic (or universal) church? Must we attend a local church in order to be a part of Christ's body? What did the Westminster Divines mean by the terms visible and invisible church? Are those the best categories for surveying the elect of God? Listen in to hear more and send any additional questions on this topic and any others to [email protected].

In this lecture Jonathan Arnold teaches that the New Testament text must be approached in light of Scripture's Divine inspiration and providential preservation. The Received Text, rooted largely in the Byzantine manuscript tradition and used in Reformation translations, is presented as a faithful witness preserved through the church's continual use. Modern critical texts are challenged for prioritising older manuscripts and employing methods that permit ongoing revisions. Differences affecting verses and phrases demonstrate why the underlying Greek text matters for translation. Historical testimony and Reformed confessions support confidence in preserved copies of Scripture. Believers are encouraged to trust God's enduring Word as their foundation for faith and hope.

This introductory discussion offers a brief tour through the massive 12-volume Collected Works of Thomas Goodwin (1600–1680), one of the premier theologians and pastors of 17th-century English Puritanism. A leading figure at both the Westminster Assembly and the drafting of the Savoy Declaration, Goodwin combined rigorous Reformed scholasticism with an extraordinarily tender, experiential care for the Christian soul. By examining a select handful of his most enduring titles—including The Return of Prayers, The Child of Light Walking in Darkness, The Heart of Christ in Heaven Towards Sinners on Earth, his exhaustive treatise on regeneration in Volume 6, and his sobering study on the punishment of sin in Volume 10—we catch a glimpse of the sheer scope, psychological depth, and pastoral warmth that made Goodwin a titan of practical theology and a lifelong favorite of Puritan scholars like Dr. Joel Beeke.