Morning Prayer (1662 Book of Common Prayer)

[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 need are always assisted by God.

For Joshua 8, Prof. Keil talks about the military movements of Joshua and his troops.

For Isaiah 1, Prof. Henry comments on oxen that know their owners and asses their cribs. A fortiori, my people are worse than oxen and jackasses. God raised up this nation and fed them, but these people are dumber than dumb oxen and filthy, flea-infested asses. How will this sermon go over at Westminster Abbey or the National Cathedral?

For the Introduction to the Gospels, Prof. Jamiesson continues to wax onwards about the genuineness of the Gospels. Who would have written such accounts but believers and eye-witnesses?

For Revelation 3, Prof. Henry introduces Laodicea, 20 miles from Colossae, a church founded by St. Paul, a church that had received a letter from St. Paul, and, yet, it turns out to be the worst of the seven churches. The Effulgent Savior, eyes aflame, Sword coming from His mouth, feet like brass to walk over His enemies, like the earlier six epistles to those six churches, is present, walking and evaluation. The letters are Christocentric—the Amen, the faithful and true Witness, the Beginning of creation (2nd) and omniscient.

For Bibliology, Prof. Reymond lingers longer on the NT Canon.

For Soteriology, Prof. Berkhof discusses the Augustinian and Reformed concept of grace of victorious grace and God’s predestination; this was driven off the field by the Scholastics tying God’s hands to priests’ talismanic invocations and priestly controls of God with their ex opere operato sacraments. In time, the shift from God, external grace, and effectual grace would result in infusa gratia, the grace of the soul, and internal, grace-enabled, and meritorious human works.

For Apostolic Christianity, Mr. Schaff introduces the “history of missions.” The parable of the mustard seed is invoked, a tree growing tall and spreading in the earth. The parable of the leaven is offered, to wit, Christianity influencing and leavening all academic disciplines, Mr. Schaff's utopianianism and postmillenial optimism from the Gilded Age. Not quite on that point, but some truth there.

For Medieval Christianity, Mr. Schaff briefly tours Celtic religion, the Druids, Stone Henge, and the several proposals for when and by whom the Christian Kingdom was brought to England. Joseph of Arimathea? An apostle? Some of the 70 disciples from Jesus’s time? A soldier from the Roman army? By Tertullian’s time, Christians are noted in Britain.

For the Swiss Reformation, Mr. Schaff notes the overall negative reaction to the Swiss-cleanup. Dr. Eck, from off his debates with Luther, noted for his learning, ability, and conceit, headed up the disputation at Baden on 21 May 1526. Out of concern for Zwingli’s safety, Zurich did not allow his attendance. Zwingli would have equaled Eck in debate and exceeded him in Biblical knowledge.

For the Creeds, Mr. Schaff discussed variants and the proposed dates for adoption and use of the Apostles’ Creed.

For the WCF, the implications of each phrase of the LORD’s Prayer were reviewed.