Required reading Hints and helps in pastoral theology by William S Plumer (Available from Amazon or free here) - Read Chapter 9 (The right temper for a theologian). My summary
Today we are taught what is the right temper of a theologian.
A theologian is:
(i) not prejudiced;
(ii) modest;
(iii) independent in thought and free in inquiry;
(iv) profoundly reverent for all that is sacred;
(v) a lover of truth;
(vi) patient;
(vii) diligent;
(viii) genuinely lively in faith;
(ix) moderate in his judgements of divine things;
(x) prayerful.
What grabbed me I particularly appreciated the counsel to be patient in my studies: 'Another state of heart very important to the theologian is patience, producing caution and deliberation. A hasty spirit is wholly unfriendly to sound learning. The minds of many rush with impetuosity toward conclusions. They seem to be impatient of all delay, or to regard it as a derogation from their just estimate of themselves to ask them to tarry long in the premises of any subject. Yet observation shows that conclusions hastily adopted are often as hastily abandoned. Even if we reach the truth, but in a rash manner, it can hardly be as a pillar of beautiful proportions in our thoughts, nor can we be half so sure that it is truth to be relied on in all exigencies, as if we had reached it by more careful steps. Let reasonable doubts produce uncertainty, and let us suspend our judgments, until time has been given for further prayer and investigation. Such a habit may leave us for a while unsettled about some matters of great interest. Very well. Jesus said : "What thou knowest not now, thou shalt know hereafter." And Paul said : " We know in part, and we prophesy in part. But when that which is perfect is come, then that which is in part shall be done away." '
Suspending judgement on difficulties can indicate wisdom, not foolishness.
Next week's reading Read Chapter 10 (A minister's difficulties).
Now it's your turn Please post your own notes and thoughts in the comments section below.
Required reading
Charity and its fruits by Jonathan Edwards (Available from Amazon or free here) - Read Lecture X (The spirit of charity the opposite of a censorious spirit). My summary Now we are taught that the spirit of Christian love is the opposite of a censorious spirit - a disposition to think or judge uncharitably of others.
Firstly Edwards teaches us about the nature of censoriousness. A censoirous spirit appears in a forwardness to judge evil of:
(i) the state of others;
(ii) the qualities of others;
(iii) the actions of others.
Secondly Edwards shows a censorious spirit is contrary to Christian love:
(i) it is contrary to love to our neighbour as we see persons are very backward to judge evil of themselves and those they love;
(ii) as a censorious spirit manifests a proud spirit.
Then in applying the doctrine, Edwards:
(i) sternly reproves those who commonly take to themselves the liberty of speaking evil of others;
(ii) warns all against censoriousness either by thinking or speaking evil of others.
What grabbed me I liked the encouragement to examine ourselves if we wish to avoid a censorious spirit: ' If men were humbly sensible of their own failings, they would not be very forward or pleased in judging others, for the censure passed upon others would but rest on themselves. There are the same kinds of corruption in one man's heart, as in another's ; and if those persons that are most busy in censuring others would but look within, and seriously examine their own hearts and lives, they might generally see the same dispositions and behavior in themselves, at one time or another, which they see and judge in others, or at least something as much deserving of censure. And a disposition to judge and condemn, shows a conceited and arrogant disposition. It has the appearance of a person's setting himself up above others, as though he was fit to be the lord and judge of his fellow-servants, and he supposed they were to stand or fall according to his sentence. '
If people followed this advice, there would be a lot less conflict between Christians and a lot less divided churches.
Next week's reading
Read Lecture XI (All true grace in the heart tends to holy practice in the life). Now it's your turn Please post your own notes and thoughts in the comments section below.
Required reading Attributes of God by Charnock (Available from Amazon or free on the internet, here for example) - Continue Chapter 11 (A discourse upon the holiness of God) by reading up to the paragraph beginning, 'III. The third thing I am to do, is to lay down some propositions in the defence of God's holiness in all his acts about or concerning sin.'
My summary This week Charnock inquires after proofs that God is holy.
Firstly we see God's holiness appears as he is creator in framing man in a perfect uprightness.
Secondly God's holiness appears in his laws as he is a lawgiver and judge. This is evident in the:
(i) moral law;
(ii) ceremonial law;
(iii) allurements annexed to it for keeping it and the affrightments to restrain from the breaking of it;
(iv) judgments inflicted for the violation of it.
Thirdly the holiness of God appears in our restoration. Particularly in the:
(i) manner of our restoration by the death of Christ;
(ii) justification of believers;
(iii) actual regeneration of the redeemed soul and a carrying it on to a full perfection.
What grabbed me Loved Charnock's description of God's holiness at the cross: 'Never did Divine holiness appear more beautiful and lovely than at the time our Savior’s countenance was most marred in the midst of His dying groans. This Himself acknowledges in Psalm 22. When God had turned His smiling face from Him, and thrust His sharp knife into His heart, which forced that terrible cry from Him, "My God, My God, why hast thou forsaken me?" He adores this perfection—"Thou art holy." Thy holiness is the spring of all this sharp agony, and for this thou inhabitest, and shalt for ever inhabit, the praises of all thy Israel. Holiness drew the veil between God's countenance and our Saviour's soul. Justice indeed gave the stroke, but holiness ordered it. In this his purity did sparkle, and his irreversible justice manifested that all those that commit sin are worthy of death; this was the perfect index of his righteousness, Rom. iii. 29, that is, of his holiness and truth.'
What beautiful writing about the most holy event in history.
Next week's reading
Continue Chapter 11 (A discourse upon the holiness of God) by reading up to the paragraph beginning, 'IV. The point was, that holiness is a glorious perfection of the nature of God.'
Now it's your turn Please post your own notes and thoughts in the comments section below.
Required reading
The log college by Archibald Alexander (Available from Amazon or free here) - Read Chapter 4 (Memoir of the Rev. Gilbert Tennent continued). My summary Today we continue to hear about the work of Gilbert Tennent, particularly his relationship with the Presbyterian Synod.
At the time that the Log College was formed, there was no formal training of ministers in America. So ministers were imported from Europe with qualifications from approved universities.
However when the Log College was formed, men were beginning to enter into the ministry without formal qualifications. Thus the Presbyterian church needed to decide how to approve of such men. Therefore the Synod formed committees to assess such men, but the Tennents believed that the local Presbyteries had the right to approve the men.
Thus Gilbert Tennent caused a great deal of controversy and division in the church over the issue.
What grabbed me The chapter was all very interesting for me as a Congregationalist Baptist. Such an affair would be a non-issue for autonomous Baptist churches.
But I do like the reasoning behind the Tennents' working without the Synod's approval: 'They saw a great harvest before them, and the Lord seemed to attend their labours everywhere with a blessing ; and they were led to think, that mere forms of order and regulations of ecclesiastical bodies were of trivial importance, compared with the advancement of the Redeemer's kingdom, and the salvation of souls. They felt, as did the apostles and first reformers, that they were called to go everywhere preaching the gospel, without regard to prescribed limits of Presbyteries or congregations ; especially, as they observed that many pastors neglected to inculcate on their hearers the necessity of a change of heart, and that the people were as really perishing for lack of knowledge, as they were under Jewish or Popish instructors. They felt themselves bound, therefore, to preach far and wide, wherever the people would hear them ; and although there was irregularity in this, judging by human and ecclesiastical rules, yet I doubt not, that in the main their zealous and exhausting labours have met with a large reward. Weak enthusiasts or fierce fanatics may abuse the principle on which they acted ; but the same thing occurred at the time of the blessed Reformation from popery. '
Sounds good reasoning to me.
Next week's reading Read Chapter 5 (Memoir of the Rev. Gilbert Tennent continued). Now it's your turn Please post your own notes and thoughts in the comments section below.
Required reading Tracts and Letters (Volume 4) by John Calvin (Available from Amazon or free here) - Read Letters XV to XXV.
My summary Today we read letters written in 1537 and 1538.
They are written to Grynee, ministers of the church at Basle, Louis du Tillet (a friend who left Protestantism for Roman Catholicism), Bullinger, Viret, Farel and the church in Geneva.
The subjects of today's letters included:
(i) discussions of the relationships between Reformers and attempts to bring about reconciliation;
(ii) the matter of Calvin being forced out of Geneva.
What grabbed me I'm still thoroughly enjoying these letters, particularly little remarks about Luther.
I especially liked his exhortation at the close of his letter to the church back in Geneva: 'Above all, take heed that you watch unto prayer ; for if your whole expectation rests upon God, as it ought, there is good reason to infer that your heart should be daily lifted up to heaven in calling upon the Lord, and earnestly supplicating the mercy which you hope to obtain from himself. Understand, moreover, that if he delays to grant the desire of his children, and does not immediately manifest himself in the time of need for their deliverance, it is generally because he wishes to stir them up and urge them on to supplicate his favour. However confident we may be in making a vain-glorious boast of putting our trust in him, it will be of no avail while we do not offer any proof of it, by flying to him as our refuge, in prayer. Besides, it is a matter of tried experience, that there is never such an earnest fervency of stayed affection and ardour in our prayers as there ought to be, save when we persevere therein without ceasing. '
If your desires are not granted, pray more!
Next week's reading Read Letters XXVI to XXXII. Now it's your turn Please post your own notes and thoughts in the comments section below.
Required reading The Works Volume 4 by Richard Sibbes (Available from Amazon or free here) - Read 'The right receiving'. My summary This week we read a sermon on the Lord's supper taken from 1 Corinthians 11.
Firstly Sibbes encourages us to receive the Lord's Supper often and therefore examine ourselves often.
Then Sibbes discusses what the Lord's supper signifies. It is a:
(i) sign, and thus gives understanding;
(ii) seal, and thus strengthens.
And then Sibbes teaches us what points wherein a man must examine himself before the Lord's table. You must examine whether you:
(i) discern the necessity of this new life;
(ii) rely upon Christ;
(iii) set yourself about getting Christ;
(iv) set forward without delay and go to the throne of grace;
(v) have a setting of the heart upon the promises of God;
(vi) have the grace of sanctification.
What grabbed me I liked the exhortation not to delay in going to Christ: 'Examine then thyself whether, thy hungering after righteousness worketh this effect, that without all delay thou wilt come after Christ Jesus thy refuge and defence. It is not sufficient for thee to say, I know that without Christ I shall die ; I will do it to-morrow, when I have done other things, I will purchase his favour. Well ; boast not of to-morrow ; examine thyself whether thy hunger after righteousness be so great, that it will not suffer thee to rest or sleep till thou hast his favour. He that cometh thus affected, and that will make no delay, but be an earnest suitor unto God for his Son, that he may have Christ though the request be great, the necessity yet is such a matter that we forget all good manners, and so presently do well...'
Have you fled to Christ today? Or are you waiting till tomorrow?
Next week's reading
Read Sermon 1 of 'Judgement's reason'. Now it's your turn Please post your own notes and thoughts in the comments section below.
When I first started the book club I did ask for suggestions of books to read in the club. But then for the last two years I've simply been choosing books from my own library.
However this is not really fair on the other readers of the club to be subject completely to my whims.
So from now on, I will keep this post in the sidebar of the blog and people can make book suggestions by leaving a comment below this post. I won't promise that we'll read everything suggested, by I'll definitely give serious consideration to all suggestions.
I've decided that the next Sunday Supermen title will be 'The life of Matthew Henry' by JB Williams (Available from Amazon or free here).
Most Christians are aware of Matthew Henry through his helpful commentary on the whole Bible. So it will be good to read something of the man behind the commentary.
By my calculations we'll finish our current Sunday Supermen title sometime in November 2011 and so we'll start our new one then.
Required reading Glory of Christ by John Owen (Available from Amazon or free here) - Read Chapter 14 (Other differences between our beholding the glory of Christ by faith in this world and by sight in heaven).
My summary This week Owen finishes contrasting the beholding of Christ in this world by faith, with the beholding of Christ in heaven by sight.
Firstly he looks at how by faith we learn of the glory of Christ by gathering things one by one, in several parts and parcels, out of the Scriptures. Whereas in heaven the whole glory of Christ will be at once and always represented unto us.
Secondly Owen discusses the effects of the glory of Christ when we behold it in heaven - it will be absolutely transforming and beatifical (giving perfect rest and blessedness).
What grabbed me As usual, I loved the descriptions of heaven.
Particularly this one: 'In the vision which we shall have above, the whole glory of Christ will be at once and always represented unto us; and we shall be enabled in one act of the light of glory to comprehend it. Here, indeed, we are at a loss; — our minds and understandings fail us in their contemplations. It will not yet enter into our hearts to conceive what is the beauty, what is the glory of this complete representation of Christ unto us. To have at once all the glory of what he is, what he was in his outward state and condition, what he did and suffered, what he is exalted unto, — his love and condescension, his mystical union with the church, and the communication of himself unto it, with the recapitulation of all things in him, — and the glory of God, even the Father, in his wisdom, righteousness, grace, love, goodness, power, shining forth eternally in him, in what he is, has done, and does, — all presented unto us in one view, all comprehended by us at once, is that which at present we cannot conceive. We can long for it, pant after it, and have some foretastes of it, — namely, of that state and season wherein our whole souls, in all their powers and faculties, shall constantly, inseparably, eternally cleave by love unto whole Christ, in the sight of the glory of his person and grace, until they are watered, dissolved, and inebriated in the waters of life and the rivers of pleasure that are above for evermore. So must we speak of the things which we admire, which we adore, which we love, which we long for, which we have some foretastes of in sweetness ineffable, which yet we cannot comprehend.'
To see Christ in all his glory, oh what a pleasure it will be!
Next week's reading Commence Part II by reading Chapter 1 (Application of the foregoing meditations concerning the glory of Christ — first, in an exhortation unto such as are not yet partakers of him).
Now it's your turn Please post your own notes and thoughts in the comments section below.
Required reading Hints and helps in pastoral theology by William S Plumer (Available from Amazon or free here) - Read Chapters 7 (Ministerial education) and 8 (A minister's studies).
My summary Today we firstly read about the ministerial education in Chapter 7. Included in the chapter is encouragement to: (i) gain knowledge; (ii) avoid unsanctified learning; (iii) bring truth to light; (iv) gain sound, extensive learning; (v) learn over time; (vi) be diligent in study; (vii) be humble; (viii) embrace science and literature; (ix) learn the languages of Latin, Greek and Hebrew.
Then in Chapter 8 we continue a similar theme and are given a discussion of a minister's day to day studies. Plumer considers: (i) general studies; (ii) special studies, including the Bible; (iii) how many hours should be dedicated to study; (iv) sleep; (v) idleness; (vi) unprofitable inquiries; (vii) recreation time; (viii) how to read; (ix) secular pursuits; (x) experimental theology; (xi) avoiding debt; (xii) prayer.
What grabbed me I liked the advice to be selective in reading: 'When you read, select your authors with care, taking chiefly such as are of long and well-established reputation. "Of making many books there is no end." He who reads all, or reads without selection, will find his mind often unsettled, and seldom satisfied. Twaddle in a book is as unprofitable as that often heard in conversation. '
Heed reviews and recommendations. And if you find you are reading twaddle, put the book down and move on to something more profitable.
Next week's reading Read Chapter 9 (The right temper for a theologian).
Now it's your turn Please post your own notes and thoughts in the comments section below.
Required reading
Charity and its fruits by Jonathan Edwards (Available from Amazon or free here) - Read Lecture IX (The spirit of charity the opposite of an angry or wrathful spirit). My summary Now we are taught that the spirit of Christian love is the opposite of an angry or wrathful spirit or disposition.
Firstly Edwards shows us what is an angry or wrathful spirit. Anger may be undue and sinful in respect to its:
(i) nature;
(ii) occasion;
(iii) end;
(iv) measure (degree and continuance).
Secondly Edwards teaches us how love is contrary to anger:
(i) love is directly and in itself contrary to all undue anger;
(ii) all the fruits of this love which are mentioned in the context of 1 Corinthians 13 are also contrary to it
Then by way of application, Edwards:
(i) encourages self examination for an angry spirit;
(ii) dissuades from and warns against all undue anger.
What grabbed me Good chapter.
The part about anger over small things was particularly helpful for me: 'Anger is unsuitable and unchristian as to its occasion, when persons are angry upon small and trivial occasions, and when though there be something of blame, yet the fault is very small, and such as is not worth our being stirred and engaged about. God does not call us to have our spirits ceaselessly engaged in opposition, and stirred up in anger, unless it be on some important occasions. He that is angry at every little fault he may see in others, is certainly one with whom it is otherwise than is expressed in the text. Of him that is provoked at every little, trifling tiling, it surely cannot be said, that he is "not easily provoked." Some are of such an angry, fretful spirit, that they are put out of humour by every little thing, and by things in others, in the family, or in society, or in business, that are no greater faults than they themselves are guilty of every day. Those that will thus be angry at every fault they see in others, will be sure to be always kept in a fret, and their minds will never be composed ; for it cannot be expected in this world but that we shall continually be seeing faults in others, as there are continually faults in ourselves. And therefore it is, that Christians are directed to be " slow to speak and slow to wrath," James i. 19 ; and that it is said, that " He that is soon angry, dealeth foolishly." He that diligently guards his own spirit, will not be very frequently or easily angry. He wisely keeps his mind in a calm, clear frame, and does not suffer it to be stirred with anger, except on extraordinary occasions, and those that do especially call for it.'
Far too often I let little things make me unduly angry. It is not loving.
Next week's reading
Read Lecture X (The spirit of charity the opposite of a censorious spirit). Now it's your turn Please post your own notes and thoughts in the comments section below.
