Dr. B.B. Warfield's "The Children in the Hands of the Arminians" (#1)
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Prof. A.F. Pollard's "Thomas Cranmer & the English Reformation" (#1), iv.
The Prof. gives a nice, although dated, survey of the biographies on Dr. Cranmer, writing, as he does, in 1906 from Putney, London. Anyone been to Aslockton, Nottinghamshire? (Spelled Aslackton variously). Apparently, it's close to Sherwood Forest of Robin Hood fame. Wonder what such a visit might yield? E.g. the Whatton Parish Church?
Zondervan Topical Bible (#1), 1ff.
Like the "Bible prayed" (our BCP), so this is a "Bible-rearranged-topically." A lot of Bible in both. We believe Dr. Cranmer would have approved, but we can only be conjectural and do a caution "what if." To wit, "what if" Dr. Cranmer were here? Would he approve and like the "Topical Bible?" We think so.
Dr. Diarmaid MacCulloch: All Things Made New: Reformation & Its Legacy (...
Counsel from a superior in historical research. Most often, very right--again most often, 99%? A few places of difference, to wit, a bit of sensationalizing over-reach (for entertainment?), but one most certainly cannot complain (except here-and-there). A rich repository of thinking for inquiring minds.
Dr. D.G. Hart: Defending the Faith (#1)--Religious & Cultural Modernism,...
An inquiry into Prof. J. Gresham Machen, the results of Dr. Darryl Hart's PhD dissertation in the history department of John Hopkins University. Prof. Machen and God defended the historic Canon and the Reformed faith, but that's a story for future readings.
Dr. Philip Schaff: Creeds of Christendom (#1): History of Creeds, 3ff.
Of what the heart is full, it speaks. Creeds are the spoken and written expressions of faith and values. Every single person, without exception or exemption, has a "creed" of one sort or another. This 3-volume set is informed by historical knowledge and is most highly recommended.
8/18/20: Morning Prayer (BCP)--Psalms 90-92; Jeremiah 26; Romans 15.7-32
Baslius, in his short definitions (Regulae Breviores), the first question: “Whether it be lawful or expedient for a man to permit himself to do what he thinketh good, without the testimony of the' holy scriptures." His answer": “ Seeing that our Saviour saith of the Holy Ghost, He shall not speak" of himself, but whatsoever he hath heard, that shall he speak:’ and of himself he saith, ‘ The Son can do nothing of himself:’ and again, ‘ I have not spoken of myself, but he which sent me gave me commandment what I should say, and what I should speak; and I know that his commandment is eternal life: therefore those things that I speak, I speak as the Father said unto me : who is he then that will run into such madness, that he dare once think only anything of himself, seeing that he hath need of the Holy Ghost for his aid, so that ,both in mind, word, and work, he may be guided in the way of truth, and that he must needs walk in darkness, except he he lightened With t...
Prof. Henry Denzinger: Sources of Catholic Dogma (#1), 3ff.
From a Roman writer, Professor Henry Denzinger, a discussion of the varied forms of the Apostles' Creed here-and-there from Carthage to Rome, Gaul, Jerusalem, Egypt, Asia Minor and Palestine.
Dr. Friedrick Delitzsch: Proverbs, Ecclesiastes, Song of Solomon (#1), 1ff.
Parallelisms are discussed as well as the "sections" of Proverbs, including, interestingly, the collection of Solomonic proverbs brought in during the days of Hezekiah (and Isaiah?). Kings tells us that Solomon authored 3000 proverbs while the "Proverbs of Solomon" have 800 proverbs. What was in the library and scriptorium at Jerusalem? What of the prophets, priests and scribes from Solomon to Hezekiah? What are they doing during Manasseh's reign? Inquiring minds are thinking.
Dr. Friedrich Delitzsch: Job (#1), 1ff.
From the patriachal period? Pre-Mosaic? Dr. Delitzsch, again, brings serious scholarship to the table. Refreshing, again.
History & Character of Calvinism: Dr. J.T. McNeill (#13)--Ch.5: Doctrine...
Dr. McNeill is doing a fair and good job, historically, of representing the oft-maligned Ulrich Zwingli. The value of a skilled historian is on view, thankfully. Zwingli's reformation is co-incident with Luther's and predates Calvin and Cranmer's arrival and developments. Some goodly material is on view from Dr. McNeill. Thank God for the goodly scholars and giants. There are some serious questions that carry over from church history (the study of the Swiss Reformation) to 2020, to wit, "modern traditions" needing abandonments, adjustments, or affirmations. In doing church history, we don't sever it from 2020, practical theology or contemporary theology. Some food for thought on these things. What needs "to be reformed today?"
Dr. Robert Dick Wilson: Scientific Investigation of the Old Testament (#...
Very hefty (and, as of yet, unanswered) questions and assertions by Prof. Robert Dick Wilson of old Princeton Seminary against the documentarians of the Graff-Wellhausen school on Pentateuchal authorship. For those with inquiring minds, Prof. Wilson's book is here: https://archive.org/details/in.ernet.dli.2015.75563/page/n41/mode/1up. We're not book-burners or despisers, but conservators. Thankfully, archive.org shares that view. It is the view of one that the Graff-Wellhausians have eaten their young and their presuppositions and faith-assumptions have collapsed. Basically, the theological fad of the century has passed (just another one too). Good to hear Prof. Robert Dick Wilson in his own voice, as it were, though dead, speaking anew. He's dead but is still alive!
Dr. Robert Dick Wilson: Scientific Investigation of the Old Testament (#...
Very hefty (and, as of yet, unanswered) questions and assertions by Prof. Robert Dick Wilson of old Princeton Seminary against the documentarians of the Graff-Wellhausen school on Pentateuchal authorship. It is the view of one that the Graff-Wellhausians have eaten their young and their presuppositions and faith-assumptions have collapsed. Basically, the theological fad of the century has passed (just another one too). Good to hear Prof. Robert Dick Wilson in his own voice, as it were, though dead, speaking anew. He's dead but is still alive!
Old Testament Introduction: Gleason Archer (#33): Post-Exilic Prophets: ...
After hearing the scholarly Professor handle Malachi, he moves into Hebrew poetry. As expected, Prof. Archer refers to Bishop Robert Lowth's "Lectures on the Sacred Poetry of the Hebrews." Found here: https://archive.org/details/lectusacred00lowt. We have filed this for the future readings, including other salutary volumes from this Oxford Professor and CoE Bishop. Thank you Prof. Archer for the reminder.
New Testament Introduction: Dr. Everett F. Harrison (# 33): The Gospels,...
The Synoptic Gospels are in view. Pondering anew the "apostolic preaching" with the Gospels as the "effect," noting that many, many, many discussions must have occurred at dinner and breakfast tables, as it were. Are there reasons to not think Matthew could have been written in the 40s? Or, Matthean priority? Also, to ponder anew Bishop Westcott's emphasis on "apostolic preaching?" Prof. Harrison, a warrantable scholar, brings these matters to the fore. Shortly hereafter, we'll be dealing with form criticism, redaction criticism, 2-document theory and the 4-document there.
Systematic Theology: Dr. Wayne Grudem (#17): "Canon" (ch.3): Detour to R...
A review of extra-canonical witnesses to the 39 canonical books in the 1st-5th centuries AD. Yes, OT work is vital to systematic theology (and NT work, church history, practical theology and contemporary theology...the broad hermeneutic).
Fitzsimons Allison's The Rise of Moralism (#32): Baxter, Godwin, Walker,...
POBM = "price of the book moments." To wit, a paragraph or page that is so good, that the whole book must be purchased. A few of those today. Bishop Allison has done the homework, albeit ever-so brief here-and-there. Succinct and compact in a Jim Packer style. Bishop Fitz Allison hits another homerun with the question: how does Richard Baxter escape the charge that, essentially (when all the obscurantisms are cleared), the charge of Tridentine sotreriology? To wit, impoverished views of sin, the OT, justification, Christology...and, as always, the impact on the people. We're of the mind that Richard Baxter, over 30 years, "hardened his heart" against rebukes and criticisms from 16 Reformed divines, from conformist and non-conformist sources.
8/12/20: Morning Prayer (BCP)--Psalms 62-64; Jeremiah 10; Romans 10; Hei...
Origen's fifth homily on Leviticus: "If the Holy Scripture do not determine anything, we ought not to admit any other writing for the establishing of our doctrine; but as for the rest, let us leave it to God."
John Calvin: Commentary on Genesis (#29): Genesis 3.18ff, pp.174ff.
"...for dust thou art and unto dust shalt thou return..." (3.19). Or, as we've said at funerals, "In the midst of life, we are in the midst of death...dust to dust, in the sure hope of the Resurrection..."
Dr. R.K. Harrison: Introduction to the Old Testament (#4): Background Th...
A review of Vater, De Wette, Ewald, Stahelin, Tuch, Kurtz and Hupfeld gives us the "maybe-this-maybe-that-on-possibly-this-and-that-but-who-knows" OT theorizings-upon-theorizings. Hengstenbrt, Dreshsler, Havernick Keil, Delitzsch and the old Princetonians--W.H. Green, Robert Dick Wilson and others--defang the inquisitors. More as that story emerges. The next chapter will be fun. Graf and Wellhausen, more "maybe-this-and-that" theorizers with dogmatic certainty as the theme.
Dr. Donald Guthrie: New Testament Introduction (#4): Matthew, pp.29ff.
Origen in his homily on Jeremiah: "We must needs call Holy Scriptures to witness: for our judgments and expositions without these witnesses are worthy of no credit."
Dr. Donald Guthrie: New Testament Introduction (#3): The Gospels, pp.24ff.
Tiresome and tedious theories-upon-theories-upon-more-theories in the ever-new quest for more novel theories for PhD dissertations. (It's late and patience is thinning, so time to chill for a day. We've been down this road before, to wit, theorizing-ad-infinitum. Meanwhile, in the dust-ups, the Canon gets lost in its perspicuity, necessity and authority. Zahn is the man for a sensible 3-volume NT Introduction.)
Epistle to the Romans: John Murray (#23): Detour-Rom 1.18: ἐπὶ πᾶσαν ἀσέ...
Further work on asebeia and eusebeia. Paul is working with a well-known noun, asebeia, a term that really is fleshed out and defined by the thoughts and actions evinced in 1.18-32. Three tea bags in the cup of tea, not one tea bag.
Oxford History of Anglicanism, Vol.1: Reformation, (#30): Bishops, Churc...
This chapter alone is worth the price of OUP's volume 1. Tremendous work by Prof. Foster.
Fitzsimons Allison's The Rise of Moralism (#31): Baxter, Godwin, Walker,...
Q: Who doth the Westminster Shorter Catechism help us? A: The Westminster Shorter Catechism exposeth Richard Baxter's Arminian errors and helpeth us to show Mr. Baxter the ecclesiastical door in the shortest of order. Q: How else doth the Westminster Shorter Catechism help us? A: The Westminster Shorter Catechism also doth help us to see that Bishop Fitzsimons Allison hath nailed this issue and Mr. Baxter correctly and precisely...which helpeth us to glorify God and helpeth us to enjoy justification by faith alone. Bye, bye Mr. Baxter!
Thomas Watson's A Body of Divinity (#30): Westminster Shorter Catechism ...
Q: How doth the Westminster Shorter Catechism help us? A: The Westminster Catechism doth show us how fowled-up and hosed-up is Prof. Bruggeman's Old Testament Theology. Q: Why dost the Westminster Shorter Catechism showeth us this? A: The Westminster Catechism doeth this as our standard to show us--clearly--how Prof. Bruggeman faileth to measure up. Q: What else doth the Westminster Shorter Catechism show us? A: The Westminster Catechism helpeth us to show Dr. Bruggeman the door.
Westminster Confession of Faith: A.A. Hodge (#22): Ch 5, Providence, pp....
An anachronism, noted. But, would Dr. Cranmer have approved of Chapter 5 of the WCF? We think so, but will ponder it. Again, we believe so. Many other Augustinian Collects and other indications would support a "Yes." But, historically, we dislike anachronisms for other reasons. Dr. Cranmer did not live in the 17th century of the WCF or the 19th century of AA Hodge. But, once and awhile, a "What if..." question arises. Prof. MacCullough emphatically notes that Dr. Cranmer thought deeply and approvingly of double predestination and, its source, an all-prevailing and all-encompassing providence. The Eighth Sunday after Trinity. The Collect. O GOD, whose never-failing providence ordereth all things both in heaven and earth; We humbly beseech thee to put away from us all hurtful things, and to give us those things which be profitable for us; through Jesus Christ our Lord. Amen.
Westminster Confession of Faith: A.A. Hodge (#22): Ch 5, Providence, pp....
An anachronism, noted. But, would Dr. Cranmer have approved of Chapter 5 of the WCF? We think so, but will ponder it. Again, we believe so. Many other Augustinian Collects and other indications would support a "Yes." But, historically, we dislike anachronisms for other reasons. Dr. Cranmer did not live in the 17th century of the WCF or the 19th century of AA Hodge. But, once and awhile, a "What if..." question arises. Prof. MacCullough emphatically notes that Dr. Cranmer thought deeply and approvingly of double predestination and, its source, an all-prevailing and all-encompassing providence. The Eighth Sunday after Trinity. The Collect. O GOD, whose never-failing providence ordereth all things both in heaven and earth; We humbly beseech thee to put away from us all hurtful things, and to give us those things which be profitable for us; through Jesus Christ our Lord. Amen.
Thomas Cranmer: Jasper Ridley (#33): Formularies & the Bible (ch.8), 122ff.
BOOM! The "Thomas Matthews" Bible (Tyndale's, Rogers,' and Coverdale's) gets a royal and official thumbs-up for nationwide distribution, a turning point. Dr. Cranmer "enthuses" over this to Thomas Crumwell (sometimes spelled Cromwell) claiming this was a "better gift than 1000 pounds" and that Cromwell "would be greatly honored in the Final Judgment." Dr. Cranmer's hearty reaction and endorsement is no surprise. Dr. Cranmer had an energy on the Bible back to at least 1521. He may even have been a Wycliffian sympathesizer. Why not? Miles Coverdale, formerly the Bishop of Exeter (someone's ancestral homestead back to 1603), is in Zurich with Heinrich Bullinger working on the prototype to the Matthews' Bible. The presses are rolling. Zurich and Wittenberg are ahead of the power curve, but Dr. Cranmer is only a bit behind and held back by other forces.
Story of Christianity: Dr. Gonzalez (#17): Teachers of the Faith (ch.9),...
A look at Tertullian which was helpful but said ZERO about the canon--this is a major omission by this historian. A nice legal argument, however, by Tertullian "taking" the Bible out of the hands of "heretics," to which, they have no right to discuss the Bible until they submit to apostolic doctrine, a round-about comment on the canon, but not directly by Prof. Gonzalez. This argument, "taking" the Bible away from the German liberals may be an effective argument today. They don't own it and shouldn't comment on it. Dr. Cranmer, from his sources, however, gives us Tertullian's view of sola scriptura despite his drift away from it into Montanism, a complicated story itself.
Historical Theology: Dr. Gregg Allison (#19): The Authority of Holy Scri...
Amazingly and convincingly, Prof. Allison makes a cogent case for Canonical Scripture + Unwritten, Papally approved traditions, dual sources of authority, coming to age in the 14th century. An amazing date for the transition. Even Anselm and Aquinas, for better or worse, held to Sola Scriptura as the sovereign authority over reason and tradition. If the 14th century is the mark of this serious shift (adding to Scriptures), it's the same century/time-frame for Jan Huss and our beloved John Wycliffe of Oxford and Lutterworth, UK. It's indubitable that Sola Scriptura was the invocation and belief of the church in its early centuries. Dr. Cranmer nails that perspicuous manifesto to the bulkhead and mast in far better ways than Luther. What is new, to this scribe, is to find the substantial shift in/to the 14th century, although methinks the shift may have been in the offing long before that, e.g. Lateran 4 of 1215, inter alia. But, Prof. Allison cites Romanist writers who easily co...
Church History: Dr. Earle E. Cairns (#32): Creeds/Golden Age of Fathers ...
Arius, Nicea, Athanasius, 381 Chalcedon, Nestorius, Eutyches, 451 Chalcedon and related matters come to view. Glad we BCP-people have kept the Creeds in our Articles and BCP too, although the WCF and 3FU need codification too.
Dr. Robert Dick Wilson: Scientific Investigation of the Old Testament (#...
Hahahaha! Dr. Wilson calls the Graff-Welhausians "Spanish Inquisitors!" What an howler! With perspicuity, Dr. Wilson is "taking it" to the GW-boys in good Princetonian fashion. It's funny while being scholarly. No mercy to the "brilliantly stupid German liberals!" None!
History & Character of Calvinism: J.T. McNeill (#12)--Ch.4: Oecolampadiu...
Heinrich Bullinger's credit and reputation just shot up 1000%. A scholar, writer and genuine Pastor of enormous influence. Plus, he knew how to avoid the cantankerousness of the Wittenbergian Teuton who alienated (and lost) many Reformers (including English Reformers). By 1600, "Lutheranism" was a curse word at OXBRIDGE. 1000% upwards for Heinrich Bullinger. A magnificent summary by Prof. McNeil. Someone said that when Bullinger died (1575), England died. A bit of an exaggeration of course, but Bullinger's "Decades" was required reading for CoE ordinands, per the orders of Archbishop John Whitgift.
Historical Theology: Dr. Gregg Allison (#17): The Inspiration of Holy Sc...
An highly recommended volume. Barth and Brunner's views are summarized (happy that the old view of the canon had collapsed) with the heavy-weights answering, James Bannerman and Great Grandpa, B.B. Warfield. Very nice work by Prof. Allison.
Systematic Theology: Dr. Wayne Grudem (#15): "Canon" (ch.3), 71ff.: Deto...
DKH's article from ISBE on the OT canon, to wit, the OT witnesses to itself and canonical authority. Dovetails very nicely to the WCF 1.1.
Writing/Letters of Dr. Thomas Cranmer (#11): "Confutation of Unwritten V...
We choose an F-18 in an aerial attack on target because CDR Thomas Cranmer is laying his payload with accuracy on the target. Sola Scriptura! Jerome to a Christian brother: "I pray thee, dear brother, among these [ = canonical writings] live, muse upon these, know nothing else, seek for none other thing." Dr. Cranmer has many more quotes like it, especially from St. Augustine. "CDR Cranmer, fire at will!"