THE SOURCE ROOM
Go beyond the summary.
Inspect the documents behind the discussion. A source may establish what someone believes without establishing that the belief is true.
FROM THE QUESTION TO THE SOURCE
Read deeply. Trace the argument.
46 historic works by 30 authors, connected to the questions below. Find an accessible first read or follow a doctrine into a substantial theological work.
SCRIPTURE FIRST · REFORMED CONVICTIONS
Know what stands behind the answer.
We receive Scripture as our final authority. These guides use the Westminster Confession as a subordinate doctrinal standard, with exposition from Reformed theologians. Read the passage and the cited section together.
- 2 Timothy 3:16–17
- Westminster1.4–10
Teaching and explanation
Reformed confessions and theologians explain the doctrines taught here. Our paragraphs are original study notes, not quotations or a claim that the named authors reviewed this site.
Limited agreement
Aquinas is used for causation and dependence. Augustine contributes on grace; Athanasius supplies a historical New Testament list. Each use has a stated scope. None endorses every doctrine of its author or erases disagreements over justification, merit, canon or church authority.
Records of other positions
The Qur’an, a humanist declaration and debate transcripts document claims to examine. They are not doctrinal authorities here. Craig's participation in a debate does not make him a Reformed teacher for this library.
Bible passages open in this site’s reader. Other sources open at their publishers. Scope notes distinguish teaching sources from documentary evidence.
Our subordinate doctrinal standard for these guides. Citations specify chapter and paragraph. Scripture judges the confession itself (1.10); the confession does not replace Scripture.
Sections 3–4 distinguish God's restraint of sin and gifts in civic life from an inwardly righteous heart. Used alongside Romans 3, not to deny the benefit of an unbeliever's kindness.
Explains the continuing image of God after the fall and the difference between total and utter depravity. Image-bearing does not mean innocence or saving righteousness.
Used for providential kindness, the restraint of evil and civic virtue. Common grace must be distinguished from the regenerating grace that brings sinners to faith.
Sections 1–5 locate Scripture's authority in God and assurance in the Spirit's witness. The church receives God's Word; it does not confer authority on it.
For forgiveness and Christ's righteousness received through faith alone, distinguished from the believer's renewal and works. Do not treat faith itself as a meritorious achievement.
For Christ bearing the penalty of sin as substitute. Other biblical descriptions of the atonement complement this truth rather than displace it.
For God's underived existence and the distinction between being self-existent and causing oneself. This argument does not by itself establish the Trinity or the gospel.
Used for the unity of truth and the fallibility of human interpretations of Scripture and nature. It is not a source for a particular scientific measurement or model.
For the indispensable place of God's supernatural acts in Christianity. This does not authenticate every modern miracle claim.
For the truthfulness of Scripture because its divine author is truthful. This is distinct from claiming that every copy, translation or proposed interpretation is error-free.
For distinguishing genuinely incompatible assertions from complementary accounts. A possible reconciliation must not be presented as a demonstrated historical event.
For distinguishing the church's recognition of Scripture from a council creating its authority. Discusses the surviving evidence rather than attributing the canon to Nicaea.
For Romans 8:28 and Genesis 50:20: God's good purpose and human evil intentions can concern the same event. The promise belongs to those who love God; it does not make evil good.
For assurance grounded in the Father giving his Son (Romans 8:31–32), rather than in interpreting every changing circumstance as a verdict on God's love.
For biblical discipline that takes sin seriously and seeks restoration. Not used as legal advice or as a reason to silence someone reporting harm.
Limited use: faith is God's gift and good works follow it. Augustine predates the Reformation. This citation does not equate his entire account of justification with the Reformed confession.
A historic confession of Christian belief. It identifies the doctrine being defended; it is not independent historical evidence for every claim.
Read the objections as well as the replies. Aquinas argues from effects to God; our contingency outline is an introductory reconstruction, not a quotation of his Five Ways. Limited use: causation and dependence in I, q.2, a.3, alongside Sproul. This does not endorse Aquinas's account of justification, merit or ecclesial authority.
The project's introduction dates the Greek manuscript to the middle of the fourth century and describes its corrections. Follow its manuscript viewer to inspect the witness itself.
A historical witness to the books Athanasius received, including the 27 books of the New Testament. One bishop's list is evidence within a wider history of reception. Used for the New Testament list in section 5, not as our standard for the Old Testament canon.
An Islamic primary text on God's oneness and incomparability. Compare translations and commentary; an English rendering is not the Arabic text itself.
A primary passage addressing Jesus and the language of three. Read its whole statement rather than an isolated phrase.
Start at 4:157 and continue to 4:158. Distinguish the wording from later explanations of the crucifixion.
An organization's own account of humanist ethics, reason and meaning. It does not speak for every atheist or secular person.
Hosted by Craig's organization, with both speakers' contributions. Read the complete exchange and distinguish a speaker's assertion from demonstrated evidence. Documentary use only: Craig is not a Reformed doctrinal authority for this library. Assess the arguments against Scripture and the doctrinal basis stated here.
McGill University, February 2009. The transcript preserves the exchange; the questions in our study guide are editorial prompts, not quotations from the speakers. Documentary use only: Craig is not a Reformed doctrinal authority for this library. Assess the arguments against Scripture and the doctrinal basis stated here.
McMaster University, March 2002. A Christian–Muslim exchange about the concept of God; neither speaker represents every member of his tradition. Documentary use only: Craig is not a Reformed doctrinal authority for this library. Assess the arguments against Scripture and the doctrinal basis stated here.
An introductory excerpt from the Heidelberg Catechism commentary, not the complete commentary. Sections III–IV explain the distinction between law and gospel and the order of misery, deliverance and gratitude.
The four noble truths and the eightfold path. A Pali discourse in Thanissaro Bhikkhu’s translation; this collection is scoped to these early discourses, not every Buddhist school.
The five aggregates are examined as impermanent and not-self. Do not reduce this passage to the slogan that people do not exist.
The enduring self, in Swami Mukundananda’s translation. This devotional interpretation does not represent every Hindu school.
Action without attachment to its fruits. Read the verse in its dialogue with Arjuna and distinguish the primary verse from the translator’s commentary.
Krishna’s invitation to take refuge in him. This text prevents a simplistic description of Hindu liberation as merely earning merit; compare interpretations within Hindu traditions.
Jesus and Adam compared through God’s creative command. This passage records the Qur’anic comparison; it does not confess the eternal divine Son.
Read the promise of mercy in 39:53 together with the call to repent and submit in 39:54. Do not describe Islam as lacking divine mercy.
Personal responsibility, endeavour, recompense and return to God. Read alongside passages on mercy; these verses alone do not exhaust Islamic accounts of salvation.
Revelation to Muhammad placed alongside earlier prophets. Read through 4:165 for the stated purpose of the messengers.
Muhammad described as messenger and seal of the prophets. This is the text’s claim; demonstrating a prophetic claim requires further examination.
The Qur’an describes its relationship to earlier Scripture and calls for judgment by what God revealed. Translation of muhaymin varies; this entry uses the named translation without collapsing questions about earlier texts.
The promise to preserve the Reminder. A textual promise and the historical evidence of transmission are distinct questions.
Speaker-attributed transcript arranged around six theses and concluding statements. Published as a full transcript; not independently aligned word for word with the recording. Documentary use only; the participants are not doctrinal authorities for this library. Read both speakers in context.
42-page transcript with speeches, questioning, closing statements and audience questions. Third-party-hosted copy; the remastered recording and its subtitles have not been checked word for word. Documentary use only; the participants are not doctrinal authorities for this library. Read both speakers in context.
Both speakers’ openings, replies, conclusions and audience questions. Recording alignment has not been independently checked. Documentary use only; the participants are not doctrinal authorities for this library. Read both speakers in context.
Openings, rebuttals, closings and Q&A. The host also appends post-debate reflections; these are separate from the spoken exchange. Documentary use only; the participants are not doctrinal authorities for this library. Read both speakers in context.
Speeches, discussion and closings. The editor notes a recording break, shortened or omitted moderator remarks, inaudible passages and some guessed words. Documentary use only; the participants are not doctrinal authorities for this library. Read both speakers in context.
Both openings, moderated exchange, closing statements and audience questions. The 2025 transcript publication date is distinct from the 2013 event. Documentary use only; the participants are not doctrinal authorities for this library. Read both speakers in context.
Conviction with an open Bible. Scripture first. Reformed convictions. Sources you can examine.
Rooted in Scripture. Open for discovery.
A place to read slowly, ask deeply, and follow the connections. Scripture, study and the voices of Christian history, brought together for a lifetime of learning.
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