Fiat Lux

Prologue…

This is a repost of the original article I posted on my blog April 29th, 2006. I lost this post when my blog went down. I was still getting a number of hits to the page where this used to be posted, but unfortunately whoever came would have seen something like this. Anyway, after a bit of work, and thanks to the internet archive, I was able to restore this post to its rightful place. My apologies to all who have blogs which I linked to in this post - there is more than one trackback, as a result of the repost on my end.

The ESV Bible is the one I most often use these days. There are a number of reasons why this is so, not the least of which is that it is generally written in contemporary language, even though the translators maintained their commitment to doing a literal translation. While I am certainly able to read and comprehend other versions (such as KJV or NASB), with some of which containing archaic language, I do not generally see the need to do so. Therefore I am happy to use the ESV, because it utilises the way we speak and write today. Language usage, even English language usage, changes with time. As such, we Christians need to keep in mind that our Bible translations will, from time to time, need to change to reflect that fact. (more…)

I received my copy of Edwin Hatch & Henry Redpath’s Concordance to the Septuagint, Second Edition, today in the mail along with Zondervan’s A Reader’s Greek New Testament, 2nd Edition, by Goodrich & Lukaszewski. The concordance is MASSIVE. Amazon lists it as having an 8lb shipping weight. To put it into perspective, the concordance makes BDAG look like a slimline version. That is maybe a bit of a stretch, but not a great one. The Greek Testament is quite a handsome volume with a nice flexible cover. The overall quality of the book seems decent too; it looks like it will be quite durable, and will stand up to a lot of use which, after all, is the reason for such a version of the GNT in the first place. HT to James White, for bringing the Reader’s GNT to my attention. I had not had any idea that such a beast existed before then. Ironically, once I found out about this edition, Lane Keister blogged about a new edition produced by the Bible Society.

As an aside, tonight I learned that this little symbol, †, is known by many as a ‘dagger.’ ¹ but it has a more formal name, obelus. I found this out when I was reading the preface to H&R’s concordance to the LXX.

1. For example Goodrich & Lukaszewski refer to it as a dagger in the introduction of A Reader’s Greek New Testament [↩]

I am not the most prolific blogger out there, but thankfully there are other competent men who are able to make time to write edifying materials for the rest of us to read. With this in mind, here are some of my picks for good reading:

R. Scott Clark, of Heidelblog notoriety, has posted a couple of gems related to the erroneous Federal Vision (FV) theology. He has a primer on FV, as well as a post treating of Three Ways of Relating to the One Covenant of Grace. At the end of the latter post he added a link to an article he wrote for the Confessional Presbyterian Journal, Baptism and the Benefits of Christ - well worth the time spent reading.

If that is not enough for you to read, check out Martin Downes‘ post, Facing up to false teaching in the public square.

Downes writes (or quotes?),

“Whilst it will be necessary to deal with error if it is a clear and present danger, the whole counsel must still be preached, churches planted, and the saints built up. As Calvin said “ministers have two voices, one for the sheep and one for the wolves.” The one must not drown out the other.”

The work of defending the Christian faith seems to ebb and flow. Presently, challenges to the orthodox faith appear to abound. It can seem disheartening to view all the attacks being mounted against the Gospel of Jesus Christ, with the most serious assaults coming not from without the camp, but from within! When theological errors are being spread through books and the internet and by zealous adherents’ word of mouth, combating these things can seem overwhelming. Where does one begin? For those who do the work of defending the sheep from the wolves, take courage; you are in very good company. John Calvin wrote the following in his prefatory letter to Philipp Melanchthon in his work, The Bondage and Liberation of the Will:

It has certainly occurred to me quite often to complain about our situation, that being overwhelmed by such a multitude of tasks which constantly press in on us, weighed down by their frequent recurrence, and perplexed by their variety, we cannot concentrate our minds and attention on the handling of any one of them. We are continually compelled to rush this way and that, like those who are appointed to diverse burdensome offices which they are by no means able to fulfil together, and who, being under pressure from all sides at the same moment, do not know because of fatigue which way they should turn. Meanwhile, whichever of our enemies decide to attack us are released from all other responsibilities and are at leisure in deep peace for as long as they please, and so can concentrate on preparing their instruments of war and collecting forces to launch against us later when an opportunity arises. If they feel any tiredness as a result of one engagement, then too they secure themselves the refreshment of a truce as they choose, until with mind and strength renewed they are again equipped and prepared to attack us. In addition there is also the fact that because of our separation by large distances we are deprived of that facility from which no little relief could be expected, namely of communicating with one another and discussing plans as the situation and time require.¹

These things, as I said, I think over and consider, not without a sigh of distress at our lot. But to prevent my being broken by such reflection, there comes to mind on the other side a comfort which is not inconsiderable. First, because I resolve that we are not beset and hard pressed by such difficulties as to be in want of human assistance which could help us apart from the sure counsel of God; as a result, we are the better awakened and learn to look to him alone. And secondly, because I recall, as I think, that there is this ancient precedent. For the sacred history reports that the Israelites laboured under an equal difficulty when, after their restoration from captivity, they were building their city (Neh. 4). For when the very greatness and bulk of the task, when the difficulties of the time were putting more than enough pressure on them, they were enduring from their enemies some further trouble and discomfort. Ant yet we see that this did not prevent them from continuing steadfastly and with unbroken resolve in the work, until the time when their enemies’ wicked rage would finally be broken by their own steadfast persistence. For it was no ordinary example of bravery to collect the bricks and mortar with their swords girded on, to hold a sword in one hand and to work wielding a trowel with the other, and thus to pay attention to the building and at the same time be ready for battle. ²

It is fitting that we too should be awakened by the memory of that history, so that among so many difficulties which tempt us to despair, we may nonetheless recover our resolve. ³

Indeed, you are in good company.

1. Thankfully, in our time and place here in the West, this is not such an issue. [↩]
2. Neh 4:17 [↩]
3. John Calvin, The Bondage and Liberation of the Will, (Grand Rapids: Baker. 1996) pp. 4-5 [↩]

Nathan Eshelman has posted some details about a conference on practical theology put on by his home church, First RPC in Grand Rapids.

The subject matter is biblical evangelism, and the lecturer will be Dr. David P. Murray of PRTS.

Tell your friends about this one.

I was just reading volume 5 of John Owen’s works, on Justification, and I came across this gem of a quote; It is in response to those who would make all sorts of distinctions about the nature of justification, qualifying all of what the apostle Paul wrote, in order to really strip the doctrine of any effectiveness.

“But he who is really convinced of sin, and, being also sensible of what it is to enter into judgment with the holy God, inquires for himself, and not for others, how he may come to be accepted with him, will be apt, upon the consideration of all these distinctions and sub-distinctions wherewith they are attended, to say to their authors, “Fecistis probè, incertior sum multo, quam dudum.”¹

My inquiry is, How shall I come before the Lord, and bow myself before the high God? How shall I escape the wrath to come? What shall I plead in judgment before God, that I may be absolved, acquitted, justified? Where shall I have a righteousness that will endure a trial in his presence? If I should be harnessed with a thousand of these distinctions, I am afraid they would prove thorns and briers, which he would pass through and consume.”²

Indeed.

1. “You have done very well. I am much more at a loss than before.” Terence, Phormio Act 2, Scene 4, line 59. [↩]
2. The Works of John Owen, Volume 5, pg. 31 [↩]

I was just reading a decent post on CalvinDude where the author deals with a famous quote by Thomas Paine. It reminded me of something which I wrote a while back which had similar leanings in a small sense. So I went digging around on the net to find an archived copy of what I wrote, and here it is:

You might be wondering how I can write that anti-theists have nothing to say when there is a whole world, it seems, full of people who work to discredit the idea of the existence of God. (more…)

Many of you are familiar with John Newton, the man who wrote the hymn, Amazing Grace. I was reading his memoirs in Volume I of The Works of John Newton, published by Banner of Truth and I came across his account of a dream he had before he was a Christian. It is as follows:

“The scene presented to my imagination was the harbour of Venice, where we had lately been. I thought it was night, and my watch upon the deck; and that, as I was walking to and fro by myself, a person came to me (I do not remember from whence) and brought me a ring, with an express charge to keep it carefully; assuring me that, while I preserved that ring, I should be happy and successful: but, if I lost or parted with it, I must expect nothing but trouble and misery. I accepted the present and terms willingly, not in the least doubting my own care to preserve it, and highly satisfied to have my happiness in my own keeping. I was engaged in these thoughts, when a second person came to me, and, observing the ring on my finger, took occasion to ask me some questions concerning it. I readily told him its virtues; and his answer expressed a surprise at my weakness, in expecting such effects from a ring. I think he reasoned with me some time, upon the impossibility of the thing; and at length urged me, in direct terms, to throw it away. At first I was shocked with the proposal; but his insinuations prevailed. I began to reason and doubt, and at last plucked it off my finger, and dropped it over the ship’s side into the water, which it had no sooner touched, then I saw, at the same instant, a terrible fire burst out from a range of mountains (a part of the Alps) which appeared at some distance behind the city of Venice. I saw the hills as distinct as if awake, and that they were all in flames. I perceived, too late, my folly; and my tempter, with an air of insult, informed me, that all the mercy of God had in reserve for me was comprised in that ring, which I had wilfully thrown away. (more…)

Another restart to this blog. I had some technical difficulties related to upgrading my WordPress install. Welcome back, readers. I will try and put back some of what used to be here, though many (most) of the posts are gone for good.