Evening Prayer (1662 Book of Common Prayer)

LECTIONS. John Calvin on the Psalms. ISBE: Genesis. Keil & Delitzsch: Joshua. Matthew Henry: Isaiah. ISBE: Matthew. Jamieson, Fausset & Brown: Gospels. Matthew Henry: Revelation. Dr. Robert Reymond: Systematic Theology. Prof. Berkhof, Systematic Theology: Soteriology. Dr. Philip Schaff, Apostolic Christianity, Medieval Christianity, Swiss Reformation and Creeds of Christendom. Westminster Larger Catechism, 169-171. For Psalm 15, Prof. Calvin comments on how contemptuously those fearing the LORD can be treated. One can see how this will energize the servant of God and put titanium in the steel. ISBE on Genesis: Dr. R.K. Harrison update Astruc of 1753 with Eichorn’s developments of 1792, and Geddes of 1800. The puzzle-story will shift as the century emerges. Prof. Green, in time, will bury Graff-Wellhausen. For Joshua 15, we get more geography lessons. For Isaiah 3.16-25, Prof. Henry continues to discuss how women in Jerusalem and Judea will be humbled. ISBE on Matthew: Dr. Hagner discusses Papias’s meaning of “logia,” as a 20th century NT Ph.D. Keeping facts separate from opinions is a challenge. For Mathew 3.1-12, Prof. Jamiesson discusses JB’s ministry. For Revelation 9.13-21, the sixth angel with the trumpet is unleased over the Tigris-Euphrates. For Theology Proper, Prof. Reymond exquisitely deals with the theism of atheists—rightly noting all are theists and atheists are liars and suppressors of creational revelation. Boom! Target acquired and target hit. For Soteriology, Prof. Berkhof discusses the OT examples of faith—Noah and Abraham, the archetype for Paul (Romans 4 and Galatians 3). For Apostolic Christianity, Prof. Schaff carries off with some romanticizing over-statements about Graeco-Roman literature—they are noted and admitted, but he concedes too much to them, missing Romans 1.18-3.20. For Medieval Christianity, Prof. Schaff speaks of Boniface, the Apostle to Germany, an Anglo-Saxon who wished to work with the Angles and Saxons, the home of his forbears. For the Swiss Reformation, Prof. Schaff gives a lovely poem of Zwingli written after the Peace of Cappel. For the Creeds of Christendom, Prof. Schaff begins to offer a goodly review of the Council of Trent (1543-1563), desired but not desired by the Popes fearing concessions. Protestants were invited but would have no deliberative voice, so they signed off. Further, the Protestants decided the Word of God was to be the sole criterion if they attended. The Pope and his crew said no, of course. The rest is history, including the 100 anathemas. Westminster Larger Catechism Q. 169. How hath Christ appointed bread and wine to be given and received in the sacrament of the Lord's supper? A. Christ hath appointed the ministers of his word, in the administration of this sacrament of the Lord's supper, to set apart the bread and wine from common use, by the word of institution, thanksgiving, and prayer; to take and break the bread, and to give both the bread and the wine to the communicants: who are, by the same appointment, to take and eat the bread, and to drink the wine, in thankful remembrance that the body of Christ was broken and given, and his blood shed, for them. Q. 170. How do they that worthily communicate in the Lord's supper feed upon the body and blood of Christ therein? A. As the body and blood of Christ are not corporally or carnally present in, with, or under the bread and wine in the Lord's supper, and yet are spiritually present to the faith of the receiver, no less truly and really than the elements themselves are to their outward senses; so they that worthily communicate in the sacrament of the Lord's supper, do therein feed upon the body and blood of Christ, not after a corporal and carnal, but in a spiritual manner; yet truly and really, while by faith they receive and apply unto themselves Christ crucified, and all the benefits of his death. Q. 171. How are they that receive the sacrament of the Lord's supper to prepare themselves before they come unto it? A. They that receive the sacrament of the Lord's supper are, before they come, to prepare themselves thereunto, by examining themselves of their being in Christ, of their sins and wants; of the truth and measure of their knowledge, faith, repentance; love to God and the brethren, charity to all men, forgiving those that have done them wrong; of their desires after Christ, and of their new obedience; and by renewing the exercise of these graces, by serious meditation, and fervent prayer.