Morning Prayer

For Psalm 26, Prof. Calvin comments on David’s restraint from and withdrawal from ungodly hypocrites. He walks in Jehovah’s ways. Zondervan Pictorial Bible: “Numbers:” 21-36 retails the transition from the latter part of the wilderness sojourn to preps for the Conquest. ISBE on “Leviticus:” comments are offered on this “nation of priests and kings” as called to holiness and antithesis to the surrounding nations. Devoted to Jehovah. Wonder how Leviticus upends Marxistic renderings of liberation theology? For Genesis 15.1ff.: Prof. Keil discusses the “terrifyingly dark” fear that overcome Abram in his deep, divinely induced sleep. For Judges 91ff., Prof. Keil comments on the proposal of Abimelech, son of Gideon, in an apparent lust for preeminence and power. For Isaiah 11.1-9, Prof. Henry discusses the intellectual and moral equipage of the Messiah, quick to understand the fear of the LORD, and skilled in His management of affairs. ISBE on Johannine Theology, Prof. I. Howard Marshall comments on the ontological dimension of the ubiquitous title in John’s writings of Jesus as the “Son of God.” For Mathew 9.10-13, Prof. Jamieson comments on the “righteous” who need to Physician (self-righteous Pharisees) and the sick who need a Physician. For Romans 6.1-11, Prof. Hodge cites verse 11 to reckon oneself dead to sin and alive to Christ. For Acts 1.12-14, Prof. Henry amplifies the brief statements about the congregating of apostles, disciples and many women in Jerusalem, hostile territory, as they await Pentecost. Frederick Copleston’s “History of Philosophy: Greece and Rome (1.1):” introduces Empedocles of Sicily and his relationship to Pythagoreanism. The issue is still the “One and the Many.” EDT: “Kenosis Theology:” discusses Gottfried Thomas (1803-1875) and the work to “recapture” the humanity of Christ and His limitations vis a vis Phil. 2.6-11. For Theology Proper (locus 2), Prof. Reymond offers brilliant OT illustrations of God’s granular and cosmic providence. For Eschatology (locus 7), Prof. Berkhof discusses the identity of the body buried with the same, but transformed body raised in the resurrection. ODCC: Athanasian Creed: the discussion ensues about the dislikes of the damnatory clauses. The English BCP retains the Creed while worldwide Anglicans have tended to toss it. For Apostolic Christianity, Vol. 1 (1-100) Prof. Schaff discusses Renan’s “rationalistic” (“decadent” is our word for “rationalistic) theory of Paul’s Damascus Road conversion. Schaff handles this well. For Medieval Christianity, Vol. 4 (590-1073), Prof. Schaff discusses the Synod of Lyons, an international council including Greeks, in an effort to heal the rupture with Constantinople. For the Swiss Reformation Vol. 8 (1519-1605), Prof. Schaff comments on Cardinal Sadolet’s letter to the Genevans including allegations of novelty and corrupt motives to Calvin, Farel and Viret—the Genevans aren’t buying it, despite Sadolet’s unctuous, flattering letter. For the Creeds of Christendom, Vol. 1, Prof. Schaff introduces Martin Chemnitz (1522-1586) and principle author of the Formula of Concord. He restricts the ubiquity of Christ’s local presence, but, by a sleight, reintroduces Cannibalism for Holy Communion. A mediator and compromiser, but a first rate patristics scholar. 1994 CCC: our infallibilists in paragraphs #613-616 speak of definite and accomplished atonement, on the one hand, but take it away as potential for all (provided you do your part). Crafty as ever and careful. Reformed hawks circle over Rome. Westminster Confession of Faith 8.5: 5. The Lord Jesus, by his perfect obedience, and sacrifice of himself, which he, through the eternal Spirit, once offered up unto God, hath fully satisfied the justice of his Father; and purchased, not only reconciliation, but an everlasting inheritance in the kingdom of heaven, for all those whom the Father hath given unto him.