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, 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 generations that left the Church. For Isaiah 1, Prof. Henry discusses the length of Isaiah's ministry covering the 45-60ish year period of Uzziah, Jotham, Ahaz and Hezekiah. Jotham was a good king, but Ahaz shut up the Temple and filled Jerusalem with idols. Yet, the articulate Prophet and courtier of the Privy Counsellor, if one might, may have suffered for his teachings and comments. He was an Aid to Hezekiah, a reasonably good King as far as Kings go. Prof. Henry suggests that Isaiah may have been assassinated by Hezekiah's successor, the reprobate Manasseh. For the Introduction to the Gospels, Prof. Jamiesson talks more about the external witnesses to the Gospels' genuineness. For Revelation 3, Prof. Henry discusses the role of patience in the life of the Philadelphians. To wit, Jesus was accosted by afflictions and so will the Philadelphians need to be patient in times of trial and temptation. For Bibliology, Prof. Reymond drifts around--long-talks--on the criteria of NT canonicity citing Dr. Richard Gaffin, a former Prof. of mine, and Prof. Herman Ridderbos. For Apostolic Christianity, Mr. Schaff talks about the nature of Church History, including the supremacy of and sovereignty of God's Kingdom and Church above all institutions and more. For Medieval Christianity, Mr. Schaff makes some belittling comments about the Medievalists from his 19th century, post-millenial, progressivist perch in Mercersburg, PA. Yet, with his progressivist eyes, he see the benefits that came to the Northern and other European tribes in this period of 590-1073, For the Swiss Reformation, Mr. Schaff tells us of Calvin and Zwingli's concurrence with the Bible on predestination and election. The WSC: the 7th-10th commandments.