Reformed Anglicans

ISAIAH-ALERT. External worship “stinks” if the heart, head, and soul are not “thoroughly Reformed.” Piles of liturgy stinks without a regenerated, devout, and God-loving heart. Isaiah lays in his ordnance in 1.10-15. That ain't gonna go over well at the Abbey or DC's Cathedral. Isaiah actually preached this stuff.  LECTIONS. John Calvin on the Psalms. Keil & Delitzsch: Joshua. Matthew Henry: Isaiah. Jamieson, Fausset & Brown: Gospels. Matthew Henry: Revelation. Dr. Robert Reymond: Systematic Theology. Prof. Berkhof, Systematic Theology: Soteriology. Dr. Philip Schaff, Apostolic Christianity, Medieval Christianity and Swiss Reformation. Dr. Philip Schaff: Creeds. Westminster Shorter Catechism, 61-70.  For Psalm 9, Prof. Calvin makes his exegetical effort again. As a Hebrew exegete, it’s not impressive. The English text outshines our beloved reformer. As an important aside, the impotent CoE has stricken this and correlative Psalms from usage. As such, we rebuke the CoE P...

ISAIAH-ALERT. LECTIONS. John Calvin on the Psalms. Keil & Delitzsch: Joshua. Matthew Henry: Isaiah. Jamieson, Fausset & Brown: Gospels. Matthew Henry: Revelation. Dr. Robert Reymond: Systematic Theology. Prof. Berkhof, Systematic Theology: Soteriology. Dr. Philip Schaff, Apostolic Christianity, Medieval Christianity and Swiss Reformation. Dr. Philip Schaff: Creeds. Westminster Shorter Catechism, 61-70. For Psalm 9, Prof. Calvin repeats himself again on 9.17-18. For Joshua 8, Prof. Keil brings the reader to the conclusion of the covenant reaffirmation service at Gebal and Gerizim. For Isaiah 1, Prof. Henry elaborates on Isaiah’s words of destruction to the proud worshippers in Jerusalem. It is a literal take-down of the entire Levitical system in detail. The point, however, is not the “decanonizing” of the “canon,” but the souls and hearts of the worshippers who’ve punctiliously observed the canonical requirements—being men of “blood.” Blood in the land and throughout th...

1547. Bishop Burnet gives some convoluted account of the genesis of two houses of Parliament and the two houses of Convocation which has the appearance of complexities of an intestinal system. Both are prorogued just before Christmas, 1547, and are to meet in April 1548. A lot was achieved in the 12 months following Henry’s departure. Burnet makes a note that Henry had other “reformers” in the crock-pot that were never effected. Clearly, as for government matters, advanced Reformers had every right to insist on Synodical and presbyterial reforms and, barring that, to reduce the Prelatical Poohbahs down to the level of their fellow Elders. Prelacy still had Tudor-odors of absolutism. That reform never happened. A lot of negative ink and labels have been tossed at these godly English Presbyterians. Episcopalians never matured and reformed that constipated system of prelature. Nor did they ever adopt the 1595 Lambeth Articles, the Synod of Dordt in 1619, nor the Westminster Standards, tha...

2.1.2, 85-101ff. Government, Parliamentary and Royal theology proceeds apace in 1557. Bills and debates occur on communion in one or both kinds, the repeal of the 1539 Six Whips, the repeal of laws against the Lollards, the repression of private masses, episcopal appointments by Royal authority, chantries put on the realty market with its thinly-disguised face of plunder and avarice, and laws against vagrancy and loitering (an occupation dominated by monks and friars tossed when the Abbey’s were closed—a dangerous breed of malcontents). Of necessity, Cranmer is on this Erastian bus although not driving it. Bonner and Gardiner protest the Homilies while getting tossed into the Fleet Prison. Burnet notes that everyone was familiar with Gardiner’s “haughty spirit.” Poopery breeds pride, then, just as now, although Pelagian mainliners have ingested the poison-spirits as well. Cranmer has a tete-tete with Gardiner with Wily give the standard view of justification-on-the-installment plan a...

2.1.73-84ff.  1547: Homilies: 1st: Use of the Scriptures.  2nd: Of the Misery of Mankind by Sin.  3rd: Of their Salvation by Christ. 4th: Of True and Lively Faith.  5th: Of Good Works.  6th: Of Christian Love and Charity.  7th: Against Swearing, and chiefly Perjury.  8th: Against Apostasy, or declining from God.  9th: Against the Fear of Death. 10th: An Exhortation to Obedience.  11th: Against Whoredom and Adultery, setting forth the State of Marriage, how necessary and honourable it was.  12th: Against Contention, chiefly about Matters of Religion. The nation-wide visitations insisted on injunctions, use of the Homilies, English Bibles, and Erasmus’ Paraphrases to be in every parish. More specific and detailed injunctions were discussed (75ff.). The bishops were given orders to further aid the civil governors which occasioned heats. Remember, the Council crafted by Henry consisted of half-Reformers and half-traditionalists before his de...

ISAIAH-ALERT. ELECTION. OH NO! LECTIONS. John Calvin on the Psalms. Keil & Delitzsch: Joshua. Matthew Henry: Isaiah. Jamieson, Fausset & Brown: Gospels. Matthew Henry: Revelation. Dr. Robert Reymond: Systematic Theology. Prof. Berkhof, Systematic Theology: Soteriology. Dr. Philip Schaff, Apostolic Christianity, Medieval Christianity and Swiss Reformation. Dr. Philip Schaff: Creeds. Westminster Shorter Catechism, 31-40. For Psalm 9, Prof. Calvin is unremarkable and offers little of note on 9.13-14. For Joshua 8, Prof. Keil dispatches one puerile comment by a Graff-Wellhausian who claims, willy nilly, that the Gerizim-Ebal covenant ceremony is misplaced as a matter of chronicity. A lovely head-butt to and take-down of Knobel. Some have to do the hard work and Keil does it. As one Marine Commander noted, "Ya' won't hurt 'em if ya' don't hit 'em." Beta-boys and thumb-suckers in playpens are not equipped for war. Thankfully, Prof. Keil is equipped. ...

ISAIAH-ALERT. LECTIONS. John Calvin on the Psalms. Keil & Delitzsch: Joshua. Matthew Henry: Isaiah. Jamieson, Fausset & Brown: Gospels. Matthew Henry: Revelation. Dr. Robert Reymond: Systematic Theology. Prof. Berkhof, Systematic Theology: Soteriology. Dr. Philip Schaff, Apostolic Christianity, Medieval Christianity and Swiss Reformation. Dr. Philip Schaff: Creeds. Westminster Shorter Catechism, 21-30. For Psalm 9, Prof. Calvin advises that justice delayed is not justice according to our calendar or justice according to our desires. God never misses a beat as the Judge in His own court room. The illiberal liberals—several kinds—and Mr. Tom Wright of Durham seem to have lost a sense of a fully-orbed view of God. In discussions, Tom asks a preliminary question of the fellow-scholar, “Are you a man with a Confession (e.g., WCF)?” Of course he is and Tom knows it. He did that with Dr. Richard Gaffin, a Reformed Confessor. It was an upfront wall of obfuscation. Tom knew exactly...

2.86-109. The long, tedious, twisted, and twisting saga of Realpolitics between the Poop, Cardinals in Rome, Cardinal Syphilis (Wolsey of York), Cardinal Campeggio in Rome and later England, King Henry, Charles V, the Imperial Spaniards at Rome and in England…the saga to grant a reversal of Poop Julius’s dispensation. All of this goes down throughout 1528. Ann Boleyn, aged 27, writes two familiar, if not gutsy, letters to Cardinal Syphilis. She’s “in the know” and Henry is the only one who brought her into these back-channel, high level maneuvers. Steve Gardiner and Edward Fox, a canonist and theologian respectively, are in the back rooms too. Poor Cranmer is doing academic lifting at Cambridge at this point and, soon enough in late 1529, will get sucked into Henry’s gambit. Man plans, but God disposes as He desires. It is must be remembered that the Poop and his prestige had long declined from its zenith under the Sinner, Innocent III, and after the Sinner, Boniface VIII, followed by ...

SAIAH-AND-REVELATION ALERT. For any Marcionites or snowflakes, these two books come with “mental health warnings.” These books may cause turmoil for those in their jammies in the theological playpens. These books have been known to invoke crying, depressive episodes, sniffling, as well has high-handed dismissals. LECTIONS. John Calvin on the Psalms. Keil & Delitzsch: Joshua. Matthew Henry: Isaiah. Jamieson, Fausset & Brown: Gospels. Matthew Henry: Revelation. Dr. Robert Reymond: Systematic Theology. Prof. Berkhof, Systematic Theology: Soteriology. Dr. Philip Schaff, Apostolic Christianity, Medieval Christianity and Swiss Reformation. Dr. Philip Schaff: Creeds. Westminster Shorter Catechism, 61-70. For Psalm 9, Prof. Calvin adds little to what he addressed in the earlier verses. He does make a few un-noteworthy exegetical points from the Hebrew text. For Joshua 8, Prof. Keil discusses Joshua’s take-down of Ai and Bethel. For Isaiah 1, Prof. Henry talks of the ailments of...

2.85ff. 1527: Bishop Burnet throws Sander’s infamies about Ann Bolyen into the proverbial wood-chipper without further ado. He discusses Ann Boleyn’s aristocratic heritage, commendable services in French courts including a few Queens, and a good reputation at the English court. With or without an eye for Anne, Henry was moving to get Catherine put out to pasture since she was an unproductive breeding mare. It is notable that Anne was one of several dance partners in the line-up. Henry had a court full of winsome ladies. The Italian Cassali family, agents of Henry in Italy, and Wolsey were working in the workshop to get this Kate-matter ended. The Pape issues a feint and head-fake on reversing the dispensation. But, he reverses himself on that in view of the Spaniards.

[ISAIAH-ALERT] Oh no! Isaiah's preaching at Westminster Abbey tonight! He's naming names, including Justin! Good Queen Bess 2 is laughing! Oh no! She likes Isaiah but the episcopal is in the sweat-zone with sighs and moans! Reportedly, he's headed over to Lambeth Palace afterwards. Wish we had a CSPAN camera on the conversation between Isaiah and Justin! LECTIONS. John Calvin on the Psalms. Keil & Delitzsch: Joshua. Matthew Henry: Isaiah. Jamieson, Fausset & Brown: Gospels. Matthew Henry: Revelation. Dr. Robert Reymond: Systematic Theology. Prof. Berkhof, Systematic Theology: Soteriology. Dr. Philip Schaff, Apostolic Christianity, Medieval Christianity and Swiss Reformation. Dr. Philip Schaff: Creeds. Westminster Shorter Catechism, 1-10. For Psalm 9, Prof. Calvin essentially calls for church history—remember the mercies of God in the past, not just individually, but God’s mercies to His people and His judgments outside the kingdom. No anti-intellectualism in tha...

The Bishop of Salisbury weaves in a few lines about over-arching and governing providence, working order out of the chaos. A military salute is ordered up for the Senior Presbyter of Salisbury. But, the WCF 5 needs to be on the frontispiece of these competent volumes. Part 1—Book II: Henry and Catherine from the 19th to 25th year of his rule. The beginning of the suit appears to begin in Henry, but also in back-channel gossips of foreign courts. H7’s intentions were to keep England and Spain in league against France. Apparently, there are depositions of consummation of coitus between Arthur and Kate, but Arthur dies 2 April 1502. He’s around 16. A proposed marriage is considered between H8 and Kate, once Arthur dies. Warham opposes, but Fox of Winchester affirms. The Pope's belchings of a dispensation come on 26 Dec 1503: “That the pope, according to the greatness of his lections, authority, having received a petition from prince Henry and the princess Catharine, bearing, That wher...

[ISAIAH-ALERT] Admiral Isaiah will be in the pulpit and in command at Westminster Abbey. He will be controlling the preaching rota henceforth. Rumors are circulating that the Westminster staff may resign and Welby is wringing his hands. The Queen doesn't know that Isaiah is on the Bridge. Welby fears Isaiah will call the attendees more stupid than oxen and jackasses (see below and 1.2-9). That is, giving lists of dolts, dupes and dummies. Isaiah preached these sermons to a Royal Court in Jerusalem. What will he do at the Abbey? LECTIONS. John Calvin on the Psalms. Keil & Delitzsch: Joshua. Matthew Henry: Isaiah. Jamieson, Fausset & Brown: Gospels. Matthew Henry: Revelation. Dr. Robert Reymond: Systematic Theology. Prof. Berkhof, Systematic Theology: Soteriology. Dr. Philip Schaff, Apostolic Christianity, Medieval Christianity and Swiss Reformation. Dr. Philip Schaff: Creeds. Westminster Shorter Catechism, 61-70. For Psalm 9, Prof. Calvin talks about God’s people in time of ...

ISAIAH-ALERT. CDR ISAIAH WILL BE CONDUCTING F-18, AERIAL, COMBAT OPERATIONS ON JUDAH AND ISRAEL. LECTIONS. John Calvin on the Psalms. Keil & Delitzsch: Joshua. Matthew Henry: Isaiah. Jamieson, Fausset & Brown: Gospels. Matthew Henry: Revelation. Dr. Robert Reymond: Systematic Theology. Prof. Berkhof, Systematic Theology: Soteriology. Dr. Philip Schaff, Apostolic Christianity, Medieval Christianity and Swiss Reformation. Dr. Philip Schaff: Creeds. Westminster Shorter Catechism, 91-100. For Psalm 9, Prof. Calvin revisits the immoveability and the assured judicial rulings of the Just Judge in his court room. This will annoy Mr. Bishop N.T. Wright of Durham with his half-God in terms of attributes who driveled on about the “cold justice of God” as a man unalert to God’s character. The better instructor, Prof. Calvin, reminds the disconsolate and troubled, that delayed justice is not justice denied. We would add that the martyrs await their day, Rev.6.9-11: “ 9  And when he ...

One can understand the gathering forces leading to the liberation and enlightenment of the Reformation. And we haven’t even gotten to the Reformatory Councils of the 15 th century yet. People knew things needed reforming on several levels. John Wycliffe, Jan Hus, Jerome of Prague and Savanarola arose, indicators and witnesses to the massive corruption. Wycliffe averred sola scriptura, denied cannibalism at the Lord’s Table, and decried the wanton lusts of the clerks for money and power. Hus and Jerome embraced Wycliffism and defended God’s cause in Bohemia. Reformatory Councils arose. Marsilius of Padua’s Defensor Pacis denied an absolutist hierarchy to either church or state, affirming that government resided with the people. Had Marsilius’s ideas obtained, the Man of Sin’s government would have become a constitutional monarchy instead of its absolutist form. The Council of Pisa, 1409, deposed two competing Men of Sin, Benedict 13 and Gregory 12, appointing Alexander 5 as the new Rom...

Edward Cairns, Ph.D.: "Christianity Through the Centuries:" Ch.14: Medieval Sunset & Modern Sunrise, 1305-1517, 269ff. Chapter 24. Attempts at Internal Reform. The Papacy was in decline from 1309-1439. Mandatory and enforced clerical celibacy was never workable and conflicted with human nature and God’s Word. Concubinage, sodomy with bend-over priests, turning a blind eye to priest's live-in housekeepers, adultery, and children resulted. Also, an inhouse insurance policy where a priest could have his concubine, if he paid the Bishop his annual premium thus avoiding ecclesiastical accountability. A fool’s errand ordered up by the Roman sinner. The Babylonian Captivity and Great Schism, 1309-1377, with the Roman sinner seated in southern France at Avignon than Rome. Papal power reached its zenith under Innocent III, but declined after Boniface 8’s efforts to reduce French and English kings to his Corporals. The Roman sinners of the period were: Clement 5, Greg 1, Urban...

LECTIONS. John Calvin on the Psalms. Keil & Delitzsch: Joshua. Matthew Henry: Isaiah. Jamieson, Fausset & Brown: Gospels. Matthew Henry: Revelation. Dr. Robert Reymond: Systematic Theology. Prof. Berkhof, Systematic Theology: Soteriology. Dr. Philip Schaff, Apostolic Christianity, Medieval Christianity and Swiss Reformation. Dr. Philip Schaff: Creeds. Westminster Shorter Catechism, 61-70. For Psalm 9, the elect are assured that God is immoveably and eternally seated on the throne of justice as the Just Judge of the ends of the earth, nations, tribes and smaller social, political, economic and theological units. Secular history, if allowed as a term, is subordinate to the Church with Christ as Lord, Redeemer and Conqueror. For Joshua 7, Prof. Keil elaborates on Achan's judicial execution and burial in the Valley of Achor ( = Valley of Troubling). Joshua then is commanded to fear not, be not dismayed and return to Ai to inflict judicial and retributive justice on these ge...

LECTIONS. John Calvin on the Psalms. Keil & Delitzsch: Joshua. Matthew Henry: Isaiah. Jamieson, Fausset & Brown: Gospels. Matthew Henry: Revelation. Dr. Robert Reymond: Systematic Theology. Prof. Berkhof, Systematic Theology: Soteriology. Dr. Philip Schaff, Apostolic Christianity, Medieval Christianity and Swiss Reformation.  Dr. Philip Schaff: Creeds. Westminster Shorter Catechism,  61-70. For Psalm 9, David elaborates on God, seated on the throne, who judges the enemies who oppose His Kingdom, His Covenant, His promises and His Majesty's Word. As such, God's people stand in battle with this infallible assurance. For Joshua 7, Prof. Keil tells us of the stoning of Achan, family and life stock. Holiness, divine judgment and correlates are dead in many seminaries and churches. Similarly, Acts 5 and the tasering of Annanias and Saphira. Likely, 1 Cor. 11.30 is non-functional. Why? The dictates, desires, fears, incompetencies and distractions of Dr. Lard Cake-Eaters in co...