W. Robert Godfrey

Dr. W. Robert Godfrey is president and professor of church history at Westminster Seminary California and a teaching fellow of Ligonier Ministries. He is the author of several books, including John Calvin: Pilgrim and Pastor.

  • The Church and Psalm 81 by W. Robert Godfrey

    FROM TABLETALK | May 2013

    What does the church most need today? In answering this important but rather general question, Psalm 81 is uniquely important and helpful. This psalm obviously contains beautiful promises and clear directions to help the people of God. But careful study …Read More

  • Understanding Personhood by W. Robert Godfrey

    FROM TABLETALK | April 2013

    We live in a world where there is much cruelty and violence. Whe t he r we watch local or international news on television, we hear of countless instances of intimidation, injustice, thefts, beatings, murders, and wars. In some places …Read More

  • Peter Waldo and the Waldensians by W. Robert Godfrey

    FROM TABLETALK | September 2012

    By the twelfth century, the church in Western Europe was indeed powerful and impressive. In the emerging Gothic architecture, we can see something of the devotion of the people and the wealth of the bishops. In the developing scholastic theology …Read More

  • What is the Gospel? by W. Robert Godfrey

    FROM TABLETALK | June 2012

    Many Christians, churches, and organizations regularly use the word gospel to describe their convictions. Theological controversies have occurred and do occur over the meaning of the gospel and who preaches it faithfully. What does that familiar word gospel mean? The …Read More

  • The Crusades by W. Robert Godfrey

    FROM TABLETALK | May 2011

    The Bible can be a dangerous book if misused and abused. In the history of the church, the misunderstanding of the Bible has led to many serious problems, ranging from false doctrine to legalistic customs and misdirected lives. One of …Read More

  • The Christian Club by W. Robert Godfrey

    FROM TABLETALK | March 2010

    Many American churches are in a mess. Theologically they are indifferent, confused, or dangerously wrong. Liturgically they are the captives of superficial fads. Morally they live lives indistinguishable from the world. They often have a lot of people, money, and …Read More

  • Life and Liberty by W. Robert Godfrey

    FROM TABLETALK | September 2008

    “Life” and “Liberty” are terms that have powerful and positive connotative value to us. We are “pro-life” and “pro-liberty.” Such emotionally-laden terms can be definitionally evasive, however, since they stir our passions as well as our reason. As we consider …Read More

  • Faithful Vigilance by W. Robert Godfrey

    FROM TABLETALK | March 2006

    Paul warned the elders of the church in Ephesus about the critical need for them to be vigilant: “Pay careful attention to yourselves and to all the flock, in which the Holy Spirit has made you overseers, to care for …Read More

  • The Means of Persevering Grace by W. Robert Godfrey

    FROM TABLETALK | December 2004

    Until the Arminian controversy in the Netherlands in the early seventeenth century, Calvinism did not have five points. Calvinism summarized itself in its great confessions and catechisms and never thought to reduce itself to five points. The Arminians, however, had …Read More

  • Sin and Salvation by W. Robert Godfrey

    FROM TABLETALK | April 2004

    “Why do we need to talk about sin? We ought to just talk about the love of God.” This comment was not made by a dedicated liberal. Rather, it was made by a woman who is a member of an …Read More

  • The Marks of the Church by W. Robert Godfrey

    FROM TABLETALK | May 1992

    If you move to a new town, you have to find a new church. The search for a new church can be difficult and frustrating. If you pick up the Yellow Pages and look under “Church,” you are likely to …Read More