2009-06-16

Engwer highlights the ultimate canon criterion of apostolicity, wherein a book was written in apostolic times by an apostle or by one backed by an apostle, from various scholars and ante-Nicene sources. He cites Eusebius (the NT is "the sacred writings which they [the apostles] have left us"), and Irenaeus (We have learned from none others [the apostles] the plan of our salvation, than from those through whom the Gospel has come down to us, which they did at one time proclaim in public, and, at a later period, by the will of God, handed down to us in the Scriptures, to be the ground and pillar of our faith."). This was an important weapon against early gnostics and heretics. “The church excluded from the biblical canon any writings that it believed were written after the period of apostolic ministry." Irenaeus refers to “the Gospels of the Apostles.” There was a Gospel-Apostle (i.e. apparently another way to refer to apostolicity; a parallel to the OT Law-Prophet structure) structure that appeared throughout Christian communities and movements. The term Gospel can be equated with Christ. The word "Gospel" in "Gospel and Apostle" may have been intended to emphasize the fact that the authority of Christ was behind the authority of the apostles. In terms of the significance of scriptural status, there is no time when Christians did not treat the writings that would become the New Testament as scripture. The 2nd century writers held the OT as Scripture but used the NT far more. Engwer cites a number of 2nd century writers that explicitly or implicitly view NT books as Scripture. There is an OT precedent for infallible writings from God to His people – it would seem unfitting for the apostles to, with greater revelation, produce fallible writings. Moreover, Paul referred to the message of the apostles as "the word of God" (1 Thessalonians 2:13). Elsewhere, Paul refers to what he's writing as "the Lord's commandment" (1 Corinthians 14:37). So also his authoritative if not prophetic tone (1 Cor 5:3-5; 6:1-6; 7:10-11, 17-20, 40; 11:23-34; Gal 5:1-4). There is no time in Christian history after the writing of the four gospels when one can find evidence of their not being accepted as scripture. John wrote of promised supernatural guidance (John 14:26, 15:26-27). Paul seems to cite Luke's gospel as scripture in 1 Timothy 5:18; his letters are referred to as scripture in 2 Peter 3:15-16. John tells us that Christ commanded him to write (Revelation 1:11), and that Christ approved of the contents (Revelation 22:7). It wasn’t enough for a book to be written in the time; it also required apostolic approval. Apostolic Authority And The New Testament Canon

At ETC, this post summarizes an article in JETS by Chuck Hill, putting forward an argument that the idea of NT scriptures is basically the inevitable consequence of the appearance of the Messiah. The OT looked forward in expectation to more revelation and a new installment of the word of God. This was fulfilled in the coming of Christ and Jesus predicted gospel preaching as fulfilling the prophecies that God’s word would go to the world. The NT documents are "the artifacts of that original commission delivered by Jesus to his apostle-witnesses." Later fathers expressly distinguish themselves from the unique authority of the NT (e.g. 1 Clement; Ep Barn; Hermas, Ignatius and Polycarp). Chuck Hill in JETS

DeYoung has some reflections in light of the progress of the RCA accepting the Belhar Confession as a fourth confessional standard. “If I’m talking to someone in the RCA who loves the Belhar, but is also passionately committed to the truths of the Belgic, Heidelberg, and Canons, and loves these truths and preaches them joyfully and earnestly, I feel much better than when I’m talking to someone who begrudging accepts out three Standards or barely knows what they say or deep down doesn’t believe much of what they affirm. I’m all for talking about unity, justice, and reconciliation, so long as we still talk about faith, repentance, providence, heaven, hell, the wrath of God, a penal substitutionary atonement, and the cross of Christ.” What Else We Confess

JT is encouraged by the contemporary resurgence of ancient hymns set to new music--e.g., music from Bob Kauflin, Indelible Grace, Red Mountain Music, Page CXVI, Reformed Praise, etc., and points to Sojourn Music's new album, Over the Grave: The Hymns of Isaac Watts, Volume 1. New CD from Sojourn Music- Over the Grave (Isaac Watts Project, Vol. 1)

JT provides an outline from an essay by Jonathan Edwards on the preciousness of time, and summarizes the points that Edwards makes on time management, the importance of it, the considerations necessary to use it wisely, such as recognizing that we are accountable to God for it, and his advice to those who would seek to improve their use of time. He cites another blog pointing out that priority doesn’t reflect in terms of hours but in terms of using those hours in such a way that reflects proper priorities (e.g. you spend more time at work than with your wife, etc.) Edwards- A God-Centered View of Time Management

Martin Luther once wrote of the importance of the spread of literature and language as preceding the great revelations of God, and “that without knowledge of literature pure theology cannot at all endure”. Luther on the Connection between Good Literature and Good Theology

JT quotes an essay from Scotty Smith on how, after three decades of ministry, the gospel seems to be getting bigger and Jesus is appearing more gracious than ever. That is good to hear. JT quotes the headings: “Gospel astonishment versus theological cockiness. Chief repenter versus former sinner . Preaching Christ to yourself versus preaching yourself.” Paul's Example of How to Finish the Race

Phillips calls on women to dress helpfully. He’s not aiming at sin, shame, indecency, wantonness, etc. "Sheol and Abaddon are never satisfied, and never satisfied are the eyes of man" (Proverbs 27:20). Now, here’s the disclaimers: “Every man's sin is his own, and every man's struggle is his own (Proverbs 14:10) No one makes a man think or feel anything (Proverbs 4:23) It is each individual's responsibility to guard his own heart (Proverbs 4:23)  Beauty is a wonderful gift of God (cf. Exodus 28:2; Song of Solomon 1:8, 15, etc.)” Nevertheless, women ought to be helpful to the men in the congregations, that they might not be tempted even in church by their sisters. Ask the question: "Is it helpful, or is it hurtful, to my brothers in Christ? Don’t, in dealing with this issue, cut off all interpretation in an effort to avoid the wrong one: the passages warn against vanity, externality, sensuality; and promote a focus on a godly character as true beauty mean something. He cuts off a number of objections. What do your clothes say? It’s simply false that modest clothing can’t be found. And what’s better – to have something that looks a slight off or have a skirt that provides need to know info to those with a need-not-to-know? Sister... show mercy! (Annual repost #2)

"The Acts of the Apostles seem, indeed, to express bare history and to narrate the infancy of the newborn church, but if we recognise that the author of Acts is Luke, a doctor, 'whose praise is in the Gospel' (2 Cor. 8.18) we perceive that all his words are equally medicines for the sick soul." – Jerome. Jerome on St. Luke

Here are DVD sets of John Piper teaching on Calvinism, gender roles, and what we believe about the Bible. Have John Piper Teach Your Group- 3 New DVDs

Hays wrote that the reality is that we can only elect candidates who run, and so there’s a limited value in those who don’t run but are quick to find fault in those who do. It’s not helpful to talk of how much better you could do when you always delegate. The future of the GOP