NT/OT/ST/CH: 12/22/2022

For Romans 8.28, Prof. Hodge discusses “predestination,” “election” and “foreordination,” the hot topic to cold hearts refuse to discuss on a large and massive level. Hodge does it masterfully following the texts. For Acts 2.37-42, Prof. Henry notes how Peter’s message was covenantal, “the promise is to you and your children, as many as the LORD your God shall call.” Note effectual calling and a subtextual predicate of election. Luke, the author of Acts, was a predestinarian too. Frederick Copleston’s “History of Philosophy: Greece and Rome (1.1):” discusses Socrates’s theory of knowledge—the particulars and the universal. No relativism for Plato. EDT: “Leibnitz (1646-1716):” perhaps Germany’s greatest philosopher in the 17th century? Orthodox as a Lutheran insofar as this scribe can see. He got down to the molecular and atomic level with his Monadology (1706), but, then, so did the Greek atomists of classical Greece. For Theology Proper (locus 2): Prof. Hodge is long-talking the materialists with a flat-lining metaphysics. For Theology Proper (locus 2), Prof. Reymond is setting forth 7 effects of the fall—shame/guilt, blameshifting, and alienation are the first three results of the seven. As usual, Dr. Reymond is clear, accessible and remains the first choice amongst many other solid candidates for systematics. Send the volume over to Justin Welby, Fenwick and Shifty. For Theology Proper (locus 2), Prof. Berkhof broaches the Holy Trinity—Monarchians, Modalist Monarchians, Subordinationists like Origen, Arianism, Tritheists, and the Council of Nicaea. We had an excellent graduate class on this century with the Augustinians at Villanova University back in the day. Yes, a Confessional, Reformed man studying with Romanists. The class was quite good. Of course, with Calvin we realize that full-orbed Chalcedonian Christology is halved and torpedoes by their Tridentine soteriology. Maybe we could ask Bishop “I don’t talk theology” Rob about it? For Apostolic Christianity, Vol. 1 (1-100) Prof. Schaff retails General Titus and Josephus’s view of the awful destruction of Jerusalem as divine retribution. Both affirm that. Josephus states the Jerusalem and the Israelites were “degenerate” (his word). “Brood of vipers” doesn’t sound so harsh when factoring in the Roman General and the Jewish historian’s views. Modern Marcionites and theological snowflakes, take note. Isaiah’s God, other gods (my brain) or no God—only one right answer. For the Marcionites, Jesus predicted this and, in from His Royal Throne, used Rome like an axe to a tree, felling it. For Medieval Christianity, Vol. 4 (590-1073), Prof. Schaff comments on Latin poetry and hymnody, using 600 AD on the timeline. He’ll raise Gregory 1 in the next edition. Schaff is giving names and a few representative hymn titles, but no verses to the hymns. For the Swiss Reformation Vol. 8 (1519-1605), Prof. Schaff comments on the discipline in Geneva. For Dr. Cranmer, Prof. MacCulloch notes that Henry in April-May 1539 shifts to “high visibility” piety, creeping to the cross, taking holy communion and holy water, in an effort to convince the Pope, the Emperor and King of France that he’s a good Papist, only without Petrine jurisdiction. Henry is not impressed with the Lutheran delegation he make their demands. Yet, he’s keeping his eye on the Schmalkaldic League in the event the geo-political situation changes. People with sensitive antennae pick up on the moves. Imagine being Tom Cranmer with Henry as the Boss doing theology by geo-politics? The Royal Court is no place for a seasoned theologian. Poor fella. Philip Schaff’s “Creeds of Christendom, Vol.1:” Prof. Schaff offers double-talk on Zwingli, affirming Zwingli’s view of Real Presence, but missing the element of “mystery.” Calvin, he affirms, got it right. It’s a “yes, but…” paragraph that fails to convince. Vermigli and Cranmer got it. 1994 CCC: our infallibilists in paragraphs # 872ff. give us matter-of-factness in justifying their hierarchy. St. Peter is the head of the College of Bishops, then as now.