Reformed Anglicans

  Reformed Theology (#570): Prof. Charles Hodge’s “Commentary on Romans,” Rom. 1.32—2.1ff. Prof. Hodge focused on discussing Romans 1:32 and the teachings about God's wrath towards unrighteousness, emphasizing that human responsibility and free agency remain intact despite the judicial abandonment of God. The discussion explored concepts of special revelation, divine punishment, and the importance of the Bible as a guide to holiness and morality, while challenging the Jews' expectation of salvation through their connection to Abraham and the law. The conversation concluded with an examination of divine judgment, the inexcusability of sinners, and the nature of God's goodness in relation to human repentance, though the full discussion of these topics was deferred to the next meeting. https://youtu.be/ZIiD6HlIJ_s

Reformed Theology (#569): John Strype’s “Memorials of Archbishop Thomas Cranmer” John Strype details Thomas Cranmer's diplomatic mission to Charles V regarding a general peace proclamation in Germany and his efforts to secure support from the Elector Frederick of Saxony. Despite initial reluctance, Cranmer was appointed Archbishop of Canterbury following the death of Archbishop William Warham, though some critics questioned his suitability for the role. Cranmer played a central role in the English Reformation by advocating for the King's supremacy over the Pope, facing various challenges and controversies throughout his tenure as Archbishop. https://youtu.be/sZElXxHbHLE              

Reformed Theology (#568): Prof. Louis Berkhof’s “Systematic Theology” Prof. Berkhof discusses various theological perspectives on the nature of God, including different conceptions of God's existence and relationship to the universe, with particular attention to modern liberal theology's view of God as a symbol for cosmic processes. He examined several rational arguments for God's existence, including ontological, cosmological, teleological, moral, historical, and universal religious sense arguments, while noting that these arguments suggest the likelihood of a mind controlling the world process rather than definitively proving the existence of a Creator. The conversation concluded with questions about the general sense of divinity in humanity and the study of God versus man in modern theology, particularly regarding the objections to identifying God with the absolute of philosophy. https://youtu.be/94n_w4aznS0  

  Reformed Theology (#567): Rev. Augustus Toplady’s “Doctrinal Calvinism in the Church of England” Calvinist Doctrine and Election Teachings Augustus Toplady deals with English theologians on Calvinist doctrine, focusing on the concepts of election, predestination, and the nature of Christ's sheep. He emphasized that true believers are those chosen by God and cannot be snatched away, while those who fall away were never truly part of Christ's flock. He also highlighted the views of Bucerer, who was described as a Calvinist, and discussed the limited nature of Christ's redemption, arguing that the Messiah's sacrifice was specifically for the elect. Religious Figures' Deaths and Persecution The transcript describes the death and funeral of a learned man named Bucer at Cambridge in 1551, attended by King Edward and thousands of mourners. It also details the final moments of Bucer, a saintly figure who died at age 61, attended by his friend John Bradford, and men...

  Reformed Theology (#566): Dr. Merle D’ Aubigne’s “History of the Reformation,” Vol. 1 The meeting focused on discussing the need for an English edition of the first three volumes of the Reformation, addressing concerns about translations and clarifying its compatibility with various denominational principles. The discussion traced the historical development of Christianity from its origins as a community-based faith to the establishment of a hierarchical church structure, including the evolution of the Roman Catholic Church's authority and influence. The conversation concluded by examining how external factors shaped the Church's development and the need for a return to its original principles, setting the stage for the Reformation. https://youtu.be/P8Pnkzie13I

https://youtu.be/P8Pnkzie13I   Reformed Theology ( #565 ): Prof. Lorraine Boettner’s “Reformed Doctrine of Predestination” Prof. Boettner focused on exploring the Calvinistic doctrine of predestination, including discussions about election, reprobation, and the sovereignty of God's saving and damning decrees. He examined various scriptural teachings and historical perspectives, particularly those of Calvin, Luther, and Warfield to support the concept that salvation and damnation are predetermined by God's sovereign will. The conversation concluded with reflections on the biblical basis for these doctrines and a prayer for humility in understanding God's inscrutable electing decrees. https://youtu.be/_WwxmsN9W5c

Rev. Jacobs discusses other principles and ancillary items: the gross tyrannies from sacerdotalism in confessions and penance by priests only (the “grace of absolution” by priestly “power words”), ministers belonging to the congregation in social ties, relationships, and sympathies, marriage and celibacy with historical developments, self-support and congregational tithes of support (some weekly, some monthly, sometimes paid in fowls, fish, and other foods), vestments and dress (originally no different than a normal citizen but upgrades in time), and the indelibility of orders.

Rev. Jacobs is at pains to argue that ministers have ministerial “authority,” not “priestly” authority as predicated on the OT. He has argued this ably in the earlier section of his work (118ff.) The minister does not confer redemptive benefits. God alone does that when, where, and with whom He is pleased. The sacerdotalists want God’s power in their own hands.

7. The heresies of 2 Peter 2.1ff. are more severe than ordinary divisions because they involve divergent teachings insidiously introduced by false teachers. 8. 2 Peter 2.1-3: But false prophets also appeared among the people, just as there will also be false teachers among you, who will secretly introduce destructive heresies, even denying the Master who bought them, bringing swift destruction upon themselves. 2 Many will follow their indecent behavior, and because of them, the way of the truth will be maligned; 3 and in their greed, they will exploit you with false words; their judgment from long ago is not idle, and their destruction is not asleep. 9. 2 Peter 2.1-3: 1 Ἐγένοντο δὲ καὶ ψευδοπροφῆται ἐν τῷ λαῷ, ὡς καὶ ἐν ὑμῖν ἔσονται ψευδοδιδάσκαλοι, οἵτινες παρεισάξουσιν αἱρέσεις ἀπωλείας, καὶ τὸν ἀγοράσαντα αὐτοὺς δεσπότην ἀρνούμενοι, ἐπάγοντες ἑαυτοῖς ταχινὴν ἀπώλειαν.2 καὶ πολλοὶ ἐξακολουθήσουσιν αὐτῶν ταῖς ἀσελγείαις, δι' οὓς ἡ ὁδὸς τῆς ἀληθείας βλασφημηθήσεται·3 καὶ ἐν πλεον...

Rev. Grahame Wray (FCE-EC) and Rev. Don Veitch (WCF-BCP) reminisce about the history of the FCE and REC. Both are troubled by their leading Bishops. It's lengthy, maybe 2.5 hours. Theology comes under review. We have discussed the fruits of our work in the United Reformed Synod on ecclesiology, apostolic doctrine, and apostolic succession. We discussed some abusive situations. One fruit of this discussion was an emerging plan to convene 20ish FCEers who are unhappy with the new direction of the FCE. Fenwick, a behatted Bishop, affirms justification by "infused grace," the Romanist and Tridentist doctrine. Further, he has convoked, convened, and supported the Tridentists in the Old Polish Catholic Church. Further, he is a 3-stool leg man, not a Sola Scripturist. This will be a solid development if we can gather disturbed FCEers and wounded sheep. The 2.5 hours was two Reformed brothers with the old REC-FCE BCP fellowshipped and encouraged each other. More to come, God will...

We continue our brief on the Greek word "airesis" or "heresy" in the New Testament and church history. We have seen a couple of narrower definitions and then a more technical one concerned with doctrinal deviations from Apostolic doctrine, thus compromising apostolic succession. Let us pick up with early heresies. The Judaizing movement mentioned by Saint Paul was roundly condemned as “accursed,” that is, works-salvation. This was the first heretical threat to Christianity in the New Testament. This was “heresy” in the doctrinal sense. It applies currently to all synergistic soteriologies like Rome and others. Gnosticism had many mutations and produced schisms. It reached its peak in the 2nd century. Its general teachings included separating the true God from the Creation and redemption of the soul, not the whole person. Irenaeus tackled Gnosticism. It denied the bodily resurrection at the final judgment, a "heresy." Marcionism was also a second-cent...

Let's start with the meaning of "heresy". It comes from the Greek word "hairesis", which is the root word of "airein.” The middle voice “to select a term. It has three meanings in classical Greek: (1) seizure of the city, (2) choice or selection, and (3) effort directed at a goal. In Hellenism, it acquired the related sense of teaching and a school. In the latter sense, it came to be used by philosophical schools and groups in a larger society that follow particular leaders in distinction from others. In Judaism, in the Septuagint, "airesis" was still employed in the original Greek sense and “choice” in Genesis 49.5. As one might expect, Philo used the term for the philosophical schools of the Greeks. Josephus reapplied it, however, by speaking of the heresy of the Essenes and the three religious heresies of the Essenes, Sadducees, and Pharisees in his "Antiquities" 13.59. So far, of course, the word had a neutral sense of a party with...