Required reading
Systematic Theology by Charles Hodge (Vol 3) (Available from Amazon or free here) - Continue Chapter 19 by reading up to the heading '11. The seventh commandment'.
My summary
Firstly this week Hodge teaches about the fifth commandment. He makes applications to:
(i) families;
(ii) the state;
(iii) the church.
Then he moves to the sixth commandment and its impact on:
(i) capital punishment;
(ii) self-defence;
(iii) war;
(iv) suicide;
(v) duelling.
What grabbed me
I appreciated Hodge's comments on the distinction between anger and malice: 'This commandment, as expounded by our Lord (Matt. v. 21, 22), forbids malice in all its degrees and in all its manifestations. The Bible recognizes the distinction between anger and malice. The former is on due occasion allowable ; the other is in its nature, and therefore always, evil. The one is a natural or constitutional emotion arising out of the experience or perception of wrong, and includes not only disapprobation but also indignation, and a desire in some way to redress or punish the wrong inflicted. The other includes hatred and the desire to inflict evil to gratify that evil passion. Our Lord is said to have been angry ; but in Him there was no malice or resentment. He was the Lamb of God ; when He was reviled, He reviled not again ; when He suffered, He threatened not ; He prayed for his enemies even on the cross.'
There is such a thing as righteous anger. But there is no righteous malice.
Next week's reading
Continue Chapter 19 by reading up to the subheading 'Divorce'.
Now it's your turn
Please post your own notes and thoughts in the comments section below.
No comments:
Post a Comment