Required reading
Systematic Theology by Charles Hodge (Vol 3) (Available from Amazon or free here) - Continue Chapter 19 by reading up to the heading '6. The second commandment'.
My summary
Today Hodge begins his study of the decalogue by unpacking the first commandment.
We see that the first commandment:
(i) requires knowledge, faith, confession and obedience;
(ii) is the chief of all the commandments.
Then Hodge explains that the first commandment is broken by worship of angels and saints (particularly Mary).
What grabbed me
It is always sad to see how some people worship Mary.
The examples given from the Roman Catholic Church were shocking: 'We praise thee. Mother of God ; we acknowledge thee to be a virgin. All the earth doth worship thee, the spouse of the eternal Father. All the angels and archangels, all thrones and powers, do faithfully serve thee. To thee all angels cry aloud, with a never-ceasing voice, Holy, Holy, Holy, Mary, Mother of God...The whole court of heaven doth honour thee as queen. The holy Church throughout all the world doth invoke and praise thee, the mother of divine majesty Thou sittest with thy Son on the right hand of the Father In thee, sweet Mary, is our hope ; defend us for evermore. Praise be cometh thee ; empire becometh thee ; virtue and glory be unto thee for ever and ever.'
This can be nothing other than idolatry.
Next week's reading
Continue Chapter 19 by reading up to the heading '7. The third commandment'.
Now it's your turn
Please post your own notes and thoughts in the comments section below.
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