rom Yesterday’s Bible reading:
Man in his pomp yet without understanding is like the beasts that perish.
Psalm 49:20
Even the death of a family pet should remind us not to be proud.
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Pomp and Death
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Wilson on TT on NT
ouglas Wilson
at Blog and Mablog, has begun to post comments on the individual essays in the “NT Wright” issue of Table Talk. I know, this adds an extra layer of brain torture, but if you can take the strain, it’s well worth the effort. Wilson, when it first erupted, was very close to the New Perspective controversy. Because he floated in those circles many automatically lumped him in the group, partially because he rightly defended some of the issue, which was a bit unfair. He eventually outlived the slander among all but the most close-minded. For many reformed, however, he remains an odd character, I believe due at least in part to his post-mil views and his uber-sharp intellect defending it.
Here are links to the two responses thus far, one to R. C. Sproul’s essay, and one to Dr. Mohler’s:
A Polecat In a Hollow Tree
Introspective Weird Beards in the Monasteries
If you are not a subscriber to Table Talk these posts won’t be of much use. Next month when the February issue appears online, you may be able to read some of the articles. The best bet is to see if you can order the February issue online, or find a friend who has it and is willing to share.
Happy Reading
Posted in Theology
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Where Have You Been?
hat can I say? I have been re-orienting priorities, and haven’t posted anything here since back in the fall. The Heidelberg posts were all set up to automatically post since the very beginning. I would like to have set up something similar for 2010, but it didn’t happen. The “Friday Photo” posts, although quite fun for me, took a good bit of time to produce, so they fell away before all blossoms had completely left our landscape. I am sorry about that, but other priorities had crept in, and something had to go. We may post some landscape photos from time to time this year, but don’t expect much, and you won’t be disappointed. We will see what happens.
If I ever get some free time in 2010, I would like to concentrate my posts on church music. Much of my thought has been provoked by posts this last year by Douglas Wilson on the subject. Rather than comment on his comments, here is a link to his category page on Musical Exhortation which lists all all of them, the first beginning in April of 2009. Start at the bottom (there are two pages at present) and work your way up for best results, although they can be read randomly with similar results. Much of what Wilson has to say will stretch your mind a good bit, but don’t shut him out just because he may step on your toes. He will make you think, and that’s good. I know many connected to leading and creating (and singing) church music don’t think so, but trust me, you will get use to it in time. It might do us all some good, eventually.
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Lord’s Day 52
(Third Part: Of Thankfulness—Questions 86-129)
127. What is the sixth petition?
- And lead us not into temptation; but deliver us from evil. That is: Since we are so weak in ourselves, that we cannot stand a moment; while our deadly enemies, the devil, the world and our own flesh, assail us without ceasing; be pleased to preserve and strengthen us by the power of Thy Holy Spirit, that we may make firm stand against them, and not sink in this spiritual war, until we come off at last with complete victory.
128. How do you close this prayer?
- For Thine is the kingdom, and the power, and the glory, for ever. That is: All this we ask of Thee, because as our King, having power over all things, Thou art both willing and able to give us all good; and that thereby not we, but Thy holy Name may be glorified for ever.
129. What is the meaning of the word Amen?
- Amen means: So shall it truly and surely be. For my prayer is much more certainly heard of God, than I feel in my heart that I desire these things of Him.
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Lord’s Day 51
(Third Part: Of Thankfulness—Questions 86-129)
126. What is the fifth petition?
- And forgive us our debts as we forgive our debtors. That is: Be pleased for the sake of Christ’s blood, not to impute to us, miserable sinners, our manifold transgressions, nor the evil which still always cleaves to us, as we find this witness of Thy grace in us, that it is our full purpose heartily to forgive our neighbor.
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Lord’s Day 50
(Third Part: Of Thankfulness—Questions 86-129)
125. What is the fourth petition?
- Give us this day our daily bread. That is: Be pleased to provide for all our bodily need; that we may thereby know that Thou art the only fountain of all good, and that without Thy blessing, neither our care and labor, nor Thy gifts can profit us; and may therefore withdraw our trust from all creatures, and place it alone in Thee.
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Lord’s Day 49
(Third Part: Of Thankfulness—Questions 86-129)
124. What is the third petition?
- Thy will be done in earth, as it is in heaven. That is: Grant that we and all men may renounce our own will, and yield ourselves without gainsaying, to Thy will which alone is good; that so every one may fulfill his office and calling, as willingly and truly as the angels do in heaven.
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Lord’s Day 48
(Third Part: Of Thankfulness—Questions 86-129)
123. What is the second petition?
- Thy kingdom come. That is: So govern us by Thy word and Spirit, that we submit ourselves unto Thee always more and more; preserve and increase Thy Church; destroy the works of the devil, every power that exalteth itself against Thee, and all wicked devices formed against Thy holy word, until the full coming of Thy kingdom, wherein Thou shalt be all in all.
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Piety
otice how this whole definition turns on the word knowledge. Without the knowledge of God and his benefits, we have no reverence or love, and thus no piety. How can we know Him whom we seldom pray to, or read his word to us? Can we rely on feelings alone? Notice too the connection between piety and obedience, rather, notice the connection between the lack of these two qualities in the final words of this quote.
By piety I mean that union of reverence and love to God which the knowledge of his benefits inspires. For, until men feel that they owe everything to God, that they are cherished by his paternal care, and that he is the author of all their blessings, so that nought is to be looked for away from him, they will never submit to him in voluntary obedience; nay, unless they place their entire happiness in him, they will never yield up their whole selves to him in truth and sincerity. — John Calvin, Institutes, 1.2.1.
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Lord’s Day 47
(Third Part: Of Thankfulness—Questions 86-129)
122. What is the first petition?
- Hallowed be Thy name. That is: Enable us rightly to know Thee, and to hallow, magnify and praise Thee in all Thy works, in which shine forth Thy power, wisdom, goodness, justice, mercy and truth; and likewise so to order our whole life, in thought, word and work, that Thy name may not be blasphemed, but honored and praised on our account.
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