Morning Prayer

“The Fundamentals—A Testimony to the Truth, Vol. 1:” in “History of Higher Criticism,” Dean Dyson Hague outlines the consequences of treating the Bible as unreliable, a book of myths, and as discredited. Halley’s “Bible Handbook:” surveys the structure of the OT and NT: narrative, law, wisdom, prophets, Gospels, epistles and the Apocalypse. For Psalm 27, Prof. Calvin comments on David’s reliance of YHWH. Zondervan Pictorial Bible: “Isaac:” gives the story of Isaac proffering his wife as a sister, as did his errant and sinful father. ISBE on “Leviticus:” comments on one strain of theology in Leviticus: the presupposition and currency of “God’s presence” with Israel. For Genesis 20: Prof. Keil comments on Abimelech’s discovery of Abraham’s inexcusable offer of Sarah as his half-sister and Abraham’s half-baked excuse. For Judges 12.1ff, Prof. Keil comments on Jepthah hammering the Ammonites, victoriously. For Isaiah 12.1-2, Prof. Henry comments on this song of praise. ISBE on Johannine Theology, Prof. I. Howard Marshall comments on Jesus as the Savior of the world. For Mathew 10.5-15, Prof. Jamieson is still handling the apostolic mission. For Romans 7, Prof. Hodge comments on the role of the good, holy, and spiritual nature of the law. For Acts 2.1ff., Prof. Henry comments on the crowds thronging Jerusalem at Pentecost. We would add our view that this provided the predicate for the founding of the church at Rome. Frederick Copleston’s “History of Philosophy: Greece and Rome (1.1):” gives some backdrop on Protagoras, the first Sophist under review and the subject of a Platonic volume. EDT: “Abraham Kuyper:” comments on a religious and a political paper founded by Kuyper as well as the foundation of the Free University of Amsterdam. For Systematic Theology (locus 2), Prof. Hodge comments perspicuously on the glorious teleological argument. For Theology Proper (locus 2), Prof. Reymond begins his work on creation and providence. He moves to discuss the historicity of Genesis 1-11. For Theology Proper (locus 2), Prof. Berkhof outlines the means of grace. ODCC: “Hillel School:” a rabbinic school of interpretation in Jesus’s days, known for tolerance and posited as opposed by the school of Shammai. For Apostolic Christianity, Vol. 1 (1-100) Prof. Schaff further discusses the dual imprisonment view of Paul and a possible (and likely) visit to Spain. We’re on board with that, suppositionally. For Medieval Christianity, Vol. 4 (590-1073), Prof. Schaff discusses the impact of the churches on the heathens’ “trials by ordeals.” For the Swiss Reformation Vol. 8 (1519-1605), Prof. Schaff comments on the situation in Geneva just before Calvin is recalled. For Dr. Cranmer, Prof. MacCulloch discusses Philip Newman Brooks’ view of Cranmer’s 3 stages of Eucharistic thought. Prof. Mac (and this reader) disagrees with Brooks. For the Creeds of Christendom, Vol. 1, Prof. Schaff discusses the inner conflict within the Formula of Concord, 1577. It’s Arminian notwithstanding hot rebuffs by Lutherans on the point. 1994 CCC: our infallibilists in paragraphs #678 discusses the 8th article: “I believe in the Holy Ghost.” Westminster Confession of Faith CHAPTER 13 Of Sanctification 1. They, who are once effectually called, and regenerated, having a new heart, and a new spirit created in them, are further sanctified, really and personally, through the virtue of Christ's death and resurrection, by his Word and Spirit dwelling in them: the dominion of the whole body of sin is destroyed, and the several lusts thereof are more and more weakened and mortified; and they more and more quickened and strengthened in all saving graces, to the practice of true holiness, without which no man shall see the Lord.