RefOC Speaker, Rev. Daniel Hyde has written a new book! (from the website): Calvinists are well known for their fighting, and on the rare occasions when the Synod of Dort is remembered, it is often highlighted as an example of Calvinist squabbling and dogmatism. But few know the real story, or why the battles at Dort were worth fighting. In celebration of the 400th anniversary of the Canons of Dort, pastor and scholar Daniel Hyde reminds us what Dort was all about: protecting and proclaiming the glorious gospel of grace!Dispelling harsh caricatures and whitewashed hagiographies alike, Hyde leads us on a patient journey through the history and text of the Canons, illuminating the fine-grained theological distinctions and simple Scriptural truths encapsulated in their ninety-three articles. Along the way, the reader will discover the startling catholicity and breadth of this foundational statement of Calvinism, and its remarkable pastoral value for nourishing Christian faith, hope, and love today.
We invite you to view two videos from our RefOC speakers discussing the doctrine of "baptism." Each video is 1 hour long and explains the Reformed/Presbyterian conviction regarding, "Covenant Baptism."
​"The Glorious Reformation" from 2008!
The video below is of the last Reformation Service held in the Crystal Cathedral, now the Roman Catholic, "Christ's Cathedral."
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-- Early Breakout Session: "'Election' as Taught and Treated in the Earliest Creeds and Confessions of the Church"
Synopsis: Sometimes, it's not enough to say, "It's taught in the Bible!" Religious groups throughout all of history have been able to justify all manner of belief because they, "read it in the Bible." But when a particular doctrine begins to be codified in the ancient creeds and confessions of the church (and then, usually in response to errors being taught about a particular doctrine), we can then appreciate with greater clarity what the church teaches and confirms for others to proclaim and believe. We will examine these creeds and confessions.
Presenter: Rev. Kent Moorlach is the teaching elder at Communion Presbyterian Church (ARP) in Irvine, Ca. He is a graduate of Talbot School of Theology and San Francisco Theological Seminary. Rev. Moorlach is a life long resident of Orange County and is married to Stephanie; they have three children.
-- First Main Session -- "Election and Intra-Trinitarian Love: Why Reformed Theology is the True 'Relational Theology'"
Synopsis: When it comes to the doctrine of election, are we forced to side with the 'power-God' of Calvinism or the 'love-God' of non-Calvinism? This false dichotomy has so pervaded today's church that many non-Calvinist scholars have re-named their position "relational theism." Dr. Williams builds a case that the God of John's gospel is not powerful at the expense of His love, or loving at the expense of His power. Rather, the efficacy of God's power in electing sinners flows directly from the intimacy of His love as passionately enjoyed within the Trinity. The elect are living, breathing 'love-gifts' exchanged between the Father and the Son as expressions of their infinite and unfrustratable love for one another. William's Trinitarian analysis of election not only demonstrates that Reformed theology is the true "relational theism," but also offers practical pastoral insights on how this doctrine can help our churches reflect God's love more compellingly in OC and beyond.
Presenter: Dr. Thaddeus Williams earned his Ph.D. in Theology at the Vrije Universiteit of Amsterdam, and has an M.A. in Philosophy of Religion and Ethics from Talbot School of Theology. He ministers at Terra Nova Church (www.ourterranova.com), and teaches at various schools, including Biola University and Saddleback College. He is driven by a passion to see the church experience a 21st century “Re-Reformation" centered on the supreme Triune God of the Bible. To that end, Thaddeus has lectured in seminaries and churches throughout Nepal, Francis Schaeffer’s L'Abri Fellowships in Holland and Switzerland, along with churches and conferences throughout the United States. He lives in Southern California with his wife and two daughters.
-- Second Main Session -- "The Five Points of John Calvin: The 5 Pivotal Events that Shaped the Life and Faith of The Great Reformer"
Presenter: Christopher Neiswonger received his Juris Doctor from Trinity Law and his Masters Degree in Communication and Culture from Trinity Graduate School. Christopher works in the legal department of one of the world's largest NGOs. He is also the host of the Apologetics.com Radio show heard on 99.5FM, KKLA, and speaks at many churches and conferences each year, while serving as a Ruling Elder in the Presbyterian Church of America.
Compatibilist, and Biblical Freedom in Election"
defended notion of libertarian free will. Dr. Williams has debated top philosophers (e.g., Vincent Brümmer, University of Utrecht) on the question of freedom and is the author of, Love, Freedom, and Evil: Does Authentic Love Require Free Will? (http://www.monergismbooks.com/Love-Freedom-and-Evil-Does-Authentic-Love-Require-Free-Will-p-20199.html).
He offers philosophical and Biblical clarity on the perennial "free will" problem as it relates to the doctrine of election.
9:00 AM -- Early Breakout Session: "Defending the Doctrine of Election: Answering the Classic Objections"
musician for 20 years. He is a member of Communion Presbyterian Church and a husband and father.
10:10 AM -- Fourth Main Session -- "Evangelism and the Sovereignty of God"
Presenter: Rev. Daniel R. Hyde is a graduate of Westminster Seminary, Ca. (MDiv) and Puritan Reformed Theological Seminary (ThM) and is the church planter and pastor of the Oceanside United Reformed Church in Oceanside. He is also the author of 12 books: http://www.amazon.com/Daniel-R.-Hyde/e/B001JP85JS/ref=la_B001JP85JS_pg_1?rh=n%3A283155%2Cp_82%3AB001JP85JS&ie=UTF8&qid=1350331227 He was baptized into the Roman Catholic Church, converted in a Foursquare Church, educated at an Assemblies of God college, and youth pastored in a non-denominational church! Rev. Hyde was brought to the Reformed Faith while in college and was drawn to it through its reverence, transcendence, and mystery in both theology and worship. He is married to Karajean, and they have four children.
11:10 AM -- Fifth Main Session: "The Effectual Calling of God's Elect to Salvation Through the Biblically Appointed Means of Preaching"
in trespasses and sins. The new creation was inaugurated at the resurrection of Jesus Christ with the same power of God that is operative in the calling and regeneration of the Elect when the true Gospel is truly preached.
1:00 PM -- Sixth Main Session -- "Sovereign Divine Election and An Eschatology of Optimism"
gospel advance, this message seeks to challenge the spiritual heirs of Calvin and the Reformation to consider the connection between sovereign divine election and an eschatology of optimism as a basis for hope in a period of sweeping gospel conquest which is yet ahead on the temporal horizon.
Presenter: John Sawtelle, pastor of All Saints Reformed Church in Brea, CA, is an ordained minister of Word and Sacrament in the Reformed Presbyterian Church of North America and has served previously in the United Reformed Church. He has a BA in Humanities with a concentration in Ancient Near Eastern Studies from CSU Sacramento, a Master of Divinity from Westminster Seminary in Escondido, CA, and is working on his Masters Thesis n Rhetorical Theory and Criticism at CSU Fullerton. Pastor John loves to preach the Bible verse by verse in order to show God’s people the basis of their doctrinal convictions in God’s word. His life-goal is to be part of a church planting movement that plants more confessionally Reformed churches in the LA metropolitan area than there are AM/PM Mini Marts.
Synopsis: A moderated discussion to respond to questions about RefOC presentations and Reformed theology in general.
In anticipation of future Reformation Conferences in the OC, please leave us your details!