Exploring the Belgian Confession with Drew Hoekema

About The Guest(s): Drew Hoekema is the minister of the Christian Reform Church in Platte, South Dakota. He has a Master of Divinity from Westminster Seminary in California and has studied at Calvin Seminary in Michigan. Drew has a deep appreciation for the Belgian Confession and its importance in the Reformed tradition. Summary: Drew Hoekema joins the podcast to discuss the Belgic Confession, a Reformed confession of faith written by Guido Debray. Drew provides background information on Debray and the historical context in which the confession was written. He explains that the Belgic Confession was a response to the persecution of Protestants by the Roman Catholic Church in the Lowlands of Europe. Drew also highlights the structure of the confession, with its focus on theology, anthropology, Christology, soteriology, ecclesiology, and eschatology. He discusses the use of the term "regeneration" in Article 24, emphasizing that faith produces regeneration and leads to sanctification. Drew also addresses the mention of Anabaptists in the confession, noting that Debray sought to separate the Reformed Church from the radical Anabaptists of the time. He explains that the confession denounces the Anabaptist view of Christ's humanity and rejects the practice of re-baptism. Drew further explores Article 36, which deals with the relationship between the church and the state. He notes that the confession has been updated over time, reflecting changes in Reformed theology and the understanding of church-state relations. Key Takeaways:

• The Belgic Confession was written by Guido Debray, a former Roman Catholic who converted to Protestantism and faced persecution for his beliefs.
• The confession was a response to the persecution of Protestants by the Roman Catholic Church in the Lowlands of Europe.
• The confession is structured around various theological topics, including theology, anthropology, Christology, soteriology, ecclesiology, and eschatology.
• The confession emphasizes the importance of faith in producing regeneration and leading to sanctification.
• The confession denounces the Anabaptist view of Christ's humanity and rejects the practice of re-baptism.
• The confession has been updated over time to reflect changes in Reformed theology and the understanding of church-state relations.