Morning Prayer (1662 Book of Common Prayer)

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, 71-80. For Psalm 9, Prof. Calvin is fast-becoming the non-go-to-man on the Psalms. We soldier on. For Joshua 8, Prof. Keil finishes up on the establishment of the base-camp of operations prior to the renewal of executions of retributive justice on the Canaanites (divinely ordered-up) and on the blessings of Abraham’s descendants in the land. For Isaiah 1, Prof. Henry tells us, again, how “worthless” divine worship is without a regenerated heart that is alive and God-oriented. So God-oriented, that it follows God alone despite costs imposed by the rebellious believers (reprobates are believers, Rom.1.18-3.20, but are co-active suppressor of God’s revelation and are pro-active abusers of God’s elect). For the Introduction to the Gospels, Prof. Jamiesson exposits the early historians of Papias, Irenaeus and Eusebius that Matthew wrote his Gospel in Aramaic/Syro-Chaldean and preached as far as India. Delightfully, Prof. Jamiesson has one eye on the living demons in Germany attacking Christ’s character. For Revelation 4.1ff, Prof. Henry begins to lead one into the precincts of heaven. This will cure one of all manner of issues. Having spoken to issues confronting the churches of the ages, one is led to the Ageless Redeemer seated on His throne of majesty above. For Bibliology, Prof. Reymond continues to skewer the hapless Dr. R.C. Sproul on his impotent logic on the infallibility of Scripture. It’s embarrassing, but RC was playing to the audience rather than the logic. For Soteriology, Prof. Berkhof puts the reader to sleep with his tedious over-talking of “common grace.” Nice try, Louis. We got the point a few pages back. UPSHOT: everyone lives on God's dime--his air, land, and food. God exhibits "his long-suffering on the vessels fitted for destruction." The elect live humbly and believingly while the rebellious believers riot and rebel in ingratitude, self-indulgence and radical denial. Turn the music up, Dudes, and let me forget my original sin and God. For Apostolic Christianity, Mr. Schaff discusses 1-100 noting that the Gospels and Apostolic history are ordered up as the predicate. For Medieval Christianity, Mr. Schaff continues his walk-along tour with Gregory 1, the story about the “Angles” who are slave-boys in Rome, Augustine and the thirty companions. For the Swiss Reformation, Mr. Schaff continues to deal with Oecolampadius at Basel. He includes a red-hot sermon bewailing the “use of comedy” as unseemly, unprophetic and un-Biblical. An interesting angle and prompt for consideration. [Think of the low-info, late night comedians on TV who aren’t funny but think themselves so. Oecolampadius thought it an escape-valve from dealing with one’s own original sins and transgression. Warrantable.] For the Creeds, Mr. Schaff offers further comments on the variants and history of the Nicene Creed, confessed by millions over 1700 years. Unfortunately, Mr. Schaff failed to note that Tridentine soteriology undermines and knocks over the Nicene Creed with a platinum level force of destruction. But, in 2021, no one but clear thinkers see it. And, most largely in 2021, few care in a soporific nation of 330 million, besotted by an absence of the fear of the LORD. A lot of nice talk, however, thinking ourselves riches when we are poor. Revelation 1 and 4 refixes the gaze of the earnest in heart and soul. For the WCF, the 7th-10th commandments are applied to the mind and soul.