Theological Journals, Part 1: 10/8/2022

William Whittaker’s “Disputation on Holy Scripture:” Dr. Whittaker continues his assertion that the Hebrew Canon—22 books akin to the 39 of our Canon—has the support of the early writers—Origen, Athanasius, Augustine, Jerome and others, including Cardinal Cajetan. One of several issues here—Trent anathmetizes those not accepting their Canon + Apocrypha. Dr. Whittaker is anathematized on this reading, but stands up to it and to Cardinal Bellarmine. Dr. Whittaker writes with energy, wit, and historical retrievals. John Jewel’s “Apology for the Church of England:” the “Life of Jewel” precedes his “Apology.” Not sure who the biographer is but he dates himself by saying the “Life” is about 200 years after Jewel, hence, late 18th century? The biographer takes the reader through Jewel’s young years at grammar schools, with various tutors, then Merton and Christ College, Oxford. He supports Peter Vermigli in the Oxonian debates about the Eucharist. Vermigli hires/assigns Jewel as the stenographer for the Oxonian disputation. Dr. Smith, the decisive Papist, begs off from the dispute but there are other Papists who take his place. About 3-4 on each side. The biographer leaves off with the accession of Mary 1—we shall, God willing, pick up with that. As we understand it, Jewel follows Vermigli to the Continent during the Anti-Christ’s reign in London and OXBRIDGE. ANF1—“Apostolic Fathers and Justin Martyr:” we’ve touring the outline of Justin’s 2 Apologies and his “Dialogue with Trypho.” A sidenote: some Jews have hired some to travel and malign Christians.