The Holiness Persuasion of the Federal Vision?

"Significantly and symptomatically Finney's doctrine of justification has interesting correspondences. Finney rejected forensic justification and accepted real sanctification as the final basis of man's standing before God. Moreover, Finney saw justification as dependent upon a prior sanctification, thus embracing, no doubt unknowingly, the traditional Roman Catholic ordo salutis. - p.41.
"Then boardman summarized the essential holiness persuasion:'Nevertheless the two things [being reckoned righteous and being made righteous] are distinct and different in their nature and are expressive of two great and equal wants of the sinner. He must be just in the eye of the law, justified before God. But he must also be holy in heart and life, or he cannot be saved.'" - p.44.

- Frederick Dale Bruner, A Theology of the Holy Spirit (Eerdman's, 1970; Trinity, 2001).

Well, specifically, this sounds just like John Kinnaird's position
(which has been uncondemned by the higher OPC courts).
However, it is representative of various FV positions as well.
See both John Otis' Danger in the Camp
and Guy Prentiss Water's The Federal Vision and Covenant Theology.

William Goode vs. Baptismal Regeneration

   Drug out Charismatic Confusion [1834] for some research for our children's Bible class at school, and ran across the following:

   Goode's sun rose to its public splendour in the Gorham Case of 1847. Briefly, this concerned George Cornelius Gorham (1787-1857), vicar of Penwith in Cornwall, whom his bishop, Henry Phillpotts of Exeter (1778-1869), refused to appoint to the vicarage of Brampford Speke in 1847, on the basis of Gorham's alleged unsoundness on the doctrine of baptismal regeneration. Phillpotts was an old-fashioned High Anglican with slight sympathies for the Oxford Movement, and he believed in the intrinsic regenerative efficacy of baptism. Gorham, a Calvinistic Evangelical and student of the Reformers, denied this understanding of baptism; he contended that the regenerating work of the Spiritcould not be tied down to the exact moment of baptism, although the Spirit was free to work at that point in baptised infants if He so chose. The controversy aroused immense nationwide interest. Victory finally went to Gorham when the judicial committee of the Privy Council decided in his favour in 1850.
   Some 50 works of literary warfare were published on the Gorham Case. The most devastating defence of Gorham and his baptismal doctrine issued from Gode's pen - his The Doctrine of the Church of England as to the Effects of Baptism in the case of Infants, published in 1849. Goode's mastery of the writings and theology of the fathers of the Reformed English Church proved largely unanswerable by Phillpotts and his allies, even if it must be granted that most Anglican Evangelicals in those days had somewhat higher views of baptism than their modern Zwinglian descendents.

   Itmay prove interesting - if not profitable - to review the arguments in the Gorham Case. That is, in the light of the present Federal Vision (AAPC, Monroe 4, Neonomist, Monocovenantalism, etc.) controversy.

(Also, another Goode book worthy of republication.)

Survey Says....Amillennialist!

You scored as Amillenialist. Amillenialism believes that the 1000 year reign is not literal but figurative, and that Christ began to reign at his ascension. People take some prophetic scripture far too literally in your view. Amillenialist 100% Preterist 55% Moltmannian Eschatology 40% Postmillenialist 40% Premillenialist 40% Left Behind 20% Dispensationalist 0% What's your eschatology? created with QuizFarm.com

(HT - Scarecrow)

Chalcedon Compliant

Whew!!
So... At the least, I am not a heretic!
;-)

You scored as Chalcedon compliant. You are Chalcedon compliant. Congratulations, you're not a heretic. You believe that Jesus is truly God and truly man and like us in every respect, apart from sin. Officially approved in 451. Chalcedon compliant 100% Nestorianism 67% Monophysitism 33% Pelagianism 25% Adoptionist 8% Docetism 0% Arianism 0% Apollanarian 0% Donatism 0% Gnosticism 0% Monarchianism 0% Albigensianism 0% Modalism 0% Socinianism 0% Are you a heretic? created with QuizFarm.com

Ten Gallon Hat

I'll put a ten gallon hat
over my devil horns
I'll lasso the sunset, in fact
I'll wear it like a uniform
They'll say "There goes one good man!"
I might fool 'em for another day
then at the crack of one glorious dawn
I'll ride away

I'll be ridin' away
to where they say
that they love you (and they MEAN IT!)
or for instance,
there's no fences
'round your dream when you dream it
and the heart
in the dark
finds a light to redeem it
In the meantime let me say...

God knows I got a ten gallon hat
over my devil horns
I'll lasso the sunset, in fact
I'm gonna wear it like a uniform
they'll say "There goes one righteous man!"
I might fool 'em for another day
then at the crack of one glorious dawn
I'll ride away

Terry Scott Taylor

Updated DVC

Just a note to say that the previous post on The Da Vinci Code
has had a number of updates.

Comments and suggestions/links are welcome.

A Select(ively) Annotated Da Vinci Code Bibliography

Sacred* Titles

Abanes, Richard The Truth Behind The Da Vinci Code (Eugene: Harvest House, 2004) 96pp. 0-736914-39-0 $6.99 USD
Basic, Evangelistic tool; however, goes into more depth on Leonardo than most.

Beverley, James A. Counterfeit Code: Responding to the Da Vinci Heresies (Willard & Assoc. Consulting, 2005) 100pp. 1897213018 $9.50 USD
Print-on-demand title.

Boa, Kenneth & John Alan Turner The Gospel According to The Da Vinci Code: The Truth Behind the Writings of Dan Brown ( Broadman & Holman, 2006) 176pp. 0805441905 $14.99 USD
Focuses on the worldview that enables Brown (and others) to succeed.

+Bock, Darrell L. Breaking the Da Vinci Code (Thomas Nelson, 2004) 208pp. 0-7852-6046-3 $19.99 USD
Bock: "My work concentrates on the first 325 years of Early Christian history, which are key to Brown's claims in his plot. I also give a full sample of texts, orthodox and gnostic, from this period so the reader can see for themselves what these ancients texts say and get a sense of what the difference is between [the] biblical and the 'secret' texts."

Clark, Stephen The Da Vinci Code on Trial: Filtering Fact from Fiction (Evangelical Press, 2005) 94pp. 1850492093 $9.99 USD

Ehrman, Bart D. Truth and Fiction in The Da Vinci Code:A Historian Reveals What We Really Know about Jesus, Mary Magdalene, and Constantine (OUP, 2004) 207pp. 01951-8140-9 $20.00 USD
Besides general debunkery, [t]hroughout, Ehrman offers a wealth of fascinating background information--all historically accurate--on early Christianity. He describes, for instance, the discovery of the Dead Sea Scrolls (which are not Christian in content, contrary to The Da Vinci Code); outlines in simple terms how scholars of early Christianity determine which sources are most reliable; and explores the many other Gospels that have been found in the last half century.

Flory, Suzy & Gini Monroe - Fear Not Da Vinci: Using The Da Vinci Code to Share Your Faith (AMG, 2006) 224pp. 0899570526 $14.99 USD
Evangelistic tool.

+Garlow, James L. The Da Vinci Codebreaker: An Easy-to-Use Fact Checker(Minneapolis: Bethany House, 2006) 203pp. 0-7642-0185-9 $9.99 USD
Garlow follows up the success of his co-authored Cracking Da Vinci's Code(see below), with this handy alphabetical, cross-referenced glossary-cum-encyclopaedia of Da Vinci Code facts. A sacred version (ie: with a more-or-less dogmatic evangelical Christian viewpoint) of Newman's The Real History Behind the Da Vinci Code (see below).

+Garlow, Jame L. & Peter Jones Cracking Da Vincis Code (Colorado Springs: Victor, 2004) 252pp. 0-78144-165-X $14.99 CDN
Garlow, author of How God Saved Civilization (now, God and His People), and Jones, author of The Gnostic Empire Strikes Back and Spirit Wars, combine efforts to produce a work that tackles the significant points and attach a short Readers Guide with questions relevant to the text. The odd, evolving, Divine Arc/Circle symbology used at the start of chapters has (and will, probably) distracted a few; however, the book has sold around half a million copies, so people appear to be finding it useful overall.

Green, Michael The Books the Church Suppressed: Fiction and Truth in The Da Vinci Code (Grand Rapids: Kregel, 2006) 192pp. 08254-6096-4 $13.99 USD
Focuses on the reliability and canonicity of the NT and Gnosticism which Green sees as the main attacks of Brown's work.

Gumbel, Nicky The Da Vinci Code: A Response (Alpha Int'l, 2005) 1-904-07481-2 L1.00 UK
Warning: Written and published by Alpha/Charismania oriented personnel. Recommened by David McKay as, "good because it is so short and people might actually read it!"

+Hanegraaff, Hank & Paul L. Maier The Da Vinci Code: Fact or Fiction? (Carol Stream: Tyndale, 2004, rev. 2006) 96pp. 1-41430279-7 $5.99 USD
A pocket guide designed with quick answers to all the significant issues. Another evangelistic tool. The revised version adds a Gospel presentation. Basic.

Kellmeyer, Steve Fact and Fiction in The Da Vinci Code">Fact and Fiction in The Da Vinci Code (Peoria: Bridegroom Press, 2004) 96pp. 0-971812861 $9.95 USD
A Papist perspective on 72 items of offending material. According to Marcia Ford, an editors nightmare that, "... will make you realize why we need such a thing[as The Chicago Manual of Style], in case you ever doubted it."

+Lutzer, Erwin W. The Da Vinci Deception (Carol Stream: Living Books, 2006 [2004]) 167pp. ISBN 1-4143-0633-4 $6.99 USD
A very helpful introduction to the critical issues with a nice examination of gnosticism by a recognized, proven, conservative (Baptist) writer and Senior Pastor of Moody Church in Chicago.
A short positive review by Gary Gilley is online.

+McDowell, Josh The Da Vinci Code: A Quest for Answers (Holiday: Green Key Books, 2006) 112pp. 1-932587-80-2 $4.99 CDN
A short text using the conversational technique(apparently, popular?) about as successfully as James White did in Scripture Alone (ie: I dont care for the technique, but realize that it might be helpful for others). A useful 3-session study guide for this item is available on-line. Tim Challies has a review of Quest here.

+Olson, Carl E. & Sandra Miesel The Da Vinci Hoax: The Truth About Jesus, Christianity, Mary Magdalene, and The Da Vinci Code (Ignatius Press, 2004) 329pp. 1-58617034-1 $15.95 USD
"Co-authored by a theologian and a medievalist, The Da Vinci Hoax hasbeen described by Francis Cardinal George of Chicago as 'the definitive debunking.' At 330 pages and with 555 footnotes, it is the most exhaustive and meticulous refutation of the biblical, theological, historical, philosophical, and artistic errors of The Da Vinci Code."
Papist, but looks interesting (even Marvin Olasky endorses it!). Furthermore, Marcia Ford, author and able DVC et.al. reviewer (see below), has these glowing words: "Olson, editor of Envoy magazine and a Catholic author with an evangelical background, and Miesel, a journalist with master's degrees in biochemistry and medieval history, provide a wealth of richly detailed historical and theological information in their extensive volume. Chapters are arranged topically and thoroughly cover the subject under discussion, whether it's Gnosticism or the Knights Templar or Leonardo's art. More than the other titles, this book looks at the cultural and religious factors that have combined to contribute to the success of DVC."

Price, Robert M. Da Vinci Fraud: Why the Truth is Stranger than Fiction (Prometheus Books, 2005) 296pp. 1591023483 $18.00 USD
NT Scholar and member of the Jesus Seminar puts in his 2¢.

+Strobel, Lee & Gary Poole Discussing The Da Vinci Code (Grand Rapids: Zondervan, 2006) 96 pp. 0310272653 $7.99 USD
Discussion Guide & DVD for small group study. New.

Strobel, Lee & Gary Poole Exploring The Da Vinci Code: Investigating Issues Raised by the Book & Movie (Grand Rapids: Zondervan, 2006) 112pp. 0310273722 $4.99 USD
New.

Welborn, Amy - De-Coding Da Vinci (Our Sunday Visitor, 2004) 124pp. 1-5927-6101-1 $9.95 USD

Williams, Garry - The Da Vinci Code: From Dan Brown's Fiction to Mary Magdalene's Faith(Christian Focus, 2006) 1-84550-121-7 $3.99 USD
Recommended by Westminster Seminary. Publisher remark: "Garry Williams teaches Church History and Doctrine at Oak Hill Theological College in London, England. Here he answers seven of the key claims raised by Dan Brown's book and points you towards a story even more intriguing - and more firmly based on fact."

+Witherington III, Ben The Gospel Code (Downers Grove: IVP, 2004) 252pp. 0-8308-3267-X $15.00 USD
James Dunn's student, apparently, does an adequate job.

Sacred Resources On-Line
(Please send me additional links, and I will update.)

Challenging Da Vinci Website
Australian David McKay informs me that this is,"a site created by Sydney Anglican Media to address questions posed by the Da Vinci Code. The site will be advertised with the introductory short ad at cinemas. Greg Clarke, who wrote a lot of the material, says he thnaks God for the book and film because it has given opportunities to address hundreds of non Christians and share the gospel with them. He's going on a national church-hopping tour talking about the film, book and the Bible."

Christianity Today "The Da Vinci Rejects"
Humour: What other publishers could have done to respond to Dan Browns bestseller.

Christianity Today - "Decoding The Da Vinci Code"
Has links to other articles on the topic; but, overall, rather sparse.

Discusing the Da Vinci Code
A sub-site of Bible.org with many helpful, academic resources.

Ford, Marcia 'DA VINCI DEBUNKERS: Spawns of Dan Brown's Bestseller'
Seminal reviews of 11 books about/or responding to DVC. Recommended
_________ 'The Book That Will Not Go Away'
Further reviews of 15 titles which either debunk or imitate DVC. Recommended

Jeff Down's Resource Index: The Da Vinci Code Page
A handy reference to a multiplicity of Books (most herein mentioned), audio, and online essay links. Recommended

JesusAndDaVinci website
A nexus of linked articles, a discussion group, and (Josh McDowell) resource store. Part of a network of Campus Crusade sites responding to Brown's novel and the movie, catalogued by Rob Williams of CCC here.

Rhodes, Ron "Crash Goes the Da Vinci Code"
An helpful essay dealing forthrightly with many significant quotes. By a recognized and competent apologist.

Rogers, Jay The Real Jesus, Part Two:Debunking The Da Vinci Code
Part of a planned DVD presentation on The Real Jesus by the director of The Forerunner. This part deals with Brown's gnostic delusions. In Jay's words: "Originally, I had planned to make it available upon the release of the movie. I probably will have part 1 of the video done by summer, and the Da Vinci Code section (part 2) will probably appear in 2007 as
part of the video series -- The Real Jesus: Exposing the Christological Heresies of Pop Culture."

The Da Vinci Dialogue website
Sponsored by HollywoodJesus (?), with the cooperation of Sony Pictures(?). From their Expert page: "Highly regarded Christian leaders and scholars volunteered to tackle the controversial topics within The Da Vinci Code. Between now and the release of the film, the Da Vinci Dialogue will regularly post new and insightful essays from these experts. Additional essay contributors will be announced in the coming days." The range of experts include: John L. Allen, George Barna, Darrell L. Bock, Tony Campolo, Chuck Colson, Gloria Gaither (yes, Bill's wife!), and the list goes on to represent papists, neo-evangelicals, liberals, and some half-decent representatives like Josh McDowell.

The Truth About Da Vinci.com
A reformed presence! Westminster Seminary has just (April 14th) launched a - growing - site with relevant apologetical articles, sermons, FAQs, video clips, Q&As, an e-store (really, Westminster Bookstore), and (forthcoming) White Papers, Discussion (forum?) and Banners(?). We'll keep tabs on it for updates. [HT to Steve Johnson from rtdisc.]

Turner, John Alan "Who is Really In the Gnosis?"
An article for Reflections Ministries about Dan Brown, Elaine Pagels, and Gnosticism. [HT to Mr. Turner.]

White, James - "Debunking Dan Brown's "Fact Based Fiction"
A lengthy combined version of several blog postings in which James deals in his usual, polemical style with issues of the book. Jame's three-part Sunday Schoo discussion of The Da Vinci Code is also online: Part I, Part II, Part III.

Wright, N.T. - "Decoding The Da Vinci Code"
The Bishop of Durham [CoE] weighs in on The Da Vinci Code.

Sacred DVDs

+The Da Vinci Code Deception (Grizzly Adams Productions) 120 min. 1-931602-86-7 $19.95 USD
A docu-drama with experts, setting-site tours, sermon outline, and group studies utilizing the material in the Lutzer, Bock, and Garlow/Jones titles (above). See also Grizzly Adams Productions.

Where Fact and Fiction Meet: The Biblical Christ in a Da Vinci Code Society $29.99 USD
Six pseudo-documentary studies - ideal for small groups - entitled, The Historical and Biblical Jesus, Ancient and Modern Gnosticism, The Real Words of Christ, Jesus, Mary, and the Role of Women in the Early Church, The Messiah, the Myths, and the Holy Grail and Reaching the Da Vinci Code Society. Comes with Outlines and personal and Bible Study questions.


Secular Titles

+Burstein, Dan, ed. Secrets of the Code (NY: CDS Books, 2004) 373pp. 1-59315-022-9 $21.95 USD/$29.95 CDN
Subtitle: The Unauthorized Guide to the Mysteries Behind The Da Vinci Code. A collection of essays, synopses, a glossary, cast, and web-resource guide by a variety of authors who represent a spectrum of interests in the material (ie: from the sympathies of a Michael Baigent or Margaret Starbird, through the ambivalence of Bart Ehrman or Elaine Pagels, to the helpful plot-hole exposé of David Shugat and the level-headed review by Laura Miller). Recommended.


Cox, Simon Cracking the Da Vinci Code (Sterling Publishing, 2004) 160pp. 1-4027-1837-3 $9.95 USD
A partisan work composed of short discussions of various Brown topics and esoterica. Cox writes, "This book isdesigned in such a way as to give the reader of The Da Vinci Code a primer on many of the factual elements in the book."

+Haag, Michael & Veronica - The Rough Guide to The Da Vinci Code, rev.ed.(London: Rough Guides, 2006 [2004]) 288pp. 1-84353-713-3 $10.99 USD/ $15.99 CDN
The best, pocket-sized, cheap - with relevant pics and diagrams - secular guide to the novel; now enhanced with movie-related trivia.

Lunn, Martin Da Vinci Decoded: The Truth Behind the New York Times #1 Bestseller (The Disinformation Company, 2004) 182pp. 0-9729-5297-7 $9.95 USD
A, purportedly, thorough examination by an unknown author who utilizes Brown's sources - sometimes, against him.

+Newman, Sharan The Real History Behind the Da Vinci Code (NY: Berkley, 2005) 337pp. 0-425-20012-4 $15.00 USD/$22.00 CDN
An alphabetically-arranged examination of people, places, and subjects raised in Browns novel, by an acclaimed medieval mystery writer, longtime member of the Medieval Academy, and Ph.D. candidate. She gives a generally sane, secular take on the material. For a sacred version in a similar format, see Garlow's The Da Vinci Codebreaker (above).

*Note: I have, on purpose, used the distinction between sacred and secular.This does not indicate, however, that I am under the impression that all the authors under the sacred designation are Christians, never mind conservative, evangelical, or reformed. Commensurate sentiments would be in play vice versa.
+Titles I own. Donotions of other resources, gladly accepted! (I am working on a presentation for locals.)

The Gospel of Judas?

The recent release of a spurious gnostic text known as The Gospel of Judas has caused a minor tempest.

Discussions over the Easter release-date - as The Da Vinci Code, and other Gospel-attacking material has also been released in the past - are being held on various group's e-lists.

But, The Gospel of Judas is so dominated by a gnostic worldview, and informed by platonism, Jewish mysticism, and pre-Manichean motifs, that it can have no serious impact on on the Canon, esp. as seen by Christians. Irenaeus dealt with centuries ago, as did other Fathers over similar heretical movements.

Here [ht to John Barach on ref-net] is a scathing review (primarily of National Geographic's disingenuousness) of the recent publication of The Gospel of Judas by Bruce Chilton, certainly no conservative evangelical scholar, but helpful (if I must descend to such a comparison) in the manner that N. T. Wright is - ie: Handle Me With Care (for all you Lynne-ites out there).

Linked Reviews

Reformation 21 has just posted some interesting reviews:

Wright's Paul: In Fresh Perspective
and
Letham's The Holy Trinity

Full Gospel, Fractured Minds - Review - 1

Full Gospel, Fractured Minds: A Call to use God’s Gift of the Intellect
By Rick M. Nańez
(Grand Rapids: Zondervan, 2005) ISBN: 0-310-26308-5, $18.00 HB, 267pp.
A Review, Part I

The claim to the uniqueness or seminality of this title, as attested by the likes of Stanley Horton, J. P. Moreland, and Amos Yong (see Endorsements and Preface), only confirms some of the negative impressions non-Pentecostals have supposedly and stereo-typically held concerning the Pentecostal/Charismatic phenomenon.

Having been a participant in such circles for over five years, having brethren who remain or still partake in the fringes of such, and being an observer of the evangelical Christian sub-culture in general, much of Nańez’s book resonates with what I have either experienced or know. Nańez, himself a Pentecostal, undertakes, in this aptly titled volume, to call his kind to a reformed opinion and use of the intellectual faculties with which we have been created. And, as you might imagine, this is no small task.

Exposing the anti-intellectual bias within his camp, Nańez appears convincing enough to me; but, will it be enough to convince his brethren who hold entrenched positions within that camp? I think so. At least, I hope that it proves adequate to shake the insularity of their world - characterized by “power encounters,” “liberating emotional expression,” and “where robust leadership is encouraged and cultivated” (ie: though Nańez sees these as positives, I would propose that they are the very obstacles to his pursuit of a balanced Christian life.)

Nańez divides his book up into two sections: the first half, Anatomy of the Fractured Mind, deals with the history and origins of the problem; while the second half, Ammunition for the Full-Gospel Mind, attempts a reasonable defence of the uses of the intellect. He also provides an eclectic 15 page Bibliography, as well as handy Scripture, Subject, and Name Indices.

2005 Top Fiction Titles

Here are the Top Five Fiction Titles for 2005

1. Jane Austen - Pride and Prejudice [1913]
First time read, and 3rd Austen.

2. Leo Tolstoy - Resurrection [1899]
Second reading of this Doukhobor-financing novel of redemption.

3. Fyodor Dostoevsky - Crime and Punishment [1866]
Second reading of this novel which portrays a truer anthropology than most.

4. Agatha Christie - Crooked House [1949]
Another novel of surprising anthropology.

5. Alistair MacLean - When Eight Bells Toll [1966]
4th reading (this time - to my son) of one of MacLean's classics.

And here, in no particular order, and to compensate for the lack of a proper top ten, are ten works of fiction which will receive honourable mention (though they are not in the class of - at least the top three - above):

Agatha Christie - The Mysterious Affair at Styles [1920]
The first Poirot mystery, and still worthy.
Agatha Christie - The Moving Finger [1942]
A nice treatment of the poisoned pen letter theme.
Agatha Christie - The Secret of Chimneys [1925]
She should have written more with Anthony Cade.
Ngaio Marsh - Overture to Death [1939]
Not up to Died in the Wool, but a pleasant read.
Michael Crichton - Disclosure [1993]
Dated, but his usual fast-paced read.
Robert Ludlum - The Bourne Identity [1980]
Much better than than the movie; too bad the same couldn't be said for The Bourne Supremacy, which I just couldn't be bothered to finish.
Robert Ludlum - The Scarlatti Inheritance [1970]
Nice debut. Doesn't read like a novel, but interesting plot.
Robert Ludlum - The Matlock Paper [1973]
Conspiracy! Scary! Unfortunately, dated.
Clive Cussler - Sahara [1992]
Read it before the movie, and was impressed enough to buy the rest of his.
Clive Cussler - Pacific Vortex! [1983]
Promising actual debut, though published later. Mediterranean Caper passed, but Iceberg ran the Cussler engine dry for a while.

2005 Top Ten Non-Fiction Titles

These are, in order of importance, the top ten non-fiction titles I have read this year.

1. Paul M. Elliott - Christianity and Neo Liberalism: The Spiritual Crisis in the Orthodox Presbyterian Church and Beyond, 2005.
A must read for anyone who wants to know what is going on in the reformed camp today.
2. James Bannerman - The Church of Christ, 2 vols., 2002 reprint.
The definitive text on the nature of the Church of Christ first published in 1868.
3. Heinrich Bullinger - The Decades of Heinrich Bullinger, 2005.
A classic text on reformed theology (in the shape of 50 sermons) finally in print again.
4. John MacArthur - Fool's Gold: Discerning Truth in an Age of Error, 2005
Timely collection of essays by Master's Seminary staff dealing with issues of alarm.
5. James White - Scripture Alone: Exploring the Bible's Accuracy, Authority, and Authenticity, 2004
Another plank in White's continuing defense of reformation principles, this time expounding sola scriptura. A worthy compliment to The God Who Justifies, The Potter's Freedom, and The Forgotten Trinity.
6. Timothy Weber - On the Road to Armageddon: How Evangelicals Became Israel's Best Friend, 2004
An expose of the logical conclusions of dispensationalism.
7. David T. King - Holy Scripture, the Ground and Pillar of Our Faith, Volume One: A Biblical Defense of the Reformation Principle of Sola Scriptura, 2001
What the subtitle says! And how!
8. Don Kistler, ed. - Sola Scriptura!: The Protestant Position on the Bible, 1995
Collection of Essays. As can be seen, a significant (and profitable) subject of study for 2005!
9. John Piper - Counted Righteous in Christ, 2002
The imputation of Christ's righteousness for the justification of sinners! [contra Gundry]
10. Steve Wilkins & Duane Garner, eds. - The Federal Vision,2004
Primary source for the Arminian-leading heresy invading the presbyterian reformed camp.

Reformation Day!

Happy Reformation Day!

Let us be reminded of the principles restated during the Reformation. The principles that set us free from the yoke of bondage to that corrupt tyranny known as the papacy. Coming out of Egypt by the apparant miracles which shot down each of the papist idols; let us set up our own memorial and walk in them and teach them diligently to our children.

Sola Fide - Faith Alone
Sola Gratia - Grace Alone
Sola Scriptura - Scripture Alone
Solus Christus - Christ Alone
Soli Deo Gloria - God's Glory Alone

We know by Scripture Alone that we are saved by Grace Alone by the work of Christ Alone through the free gift of Faith Alone to the Glory of God Alone. Amen!!

Heinrich Bullinger V

Previous Post in Series

Sermons Four and Five of the First Decade are devoted to faith.

While Bullinger provides many definitions of faith by divers authors, let me just mention (what I believe, haha) are the pertinent ones.

Bullinger explicates what he believes (and I agree) to be Paul’s words in Heb. 11:1:

St Paul saith: “Faith is the substance of things hoped for, the evidence of things not seen.” The substance, or hypostasis, is the foundation, or the unmoveable prop, which upholdeth us, and whereon we lean and lie without peril or danger. The things hoped for are things celestial, eternal, and invisible. And therefore Paul saith: Faith is an unmoveable foundation, and a most assured confidence of God’s promises, that is, of life everlasting and all his good benefits. Moreover Paul himself, making an exposition of that which he had spoken, immediately after saith: “Faith is the argument of things not seen.” An argument or proof is an evident demonstration, whereby we manifestly prove that which otherwise should be doubtful, so that in him, whom we undertook to instruct, there may remain no doubt at all.

But now touching the mysteries of God revealed in God’s word, in themselves, or in their own nature, they cannot be seen with bodily eyes; and therefore are called things not seen. But this faith, by giving light to the mind, doth in heart perceive them, even as they are set forth in the word of God. Faith, therefore, according to the definition of Paul, is in the mind a most evident seeing, and in the heart a most certain perceiving of things invisible, that is, of things eternal; of God, I say, and all those things which he in his word setteth forth unto us concerning spiritual things. – p.82

Then, after reviewing several exercitations on Paul’s definition, Bullinger arrives at his own:

Faith is a gift of God, poured into man from heaven, whereby he is taught with an undoubted persuasion wholly to lean to God and his word; in which word God doth freely promise life and all good things in Christ, and wherein all truth necessary to be believed is plainly declared. – p.84

(Notice his emphasis in both: the Word of God as the necessary & sufficient means.)

He makes the point that God uses “certain ordinary means”, that “he sendeth teachers, by the word of God to preach true faith unto them;” and, further, that it is not man, but the Holy Spirit which can “cause us with all our heart to believe that which we by his word and teaching have learned to believe.”

He correctly emphasizes the work of the Holy Spirit by quoting Augustine:

What do I now while I speak? I drive into your ears a noise of words: but unless he which is within do reveal it, what say I, or what speak I? - p.86

Again, not wanting the reader to miss the ultimate cause of faith, Bullinger admonishes:

This therefore is left unto us for a thing most certain and undoubtedly true, that true faith is the mere gift of God, which is by the Holy Ghost from heaven bestowed upon our minds, and is declared unto us in the word of truth by teachers sent of God, and is obtained by earnest prayers which cannot be tired. – p.87

Going on, Bullinger covers assent and trust before dealing with perseverance and the fact that faith does not believe all things but being “ruled and bound to the word of God,” only is a “most sure ground and settled opinion touching God and our salvation.”

He goes back over this ground, emphasizing these points and showing their precedents in scripture. The key point being that:

God’s word is the foundation of faith, faith cannot wander to and fro, and lean to every word whatsoever: for every opinion conceived without the word of God, or against God’s word, cannot be called true faith. – p.97

Ah, Sola Scriptura! Thank You, Lord!

The summary for Sermon #4 includes the two points that a) faith is a free gift of God, and b) that it believes “all that is declared in the scriptures,” and he concludes with a restatement of his (previously quoted) definition of faith.

(Sermon #5 will be covered later.)

Alarums

Notes Towards a Plea for Reformed Discernment

Today's devotions included Jeremiah, Chapter Four, wherein I was reminded of the raison d'etre of ¡Alarma! Standard.
Jeremiah, in prophesying of the soon destruction of the Southern Kingdom of Judah, repeats the dual-aspected theme of warning: standard and alarm.

set up the standard toward Zion - v.6
the sound of the trumpet, the alar[u]m of war - v.19
How long shall I see the standard, and hear the sound of the trumpet? - v.21

The standard appears to be a visual symbol of what Judah should be standing for/defending; while the sound of the trumpet is an aural symbol (alarum) of coming judgement. ¡Alarma! Standard is, among other things, about the standard being assailed, and a trumpet declaring the judgement that will inevitably ensue when we fail to not only defend, but also proclaim that standard.

What is this standard?
I see this as being the composite of the holiness & righteousness of God, the Gospel of Jesus Christ, and that special revelation of such: the Word of God.
How is it being assailed?

The standard is assailed when we fail to both defend and proclaim it. This follows the definition of sin: doing wrong or failing to do right. The standard is exclusively a responsibility of the (visible) Church and, as such, she must be the one to proclaim it to the world and raise (defend) it among her people. This involves not only lifting up (teaching) that which is right; but, also, exposing, rebuking, and punishing that/those which is/are wrong (ie: polemics & church discipline).
For, we know, the gates of hell will not prevail and, thus, external assault (whether God's chastisement or the Adversary and his minions), is not the problem; rather, internal purity (1 Pet.4:17): certain men (Jude 4); false teachers (2 Pet.2:1, c/w 2 Tim.4:3); traitors (2 Tim.3:4,5); men of corrupt minds (1 Tim.6:3-5); blasphemers (1 Tim.1:20); Judaizers (Gal.); et.al., and their abherent or heretical teachings must be exposed and shown to be detrimental to (or, against) the True Faith (Jude 3) or, even, another Gospel (Gal. 1:8,9).

Now, evangelicalism bounds with entities who purport - and do, to a large extent - serve both polemically and apologetically. Most specialize in some particular area (Mormonism, New Age, Word of Faith, etc.); while some try to cover more territory (Christian Research Institute, Spiritual Counterfeits Project, etc.); however, except for internet discussion groups, the odd website or blog, little time or effort is being made on behalf of orthodox reformed discernment.

¡Alarma! Standard hopes to contribute to that cause.

Heinrich Bullinger IV

[Previous post in Series]

Sermon III of the First Decade focuses on the exposition – via faithful preaching - of the Word. After noting the two extremes of “the Bible is unintelligible to the common man,” and, “make of it what you will,” and correcting the latter with a plea for exegesis and a caution against eisegesis, Bullinger sets forth four principles of bible exposition and interpretation:

1) The Analogy of Faith

2) Context, Context, Context (after HH)

3) Scripture Interprets Scripture

4) Sanctified Interpretation (ie: Spirit-led)

Then follows his triumphant summation:

Thus much hitherto have I said touching the sense and exposition of God’s word: which, as God revealed it to men, so also he would have them in any case to understand it. Wherefore there is no cause for any man, by reason of a few difficulties, to despair to attain to the true understanding of the scriptures. The scripture doth admit a godly and religious interpretation. The word of God is a rule for all men and ages to lead their lives by: therefore ought it by interpretation to be applied to all ages and men of all sorts. For even our God himself did by Moses in many words expound and apply to his people the law, which he gave and published in Mount Sinai. Furthermore, it was a solemn use among the ancient prophets first to read, and then by expositions to apply, God’s law to the people. Our Lord Jesus Christ himself expounded the scriptures. The same did the apostles also. The word of God ought therefore to be expounded. As for those which would not have it expounded, their meaning is, because they would sin freely, without controlling or punishment. But whereas the scripture doth admit an exposition, it doth not yet admit any exposition whatsoever: for that which savoureth of man’s imagination it utterly rejecteth. For as by the Spirit of God the scripture was revealed, so by the same Spirit it is requisite to expound it. There are therefore certain rules to expound the word of God religiously by the very word of God itself: that is, so to expound it, that the exposition disagree not with the articles of our faith, nor be contrary to charity towards God and our neighbour; but that it be thoroughly surveyed, and grounded upon that which went before and followeth after, by diligent weighing of all the circumstances, and laying together of the places [context]. And chiefly it is requisite, that the heart of the interpreter be godly bent, willing to plant virtue and pluck up vice by the roots, and finally, always ready evermore to pray to the Lord, that he will vouchsafe to illuminate our minds [c/w Eph.1:17,18], that God’s name may in all things be glorified. For his is the glory, honour and dominion, for ever and ever. Amen. – pp.79,80 [emphasis added]

William Goode

This is a plea for someone to republish William Goode's The Divine Rule of Faith and Practice.
It would be great to see it in a quality Reformation Heritage Book edition (or Baker co-pub), though this may seem inappropriate for their - manifestly - continental program; an SGCB - or any other small reprinter (maybe Wipf & Stock?) - edition would do; need I mention P & R?

Some background:
Goode, a 19th Century theologian in the Church of England who wrote against the Tractarians among other things, wrote The Divine Rule of Faith and Practice to defend the Protestant position on sola scriptura (the Bible being the only, revealed, sufficient, norm for Christian doctrine and practice), against the unwarranted and both abherent and heretical views of the papists.

Goode also wrote an extremely helpful and enlightening work which was republished in 2000: Charismatic Confusion: The Modern Claims to the Possession of the Extraordinary Gifts of the Spirit Stated and Examined. A title I might (and hope to) review at a later date (I read it when it came out, and have covered a lot of intervening ground since then, and could not do it justice without rereading or at least skimming).

So, in the intrests of defending sola scriptura, and combating the gnostic mindset of modern evangelicalism, I join David King, co-author with William Webster of the remarkable 3 volume Holy Scripture: The Ground and Pillar of Our Faith, in calling for the republication of Goode's The Divine Rule of Faith.

NB: Goode may have been an Erastian (I haven't confirmed this yet), but then we don't have any heroes do we?

Heinrich Bullinger III

(Previous Posts in this series are Bullinger I, Bullinger II.)

For lack of a better (read easier) method for tackling Bullinger’s Decades, I have willingly adopted (with slight modifications) the suggestion of John Whitgift.

Every minister having cure, and being under the degrees of master of arts, and batchelors of law, and not licensed to be a public preacher, shall before the second day of February next provide a Bible, and Bullinger’s Decads in Latin or English, and a paper book, and shall every day read over one chapter of the holy scriptures, and note the principal contentes thereof briefly in his paper booke, and shall every week read over one sermon in the said Decads, and note likewise the chief matters therein contained in the said paper;… [pp. xcix-c, The Decades of Henry Bullinger, Vol.1]

Thus far, I have read the first two sermons, while maintaining (uninterrupted) my regular Bible readings (ie: swinging back and forth between the OT and NT this time through).

Sermon I of the First Decade - an apology for the canon of scripture (and the canonicity of scripture) – begins my adventure with The Decades of Heinrich Bullinger.

While sometimes quirky, and often at less than my level of coherence, Bullinger provides a nice epistemological starting place for theological studies (scripture = divine revelation). He covers all the common scriptural witnesses for our surety that it is God-breathed. He also makes a point of the shortness of transmission – seven people – from the Creation and Patriarchal histories whilst extolling the roles of both the Prophets (esp.) and Apostles as conduits of God’s special revelation.

Dearly beloved…you learned what the word of God is; from whence it came; by whom it was chiefly revealed; what proceedings it had; and of what dignity and certainty it is. [p.57]

Sermon II of the First Decade begins with Bullinger setting forth his goal to:

Declare unto you, beloved, to whom, and to what end, the word of God is revealed; in what manner it is to be heard; and what the force thereof is, or the effect. [p.57]

He then goes on to a rousing defense of the efficacy of the Word of God. In enlisting a (to me) novel exegesis of the Parable of the Sower (Matt.13:1-23) as an exhortation for Christians to avoid ‘plagues’, he concludes:

For they do not only hinder the seed, that it cannot bring forth fruit in their hearts; but also they do stir up and egg men forward to gainsay the word of God, and to afflict the earnest desirers of God’s word. Here therefore we must take heed diligently, lest, being infected with these diseases, we become vain and unthankful hearers of the word of God. [p.66]

Other stirring words include the joyous acknowledgement of the Holy Spirit’s work:

We must pray continually, that the bountiful and liberal Lord will vouchsafe to bestow on us his Spirit, that by it the seed of God’s word may be quickened in our hearts, and that we, as holy and right hearers of his word, may bear fruit abundantly to the glory of God, and the everlasting salvation of our own souls. For what will it avail to hear the word of God without faith, and without the Holy Spirit of God to work or stir inwardly in our hearts? [p.66]

And also the sufficiency of the Word:

For the Lord in the word of truth hath delivered to his church all that is requisite to true godliness and salvation…Neither needeth the church to crave any other… [p.69]

In/Visible Church - Musings

Upon reflection, the concept of the Church having two aspects, both visible and invisible, is becoming further entrenched in my mind.
The fact that the Church has both of these facets is inescapable.
Beyond this, it is so apt.
Beginning at the beginning, in Genesis, and continuing on throughout the OT, we see that God has revealed that he has two people: the people of promise (the remnant), and his set aside people (the Israelite nation). The Law, and the Promise. The seed of the woman, and the seed of the serpent. Jacob, and Esau. The spiritual reality within the physical appearance is a [the?] major theme running through the OT.
When we get to the NT, Jesus and the Apostles go on to explain and dogmatize the concept.
God's ways are higher than our ways.
We cannot see into the secret counsel of God.
We cannot judge the state, never mind the future state of men's hearts in relation to God.
The Shepherd knows His sheep, and His sheep hear His voice; but the Church can only know the profession (and conduct) of the sheep, and have to act and react based only on those criterea.
More later...

This Present Perrone Persuasion

In regards to the last post:

Who said this?
James Bannerman, in his remarkable The Church of Christ, is discussing the popish conception of the Church. Specifically, he was addressing her position on the in/visibility of the Church.

To whom was he referring?
Bannerman was referring to Giovanni Perrone, a contemporary Jesuit Professor of Theology in Rome. After both explaining the Protestant position on the in/visibility of the Church and the popish historical position of only affirming the visible Church, he presents Perrone's compromise, or third way, in response to some of the persuasive Protestant arguments.

In regards to the contemporary similitude:
Perrone proposed that the invisible Church was made up of all those "who had ever received grace through the ordinances and communion of the Church." Moreover, he further explained that "even though they [ie: some] should afterwards fall away and become [ie: prove themselves to be] reprobate, [they] are nevertheless to be accounted true members of the invisible Church of Christ."
Today, we witness the Federal Vision/Auburn Avenue Theology [FV] group expounding (basically) the same thing.
Steve Wilkins, for example, writes that if one partakes of all the blessings - esp. means of grace like the ordinance of baptism - one is in union with Christ and, further, if one should fall away (prove apostate/unregenerate), "they would perish like Israel of old. All their priveleges and blessings would become like so many anchors to sink them into the lake of fire." (See The Federal Vision, Monroe: Athanasius, 2004, p.60.)
Numerous examples - as explicit as this, or deduced by good and necessary consequence (See lines 245,246) - can confirm this position, the forbear of which Bannerman strenuously opposes as unorthodox.

...it is not difficult to trace the one ruling and predominating idea which runs through the whole of the Popish system, - namely, the necessity and virtue of the outward grace communicated by the Church, instead of the inward call and election of God.
We see it, in like manner, in their ascription of the title and right of members of the invisible Church to those not chosen and not elected by God, but only joined to the visible Church, and sharing in its outward grace, notwithstanding that they shall afterwards fall away, and prove themselves to be reprobate.

With the apparent similarities (observable even more clearly upon investigation and reflection) so obvious, can we not say with Bannerman, "In both [Perrone & FV] cases it is the grace given or denied by the Church to the sinner, that confers or withholds the title of a member of the invisible Church of Christ, and not rather the purpose and election of God, calling him to the adoption and privileges of a son"?

The modern papist view is slightly modified from Perrone's day. It is, however, clear that by curent standards the papists still accede to some form of invisibility (see the case of people who apparently partake of grace yet remain outside the communion and dominion of the Papal See, here at section IX).