Evening Prayer (1662 Book of Common Prayer)

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, Medieval Christianity and Swiss Reformation. Dr. Philip Schaff: Creeds. Westminster Shorter Catechism, 31-40. Prof. Calvin begins his work on Psalm 9, discussing the superscription, concluding that it's a tune or musical indicator. Prof. Keil is hovering over Joshua's lamentation and prayer regarding the loss at Ai, a small city, compared to Jericho. How could that happen? Joshua fears that the Name of the LORD will be mocked. Prof. Henry has ended his lengthy tour about "academic centers" or "the school of the prophets." Exquisite survey by this old, English Presbyterian who suffered at the hands of the Anglican Imperialists with their "high pride." Prof. Jamiesson covers Ignatius and Polycarp, men who's memories should never be forgotten. Ubermensch and I'm not talking about the devilish Nietzsche. Lovely and appreciative job by the Professor. Prof. Henry on Philadelphia, Rev. 3.7-13, notes that they get a "clean bill of health." Thumbs after after the Dead-Beat Church of Sardis--the Poohbahs with a name that they are alive but are dead-beat. Philadelphia is a contrast to that disaster. Prof. Reymond discusses Christ's pre-Authenticatory promises of the NT Canon by His Holy Spirit to and for the apostles. Prof. Berkhof nicely describes the Romanists' ordo salutis and the machinery of merits. Justification can come and go, ebb and flow, be lost and be restored. As the last phrase of Session 6 of Trent affirms, a man can save himself if he complies. Prof. Berkhof outlines the Arminian heresy and its ordo salutis--half-fallen man, wounded but not dead, one hand out of the coffin working for itself, grace to help the sinner decide, man saves himself by that right call. Prof. Schaff delightfully tells us a few things: (1) the Apostles and their work was done in the Graeco-Roman world with highways, history, literature and unifying languages; (2) as the early Medieval period opens with varying tribes running around the disunited and fallen Roman Empire, Churchmen had to deal with pagans, teach literacy and start alphabets in some cases, and operate in the backwoods. Roman civilization falls but the new, wild and unruly civilization will arise informed and influenced by the Christian message. Prof. Schaff bespeaks Zwingli's views on election and predestination with a few tart, critical comments, perhaps telling us more about Schaff than Zwingli, cut down in the prime of life and without the benefit of maturation such as Calvin and Cranmer experienced. Prof. Schaff-we are detecting some unpleasant odors here-and-there- in this German Reformed, Mercersburg man. He's solid, but he's not sinless. He tells us of the Lutheran and Reformed Confessions of 1530-1577 in the varied nation-states of Europe. He has a major mental lacunae--a break with reality--by his failure to mention Dordt and the Westminster Standards. Then, he speaks of other "evangelical denominations"--Congregationalists, Baptists, Quakers, Arminians, and Methodists as having a large consensus with the Reformed and Lutherans. He ends this section sadly and unwisely, hoping like some Utopian post-millenialist in the Gilded Age of the late 19th century towards some great future, that perhaps there will be a "creed of union and concord" amongst the branches of Christ's kingdom. Is he was wandering around in his pajamas in a state of disorientation in the backwoods at Mercersburg, PA. We love Prof. Schaff mostly, but not always. His cheap shots at Zwingli this morning were unnecessary. Not his best hour, although this is very serviceable. The WSC takes us through the several aspect of redemption with its usual succinctness. It's like a huge spring. Press down on it and let go. Boom!