Antoine de Chandieu: The Silver Horn of Geneva's Reformed Triumvirate

Offering the first study in any language dedicated to the influential theological publications of Antoine de Chandieu (1534–1591), Van Raalte begins by recalling Chandieu's reputation as it stood at the death of Theodore Beza in 1605. Poets in Geneva mourned the end of an era of star theologians, reminiscing about Geneva’s Reformed triumvirate of gold, silver, and bronze: gold represented Calvin (d. 1564); silver Chandieu (d. 1591); and bronze Beza (d. 1605). Van Raalte's work sets Chandieu within the context of Reformed theology in Geneva, the wider history of scholastic method in the Swiss cantons, and the gripping social and political milieux of this tumultuous time. Chandieu was far from a mere ivory-tower theologian: as a member of French nobility in possession of many estates in France, he and his family acutely experienced the misery and triumph of the French Huguenots during the Wars of Religion. Connected to royalty from at least the beginning of his career, Chandieu later served the future Henry IV as personal military chaplain and cryptographer. His writings range from religious poetry (put to music by others in his own lifetime) to carefully crafted disputations that saw publication in his posthumous Opera Theologica in five editions between 1592 and 1620. Van Raalte argues that Chandieu utilized scholastic method in theology for the sake of clarity of argument, rootedness in Scripture, and certainty of faith.

The Bond of the Covenant within the Bounds of the Confessions: : A Conversation Between the URCNA and CanRC

This book records the written and oral debate of several seminary professors of Reformed Protestant persuasion. In it they discuss the contours and details of the theology of the covenant as it has developed particularly in the Canadian Reformed and United Reformed Churches of North America, in an effort to promote church unity. Co-edited with John A. Bouwers.

A Meditation on Romans 1:4

The life, strength, and encouragement that busy Christians need has been given to us by the same Spirit whose power raised our Lord Jesus from the dead.

Those who belong to God have the Spirit of God: Children in the Reformation Documents

Credobaptists often argue that the Reformers uncritically took over infant baptism from the medieval church. The truth is actually that they continued it only on the basis of a fresh examination of Scripture. This examination led them to emphasize a newly-discovered biblical theme: God's covenant of grace with believers and their children. I will explain how Bullinger, Brès, and other reformers urged the churches to believe God when he said that the children belonged to him and that those who belong to him have the Holy Spirit.

Freely-Chosen Faith? Real Gospel and Human Choice

Infants show from a very early age that they have their own will. How can we do justice to the whole of Scripture’s message when we describe the human will? Is it only bound to sin? Partly free? Like a robot that God controls? Objecting to Erasmus, Luther said the will was utterly bound to sin; Calvin said that there is no such thing as God “permitting” sin, for whatever he permits, he wills. Does this mean God has willed us to sin? Are we really responsible for sin? Today the discussion continues between those who describe the Reformed view as “compatibilism” and those who object that this philosophical category doesn’t fit what we confess in the Canons of Dort. I intend to present the options in a simple but clear manner, to help us preach and believe the whole doctrine of God with clarity and conviction.

To view the handout that goes with this video please see here.

God the Son and the Real Gospel of Sovereign Grace for You

Which news is better: that the battle has been won completely or that most of the fighting still has to be done? Did Jesus only make possible our salvation, or did he actually and fully complete it? In this presentation I hope to present the Son of God as all-glorious in his cross and resurrection, and help us preach the real good news that Jesus has fully redeemed, saved, reconciled, justified, and adopted those for whom he lovingly laid down his life.

To view the handout that goes with this video please see here.

By Grace Alone: How and Why the Reformation Occurred (Audio Only)

It began five hundred years ago and it still matters—someone rediscovered grace. What was the Great Reformation? Why did this change happen? This opening presentation will define the event, lament the errors of the medieval church, rejoice in the scriptural incentive for reform, and review the many ways the Spirit used the reformers (preaching, prayer, publications, psalm singing, etc.). A dynamic and exciting picture will emerge to motivate us to keep spreading the gospel of grace today. Audio only.

As You See the Day Approaching

We are in the last days. Living well in such a time depends upon believing that Christ has conquered sin and death and is ruling today, alive at God's right hand. These essays on the end time will help Christians live like people who really have eternal life already--the life of the Spirit of Christ who lives and moves in both Christ and Christians.

Editor: T. G. Van Raalte. Publisher: Pickwick/CRTS Lucerna Publications, 2016. ISBN: 9781498234061

Ecclesiastes: An apologetics of despair

Christians have hope in Christ, not despair. But whoever seriously reflects on life apart from Christ ultimately finds only despair, and this is something Scripture also teaches us, especially in Ecclesiastes.

The Reason for Our Hope: Christ in Our Apologetics Part 2

Part 2 of the Convocation 2014 address.

The Reason for Our Hope: Christ in Our Apologetics Part 1

Part 1 of the Convocation address in 2014.

Jesus Excommunicated

Jesus died not just for our ignorance, but also our apostasy.

Early French Reform: The Theology and Spirituality of Guillaume Farel

Offering both a scholarly overview of Farel's life and access to his own words, this book demonstrates the importance of Farel to the Reformation. It will be welcomed not only by scholars engaged in research on French reform movements, but also by students of history, theology, or literature wishing to read some of the earliest theological texts originally written in French.

Authors: T.G. Van Raalte and J. Zuidema. Publisher: Ashgate, 2011. ISBN 9781409418849

Motivating Reformed Churches to Multiply: The 2011 Metro Vancouver Church Planting Initiative

Dr. T.G. Van Raalte discusses the 2011 Metro Vancouver church planting initiative. Delivered at the second annual CRTS Conference in 2012. "Rejoicing in Growth: Church Planting & Evangelism"

Accommodation: Another Wax Nose?

Recorded during Conference 2014: "Correctly Handling the Word of Truth: Reformed Hermeneutics Today." In Reformation times both sides were accusing the other of making Scripture a wax nose. Today one may well wonder whether the doctrinal construct of God’s “accommodation” in divine revelation has become a wax nose.

In Between and Intermediate: Living in Heaven's Glory

Recorded during the 2015 CRTS Conference. Dr. Van Raalte sets his talk within the framework that the New Creation is the thing we really are aiming for, whereas going to live with God in heaven is an intermediate step towards that goal. Within that framework, he argues against the view that persons are only physical and against the theory of soul sleep. Conversely, he supports the view that believers, in their souls, are immediately raptured into heaven's glory upon death and enjoy an ongoing existence there until Christ's return.