Articles from the Faculty

What makes Mid-America Reformed Seminary stand out in today’s crowded seminary landscape? Dr. Cornelis Venema argues it is “an academy with a vocational aim," a place where rigorous theological study is wedded to the singular goal of training faithful preachers of the Word. Discover why Mid-America’s biblical, confessional, and pastoral focus makes it a rare and vital blessing to the church today.

What happens when a brilliant young scholar, destined for a quiet life of study, is thrust into the center of a theological revolution? This article traces the early life, conversion, and rising influence of John Calvin, from his humanist beginnings in France to the publication of a work that would rock the world of the Reformation.

Are spiritual gifts like prophecy and tongues meant to be a normal part of the Christian life, or were they signs of something far greater and unrepeatable? This article (adapted from our 5th most-listened-to podcast episode featuring Drs. Marcus Mininger and Cornelis Venema) makes a provocative case that the disappearance of these gifts isn't a loss, but a powerful testimony to the finished work of Christ and the foundation already laid.

What happens when well-meaning theology unintentionally redefines the gospel itself? This adapted podcast episode on the critique of Federal Vision theology explores how subtle shifts in sacramental practice, covenant thinking, and justification can unravel the very fabric of orthodoxy, and why recovering clarity on these issues is essential for the church today.

Should baptism be reserved only for those who can profess faith, or does God's covenant promise extend even to infants? This repurposed podcast article (originally featuring Drs. Cornelis Venema and Alan Strange) challenges modern assumptions by tracing the biblical and theological case for infant baptism, from Abraham’s household to the apostolic church, and asks whether excluding children from the covenant sign is truly progress or a step backward.

Is Christian nationalism the bold solution young Christians have been waiting for, or a dangerous confusion of the gospel with political power? This analysis cuts through the heated rhetoric to examine why this movement is gaining momentum among evangelicals and reveals the theological problems lurking beneath its promise to "reclaim America for Christ."