Theological Journals, Part 1: 10/16/2022

William Whittaker’s “Disputation on Holy Scripture:” Dr. Whittaker takes on the spurious Gospels of the NT that were cantoned off to the side, to Bart Ehrman’s chagrin. Bart got a bad attitude at PTS and got rolled. Dr. Whittaker and the Papists agree on the NT Canon, but the Papists add Papal decretals and “unwritten traditions” as co-equal in authority to the NT canon. Dr. Whittaker will take that up later. We recommend Dr. Cranmer’s “Unwritten Verities.”

John Jewel’s “Apology for the Church of England:” the “Life of Jewell,” prefixed to the Apology, is ended with numerous encomiums, including Bishop Burnett, his successor at Salisbury. A start is made into the “Apology” with notes on how the Word of God and God’s people have been slandered and persecuted through the ages. Bishop Jewell was on the receiving end of that as well as the English people.

ANF1—“Apostolic Fathers and Justin Martyr:” the outlining continues on Irenaeus’s “Against Heresies.” On this day, 15 Oct, we remember the homocides and martyrdoms of Bishop Ridley and Bishop Latimer, 15 Oct 1555. A quote is in order from Irenaeus, Book Five, chapter 31: “Chapter XXXI.—The preservation of our bodies is confirmed by the resurrection and ascension of Christ: the souls of the saints during the intermediate period are in a state of expectation of that time when they shall receive their perfect and consummated glory.” It ain’t over. Although we think in finite, linear and pixelated ways, God’s brain and mind is eternal with history being a nano-second. Bishops Ridley and Latimer will  see the resurrection and the Final Judgment. Buckle up, Queen Mary, Wily Winchester and Bloody Bonner.