Morning Prayer

“The Fundamentals—A Testimony to the Truth, Vol. 1:” in “History of Higher Criticism,” Dean Dyson Hague discusses Spinoza, Descartes, and Astruc in their foundational attacks on Mosaic authorship of the Pentateuch. It takes 100-150 years for that tree to sprout from the planted acorn. Halley’s “Bible Handbook:” makes a strong pitch for Bible reading. For Psalm 27, Prof. Calvin tries to divest David of David’s delights in the Tabernacle/Temple-to-be, an effort against architectural images. He then skips over to external signs like the sacraments. Zondervan Pictorial Bible: “Abraham:” notes on his travels from Ur to Canaan. ISBE on “Leviticus:” discusses Wellhausen’s theory that Leviticus is too organized and advanced for the Mosaic period. It must have been post-exilic. A rehash, we would add, of Spinoza and Astruc’s theses. For Genesis 18: Prof. Keil discusses Sodom and the three visitors to Abraham. The God of justice will effect a memorial to His penal and retributive justice. For Judges 10.6-16, Prof. Keil continues to outline the varied and numerous tribes in opposition to Israel. For Isaiah 11.10-16, Prof. Henry fails to further, much, the discussion of the advance of the Messianic rule. On this end, we are thinking much more largely on the OT’s Messianic rule, pre-Incarnationally. ISBE on Johannine Theology, Prof. I. Howard Marshall comments on the “I Am” statements by Jesus. For Mathew 10.1ff., Prof. Jamieson comments on the apostolic list in connection with their commissioning to ministry. For Romans 7, Prof. Hodge discusses the marital metaphor—death to sin and freedom to live unto Christ. For Acts 1.15-26, Prof. Henry zeroes in on Peter on the pre-Pentecost gathering and his role in the selection of Mattias. Frederick Copleston’s “History of Philosophy: Greece and Rome (1.1):” gives an excellent review of the Pre-Socratics from the beginning as he preps for Socrates, Plato and Aristotle. EDT: “John Knox (1514? - 1572):” discusses his writings (6 volumes) and co-authorship of the Scots’ 1560 Confession. For Systematic Theology (locus 2), Prof. Hodge brilliantly discusses the eye, the ear, and even the prenatal lungs of humans beings—expressive of incomprehensive beauty and design. For Theology Proper (locus 2), Prof. Reymond discusses free agency and free will in Reformed Theology. For Theology Proper (locus 2), Prof. Berkhof comments on the Being, knowability, attributes of God, and the Trinity. ODCC: “Higher Criticism:” discusses both higher and lower criticism. The author attributes, maybe wrongly, the two terms to W. R. Robertson in 1881. ??. For Apostolic Christianity, Vol. 1 (1-100) Prof. Schaff discusses 45-50 AD and Paul’s early work and first missionary journey. For Medieval Christianity, Vol. 4 (590-1073), Prof. Schaff further discusses the impact of Christianity in Europe regarding slavery. For the Swiss Reformation Vol. 8 (1519-1605), Prof. Schaff discusses Calvin’s marriage and home life. Westminster Confession of Faith 11.1: CHAPTER 11 Of Justification 1. Those whom God effectually calleth, he also freely justifieth: not by infusing righteousness into them, but by pardoning their sins, and by accounting and accepting their persons as righteous; not for anything wrought in them, or done by them, but for Christ's sake alone; nor by imputing faith itself, the act of believing, or any other evangelical obedience to them, as their righteousness; but by imputing the obedience and satisfaction of Christ unto them, they receiving and resting on him and his righteousness, by faith; which faith they have not of themselves, it is the gift of God.