Church History: 10/11/2022

McNiell, John Thomas. The History and Character of Calvinism. New York: Oxford University Press, 1962. HIGHLY RECOMMENDED. (212-219). Dr. McNiell offers this digest: Calvin cautiously handled double predestination in faith, believed that Bible revelation was progressive, quoted the OT 2474 times and the NT 4330 times in the Institutes, held a high view of scientific studies, was a High Churchman arising from his exalted view of the Trinity, and advocated a very high view of the Word and the Lord's Supper as the dynamic sphere of the Spirit’s divine operations. High in doctrine and ardent in faith. Also, he notes that Calvin honored all bishops as long as they weren’t subject to the Pope and who taught sound doctrine. As such, he communicated with the Bishop of Poland and the Primate of all England. Greg Allison’s Historical Theology. Zondervan, 2011. HIGHLY RECOMMENDED. (415-421). Prof. Allsion builds on the early and medieval church on the resurrection and ascension of Christ. There is no difference there between Rome and Protestants. The Prof. notes the stress in the liturgies and brings in Rupert of Deutz, Bernard of Clairveaux and Thomas Aquinas for collateral fire support. The Prof. turns to the Reformation period noting the continuity with the medievalists, with a slight detour on the conflicts between Luther and Zwingli, Calvin and others. Cranmer doesn’t get a mention. Then, we have to pinch the nose while moving to the modern period with Herman Samuel Reimarus, the dogma of antisupernaturalism, the denial of miracles, the idolatry of reason and the doctrinal sacrifices of Ich Theologie. Reimarus thinks the disciples stole Jesus’s body, jerry-rigged the message of the resurrection, and were greedy for fame and notoriety. Pinch nose firmly as we continue to assess the dead-ends, doctrinal cul de sacs and dark back alleys. It still rings in someone’s ears, to wit, at the National Cathedral, DC, when Bishop Buddette, a bishopette, claimed that believe in the resurrection was not necessary for the Christian. Yes, with these ears that was heard.