Evening Prayer

For Psalm 25, Prof. Calvin, as usual, extols the warrants for firm trust in God’s providence. David had it and so should we.

Zondervan Pictorial Bible: Levi, a son of Jacob born in Haran. He’s condemned for his role in the Shechemite affair, but, later, due to zealousness, becomes a blessing.

ISBE on “Letters:” comments on the 1000s of letters, e.g. Amarna Letters, of a political, economic, military and personal means of communication. But, oh wait! Moses might be able to write?

For Genesis 12.1ff.-25.11: Prof. Keil comments on the divine blessing of Abraham that, in turn, Abraham may be a blessing to all nations.

For Judges 6.27-35, Prof. Keil discusses Gideon’s 2-fold request from the LORD to attest to His favor—the fleece or wool, first drenched and, secondarily, dry.

For Isaiah 10.5-19, Prof. Henry further gives the forensic exam of Sennacherib’s heart. He ridicules the God of Israel.

ISBE on Johannine Theology, Prof. I. Howard Marshall comments on Logos Christolopgy.

For Mathew 8.1-4, Prof. Jamieson comments on the miraculous healing of the leper.

For Romans 5.12-21, Prof. Hodge is hammering home forensic imputation. He’s offered quotations from Turretin.

For Acts 1.6-11, Prof. Henry prepares the reader for the apostles and the Ascension.

Frederick Copleston’s “History of Philosophy: Greece and Rome (1.1):” further elaborates on Heraclitus, extolling his “One and the Many” issue, yet, distinguishing Heraclitus from Hegel.

EDT: Faustus Socinus (1539-1604): he studies theology under his uncle, Laelius Socinus, an anti-Trinitarian, publishes his uncle’s notes, and becomes an anti-Trinitarian like his uncle.

For Systematic Theology (locus 2), Prof. Hodge is handling the concept of inspiration as heightened religious consciousness—some diversity with some asserted ordinary while others assert extraordinary inspiration. Another reductionist view.

For Theology Proper (locus 2), Prof. Reymond comments on Calvin and Warfield’s handling of the 381 Council of Constantinople.

For Eschatology (locus 7), Prof. Berkhof discusses the problems with dispensationalism.

ODCC: Arnobius (d. 330)—a teacher and north African. Lanctantius, the church historian, is his pupil.

For Apostolic Christianity, Vol. 1 (1-100) Prof. Schaff discusses Paul’s background as a Jew, Hellenist and Roman citizen.

For Medieval Christianity, Vol. 4 (590-1073), Prof. Schaff speaks of three popes at the same time—Benedict 9, Gregory 6, and Sylvester 3, A Synod of Sutri, 1046, will depose all three.

For the Swiss Reformation Vol. 8 (1519-1605), Prof. Schaff comments on the theological colloquy at Worms. Eck, Contrarini and others represent the Papists. Melancthon and a few others represent the Protestants. Luther is there as an official representative of Strassburg. Calvin notes that Eck would bring bloodshed while Contrarini would not. Little is achieved.

For Dr. Cranmer, Prof. MacCulloch comments on the large convocation in Sept 1535 at Winchester Cathedral where Cranmer consecrates three evangelical bishops including Latimer. Meanwhile, oddly, Gardiner gets a three-year exile to France as an ambassador and absentee Bishop of Winchester.

For the Creeds of Christendom, Vol. 1, Prof. Schaff offers comments on the Osiandristic controversy, the uncle (?) of Cranmer’s wife, Margarete. He appeared to assert forensic justification as justitia aliena but also an internal justification by union with Christ.

1994 CCC: our infallibilists are making big on Petrine supremacy and the keys—absolution, disciplinary and doctrinal decisions.

Westminster Confession of Faith 4.7:

7. As the providence of God doth, in general, reach to all creatures; so, after a most special manner, it taketh care of his church, and disposeth all things to the good thereof.