Morning Prayer

Halley’s “Bible Handbook:” discusses the seasons and temperatures. PRACTICAL: helps to emphasize and explain agriculture. For Psalm 29, Prof. Calvin again notes the power of Jehovah in nature. Zondervan Pictorial Bible: “Ishmael:” describes his resume and achievements. ISBE on “Leviticus:” discusses the nature of the offeror and his piety in making the offering. For Genesis 25: Prof. Keil gives a wonky, but important description of the descendants of Kethurah of people-groups around the Arabian regions. For Judges 13, Prof. Keil outlines the cordial reception of the Angel of the Lord by the parents of Samson. For Isaiah 13.19-22, Prof. Henry notes that Babylon is doomed by predictive prophecy. PRACTICAL: rebuffs the little-god-nice-god-theories of the decadent theologians. ISBE on Johannine Theology, Prof. I. Howard Marshall discusses “individual” and “communal” dimensions. For Mathew 11.20-30, Prof. Jamieson outlines Jesus’s judgments against Bethsaida and Chorazin. PRACTICAL: rebuffs the modern picture of the nice-guyism of Jesus. For Romans 8, Prof. Hodge gives the introduction to the entire chapter. PRACTICAL: keep Romans central in all theological work. For Acts 2.14-36, Prof. Henry comments begin on Peter’s sermon in Jerusalem. He indicates other disciples were preaching/teaching also, not just Peter. 3000 were added to the church. Frederick Copleston’s “History of Philosophy: Greece and Rome (1.1):” Socrates and ethics. For Socrates, knowledge was virtue. PRACTICAL: remember Col. 2.8-10. EDT: “Last Judgment:” amplifies on earlier points by Jesus and Paul’s amplification. An exquisite section. PRACTICAL: keep in mind. For Systematic Theology (locus 2), Prof. Hodge discusses John Locke’s epistemology that led to anti-theism. For Theology Proper (locus 2), Prof. Reymond talks about covenant theology in relation to creation and providence. For Theology Proper (locus 2), Prof. Berkhof comments on Barth’s precarious foundation of even doing theology. ODCC: “General Judgment:” the Second Advent at the end of time versus particular judgment at death. PRACTICAL: keep the focus on “He shall come to judge the living and the dead.” For Apostolic Christianity, Vol. 1 (1-100) Prof. Schaff is long-talking Acts 15. PRACTICAL: be on the alert about Schaff. Unionism? Dislike of religious diversity? For Medieval Christianity, Vol. 4 (590-1073), Prof. Schaff discusses Cluniac reforms and disciplines. For the Swiss Reformation Vol. 8 (1519-1605), Prof. Schaff makes the start on discussing Geneva’s constitution. PRACTICAL: be on the alert about Schaff. For Dr. Cranmer, Prof. MacCulloch notes Cranmer’s loss of 3 mansion/episcopal estates while retaining Lambeth, Croydon, and two Canterbury estates. For the Creeds of Christendom, Vol. 1, Prof. Schaff outlines the on-going Confessional contests within Lutheranism. PRACTICAL: think Concordia Seminary that went full Romanizing before the return to the Confessions. 1994 CCC: our infallibilists in paragraphs #758 discuss the church’s foundation and superstructure. PRACTICAL: stay on the alert since Rome is exceedingly foxy and careful. They made room for the dual source of authority quite craftily. They’re like Pentecostals, but more careful. God told me _____ (think Trent). Westminster Confession of Faith 14.3: 3. This faith is different in degrees, weak or strong; may be often and many ways assailed, and weakened, but gets the victory: growing up in many to the attainment of a full assurance, through Christ, who is both the author and finisher of our faith. PRACTICAL: notes diversities of gifts in the church, weak and strong. Pastoral sensitivities.