Photo: Google maps, edited by me for privacy considerations. Close to the first house I lived in as a baby/toddler. Port Coquitlam.
I appreciate the kind words.
(Six minute read? I am thrilled to see that)
Sunday, February 27, 2022
Saturday, February 26, 2022
Briefly: I've accepted Jesus as my personal saviour/Evangelical v Reformed
Briefly: I've accepted Jesus as my personal saviour/Evangelical v Reformed
Preface
This shorter posting, on my part, is not commenting on the philosophical, theological and biblical validity, or not, of the American Revolution.
Bruce Gore from You Tube
13. Boston Stands its Ground (2/21/2022)
Cited
An attempt to Commodor Knowles to enforcement 'impressment' meets its match as the Bostonians unite to force the British to back down.
At approximately the 45: 40 mark, forward:
(Paraphrased) The founding Fathers of the American Revolution did not sound like evangelical Christians.
(Yes, discussing and holding to the theology of divine providence in the context mentioned by Bruce Gore, is more so Reformed theology than evangelical theology or deistic theology/philosophy)
The 45: 48 mark, approximately, forward:
(Paraphrased) I've accepted Jesus as my personal saviour (savior, US English). Bruce Gore is correct to critique this theology negatively. The issue is not that God and God the Son, Jesus Christ as saviour, is acceptable to a human being. The question, rightly so, as Gore explains, is did God and Jesus Christ accept you?
Providence
From my PhD and website work
Philip Edgcumbe Hughes explains that through God’s providence the world is dependent, for if God did not maintain it, it would cease to exist. Hughes (1990: 45).
In Law of Nature, Edwards explains that providence is the means by which God governs the world as the supreme judge of the universe. Edwards (1731-1733)(2006: 553).
From my PhD and website work
Regeneration
John Murray (1937-1966)(1977) explains that the Holy Spirit ‘summons men into union and fellowship with his Son so that, united to him in whom all spiritual blessings are treasured, they come to possess Christ and all that belongs to him in his capacity as Saviour and Redeemer.’ Murray (1937-1966)(1977: 167).
Regeneration (Murray (1937-1966)(1977: 171) takes place which is a powerful change in the human being via the Holy Spirit (Murray (1937-1966)(1977: 171). This transforms one corrupt and in sin in opposition to God Murray (1937-1966)(1977: 168-169), to one pleasing to God and trusting in God.
It is a new ‘vital principle, a new habit, the law of God, and a divine nature’ are framed in a human heart. Murray (1937-1966)(1977: 172).
There is ‘no compulsion of the will in regeneration.’ states Shedd. Shedd (1874-1890)(1980: 136-137 Volume 2).
Calvin reasons that a person is not forced or coerced to believe in the gospel. Calvin (1543)(1996: 68). I would view conversion as taking place simultaneously with regeneration in a person, although again I state that God alone via the Holy Spirit causes the regeneration process. Murray (1937-1966)(1977: 172). This means as God chooses to regenerate a person he simultaneously persuades one to freely believe.
February 26, 2022
Believers in Jesus Christ and the applied atoning and resurrection work of Jesus Christ, are chosen by God (John 15: 16, Ephesians 1, Romans 8-9, as examples). These people are regenerated and born again (John 3, Titus 3, 1 Peter 1: 23 as examples), not by human works, but by grace through faith alone (Ephesians 2, Romans, Galatians, Hebrews, as examples). Human beings that become Christians, embrace salvation, which has justification, sanctification in regeneration. But salvific work and human application rests entirely on God the Father, God the Son and God Holy Spirit, through the gospel work.
Reformed theology typically places more emphasis on God's providence and divine regeneration than human free will in the salvation process, compared to typically, modern, evangelical theology.
---
King James Bible (KJV) 1 Peter 1: 23
Being born again, not of corruptible seed, but of incorruptible, by the word of God, which liveth and abideth for ever.
ἀναγεννήσας having begotten again
Strong's 313
Strong's Concordance anagennaó: to beget again
Original Word: ἀναγεννάω
Part of Speech: Verb
Transliteration: anagennaó
Phonetic Spelling: (an-ag-en-nah'-o)
Definition: to beget again
Usage: I beget again, beget into a new life.
The website lists this as aorist, participle, active, and nominative, masculine, singular.
Bauer documents ἀναγεννάω (page 51), defined as beget again, be born again, figurative of spiritual rebirth of Christians. (51). This is the context of 1 Peter 1: 3, born again. (51).
Biblically and theologically, the new birth, to beget again, being born again equates to regeneration.
BARTH, KARL (1932-1968) Church Dogmatics, The Doctrine of Creation: Volumes 1 and 3. Translated by J.W. Edwards, Rev. O. Bussey, and Rev. Harold Knight, Edinburgh, T. and T. Clark.
BAUER, WALTER. (1979) A Greek-English Lexicon of the New Testament, Translated by Eric H. Wahlstrom, Chicago, The University of Chicago Press.
CALVIN, JOHN (1539)(1998) The Institutes of the Christian Religion, Book II, Translated by Henry Beveridge, Grand Rapids, The Christian Classic Ethereal Library, Wheaton College.
CALVIN, JOHN (1539)(1998) The Institutes of the Christian Religion, Book IV, Translated by Henry Beveridge, Grand Rapids, The Christian Classic Ethereal Library, Wheaton College.
CALVIN, JOHN (1543)(1996) The Bondage and Liberation of the Will, Translated by G.I. Davies, Grand Rapids, Baker Book House.
EDWARDS, JONATHAN (1729)(2006) Sovereignty of God, New Haven, Connecticut, Jonathan Edwards Center, Yale University.
EDWARDS, JONATHAN (1731-1733)(2006) Law of Nature, New Haven, Connecticut, Jonathan Edwards Center, Yale University.
EDWARDS, JONATHAN (1754)(2006) Freedom of the Will, Flower Mound, Texas. Jonathanedwards.com.
ERICKSON, MILLARD (1994) Christian Theology, Grand Rapids, Baker Book House.
FEINBERG, JOHN.S. (1986) Predestination and Free Will, in David Basinger and Randall Basinger (eds.), Downers Grove, Illinois, InterVarsity Press.
FEINBERG, JOHN.S. (1994) The Many Faces of Evil, Grand Rapids, Zondervan Publishing House.
FEINBERG, JOHN.S. (2001) No One Like Him, John S. Feinberg (gen.ed.), Wheaton, Illinois, Crossway Books.
FRAME, JOHN M. (1999) ‘The Bible on the Problem of Evil: Insights from Romans 3:1-8,21-26; 5:1-5; 8:28-39’, IIIM Magazine Online, Volume 1, Number 33, October 11 to October 17, Fern Park, Florida, Third Millennium.
FRAME, JOHN M. (2002) The Doctrine of God, P and R Publishing, Phillipsburg, New Jersey.
GEISLER, NORMAN L. (1975) Philosophy of Religion, Grand Rapids, Zondervan Publishing House.
GEISLER, NORMAN L. (1978) The Roots of Evil, Grand Rapids, Zondervan Publishing House.
GEISLER, NORMAN L. (1986) Predestination and Free Will, Downers Grove, Illinois, InterVarsity Press.
GEISLER, NORMAN L. (1996) ‘Freedom, Free Will, and Determinism’, in Walter A. Elwell (ed.), Evangelical Dictionary of Theology, Grand Rapids, Baker Books.
GEISLER, NORMAN, L (1999) ‘The Problem of Evil’, in Baker Encyclopedia of Apologetics, Grand Rapids, Baker Books.
GREEN, JAY (1971) Five Points of Calvinism, ‘Forward’, Grand Rapids, Sovereign Grace Publishers.
HUGHES, PHILIP. (1990) A Commentary On The Epistle To The Hebrews, Grand Rapids, William B. Eerdmans Publishing Company.
HUME, DAVID (1779)(2004) Dialogues Concerning Natural Religion, Digireads.com/Neeland Media LLC, Lawrence, Kansas.
MACDONALD, M.H. (1996) ‘Deism’, in Walter A. Elwell (ed.), Evangelical Dictionary of Theology, Grand Rapids, Baker Books.
MURRAY, JOHN (1937-1966)(1977) Collected Writings of John Murray, Vol. 2: Select Lectures in Systematic Theology, Edinburgh, The Banner of Truth Trust.
PAILIN, DAVID A. (1999) ‘Deism’, in Alan Richardson and John Bowden (eds.), New Dictionary of Christian Theology, Kent, SCM Press Ltd.
SANDERS, JOHN (1998) The God Who Risks, Downers Grove, Illinois, InterVarsity Press.
SCHELLING, F.W.J. (1845)(1936) Schelling, Of Human Freedom, Translated by James Gutmann, The Open Court Publishing Company, Chicago.
SHEDD, WILLIAM G.T. (1874-1890)(1980) Dogmatic Theology, Volume 2, Nashville, Thomas Nelson Publishers.
STRONG, J. (1890)(1986) Strong's Exhaustive Concordance of the Bible, Burlington, Welch Publishing Company.
WAINWRIGHT, WILLIAM J. (1996) ‘Deism’, in Robert Audi (ed.), The Cambridge Dictionary of Philosophy, Cambridge, Cambridge University Press.
WEBER, OTTO (1955)(1981) Foundations of Dogmatics, Volumes 1 and 2, Translated and annotated by Darrell L. Guder, William B. Eerdmans Publishing Company.
Friday, February 25, 2022
PhD: Twitter quote 118-Short on a best possible world
Image credit: Adam Block, Mount Lemmon,
SkyCenter University of Arizona
2010 Theodicy and Practical Theology: PhD thesis, the University of Wales, Trinity Saint David, Lampeter
Feinberg holds to modified rationalism
which was explained in Chapter Two as the idea that God was not obligated to
create anything, including a world, but chose to create purely from his own
desires.[1] Within modified
rationalism, the concept of a best possible world is denied in favour of the
view that God chose to create the present world which was initially perfectly
good.[2] The fact that the problem
of evil exists would be seen within modified rationalism as a result of the
free choice of human beings to rebel against God in both free will and
sovereignty theodicy which both deny the notion of best possible world.[3] Modified rationalism
would oppose the best possible world concepts of Leibniz from the Enlightenment
era, and Mackie from the modern era.[4]
Twitter version
Modified rationalism is the idea that God was not obligated to create anything, including a world, but chose to create purely from his own desires.
(February 25, 2022: I agree with modified rationalism. I also reject the idea of a best possible world, as any created world/reality, fallen or not, has limited goodness)
(February 25, 2022: Would this not be a best possible worl' to Bob Ross?)
FEINBERG, JOHN.S. (1986) Predestination and Free Will, in David Basinger and Randall Basinger (eds.), Downers Grove, Illinois, InterVarsity Press.
FEINBERG,
JOHN.S. (1994) The Many Faces of Evil, Grand Rapids, Zondervan
Publishing House.
FEINBERG, JOHN.S. (2001) No One Like Him, John S. Feinberg
(gen.ed.), Wheaton, Illinois, Crossway Books.
FLEW,
ANTONY, R.M. HARE, AND BASIL MITCHELL (1996) ‘The Debate on the Rationality of
Religious Belief’, in L.P. Pojman (ed.), Philosophy, The Quest for
Truth, New York, Wadsworth Publishing Company.
FLEW,
ANTONY AND A.MACINTRYE (1999) ‘Philosophy of Religion’, in Alan Richardson and
John Bowden (eds.), A New Dictionary of Christian Theology, Kent,
SCM Press Ltd.
LEIBNIZ, G.W.
(1710)(1998) Theodicy, Translated by E.M. Huggard Chicago, Open Court
Classics.
MACKIE,
J.L. (1955)(1996) ‘Evil and Omnipotence’, in Mind, in Michael
Peterson, William Hasker, Bruce Reichenbach, and David Basinger (eds.),
Philosophy of Religion, Oxford, Oxford University Press.
MACKIE,
J.L. (1971)(1977)(2002) ‘Evil and Omnipotence’, in The Philosophy of
Religion, in Alvin C. Plantinga, God, Freedom, and Evil, Grand Rapids. Wm.
B. Eerdmans Publishing Company.
PLANTINGA,
ALVIN C. (1977)(2002) God, Freedom, and Evil, Grand Rapids, Wm. B.
Eerdmans Publishing Company.
PLANTINGA,
ALVIN C. (1982) The Nature of Necessity, Oxford, Clarendon Press.
---
[1]
Feinberg (1994: 36).
[2]
Plantinga (1982: 167-189). Feinberg
(1994: 36).
[3]
Plantinga (1982: 167-189). Feinberg
(1994: 36).
[4] Leibniz (1710)(1990). Mackie (1971) in Plantinga (1977)(2002: 32-33).
Saturday, February 19, 2022
PhD: Twitter quote 117
PhD: Twitter quote 117
Photo: Shutterstock, NASA
2010 Theodicy and Practical Theology: PhD thesis, the University of Wales, Trinity Saint David, Lampeter
From the footnotes
A rationalist holds that there is knowledge that can be understood independent of empirical experience. Edwards and Papp (1973: 666). A view that certain things can be innately known by the mind, even without being experienced. Pojman (1996: 599).
Cited
Rationalism
Philosophy, philosophical of religion, religious studies and theology, primarily and generally work within rationalism. Rationalism is the view that unaided reason can be used in finding knowledge without the use of sense perception. Blackburn (1996: 318).
(Note: February 19, 2022: I certainly hold that there is non-empirical knowledge and empirical knowledge, and I tend to not name myself either a rationalist or empiricist)
(Note: February 19, 2022: I certainly hold that there is non-empirical knowledge and empirical knowledge, and I tend to not name myself either a rationalist or empiricist)
Christian theology uses philosophical reasoning and a priori knowledge in deducing the existence of God, and this could be considered a form of rationalism and some logical positivists could accept rationalism in conjunction with an acceptance of empirical science.
(Note: February 19, 2022: Biblical truth that leads to Christian theology, is dependent on rationally provided, divine revelation from God, that is significantly, rationally understood by humanity, especially the Church)
A priori knowledge can be known without the use of sensory experience in the course of events in reality. Blackburn (1999: 21).
A posteriori knowledge can be known through the use of some sensory experience, and if something is knowable A posteriori it cannot be known A priori according to Blackburn. Blackburn (1996: 21).
(Note: February 19, 2022: Notably the scientific, medical and engineering, academic disciplines are dependent on empirical research and data)
For balance, please note that the biblical authors, biblical characters, Jesus Christ, his disciples and his apostles were empirically observed and documented within religious history. The death on the cross (his atoning work) and resurrection of Jesus Christ was empirically observed. Biblical Studies deals with empirical manuscripts.
Act 1: 3 New American Standard Bible (NASB)
3 To [c]these He also presented Himself alive after His suffering, by many convincing proofs, appearing to them over a period of forty days and speaking of the things concerning the kingdom of God.
(c) Acts 1:3 Lit whom
(c) Acts 1:3 Lit whom
Twitter version I
A rationalist holds that there is knowledge that can be understood independent of empirical experience. Edwards and Papp (1973: 666).
Twitter version II
Rationalism: A view that certain things can be innately known by the mind, even without being experienced. Pojman (1996: 599).
---
BLACKBURN, SIMON (1996) Oxford Dictionary of Philosophy, Oxford, Oxford University Press.
EDWARDS, PAUL AND ARTHUR PAP (1973)(eds.), A Modern Introduction To Philosophy, New York, The Free Press.
FUMERTON, RICHARD A. (1996) ‘Logical Positivism’ in Robert Audi (ed.), The Cambridge Dictionary of Philosophy, Cambridge, Cambridge University Press.
GEIVETT, R. DOUGLAS (1993) Evil and the Evidence for God, Philadelphia, Temple University Press.
HICK, JOHN (1970) Evil and The God of Love, London, The Fontana Library.
HICK, JOHN (1978) ‘Present and Future Life’, Harvard Theological Review, Volume 71, Number 1-2, January-April, Harvard University.
HICK, JOHN (1981) Encountering Evil, Stephen T. Davis (ed.), Atlanta, John Knox Press.
HICK, JOHN (1993) ‘Afterword’ in GEIVETT, R. DOUGLAS (1993) Evil and the Evidence for God, Philadelphia, Temple University Press.
HICK, JOHN (1993) The Metaphor of God Incarnate, Louisville, Kentucky, John Know Press.
HICK, JOHN (1994) Death and Eternal Life, Louisville, Kentucky, John Knox Press.
HICK, JOHN (1999) ‘Life after Death’, in Alan Richardson and John Bowden (eds.), A New Dictionary of Christian Theology, Kent, SCM Press.
HUME, DAVID (1739-1740)(1973) ‘A Treatise of Human Nature’, in Paul Edwards and Arthur Pap (eds.), A Modern Introduction To Philosophy, New York, The Free Press.
HUME, DAVID (1779)(2004) Dialogues Concerning Natural Religion, Lawrence, Kansas.
KANT, IMMANUEL (1781)(1787)(1998) Critique of Pure Reason, Translated and edited by Paul Guyer and Allen W. Wood, Cambridge University Press, Cambridge.
KANT, IMMANUEL (1781)(1787)(1929)(2006) Critique of Pure Reason, Translated by Norman Kemp Smith, London, Macmillan.
KANT, IMMANUEL (1788)(1997) Critique of Practical Reason, Translated by Mary Gregor (ed.), Cambridge University Press, Cambridge.
KANT, IMMANUEL (1788)(1898)(2006) The Critique of Practical Reason, Translated by Thomas Kingsmill Abbott, London, Longmans, Green, and Co.
KANT, IMMANUEL (1791)(2001) ‘On The Miscarriage of All Philosophical Trials in Theodicy’, in Religion and Rational Theology, Translated by George di Giovanni and Allen Wood, Cambridge, Cambridge University Press.
KENT, JOHN (1999) ‘Positivism’, in Alan Richardson and John Bowden (eds.), New Dictionary of Christian Theology, Kent, SCM Press Ltd.
PLANTINGA, ALVIN C. (1977)(2002) God, Freedom, and Evil, Grand Rapids, Wm. B. Eerdmans Publishing Company.
PLANTINGA, ALVIN C. (1982) The Nature of Necessity, Oxford, Clarendon Press.
PLANTINGA, ALVIN C. (2000) Warranted Christian Belief, Oxford, Oxford University Press.
POJMAN, LOUIS P. (1996) Philosophy: The Quest for Truth, New York, Wadsworth Publishing Company.
Monday, February 14, 2022
PhD: Twitter quote 116
I bought it in Richmond and I still have the computer.
Part I of my British, PhD program
2003 The Problem of Evil: Anglican and Baptist Perspectives: MPhil thesis, Bangor University.Tuesday, January 10, 2006
MPhil Wales 2003
This work is from my MPhil (2003)
In Philippians 4:19, Paul promises his readers that God will supply their needs in Christ. However, Martin noted that: "The precise meaning of will meet as a wish-prayer, not a statement of fact, is a helpful insight." Martin (1989: 184). The fact that Paul is waiting for God to supply the reader’s needs means there is an element of faith involved, and in matters of faith, God sometimes does not deliver as expected although he will meet the needs of his people in order for them to best serve him.
God will meet the needs of the believer, mainly in the context of making it feasible for a person to complete his will for their individual life. This unfortunately, from a human perspective, leaves much room for suffering. Yes, God loves his people, but he has knowledge of what must take place in a believer’s life in a more complete way than any human being could be aware of.
Twitter version
In Philippians 4:19, Paul promises readers that God will supply their needs in Christ. However, Martin noted that: "The precise meaning of will meet as a wish-prayer, not a statement of fact, is a helpful insight." Martin (1989: 184).
---
Part II of my British, PhD program
2010 Theodicy and Practical Theology: PhD thesis, the University of Wales, Trinity Saint David, Lampeter
AUGUSTINE. (388-395)(1979) De Liberto Arbitrio (On Free Will), in Earlier Writings on Free Will, Translated by J.H.S. Burleigh, Philadelphia, The Westminster Press.
AUGUSTINE. (421)(1998) Enchiridion, Translated by J.F. Shaw, Denver, New Advent Catholic Website.
BLACKBURN, S. (1996) Pantheism, in Oxford Dictionary of Philosophy, Oxford, Oxford University Press.
BLAMIRES, H. (1957)(1981) A God Who Acts, Ann Arbor, Servant Books.
BLOCHER, H. (1994) Evil and the Cross, Translated by David G. Preston, Leicester, Inter-Varsity Press.
BLOESCH, D. (1996) Sin, The Biblical Understanding of Sin in Walter A. Elwell (ed.), Evangelical Dictionary of Theology, Grand Rapids, Baker Books.
BROWN, C. (1996) The Enlightenment, in Walter A. Elwell (ed.), Evangelical Dictionary of Theology, Grand Rapids, Baker Books.
BRUCE, F.F. (1996) Romans, Grand Rapids, William B. Eerdmans Publishing Company.
CALVIN, J. (1539)(1998) Institutes of the Christian Religion, Book II.
CALVIN, J. (1543)(1998) The Bondage and Liberation of the Will, Translated by G.I. Davies, Grand Rapids, Baker Book House.
CALVIN, J. (1553)(1952) Job, Translated by Leroy Nixon, Grand Rapids, Baker Book House.
CARSON, D.A. (1981) Divine Sovereignty and Human Responsibility, Atlanta, John Knox Press.
CARSON, D.A. (1990) How Long, O Lord?, Grand Rapids, Baker Book House.
CLARKE, O.F. (1964) God and Suffering: An Essay in Theodicy, Derby, Peter Smith (Publishers) Limited.
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William B. Eerdmans Publishing Company.
ENROTH, R.M. (1996) Reincarnation, in Walter A. Elwell (ed.), Evangelical Dictionary of Theology, Grand Rapids, Baker Books,
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FEINBERG, J.S. (1996) Evil, Problem of, in Walter A. Elwell (ed.), Evangelical Dictionary of Theology, Grand Rapids, Baker Books.
FEINBERG, J.S. (1994) The Many Faces of Evil, Grand Rapids, Zondervan Publishing House.
FITCH, W. (1967) God and Evil, Grand Rapids, William B. Eerdmans Publishing Company.
GEISLER, N. (1978) The Roots of Evil, Grand Rapids, Zondervan Publishing House.
HEIN, R. (1996) C.S. Lewis, in Walter A. Elwell (ed.), Evangelical Dictionary of Theology, Grand Rapids, Baker Books.
HEWLETT, H.P. (1986) Philippians, in F.F. Bruce (gen. ed.), The International Bible Commentary, Grand Rapids, Marshall Pickering/Zondervan.
HENRY, C. (1983) God, Revelation and Authority: Volume 6: God Who Stands and Stays, Waco, Word Books.
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KILBY, Clyde S. (1965) The Christian World of C.S. Lewis, Appleford, Abingdon, Berks, U.K., Marcham Manor Press.
LA SOR, W.S., D.A HUBBARD and F.W BUSH (1987) Old Testament Survey, Grand Rapids, William B. Eerdmans Publishing Company.
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LEWIS, C.S. (1941)(1990) The Screwtape Letters, Uhrichsville, Ohio,
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LUTHER, M. (1518)(1989) Heidelberg Disputation, in Timothy F. Lull (ed.), Martin Luther’s Basic Theological Writings, Minneapolis, Fortress Press.
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Plantinga, God, Freedom, and Evil, Grand Rapids,
Wm. B. Eerdmans Publishing Company.
MARTIN, R.P. (1987) Philippians, in Leon Canon Morris (gen. ed.),Tyndale New Testament Commentary, Leicester/Grand Rapids, Inter-Varsity Press/William B. Eerdmans Publishing Company.
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PAILIN, D.A. (1999) Enlightenment, in Alan Richardson and John Bowden (eds.), A New Dictionary of Christian Theology, Kent, SCM Press Limited.
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Friday, February 11, 2022
Briefly on gaining truth through intense prayer
Photo 2: stuart mckay photography prince street, february 3, 2022
BAVINCK, HERMAN (1918)(2006) Reformed Dogmatics Volume 2: God and Creation, John Bolt (gen.ed.), Translated by John Vriend, Baker Academic, Grand Rapids.
By my Reformed theological reasoning, I have probably been a regenerated (John 3, Titus, 1 Peter 1: 3) Christian believer, since I was approximately 4 years old or so, back in the Prairie Avenue and Finley Street, Port Coquitlam days.
My Mother used to tell me that when I was very young, I blamed God for everything...
I have as a finite and sinful human being (Romans, Galatians, Ephesians, Hebrews as examples for reference), prayed since being young. I have also, with God's help, developed into a Christian intellectual, PhD, Wales.
In conjunction with my weight loss regiment, recovering from the lifelong results of sleep apnea, I am finally getting a handle on this issue. Besides the UPPP, rhinoplasty surgeries from years ago and the permanent, low carbohydrates, low sugar diet, I have continued my lifelong exercise program.
This includes my often one hour, prayer walks in my condo, usually before bed. I need to admit that I am not theologically a charismatic, but probably a couple of times in my life, I would consider that a supernatural event occurred with a message from the Lord for me.
Never expected...
When I seek the Lord to tell me truth, I consider that is God naturally communicating to me, or at least largely so.
In Reformed theology, God is the first cause of all things. So, when I am praying I ask the Lord, not mainly for a supernatural message, but for the Lord to naturally put proper thoughts and ideas into my head concerning me serving God, including my life ministry and life problems.
What has come to my mind recently is that my clearest understandings of truth is not when I am using my PhD intellect to dwell on problems and solutions. Rather, my clearest understandings of truth are when I am using my PhD intellect, in intense prayer, as a secondary cause, being led by God as the first cause, to understand truth and reality by the guidance of the Holy Spirit. This in the applied atoning and resurrection work of God the Son, Jesus Christ, through God the Father.
Surprisingly, on a key issue, my almost entirely, negative, intellectual, conclusions when I am thinking and pondering on this issue, become more positive conclusions when I am intellectually, thinking and pondering on the issue in intense prayer.
Self-deception?
Attempting to put a positive spin on a problem and problems?
These are always possibilities, admittedly.
But strange things have happened in 'real life' praying on this issue that are in agreement with ideas that came into my head, as I asked the Lord for the truth, well before they actually occurred.
Again, I do not claim to be a charismatic, theologically.
This intense prayer is often done by walking and specifically asking the Lord to take any Satanic or human deception, lack of clarity and falsehoods, out of my mind, and telling me the truth. It is not exhaustive truth, as the Lord always requires an aspect of faith. Not blind faith, but faith and reason connected to biblical, theological, philosophical and other sources of truth. But I have to admit, that I have been especially lately, provided some clarity in intense prayer. These ideas seem to largely agree with the ideas from others that know me well that are also praying on this issue and other issues.
BAVINCK, HERMAN (1918)(2006) Reformed Dogmatics Volume 2: God and Creation, John Bolt (gen.ed.), Translated by John Vriend, Baker Academic, Grand Rapids.
BAVINCK, HERMAN (1918)(2006) Reformed Dogmatics Volume 3: Sin and Salvation in Christ, John Bolt (gen.ed.), Translated by John Vriend, Baker Academic, Grand Rapids.
CALVIN, JOHN (1539)(1998) The Institutes of the Christian Religion, Book II, Translated by Henry Beveridge, Grand Rapids, The Christian Classic Ethereal Library, Wheaton College.
CALVIN, JOHN (1539)(1998) The Institutes of the Christian Religion, Book IV, Translated by Henry Beveridge, Grand Rapids, The Christian Classic Ethereal Library, Wheaton College.
CALVIN, JOHN (1543)(1996) The Bondage and Liberation of the Will, Translated by G.I. Davies, Grand Rapids, Baker Book House.
ERICKSON, MILLARD (1994) Christian Theology, Grand Rapids, Baker Book House.
FRANKE, JOHN R. (2005) The Character of Theology, Baker Academic, Grand Rapids.
KAVANAGH, AIDAN (1999) ‘Initiation, Christian’, in Alan Richardson and John Bowden (eds.), A New Dictionary of Christian Theology, Kent, SCM Press Ltd.
KIERKEGAARD, SOREN (1847-1848)(1955)(1966) On Authority and Revelation, Translated by Walter Lowrie, New York, Harper and Row, Publishers, Incorporated.
KIERKEGAARD, SOREN (1848-1849)(1961) Christian Discourses & The Lilies of the Field and The Birds of the Air & Three Discourses at The Communion on Fridays, Translated by Walter Lowrie, New York, Oxford University Press.
KLEIN, WILLIAM W., CRAIG, C. BLOMBERG, AND ROBERT L. HUBBARD, JR. (1993) Introduction to Biblical Interpretation, London, Word Publishing.
MURRAY, JOHN (1937-1966)(1977) Collected Writings of John Murray, Vol. 2: Select Lectures in Systematic Theology, Edinburgh, The Banner of Truth Trust.
PACKER, J.I. (1996) ‘Regeneration’ in Walter A. Elwell (ed.), Evangelical Dictionary of Theology, Grand Rapids, Baker Books.
THIESSEN, HENRY C. (1956) Introductory Lectures in Systematic Theology, Grand Rapids, Wm. B. Eerdmans Publishing Company.
SCHLEIERMACHER, FRIEDRICH (1799)(1961) On Religion, in Elie Kedourie, Nationalism, New York, Praeger University Series.
SCHLEIERMACHER, FRIEDRICH (1821)(1928)(1976) The Christian Faith, Edited by H.R. Mackintosh and J.S. Stewart, Philadelphia, Fortress Press.
SCHRECK, ALAN (1984) Catholic and Christian, Ann Arbor, Michigan, Servant Books.
SHEDD,
WILLIAM G.T. (1874-1890)(1980) Dogmatic Theology, Volume 1, Nashville, Thomas Nelson Publishers.
SHEDD, WILLIAM G.T. (1874-1890)(1980) Dogmatic Theology, Volume 2, Nashville, Thomas Nelson Publishers.
WEBER, OTTO (1955)(1981) Foundations of Dogmatics, Volumes 1 and 2, Translated and annotated by Darrell L. Guder, William B. Eerdmans Publishing Company.
WHALE, J.S. (1958) Christian Doctrine, Glasgow, Fontana Books.
Friday, February 04, 2022
The Orthodox Study Bible: Reconciliation part 2
The Orthodox Study Bible: Reconciliation part 2
Bottom photo: Spitzer Space Telescope, NASA. Science News
Continued from part 1
The Orthodox Study Bible: Reconciliation part 1THE ORTHODOX STUDY BIBLE, NEW TESTAMENT AND PSALMS (1993) Saint Athanasius Orthodox Academy, Nashville, Tennessee, Thomas Nelson Publishers.
STRONG, J. (1890)(1986) Strong's Exhaustive Concordance of the Bible, Burlington, Welch Publishing Company.
Glossary: Reverend John W. Morris, PhD
Quote
'Reconciliation The removal of hostility and barriers between humans and God, and between individuals, accomplished by God (Rom. 5:11; 2 Cor 5:18-19). (805)'
From New American Standard Bible (NASB)
2 Corinthians 5: 18-19
18 Now all these things are from God, who reconciled us to Himself through Christ and gave us the ministry of reconciliation, 19 namely, that God was in Christ reconciling the world to Himself, not counting their wrongdoings against them, and [a]He has [b]committed to us the word of reconciliation. Footnotes (a) 2 Corinthians 5:19 Lit having (b) 2 Corinthians 5:19 Lit placed in us
Bible Hub: 2 Corinthians 5: 18
Cited
καταλλάξαντος
having reconciled (who reconciled from NASB)
V-APA-GMS
Verb, Aorist, Participle, Active-Genitive, Masculine, Singular, my add.
Cited
'What does the aorist active tense in Greek mean? 1. aorist - a verb tense in some languages (classical Greek and Sanskrit) expressing action (especially past action) without indicating its completion or continuation.'
Aorist and active meaning. There is an action of reconciliation that took place in the past, but the results continue in the present. Those regenerated (John 3, Titus 3: 5, 1 Peter 1: 23) having been reconciled by the applied atoning work of Jesus Christ, his resurrection and the future resurrection of believers. Those persons in Christ has been reconciled through the salvific, gospel work of Jesus Christ to God (Romans, Galatians, Hebrews). The Genitive, is the reconciliation of us from God and to God.
Quote
'Participles are fundamentally verbal adjectives. They indicate action as do verbs. But they also modify nouns. Consider the word "walking" in the following sentence: The man walking down the street lost his car.'
God having reconciled.
Bible Hub: 2 Corinthians 5: 18
Cited
καταλλαγῆς
of reconciliation
N-GFS
Bauer states here that καταλλαγῆ, more specifically καταλλαγῆς in context is 'the word of reconciliation' in 2 Corinthians 5: 18 (414). Similar to Romans 11: 15 (414). Although I noted that it is technically, καταλλαγὴν.
Bible Hub: 2 Corinthians 5: 19
καταλλάσσων
Is reconciling, as in a verb, an action word. Is this case, present, participle, active.
God is reconciling those he saves, based on the reconciling he did on the cross with the atonement, followed within three days by his resurrection. These things applied to regenerated believers.
Original Word: καταλλάσσω which is Strong's 2644.
καταλλαγῆς
Is of reconciliation, as in a noun. Genitive, feminine, singular. God has provided the word of reconciliation.
Original Word: καταλλαγή, ῆς, ἡ which is Strong's 2643
Reconciliation defined
Erickson notes that Jesus Christ as reconciler is the theme of his chapters on atonement. (768-769, but also 781-841). Quote: 'Because he was sinless, he did not have to die in payment for his own sins. Inasmuch as he is an infinite being who did not have to die, his death can serve to atone for the sins of all mankind.' (804).
God-incarnate, Jesus Christ, is perfect human being, and therefore serves as the perfect, sinless, atoning sacrifice (Hebrews). He is also, as spirit, infinite, eternal God, that outlasts and defeats, finite sin.
Thiessen documents the same New Testament Greek references as I have dealt with in parts 1-2. (327). In the fall (Genesis 3) Adam and Eve turned from God. God turned from humanity. But through the atoning work of Jesus Christ, God has reconciled humanity. (327-328).
The reconciling work of the triune God, through the atoning work of Jesus Christ, and the connected resurrection, brings humanity in Jesus Christ 'at one ment' (atonement) with their creator, saviour and sustainer.
Boice on Jesus Christ: 'The one who takes the place of man in order to satisfy God's justice is actually the one who had himself become man and is therefore what we might term our representative.' (290).
Yes. Therefore, in Jesus Christ, we are saved by grace through faith, alone and not by works.
8 For by grace you have been saved through faith; and [l]this is not of yourselves, it is the gift of God; 9 not a result of works, so that no one may boast. 10 For we are His workmanship, created in Christ Jesus for good works, which God prepared beforehand so that we would walk in them.
(l) Ephesians 2:8 I.e., this salvation
BAUER, WALTER (1979) A Greek-English Lexicon of the New Testament, Translated by Eric H. Wahlstrom, Chicago, The University of Chicago Press.
BRUCE, F.F. (1987) Romans, Grand Rapids, William B. Eerdmans Publishing Company.
CLINES, DAVID, J. A. (1986), 2 Corinthians, The International Bible Commentary, Grand Rapids, Zondervan.
CRANFIELD, C.E.B. (1992) Romans: A Shorter Commentary, Grand Rapids, William B. Eerdmans Publishing Company.
ERICKSON, MILLARD (1994) Christian Theology, Grand Rapids, Baker Book House.
ERICKSON, MILLARD (2003) What Does God Know and When Does He Know It?, Grand Rapids, Zondervan.
FEE, GORDON (1987) The First Epistle to the Corinthians, Grand Rapids, William B. Eerdmans Publishing Company.
HUGHES, PHILIP, EDGCUMBE (1990) A Commentary On The Epistle To The Hebrews, Grand Rapids, William B. Eerdmans Publishing Company.
MARSH, PAUL W. in Bruce, F.F. (ed.), (1986) First Corinthians, The International Bible Commentary, Grand Rapids, Zondervan.
MOUNCE, ROBERT H. (1995) The New American Commentary: Romans, Nashville, Broadman & Holman Publishers.
STRONG, J. (1890)(1986) Strong's Exhaustive Concordance of the Bible, Burlington, Welch Publishing Company.
THIESSEN, HENRY C. (1956) Introductory Lectures in Systematic Theology, Grand Rapids, Wm. B. Eerdmans Publishing Company.
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