Morning Prayer

For Psalm 19, Prof. Calvin still waxes long on the universality of the divine speech of nature.

ISBE on Exodus: Prof. R. K. Harrison comments on the differences between 1^st millennium and 2^nd millennium BC Hittite treaties. Exodus’s Sinaitic Covenant follows the 2^nd millennium approach—preamble, historical prologue, stipulations and with a copy placed in the chief shrine. That is, a written, formal record of the Sovereign’s lordship over the vassal. But, wait, the Graffie boys said there was no writing in the 2^nd millenium BC? Can’t be!

For Genesis 3 and the Fall: Prof. Keil talks about the serpent as the Tempter.

For Judges 1, Prof. Keil inspires on the positive role of the Shophetim, the Judges, repelling invaders. Illustrations for the needs of our times.

For Isaiah 7.1-9, Prof. Henry continues the “Buck up, Ahaz” sermon by Isaiah.

ISBE on Mark: Dr. R. P. Martin introduces “special problems” in Mark, noticeably, the utterly brief introduction. Hey, Mark is not a long-talker so why is that a problem, Ralph?

For Mathew 5.17-20, Prof. Jamiesson talks of the essential need of holiness—inwardly.

For Romans 3.9-20, Prof. Hodge is disarming Romanism, mystics and Schleiermachians, that is, justification by sanctification.

For Revelation 16.12-16, Prof. Henry notes that the anti-Christian empire will engage the Church, but Christian Churchmen will rally to the ramparts to repel all invades. Man up, fellas, lock and load and let’s lean forward in the trenches.

EDT on the Enlightenment: Herman Reimarus of the Hamburg school may be tagged as the founder of the quest for this historical Jesus since Jesus was a disillusioned failure and politician. The resurrection and ascension were fraudulencies crafted by his followers. Gotthold Ephraim Lessing, another reductionist and Saduccee, reduced Christianity to ethics only. Romans 3.9-20 again.

In the Global Anglican, Matthew Payne finished his thesis that perseverance of the saints in ensconced in the Anglican formularies, not as clearly as more mature Confessions but, nonetheless, still there.

For Systematic Theology (locus 2), Prof. Hodge discusses the Quakers as a subset of the mystics.

For Theology Proper (locus 2), Prof. Reymond discusses Christ as the worthy and just recipient of human’s praise and adoration, including the children who shout “Hosannas” at His triumphant entry to Jerusalem. The Prof. is a modern Judge rallying the forces to drive off the theological Philistines.

For Ecclesiology (locus 6), Prof. Berkhof presses an extremely high view of the Church, due to his high Christology. Every bit as high as some high church Anglican.

ODCC: Quadratus, a 2^nd century writer, an “Apologist,” writes a letter to Emperor Hadrian c. 124 AD.

For Apostolic Christianity, Vol. 1 (0-100) Prof. Schaff starts the discussion on the resurrection, the Bedrock of the Christian Church. Dr. Bultmann, is your head still in the place where it doesn’t shine or are you still thinking from that Sitz em Leben?

For Medieval Christianity, Vol. 4 (590-1073), Prof. Schaff discusses worship in the mosques—simple, shoeless (take them off), and ever-open.

For the Swiss Reformation Vol. 8 (1519-1605), Prof. Schaff brings the tribute of John Lawrence Mosheim (1695-1755), a German church historian, to Calvin. These 23 pages by Prof. Schaff is worth the volume. A solid mosaic of encomiums.

For Dr. Cranmer, Prof. MacCulloch suggests that Dr. Cranmer may have been an early advocate in 1527 at Cambridge for Henry’s dilemma—a “plausible” notion given his spring/summer trip to Spain and back. Divided labors? Cambridge duties as an examiner of ordinands and theology students? He was still one of the senior examiners.

For the Creeds of Christendom, Prof. Schaff continues to lambast Vatican 1.

1994 CCC: the infallibilists and absolutists, nouns, verbal, grammar and all, offer workable statements on the Trinity. Commendable at this point. Justin in Canterbury, any ideas here?

Westminster Larger Catechism 148:

Q. 148. What are the sins forbidden in the tenth commandment?
A. The sins forbidden in the tenth commandment are, discontentment with our own estate; envying and grieving at the good of our neighbor, together with all inordinate motions and affections to anything that is his.