Reformed Churchmen: A Call to War and Arms: War, Enemies, Morning Prayer, and Catechism

Reformed Churchmen

We are Confessional Calvinists and a Prayer Book Church-people. In 2012, we remembered the 350th anniversary of the 1662 Book of Common Prayer; also, we remembered the 450th anniversary of John Jewel's sober, scholarly, and Reformed "An Apology of the Church of England." In 2013, we remembered the publication of the "Heidelberg Catechism" and the influence of Reformed theologians in England, including Heinrich Bullinger's Decades. For 2014: Tyndale's NT translation. For 2015, John Roger, Rowland Taylor and Bishop John Hooper's martyrdom, burned at the stakes. Books of the month. December 2014: Alan Jacob's "Book of Common Prayer" at: http://www.amazon.com/Book-Common-Prayer-Biography-Religious/dp/0691154813/ref=sr_1_1?ie=UTF8&qid=1417814005&sr=8-1&keywords=jacobs+book+of+common+prayer. January 2015: A.F. Pollard's "Thomas Cranmer and the English Reformation: 1489-1556" at: http://www.amazon.com/Thomas-Cranmer-English-Reformation-1489-1556/dp/1592448658/ref=sr_1_1?ie=UTF8&qid=1420055574&sr=8-1&keywords=A.F.+Pollard+Cranmer. February 2015: Jaspar Ridley's "Thomas Cranmer" at: http://www.amazon.com/Thomas-Cranmer-Jasper-Ridley/dp/0198212879/ref=sr_1_1?ie=UTF8&qid=1422892154&sr=8-1&keywords=jasper+ridley+cranmer&pebp=1422892151110&peasin=198212879

Monday, February 13, 2012

A Call to War and Arms: War, Enemies, Morning Prayer, and Catechism

Often, we feel like we are up against Goliaths and other uncircumcised Philistines in the land. It is true. We are. But, we are called to war as well as peace. A few thoughts from Bishop Ryle, our 1662 Book of Common Prayer, our Shorter Catechism, and hymn "For All the Saints." May we find strength, renewal, tenacity, and victories. ‎

"It costs something to be a real Christian, according to the standard of the Bible. There are enemies to be overcome, battles to be fought, sacrifices to be made, an Egypt to be forsaken, a wilderness to be passed through, a cross to be carried, a race to be run. Conversion is not putting a person in an arm-chair and taking them easily to heaven. It is the beginning of a mighty conflict, in which it costs much to win the victory." ~ J.C. Ryle

The second Collect, for Peace(From the "The Order for Morning Prayer" of the 1662 Book of Common Prayer) GOD, who art the author of peace and lover of concord, in knowledge of whom standeth our eternal life, whose service is perfect freedom; Defend us thy humble servants in all assaults of our enemies; that we, surely trusting in thy defence, may not fear the power of any adversaries, through the might of Jesus Christ our Lord. Amen.

The Sunday called Sexagesima, or the second Sunday before Lent(The collect of the day for Morning Prayer, Evening Prayer and Holy Communion from the 1662 Book of Common Prayer) The Collect. LORD God, who seest that we put not our trust in any thing that we do; Mercifully grant that by thy power we may be defended against all adversity; through Jesus Christ our Lord. Amen.

As an embracing reminder of our catechetism and call to memorization and meditation:

Q. 26. How doth Christ execute the office of a king?A. Christ executeth the office of a king, in subduing us to himself, in ruling and defending us, and in restraining and conquering all his and our enemies (Westminster Shorter Catechism, Q. 26).

Speaking of enemies and the war, refreshing lyrics and music come bracingly with "For All the Saints..."

Let us fight on thought though the battle is fierce.

See: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=l3LMWCIa08Q