Required reading Holiness by J C Ryle (available from Amazon or free on the internet, here for example) - Read Chapter 17 (Thirst relieved). My summary Ryle now looks at John 7:37-38 and the thirst that all man has.
Firstly he describes the thirst as the desire for pardon, forgiveness, absolution and peace with God.
Secondly Ryle shows that the remedy is belief in Jesus Christ, the 'Fountain of living water which God has graciously provided for thirsting souls'.
Thirdly we see the the promise that is given to those who drink from Christ: (i) their own soul's wants will be satisfied; (ii) they shall also become a source of blessing to the souls of others.
What grabbed me I was encouraged by Ryle's comparison between the promises of man and the promises of God: 'But there is one grand difference between the promises of Adam’s children and the promises of God, which ought never to be forgotten. The promises of man are not sure to be fulfilled. With the best wishes and intentions, he cannot always keep his word. Disease and death may step in like an armed man, and take away from this world him that promises. War or pestilence or famine or failure of crops or hurricanes may strip him of his property, and make it impossible for him to fulfill his engagements. The promises of God, on the contrary, are certain to be kept. He is almighty; nothing can prevent His doing what He has said. He never changes; He is always ‘of one mind,’ and with Him there is ‘no variableness or shadow of turning’ (Job 23:13; James 1:17). He will always keep His word.'
The promises of God will always be kept and so it is with great confidence that we place our souls in his hands.
Next week's reading Read Chapter 18 (Unsearchable riches).
Now it's your turn Please post your own notes and thoughts in the comments section below.
Required reading Marrow of Modern Divinity by Edward Fisher (available from Amazon or free on the internet, here for example)- Begin Chapter Two by reading up to, but not including, the section titled 'The Law as the Covenant of Works, Added to the Promise'.
My summary
Now Fisher introduces us to the 'Law of Faith' or 'Covenant of Grace'.
Firstly we learn that it has been an eternal purpose of God's grace to send Jesus Christ. God sent him for two reasons:
(i) that there may be satisfaction of God's justice;
(ii) and a reparation of man's nature.
Next we see that this promise was made to Adam and therefore Adam was saved through the promise of the seed to come.
Then we note that this promise was renewed with Abraham.
What grabbed me Ok, there were a few things I wasn't convinced by today.
One is that the day Adam sinned, 'was the very same day he was created'. The evidence given is Psalm 49:12: 'But man in honour doth not lodge a night; he is likened unto beasts that are silenced.'
The second is that 'this Melchisedec, which appeared unto Abraham, was none other than the Son of God, manifest by a special dispensation and privilege unto Abraham in the flesh, who is therefore said to have "seen his day and rejoiced" (John 8:56).'
The third is similar to the second and is that the 'man which wrestled with Jacob was none other but the man Christ Jesus; for himself said, that Jacob should be called Israel, a wrestler and prevailer with God'.
I can see how each of these conclusions might enhance the connection between Christ and the covenant of grace when given in the Old Testament. But I do not think that any of them are very important to make the connection. Particularly when the exegesis to support them, in my opinion, is shaky (do you have a different opinion, tell me in the comments).
They would certainly be the last things I would be speak about if I was confronted with Antinomista and discussing the covenant of grace.
Next week's reading
Continue Chapter 2 by reading the three sections entitled 'The Law, as the Covenant of Works, added to the promise'; 'The Promise and Covenant with Abraham, renewed with the Israelites'; The Covenant of Grace under the Mosaic Dispensation'.
Now it's your turn Please post your own notes and thoughts in the comments section below.
Required reading Christian ministry by Charles Bridges (available from Amazon or free on the internet, here for example) - Continue reading Part 4 by beginning Chapter 6 and reading sections 1, 2 and 3. My summary Today we read half of Chapter Six on the spirit of scriptural preaching.
Firstly we are commended to preach with boldness, but not with every kind of boldness so we cause offence.
Secondly we are told to preach with wisdom. This includes preaching the truth and with correct application of the truth to the people.
Thirdly we are instructed to preach with plainness: plain in our style, subject-matter and mode of address.
What grabbed me
The need to be plain and clear in our preaching was well emphasised: 'It may be that the grammarian, the critic, the theologian, approve our discourses. But to an illiterate congregation of perishing sinners, should we not use, as the grand vehicle of our communication - "words easy to be understood?" If they do not understand their preacher, they "are destroyed for lack of knowledge." For how can they be saved by the preaching of the Gospel in an unknown tongue? And of how little account will be the reputation of an accurate logician, deep theologian, or orthodox Divine, under the weight of this awful charge!'
We must remember that we are not out to impress our listeners, but to save them.
Next week's reading
Conclude Part 4 by reading Chapter 6, Sections 4, 5, 6 and 7.
Now it's your turn Please post your own notes and thoughts in the comments section below.
Required reading Reformed Doctrine of Predestination by Loraine Boettner (available from Amazon or free on the internet, here for example). Read Chapters 5, 6, 7, 8 and 9.
My summary Today we read five short chapters.
In Chapter Five we are told that the providence of God is his continued sustaining creation with all its properties and powers.
In Chapter Six we are told that the foreknowledge of God is God's foreknowing the future. It is different from foreordination: 'Foreordination renders the events certain, while foreknowledge presupposes that they are certain.'
In Chapter Seven we are told that there are really only three systems which claim to set forth a way of salvation through Christ:
(i) Universalism;
(ii) Arminianism;
(iii) Calvinism.
In Chapter Eight the Scriptures are held up as the final authority by which the three systems are to be judged.
Finally in Chapter Nine, which also closes Section One, we are given a warning against going beyond Scripture to satisfy human curiosity, which the doctrine of predestination particularly tempts sinful man to do.
What grabbed me Boettner made one of those assertions in Chapter Six that I often hear from Reformed thinkers, but am yet to accept myself: 'Time is a property of the finite creation and is objective to God. He is above it and sees it, but is not conditioned by it.'
Does this mean that to God, Jesus Christ is eternally dying, eternally resurrecting, eternally ascending? I'm pretty sure Carson critiques the notion that God is outside of time in one of his books, but as I am away on holidays and don't have access to my library to look it up. Maybe someone else knows of a good critique of this commonly assumed idea? If so, let us know in the comments.
Another thing that grabbed me in today's reading was the discussion of the appeal that Arminianism makes to sinful man: 'The chief fault of Arminianism is its insufficient recognition of the part that God takes in redemption. It loves to admire the dignity and strength of man; Calvinism loses itself in adoration of the grace and omnipotence of God. Calvinism casts man first into to supernatural strength. The one flatters natural pride; the other is a gospel for penitent sinners. As that which exalts man in his own sight and tickles his fancies is more welcome to the natural heart than that which abases him, Arminianism is likely to prove itself more popular. Yet Calvinism is nearer to the facts, however harsh and forbidding those facts may seem.'
Arminianism is popular because it feeds our natural inclination: to elevate man over God.
Next week's reading Begin Section Two by reading Chapter 10. Now it's your turn Please post your own notes and thoughts in the comments section below.
Required reading City of God by Augustine (available from Amazon or free on the internet, here for example) - Read Book Nine. My summary In Book Nine Augustine examines demons.
Firstly he looks at the Platonist definitions of demons, particularly how they are distinguished from gods and men.
Then Augustine shows that by the Platonists' very definitions, demons cannot be the intermediaries between God and man. For example, if demons are more evil than man, the gods should be more ready to have contact with man than with demons.
This discussion leads Augustine to exalt Christ as the only mediator between man and God.
What grabbed me It was a bit of an aside, but Augustine made an interesting comment on terminology, particularly the term 'good': 'The Stoic insistence that such things are not to be called "good", but "advantageous", should be regarded as a quibble about words, not a question of the realities they signify...There is a difference of terminology, but an identical judgement of value. Both schools certainly maintain that if they were urged to any disgraceful or criminal act by a threatened danger to these "goods" or "advantages" as the only way to ensure their retention, they would prefer to lose all that guarantees the life and health of the physical body rather than commit any violation of justice.'
If you live in this world you will continue to distinguish between 'good' and 'evil' whether you like it or not. You may not like the terms 'good' and 'evil' and so replace them with other terms that seem softer, like 'ethical and 'unethical' or 'advantageous' or 'disadvantageous'. But you're kidding yourself if you think that 'good' and 'evil' do not exist.
Next week's reading Begin Book Ten by reading Chapters 1 to 11.
Now it's your turn Please post your own notes and thoughts in the comments section below.
Required reading Life and times of George Whitefield by Robert Philip (available from Amazon or free on the internet, here for example) - Read Chapter Thirteen, 'Whitefield itinerating'.
My summary In Chapter Thirteen we are given an account of Whitefield's itinerant preaching around Wales and England.
We read of the success of his preaching, but also hear of the continued persecutions against him and his brethren. We are also told of a failed attempt to murder him.
What grabbed me I liked how Whitefield chose where to go with his preaching. After his time in Wales we read: 'At the close of this tour, his first question to himself was, "Where shall I go next?" He was at a loss to determine. "A visit to Yorkshire would be very agreeable. Perhaps Exeter and Cornwall may be the next places. That is dry ground. I love to range in such places.'
Whitefield's success wasn't always because he was working in areas where fruit was ripe through the hard work of others, he was eager to go where the ground was hard.
If only more of us had the same desire.
Next week's reading Read Chapter 14 (Witefield itinerating in America).
Now it's your turn Please post your own notes and thoughts in the comments section below.
Required reading Soul winner by C.H. Spurgeon (available from Amazon or free on the internet, here for example)- Read Chapter 7, 'How to raise the dead'. My summary In Chapter Seven Spurgeon draws out lessons from story of Elisha raising the son of the Shunammite woman's son in 2 Kings 4.
Just as Elisha raised the dead child so we must raise dead children from their sins.
The lessons Spurgeon makes included:
(i) to raise the dead is your mission;
(ii) imitate your Master;
(iii) when you fail you must not give up;
(iv) lay the dead upon your heart;
(v) pray separately with the dead;
(vi) feel the deadness of their sins;
(vii) stretch yourself;
(viii) be sympathetic;
(ix) do not relax;
(x) be restless for them;
(xi) persevere with patience;
(xii) do not expect more than a sneeze;
What grabbed me I must say that I think Spurgeon stretched the narrative at times a little more than he probably should have. He made excellent points, but I'm not sure every physical action in the passage has a parallel to the Christian minister's work.
I particularly liked the encouragement to feel the weight of the Non-Christian's sins: 'If you would raise that dead child, you must feel the chill and horror of that child's death yourself. A dying man is needed to raise dying men. I cannot believe that you will ever pluck a brand from the burning without putting your hand near enough to feel the heat of the fire. You must have, more or less, a distinct sense of the dreadful wrath of God and of the terrors of the judgment to come, or you will lack energy in your work, and so lack one of the essentials of success. I do not think the preacher ever speaks well upon such topics until he feels them pressing upon him as a personal burden from the Lord. "I did preach in chains," said John Bunyan, "to men in chains." Depend upon it, when the death that is in your children alarms, depresses, and overwhelms you, then it is that God is about to bless you.'
When we understand the fullness of their plight, we will be spurred on in our task of bringing them to life.
Next week's reading Read Chapter 8 (How to win souls for Christ).
Now it's your turn Please post your own notes and thoughts in the comments section below.
Required reading
Holiness by J C Ryle (available from Amazon or free on the internet, here for example) - Read Chapter 15 ('Lovest thou me') and Chapter 16 ('Without Christ'). My summary Today we read two short chapters.
In Chapter Fifteen we are instructed on what it means to love Christ. There must be a peculiar feeling towards Christ that is marked by:
(i) thinking about him;
(ii) hearing about him;
(iii) reading about him;
(iv) pleasing him;
(v) liking his friends;
(vi) jealousy for his name and honour;
(vii) talking about him;
(viii) being always with him.
Then in Chapter Sixteen we examine what it is to be without Christ. A person is without Christ when they have no knowledge of him, no faith in him, and no work of the Holy Spirit in his life. To be in such a state means the person is:
(i) without God;
(ii) without peace;
(iii) without hope;
(iv) without heaven.
What grabbed me The section on the marks of love for Christ was encouraging. I particularly liked the point that those who love someone, love to read about that person: 'If we love a person, we like to read about him. What intense pleasure a letter from an absent husband gives to a wife, or a letter from an absent son to his mother. Others may see little worth notice in the letter. They can scarcely take the trouble to read it through. But those who love the writer see something in the letter which no one else can. They carry it about with them as a treasure. They read it over and over again. Well, it is just so between the true Christian and Christ! The true Christian delights to read the Scriptures, because they tell him about his beloved Savior. It is no wearisome task with him to read them. He rarely needs reminding to take his Bible with him when he goes a journey. He cannot be happy without it. And why is all this? It is because the Scriptures testify of Him whom his soul loves, even Christ.'
To read about someone you love is not a burden. It is a joy.
Next week's reading Read Chapter 17 (Thirst relieved).
Now it's your turn Please post your own notes and thoughts in the comments section below.
Required reading Marrow of Modern Divinity by Edward Fisher (available from Amazon or free on the internet, here for example)- The Preface, the Dedication, the Address to the Reader, the Introduction and Chapter 1.
My summary Today we begin Fisher's controversial work.
Firstly, we read Boston's Preface where he commends the book to the reader.
Then Fisher's Dedication acknowledges the encouragement he received from John Downes.
Next, in Fisher's Address to the Reader he outlines the importance of the subject by illustrating from his own life how he slaved under the covenant of works for at least a dozen years.
In the Introduction the scene is set for a dialogue between four characters: EVANGELISTA, a Minister of the Gospel; NOMIST, a Legalist; ANTINOMISTA, an Antinomian; NEOPHYTUS, a Young Christian. Fisher introduces his subject by asserting that there is a threefold law. Boston gives us a nice summary of the three in one of his footnotes: 'The law of works is the law to be done, that one may be saved; the law of faith is the law to be believed, that one may be saved; the law of Christ is the law of the Saviour, binding his saved people to all the duties of obedience'.
Finally, in Chapter One Evangelista defends the doctrine of the Law of Works to Nomista.
What grabbed me I was really impressed by Fisher's humility in the dedication. I've read many dedications but I don't think I've read one that said something along the following lines: 'O sir, if the truths contained in this dialogue were but as much in my heart, as they are in my head, I were a happy man; for then should I be more free from pride, vain glory, wrath, anger, self-love, and love of the world, than I am; and then should I have more humility, meekness, and love, both to God and man, than I have. Oh! then should I be content with Christ alone, and live above all things in the world;—then should I experimentally know both how to abound and how to want;—and then should I be fit for any condition: nothing could come amiss to me. Oh, that the Lord would be pleased to write them in our hearts by his blessed Spirit!'
Fisher's desire is to be affected in his heart by his own book!
I do hope that as we read this together we will have the same desire, that our hearts may be affected, not just our minds.
Next week's reading
Begin Chapter Two by reading up to, but not including, the section titled 'The Law as the Covenant of Works, Added to the Promise'.
Now it's your turn Please post your own notes and thoughts in the comments section below.
Required reading Christian ministry by Charles Bridges (available from Amazon or free on the internet, here for example) - Continue reading Part 4 by reading Chapter 5. My summary In Chapter Five Bridges moves to a discussion of the modes of preaching.
Firstly he looks at topical and expository preaching: 'topical, preaching from texts and small detached portions of Scripture - or expository, taking large and connected portions of sacred writ, as the ground-work of our public discourses.'
Secondly, Bridges discusses extempore and written sermons, weighing up the benefits and disadvantages of both.
What grabbed me
I thought it was good that instead of advocating one particular mode of preaching, Bridges emphasised that each minister must choose for himself what suits his particular gifts: 'What diversity do we observe in the mode, in which the doctrines of the Gospel are exhibited by our most approved Ministers! Their style, their compositions, their mechanical systems of instruction, have each their individual character, and something probably may be learned from all. The tone of mind, our habits, preparatory training, schemes of study, conversance with certain schools and standards of preaching—all combine to mould the character of our Ministrations. Some will adopt one mode, some another; nor can any decision be absolutely pronounced upon the superior excellency of one of them to the rest under all circumstances. The Divine blessing evidently depends not on the discovery and practice of the best mode—but upon the simplicity in which we seek for direction, and the conscientious diligence with which we improve the light afforded to us.'
I have often read in books or heard from lectures that a particular preaching mode is the best and this is usually followed by an encouragement to mimic a better preacher's example. Bridges quotes from a few such writers.
But I think Bridges advice is best. Yes, learn from others, but work out what suits you.
For me, that's expository preaching with an outline - not a full manuscript.
Next week's reading
Continue reading Part 4 by beginning Chapter 6 and reading sections 1, 2 and 3.
Now it's your turn Please post your own notes and thoughts in the comments section below.
Required reading Reformed Doctrine of Predestination by Loraine Boettner (Available free here). Read Chapter 3 (God has a plan) and Chapter 4 (Sovereignty of God).
My summary For Chapter Three Boettner teaches us that God has one definite plan that is being worked out with exact precision. Boettner suggests that just as every person is a practical predestinarian in their own lives, so it makes sense that God would not bring the world into existence without a plan. Moreover, to not have a plan would mean that 'He would at best govern only a general way'.
The divine planning of God naturally leads to a discussion of the absolute sovereignty of God in Chapter Four. Everything comes under God's sovereign control, 'Even the sinful actions of men can occur only by His permission.'
What grabbed me Last week we were given Biblical illiteracy as a reason for the rejection of God's sovereignty, this week man's pride is given as another reason: 'The present day tendency is to set aside the doctrines of Divine Sovereignty and Predestination in order to make room for the autocracy of the human will. The pride and presumption of man, on the one hand, and his ignorance and depravity on the other, lead him to exclude God and to exalt himself so far as he is able; and both of these tendencies combine to lead the great majority of mankind away from Calvinism. The Arminian idea which assumes that the serious intentions of God may in some cases at least be defeated, and that man, who is not only a creature but a sinful creature, can exercise veto power over the plans of Almighty God, is in striking contrast with the Biblical idea of His immeasurable exaltation by which He is removed from all the weaknesses of humanity.'
Our pride just loves to elevate us to God's level. We may relinquish many things to God's control, but we still want to hang onto control of at least some things.
But God's sovereignty is absolute. Even whether I wear white socks or black socks today - although God wants neither right now, I'm barefoot.
Next week's reading Read Chapters 5, 6, 7, 8 and 9 (all short chapters). Now it's your turn Please post your own notes and thoughts in the comments section below.
Required reading City of God by Augustine (available from Amazon or free on the internet, here for example) - Finish reading Book Eight, Chapters 16-27. My summary Now Augustine continues his critique of demon worship: 'Apuleius is at great pains to persuade us that the demons are situated midway between gods and men to serve in some way as messengers and go-betweens, to carry our petitions to the gods and to convey to us the gods' assistance. We must realize that they are in reality spirits whose only desire is to do harm, who are completely alien from any kind of justice, swollen with arrogance, livid with envy, and full of crafty deception...men far surpass them, in spite of having terrestrial bodies, by virtue of the reverent attitude of mind which leads them to choose God fro their support.'
He then moves on to critique idols and finally the worship of dead men as gods.
What grabbed me It was interesting to see Augustine distinguish between the worship of men as gods and the veneration of Christian martyrs: '...we Christians do not assign to the martyrs temples, priests, ceremonies and sacrifices. They are not gods for us; their God is our God. We certainly honour the memory of our martyrs, as holy men of God, who have contended for the truth as far as the death of their bodies, so that the true religion might be made known and fiction and falsehood convicted...we offer thanks to the true God for their victories, and by renewing their memory we encourage ourselves to emulate their crowns and palms of victory, calling upon God to help us. Thus all the acts of reverence which the devout perform at the shrines of the martyrs are acts of respect to their memory. They are not ceremonies or sacrifices offered to the dead as to gods.'
Martyrs are important to remember as they do inspire commitment to Jesus, but we do not worship them.
We really should read Foxe's Book of Martyrs in the club shouldn't we?
Next week's reading Read Book Nine.
Now it's your turn Please post your own notes and thoughts in the comments section below.
