Morning Prayer: 10/6//2022

Halley’s “Bible Handbook:” comments on how valued “writing” was for ANE kings and princes. Memorials to great victories and venues for propaganda. Sorry, Grafters, have a seat and enjoy the high pleasure of being quiet. For Psalm 31, Prof. Calvin again comments on divine providence. Theocentric as always. Zondervan Pictorial Bible: “Israel:” discusses the period of the Judges, areas of conquest and areas of relaxation and failure. For Genesis 28: Prof. Keil notes that Esau is murderous and Rebekkah send her son, Jacob, off to Haran for protection and to get married. For Judges 17, Prof. Keil begins the introduction of the two appendices, chapters 17-21, illustrations and amplifications of the utter downgrade of Israelites. For Isaiah 14.4-23, Prof. Henry further elaborates on Babylonian monarchs as self-deifiers lusting to be God. ISBE on Johannine Letters, Prof. I. Howard Marshall comments on Docetism, Cerinthianism, and Gnosticism. For Mathew 12.9-21, Prof. Jamieson comments on the man in the synagogue with a atrophied hand. The Pharisees are assembling evidence against Jesus as Anti-Christians. For Romans 8.12-28, Prof. Hodge comments on life under the government of the Spirit—true believers. For Acts 2.14-36, Prof. Henry is over-lingering on this goodly sermon. Let’s move it along. Frederick Copleston’s “History of Philosophy: Greece and Rome (1.1):” discusses Plato’s history—as a poet, writer, student of Socrates and traveler, maybe to Egypt. EDT: “Law of God:” redemption first and the law as an avenue of gratitude for the redeemed. For Theology Proper (locus 2): Prof. Hodge is long-talking but helpfully working out the principles of the naturalists with their easy conclusion of dismissing God as knowable. For Theology Proper (locus 2), Prof. Reymond discusses “likeness” and “image of God.” For Theology Proper (locus 2), Prof. Berkhof comments on God’s infinity, absolute perfections, immensity, immanence and transcendence. ODCC: “Apocalypse of Abraham:” a 2nd-5th century document in Greek? It describes a dream of Abraham who visits heaven, sees two roads—to Paradise or hell, and his return to earth. Not sure if it’s a Jewish or Christian production. For Apostolic Christianity, Vol. 1 (1-100) Prof. Schaff offers general comments that Christianity originally had some protections in early Rome, but that this later disappeared as Anti-Christ acted through the Emperor. For Medieval Christianity, Vol. 4 (590-1073), Prof. Schaff comments on the uniqueness of Anglo-Saxon common law and modifications by Normans, yet, distinct from Charlemagne’s Capitularies. Interesting. Comments note that American law is based in English common law with corrections to the union of church and state. Blackwell is cited. For the Swiss Reformation Vol. 8 (1519-1605), Prof. Schaff comments on Calvin’s view of the church as independent of the state. He failed in gaining that as the magistrates retained control over the church. For Dr. Cranmer, Prof. MacCulloch comments on the dustups between Cranmer and the Lisles of Calais, something that affects the 1538 discussions at Lambeth. Stokesley gets humility by him implicit support for the Lisles. 1994 CCC: our infallibilists in paragraphs # 815 are wont to tell us (again) that Peter was appointed as head of the church. Yawn. Westminster Confession of Faith 18.1: CHAPTER 18 Of the Assurance of Grace and Salvation 1. Although hypocrites and other unregenerate men may vainly deceive themselves with false hopes and carnal presumptions of being in the favor of God, and estate of salvation (which hope of theirs shall perish): yet such as truly believe in the Lord Jesus, and love him in sincerity, endeavoring to walk in all good conscience before him, may, in this life, be certainly assured that they are in the state of grace, and may rejoice in the hope of the glory of God, which hope shall never make them ashamed.