Reformation
Day 2013 when the doctrine of the Fall was readjusted to Biblical parameters.
It was unquestionably Augustinian from Luther to Calvin to old Thomas in
Canterbury. A few musings.
The Fall: Genesis 3
Desultory notes and musings.
A few chief questions for musings and review: (1) What happens pastorally and liturgically when the doctrine of the fall and total depravity is adjusted, mitigated? This much and to its credit, the old Book of Common Prayer in the daily offices and Holy Communion kept the ship “in the channel,” indubitably. The Great Reformation Confessions and catechisms helped to keep the ship "in the channel." (2) If readjusted however, what other doctrines suffer? Scripture, God, anthropology, Christology, soteriology, ecclesiology and eschatology? We believe that if you go awry here, inescapably, one ends up with a "works-salvation" doctrine, a false Gospel, be it Arminian, American evangelical, high Tractarian sacerdotalism (ex opera operato), Romanism, and more. Rome's Gospel, despite having devout people and even, despite the doctrine, justified people, is a false Gospel, but we digress. Back to desultory connections.
Some notes:
1. Romans: all are under guilt and the power of sin. It is the reign of sin and exposes all humans to divine wrath. Rom 1.18, 19; 3.9, 19; 5. 17, 21
2. Putting the law aside (an instrument to expose the sinfulness of sin) and thinking of natural revelation alone (e.g. Rom. 1.18ff, inter alia, e.g. notably the Old Testament prophets), a word from Mr. (Rev. Dr. Prof.) Cornelius “Uncle Cornie” Van Til: "We may say that men ought to have concluded [from natural revelation] that the outcome of his failure to recognize the God whom he should serve would be his condemnation in eternal punishment. If they ought to know God as their Creator and ought to know him as the one from whom they had revolted, they ought also to conclude that this creator would put sinners out of his presence forever." Old "Uncle Cornie" was often difficult to understand (his books), but when he preached (without notes), he was as clear as could be; he was perspicuously clear and was one of those men who knew the Bible by heart, nearly, verse by verse, reminiscent of that old and godly Bishop, Dr. Theophilus Herter, the only man I'll call Bishop these days. Maybe RC Sproul as a friend and mentor. But, old "Uncle Cornie" was clear in his preaching. He was always predictable too; he'd start in Genesis and end up in Revelation, over and over, sermon by sermon. God has been good to me...to give me men like this along the way. Back on track.
3. Paul interprets Genesis and traces sin back to the common ancestor, Adam. The lapse or fall away from God and godliness involves sin, guilt, and judgment.
4. There are two Headmen, the First and Second Adams. The first Headman, or covenantal Headman, Adam: his fall and sin involves all The Second Headman, the covenantal Headman, the Second Adam, brings the fruits and benefits to His people. These terms: Headman, federal head, First and Second Adams, need to have greater frequency in use. For readers reading in other FB pages or blogs, we recommend using these terms as "probing points."
5. The first Adam was in a state of happiness, peace, and communion with God. This was promised to him and posterity upon a lawful condition: fidelity, steadfastness, duty, loyalty, decency and unbroken honor to God, His Word…standing and abiding honor and belief in His Highest Majesty in all His glory, dignity, and sovereignty. In essence, God hath said and thus we shall live.
6. Adam broke rank--a buck private, as it were and if we may, before a General--as a puny creature and was beguiled by his wife, Eve, and the serpent (Satan disguised as a serpent, 2 Cor. 11.3ff.; Rev. 12.9). His entire nature was involved and corrupted: mind, will, affections and body. In consequence, as the early chapters of Genesis unfold, we learn of an anti-God, self-serving, self-idolizing, self-assertive, lawless, disordered, refractory, rebellious, alienating, blinded, corrupt, murderous, and lying lifestyle, mindset, and worldview. It cannot be over-stated. Adam’s descendents become gripped and totally enslaved by guilt, pollution and desperate moral nakedness before the infinitely Holy and Just God. On Reformation Day 2013, it would be warranted to pull Mr. (Rev. Dr. Prof.) Martin Luther's Bondage of the Will off the shelf. Laymen should indeed read this ever-accessible, ever-readable, ever-theological and ever-pastoral Luther. If you don't have it and haven't read it, you--if you wish to be discerning--must read. He's available at extremely low prices at: http://www.amazon.com/Bondage-Will-The-J-Packer/dp/0800753429/ref=sr_1_2?ie=UTF8&qid=1383242742&sr=8-2&keywords=martin+luther+bondage+of+the+will
The Fall: Genesis 3
Desultory notes and musings.
A few chief questions for musings and review: (1) What happens pastorally and liturgically when the doctrine of the fall and total depravity is adjusted, mitigated? This much and to its credit, the old Book of Common Prayer in the daily offices and Holy Communion kept the ship “in the channel,” indubitably. The Great Reformation Confessions and catechisms helped to keep the ship "in the channel." (2) If readjusted however, what other doctrines suffer? Scripture, God, anthropology, Christology, soteriology, ecclesiology and eschatology? We believe that if you go awry here, inescapably, one ends up with a "works-salvation" doctrine, a false Gospel, be it Arminian, American evangelical, high Tractarian sacerdotalism (ex opera operato), Romanism, and more. Rome's Gospel, despite having devout people and even, despite the doctrine, justified people, is a false Gospel, but we digress. Back to desultory connections.
Some notes:
1. Romans: all are under guilt and the power of sin. It is the reign of sin and exposes all humans to divine wrath. Rom 1.18, 19; 3.9, 19; 5. 17, 21
2. Putting the law aside (an instrument to expose the sinfulness of sin) and thinking of natural revelation alone (e.g. Rom. 1.18ff, inter alia, e.g. notably the Old Testament prophets), a word from Mr. (Rev. Dr. Prof.) Cornelius “Uncle Cornie” Van Til: "We may say that men ought to have concluded [from natural revelation] that the outcome of his failure to recognize the God whom he should serve would be his condemnation in eternal punishment. If they ought to know God as their Creator and ought to know him as the one from whom they had revolted, they ought also to conclude that this creator would put sinners out of his presence forever." Old "Uncle Cornie" was often difficult to understand (his books), but when he preached (without notes), he was as clear as could be; he was perspicuously clear and was one of those men who knew the Bible by heart, nearly, verse by verse, reminiscent of that old and godly Bishop, Dr. Theophilus Herter, the only man I'll call Bishop these days. Maybe RC Sproul as a friend and mentor. But, old "Uncle Cornie" was clear in his preaching. He was always predictable too; he'd start in Genesis and end up in Revelation, over and over, sermon by sermon. God has been good to me...to give me men like this along the way. Back on track.
3. Paul interprets Genesis and traces sin back to the common ancestor, Adam. The lapse or fall away from God and godliness involves sin, guilt, and judgment.
4. There are two Headmen, the First and Second Adams. The first Headman, or covenantal Headman, Adam: his fall and sin involves all The Second Headman, the covenantal Headman, the Second Adam, brings the fruits and benefits to His people. These terms: Headman, federal head, First and Second Adams, need to have greater frequency in use. For readers reading in other FB pages or blogs, we recommend using these terms as "probing points."
5. The first Adam was in a state of happiness, peace, and communion with God. This was promised to him and posterity upon a lawful condition: fidelity, steadfastness, duty, loyalty, decency and unbroken honor to God, His Word…standing and abiding honor and belief in His Highest Majesty in all His glory, dignity, and sovereignty. In essence, God hath said and thus we shall live.
6. Adam broke rank--a buck private, as it were and if we may, before a General--as a puny creature and was beguiled by his wife, Eve, and the serpent (Satan disguised as a serpent, 2 Cor. 11.3ff.; Rev. 12.9). His entire nature was involved and corrupted: mind, will, affections and body. In consequence, as the early chapters of Genesis unfold, we learn of an anti-God, self-serving, self-idolizing, self-assertive, lawless, disordered, refractory, rebellious, alienating, blinded, corrupt, murderous, and lying lifestyle, mindset, and worldview. It cannot be over-stated. Adam’s descendents become gripped and totally enslaved by guilt, pollution and desperate moral nakedness before the infinitely Holy and Just God. On Reformation Day 2013, it would be warranted to pull Mr. (Rev. Dr. Prof.) Martin Luther's Bondage of the Will off the shelf. Laymen should indeed read this ever-accessible, ever-readable, ever-theological and ever-pastoral Luther. If you don't have it and haven't read it, you--if you wish to be discerning--must read. He's available at extremely low prices at: http://www.amazon.com/Bondage-Will-The-J-Packer/dp/0800753429/ref=sr_1_2?ie=UTF8&qid=1383242742&sr=8-2&keywords=martin+luther+bondage+of+the+will
7. But, God is rich in mercy, kindness, grace, and voluntary condescension to the rebels. We recommend a few volumes: Westminster Confession of Faith (chaps 5-19), Witsius on the Economy of the Divine Covenants, Hengstenberg's History of the Kingdom Under the Old Testament, De Graaf's very accessible Promise and Deliverance as well as this FB and blog page, ever-devoted to these matters. But, back on track. The divine promise to save, redeem and reverse the serpentine curse is issued (Gen. 3.15, loc. cit.). God is truly and exclusively Adam’s one and only Redeemer. And, the Father, the Son, and the Holy Ghost, Three-in-One, speak the word of rescue, hope, and promise. There is none of this Romanist and Tractarian nonsense of invoking other mediators; Tractarians have resuscitated paganism within Anglicanism.
8. Adam is linked to Noah, Abraham, the patriarchs, the elect in Israel, to Christ Himself (see geneaologies, Mt. 1.1-18; Lk. 3.23-38), and the elect amongst the nations of the world (Eph.1.4ff; Rom. 9-11, inter alia.) God is not willing that a single one of His elect shall perish; His Majesty will, as it were, hold off on the Second Advent until the very last one is redeemed (2 Pet. 3.9, a text so routinely abused by these rebellious, refractory and self-assertive Arminians). Throughout the Old Testament, all are shown to be sinners: think of Abraham, Isaac and Jacob for example. Everyone dies too; see the careful records of Gen. 50.22-26; even old Benny Hinn and Paul Grouch Sr., faith healers and false prophets, will die despite their lies. “In Adam all die” (1 Cor. 15.22).
9. In short, after the Fall, the continuing narrative is one of sin and rebellious lawlessness; in tandem with that record, the narrative is also that of God’s grace, redemption and promise. “Promise and Deliverance.”
Now, what are the consequences--on a very wide front--of altering these instructions?
Happy Reformation Day 2013.
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