Evening Prayer

The picture is the Rev. Dr. Louis Berkhof, Christian Reformed Church. For Psalm 20, Prof. Calvin comments on God overthrowing Israel’s oppressors. ISBE on the dating of Exodus: Prof. R. K. Harrison notes that “Ramses” in Exodus 1.11 cannot be the final arbiter on a 13th century date for the Exodus. For Genesis 4.9-15: Prof. Keil notes that Cain will be a wandering and under curse. For Judges 2.1-4, Prof. Keil further comments on the Angel of the LORD at Bochim—place of tears. For Isaiah 8.1-8, Prof. Henry hits a homerun on predictive prophecy! But, oh wait! Impossible! Miracle? Can’t be! God can’t do that! ISBE on Mark: Dr. R. P. Martin’s comments are not worth commenting on. For Mathew 5.43-48, Prof. Jamieson brings in Law, Perfection, Holiness in relation to the Sermon on the Mount, not as erasing the OT moral law, but reinforcing it. So, the wee little ethicists Marcionitally erasing the OT in view of a softer Jesus—an ethical Reformer—have missed the train. For Romans 4.1ff., Prof. Hodge “wonks” out on imputations going in several directions. 2nd shelf? 3rd shelf? Warrantably exegetically, but “wonkdom” makes it impenetrable. For Revelation 19.5-8, Prof. Henry gives us the heavenly rejoicings as Babylon “goes up in smoke.” Alleluia! Imprecatory Psalms now, but when Babylon is done, sheer praise. EDT on the Theological Liberalism: notes that neo-orthodoxy put classical liberalism on a backfoot by returning, or trying to return, to the doctrine of sin and God’s sovereignty. Westminster Theological Journal (Nov 2021) on “Theological Consequences of Q”: Dr. Dawson takes us to Wonkyville as some Q-enthusiasts claim to get down to sociological levels—Q in the small Palestinian and those from the large Palestinian villages. Ya’ can’t make this up, but the belchers from the Q-clubhouse do make it up. Bizarre review. Protestant Reformed Theological Journal 55,1 (Fall, 2021): 3-15, Rev. Key offers little on the issue of freedom. He makes an effort to comment on “law” in St. Paul’s work. Reformed Theological Journal (Sept 2021), Dr. Fesko on “What Lurks Behind Geerhardus Vos?” shoots down the hagiographers of Vos. Vos’ “Biblical Theology” is edifying and valuable, but saying it is “uniquely insight” is another thing. Ouch! A solid scholar is at work. In the Global Anglican (Winter 2021), Martin Davie reviews Professor John Barton’s “History of the Bible” (London: Penguin, 2020) which can be summed up as a train wreck with the usual diktats of a fundie-libboe. Matthew humorously refers to “On not leave the car in pieces on the floor.” That’s about right. For Systematic Theology (locus 2), Prof. Hodge discusses the Council of Trent and the authorization of the Vulgate as “the” only lawful Bible version, even forbidding reference to Greek and Hebrew studies. Scholars differ on the latter interpretation however since Papists were influence in Greek-Hebrew studies, e.g., Erasmus the lackey.