Morning 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 comments on David's rehearsal of past testimonies (hence, the importance of history in redemptive and larger historical discourse) but also the thanksgiving for the discomfitures and defeats of God's enemies. A pattern for prayer is before David's descendants (us). Prof. Keil continues the exposition of Joshua's forensic investigation into the secondary cause/causes of the discomfiture at Ai. Soon enough, Achan will be identified as the criminal trespassing against the LORD of the covenant. Prof. Henry does the wrap-up on the intro to Isaiah, suggesting that Isaiah was of royal blood whose father was the brother of King Uzziah. Isaiah comments on the writing prophets: Hosea, Amos, Joel and Obadiah. Since some prophets, Men of the Book, were killed, writings assured the permanence of the witness (if not destroyed as in Jeremiah's time). Confer what we confess in Westminster Confession 1--God wanted the writings put down as a benchmark for a number of reasons. To wit, the Church might go aground on modernity and idolatry, but the benchmarks help the elect to cling to God and the Bible. Prof. Jamiesson comments on Tatian and Marcion. As for Tatian's Diatessaron, a conversion experiment on the Four Gospels making one continuous narrative of the Four Gospels, it had a ready and wide audience for congregational use in Syria. However, Theophylact found 200 of Tatian's Diatessaron in use and replaced them with the Four Gospels. Prof. Jamiesson underscores the point of the well-established role and position of the Four Gospels in play. Prof. Jamiesson then brings in the heretic Marcion of Rome, the man of malice and self-assertion warranting the permanent tackle and take-down. Irenaeus and Tertullian perform the arrest, booking and imprisonment of Boy Marcion. This strengthens the churches' resolve to aver, affirm and lift-up the Four Gospels to the churches and the world. Prof. Reymond brings Prof. Ridderbos, Hahneman and F. F. Bruce into the discussion about the firmness, receptivity and indubitability of 20 of 27 NT books in the Canon, to wit, the Gospels, Acts, and Paul's 13 epistles, 1 John, 1 Peter. There were no doubts and these 20 books were received in the Catholic Church, widely and affirmatively. Questions in isolated pockets existed for Hebrews, James, 2 Peter, 2 & 3 John, and Revelation. Prof. Henry humbly comments on Jesus holding the keys of heaven and hell. Jesus alone opens and He alone closes the door: to the heart, in life, the church, and the gates heaven and hell. Sit down, Mr. Pope, in Rome and have the high and exalted pleasure to shut up, listen and learn. Jesus has the keys, not you. Prof. Berkhof makes an effort to shift from Christology to soteriology. Grade: C. Mr. Schaff gives a summary of 590-1073. "Skepticism and infidelity" were absent belches the Hun from the backwoods of Pennsylvania in the late 19th century. "Critical investigation and judgment" in the middle ages were absent the German Schnauzer puppy barks. Yap! Yap! Of course, such thinking only occurs in Germany, reminiscent of the Schoolboy of Marburg. "Faith was blind and unreasoning" Schaff boy-burps from his playpen. The medieval people were "ruder, coarser, and more passionate" says the Hun of a nation that would later give the world World War 1 and 2, a level heretofore unknown in history. Keeping Schaff separate from historical facts will be a challenge. Prof. Schaff makes another attempt to describe Zwingli's doctrine of predestination, but, again, inserts his problematic attitude making it hard to keep Zwingli separate from the German historian. We are not pleased by the German. More as the submarine tracks Schaff and, for now, remains on passive sonar. Prof. Schaff offers some comments on the Apostles, Nicene and Athanasian Creed. He comments on the Lutheran, Reformed and Anglican traditions.