Monday, July 07, 2025

Confession and Absolution in the Reformed Tradition

In the Reformed Christian tradition, confession (admitting your sins) and absolution (being declared forgiven) offer a way to deal with guilt. Michael S. Horton's article, "Comfort Ye My People" explains that early Reformers saw these practices as ways for ministers to help people, not to exercise power.

Unlike the Medieval Roman Catholic Church, which often made forgiveness conditional, the Reformers viewed confession and absolution as simply sharing the good news of God's forgiveness. This approach has helped people avoid the deep uncertainty that medieval practices caused, and it also differs from the often confusing personal feelings common in some modern churches.

John Calvin, a key figure in the Reformation, strongly disagreed with the medieval idea of penance, which he felt burdened people with anxiety. He taught that forgiveness comes from God's mercy, not from anything people do to make up for their sins. For Calvin, confessing sins wasn't about earning God's favor, but about finding comfort and reassurance. He argued that the Bible's teaching on repentance means turning to God's mercy, not trying to earn forgiveness. This idea is central to Reformed theology: salvation comes only through God's grace and faith in Him.

The Reformed tradition includes both public and private confession and absolution. In public worship, people would generally confess their sins, and the minister would then declare God's forgiveness. Calvin believed this practice opened up prayer and helped people see their need for God's mercy. Private confession, though not mandatory, was seen as helpful for those struggling with specific sins. Ministers, whose job it is to teach and comfort through God's Word, were considered especially suited to offer this personal reassurance of forgiveness, which would strengthen a believer's faith.

Horton clarifies that private confession and absolution are not a different way to receive grace. They are, rather, a focused way to "preach" or to apply the gospel message. While Reformed churches differ from Lutheran churches on whether confession and absolution are a separate sacrament, they agree on their importance as part of the "power of the keys"—the authority given to ministers to declare sins forgiven. This power isn't about the minister having personal authority; it's about them announcing Christ's reconciliation. The main goal is always to guide people to Christ, not to make them rely on human leaders.

Ultimately, Horton stresses that confession and absolution in the Reformed tradition serve as tools for comfort and assurance. They offer a balanced approach to dealing with sin and guilt, avoiding both the strict rituals of the Roman Catholic Church and the overly individual focus sometimes found in evangelicalism. This practice, carried out by church leaders in public worship and private talks aims to build up faith and assure struggling Christians that God completely forgives them. It shows how God kindly reaches out to people in their weakness, giving them specific, personal assurance of forgiveness through Christ.

Wednesday, April 23, 2025

Mindfulness and Mental Health

When you hear the word mindfulness, what comes to mind? Perhaps it’s a yoga class, a monk in meditation, or one of the many apps designed to cultivate mindfulness. The concept has certainly gained popularity, but it’s more than just a buzzword—it’s a practice rooted in extensive research, consistently demonstrating its benefits for mental health. You’ll find mindfulness woven into meditation apps, self-help books, and therapeutic techniques, yet at its core, it’s simply about being fully present in the moment. Instead of dwelling on the past or anxiously anticipating the future, mindfulness invites us to focus intentionally on the here and now.

The Science Behind Mindfulness

Over the past few decades, researchers have explored the benefits of mindfulness on mental health, and the findings are consistently compelling. Studies have shown that mindfulness reduces stress, lowers symptoms of anxiety and depression, improves emotional regulation, and enhances overall well-being. One study published in JAMA Psychiatry found that mindfulness-based stress reduction was as effective as medication in treating anxiety disorders. Another study demonstrated that mindfulness meditation alters the brain, increasing activity in areas associated with emotional regulation and reducing activity in regions linked to stress.

Sunday, July 28, 2024

Restoring the Heart of Marriage: Embracing God's Design for Lasting Love

In Mark 10:1-12, On a trip from Capernaum to Judea, Jesus is confronted by a group of religious leaders who ask him about the legality of divorce. They were trying to trap Jesus into agreeing with one side or the other of an issue that was controversial even then, either alienating the conservative party or the liberal party of the Religious Court. They wanted to trap him politically so he might possibly meet the same fate as John the Baptist--who criticized Herod's divorce and remarriage.

Hardness of Heart

Jesus skillfully identifies the reason Moses permitted divorce in the law—hardness of heart. This condition often undermines the trust, love, and respect essential for a healthy marriage. Hardness of heart leads to emotional disconnection, resentment, bitterness, shutting down, giving the silent treatment, self-justification, and spiritual drift. We must reflect on our own relationships and marriages, examining if there are grievances or unforgiveness in our hearts. Ask yourself: Are you holding onto bitterness towards your spouse? Take proactive steps to soften your heart through prayer, counseling, or open communication. God desires our hearts to be tender and loving, reflecting His love for us. As a result, we should practice kindness, address conflicts proactively, and take responsibility for our actions. Husbands, especially, lead in this effort. Let’s strive to overcome hardness and embrace healing in our marriages.

Saturday, July 27, 2024

Faith overcoming unbelief

Mark 9:23-24 (NLT) "'What do you mean, ‘If I can’?' Jesus asked. 'Anything is possible if a person believes.' The father instantly cried out, 'I do believe, but help me overcome my unbelief!'"

In Mark 9:23-24, Jesus teaches us a powerful lesson about faith. When a father seeking healing for his son expresses doubt, Jesus responds with a bold statement: "Anything is possible if a person believes." This promise encourages us to exercise faith in God's power, even when we face seemingly insurmountable challenges.

The father's honest plea, "I do believe, but help me overcome my unbelief," resonates with many of us. It acknowledges that while we have faith, we also struggle with doubts. This transparency is key to growing our faith. Jesus does not condemn the father's doubt; instead, He heals his son, demonstrating that God honors even imperfect faith.

Monday, July 31, 2023

A Simple Order for Daily Prayer

Opening Scripture Sentence

May the words of my mouth and the meditation of my heart be pleasing in your sight, O LORD, my Rock and my Redeemer. (Psalm 19:14)

Psalm 51

Have mercy on me, O God, according to your steadfast love; according to your abundant mercy blot out my transgressions. Wash me thoroughly from my iniquity, and cleanse me from my sin! For I know my transgressions, and my sin is ever before me. Purge me with hyssop, and I shall be clean; wash me, and I shall be whiter than snow. Create in me a clean heart, O God, and renew a right spirit within me. Do not cast me away from your presence, and do not take your Holy Spirit from me. Restore to me the joy of your salvation, and uphold me with a willing spirit. Amen.

Daily Bible Reading

Confession and Absolution in the Reformed Tradition

In the Reformed Christian tradition, confession (admitting your sins) and absolution (being declared forgiven) offer a way to deal with guil...