Church History: 10/10/2022

McNiell, John Thomas. The History and Character of Calvinism. New York: Oxford University Press, 1962. (206-212). The Consensus of Zurich, 1549, is discussed by vigorous Lutherans who oppose it with Melancthon slinking off in fear. Calvin wrote numerous pamphlets on various issues: libertines, the LORD’s Supper, justification, Psychopannychia, Servetus, astrologers, alchemy, among other things. McNeil stresses the wide and expansive view of Calvin’s issues distilled down to God as Creator and Redeemer. From stars to insects, from archangels to infants, and ever fact is under God’s sovereignty. All of the divine virtues and attributes are handled—eternity, power, wisdom, goodness and truth. He taught double predestination and defended that, but taught that it must be handled cautiously and reverently. He notes that divine mercy is a chief virtue, sounding rather Cranmerian right there. Greg Allison’s Historical Theology. Zondervan, 2011. With respect to the atonement, Chapter 18, Greg concludes with wondrous affirmations by Jim Packer and other evangelical scholars who have defended the “mighty substitutionary transaction” achieving the expansive benefits of ransom, reconciliation, redemption, propitiation, conquest of evil power, restoration of fellowship with God, justification, pardon, peace, access and adoption. And that’s that. Greg opens Chapter 19 by discussing challenges to the resurrection and ascension of Christ and the early challengers to that. Docetists, unbelieving scoffers like Celsus and Gnostics are in view. The Professors brings in some heavy guns with Ignatius, Polycarp, Origen, Tertullian, Justin Martyr, Cyprian, Gregory of Nyssa, Chrysostom, Augustine, the Apostles and Nicene Creeds. Yes, those centuries had deniers and challengers of the resurrection and ascension, like today with Bultmannians and that crew.