Morning Prayer

For Psalm 20, Prof. Calvin comments on David’s covenant consciousness. He believes this Psalm was written when David was old, but this is opinion without documentation.

ISBE on the dating of Exodus: Prof. R. K. Harrison comments on literary writings on the walls at Karnak Temple and Ramessium—to wit, a treaty with the Hittites with four stipulations, promises of mutual allegiance, and ensuring dynastic successors.

For Genesis 4.1-8: Prof. Keil comment on Abel’s offering and Cain’s offering.

For Judges 1.27-35, Prof. Keil gives a wrap on several other tribes and their partial conquest leaving Canaanites here-and-there, a future thorn in the side.

For Isaiah 8.1-8, Prof. Henry notes that Isaiah is ordered to write down his vision-sermon of judgment coming for the north. The written document is for the record, to substantiate the prophecy and to bear witness to future generations.

ISBE on Mark: Dr. R. P. Martin makes more tepid comments not worth noting.

For Mathew 5.43-48, Prof. Jamieson comments on loving your enemy, blessing those who curse you.

For Romans 3.21-31, Prof. Hodge does an exegetical wrap and begins the doctrinal summary of this section.

For Revelation 18.9-24, Prof. Henry comments on the denizens of Satan’s fallen Babylon becrying and loudly lamenting the fall of their idol.

EDT on the Theological Liberalism: comments on the idea that the vengeful, primitive, bloodthirsty, and backwards ideas of the Israelites gave way to “evolved” views of the physical world, culture and religion. Such as evolved into WW1-2, Stalinism, Maoism, CCP’s genocides and Western baby-killing. Very evolved. Such hubris.

Westminster Theological Journal (Nov 2021) on “Theological Consequences of Q”: Dr. Dawson

In the Global Anglican, a book review of Andrew Moot’s “The End of Youth Ministry?” by Robin Barfield.

For Systematic Theology (locus 2), Prof. Hodge is talking far too long about mystics. Move along, Prof. More words doesn’t make your point more true.

For Theology Proper (locus 2), Prof. Reymond hits another homerun with Colossians 2.9 with Paul’s high, ontological, full, incarnational Christology. Practically, if it doesn’t measure up here, give ‘em the polite heave-ho.

For Ecclesiology (locus 6), Prof. Berkhof discusses the 3-fold use of the law: political/civic, convictional, and a rule of gratitude.

ODCC: Apollinarius and Apollinarianism: He rewrote the Bible in classical form (363-163), was a vigorous opponent of Arians, was a Bishop of Laodicea, was condemned by a Council of Alexandria and the 381. Council of Constantinople.

For Apostolic Christianity, Vol. 1 (0-100) Prof. Schaff suggest ½ million was the number for Christians in the 1^st century with a membership of 100 million for the whole Roman Empire. He says that may be high, but thinks the number was high.

For Medieval Christianity, Vol. 4 (590-1073), Prof. Schaff claims that Gregory 1 did not claim the universal episcopate.

For the Swiss Reformation Vol. 8 (1519-1605), Prof. Schaff discusses Calvin’s early life.

For Dr. Cranmer, Prof. MacCulloch theorizes and suggests in 1531 that Dr. Cranmer may have had a contact with Simon Grynaeus, a brilliant Greek scholar and humanists, and Martin Bucer of Strassburg. The proof is not at hand, but it’s a good musing only.

For the Creeds of Christendom, Prof. Schaff notes that the Old Catholics were Tridentists and he dreams of an increasing approach to Protestants.

1994 CCC: our infallibilists in paragraphs in 290-292 speaks of the Trinity in Creation.

Westminster Larger Catechism

Q. 162. What is a sacrament?
A. A sacrament is an holy ordinance instituted by Christ in his church, to signify, seal, and exhibit unto those that are within the covenant of grace, the benefits of his mediation; to strengthen and increase their faith, and all other graces; to oblige them to obedience; to testify and cherish their love and communion one with another; and to distinguish them from those that are without.