I want to undertake a detailed review of a new book by Jason Stellman, one entitled Dual Citizens. There are a number of reasons for doing this, but those reasons should become increasingly manifest as we go along. The central reason is that I have become settled in my conviction that a particular form of …
Some Early Snarls
Book 4/Chapter 7 An early snarl (section 10) 1. What early tangle shows the nature of the Roman bishop’s authority? 2. What happened? Forgeries (section 11) 1. What is characteristic of most of the forgeries giving the Roman pontiff great power? 2. Are all such documents forgeries? The power of Rome grows (section 12) 1. …
What a Fun Hoot
Just went to check the Drudge Report, and there at the top was a big ad for Greta Van Susteren. You can try to go check, but I bet they have it fixed pretty quick. The headline was “Nothing Get’s By Greta,” apostrophe theirs. Now I don’t usually report on apostrophe disaster’s (joke! please do …
Thy Kingdom Go
The walls of the church are permeable, and this is by God’s design. This means that when the church is being the church, there is no way to keep the influence of this from seeping into the world. On the flip side, when the church has lost her vision, or her focus, or they have …
Ancient Shamelessness
Book 4/Chapter 7 The origin of the problem (section 5) 1. How long does Calvin believe Rome has sought to have lordship over other churches? 2. What happened when Athanasius was unjustly deposed from his see? 3. Why was this a bad precedent? Church power (section 6) 1. What are the four kinds of church …
A Thousand Amens
Allow me to differ with Michael Horton, then agree with him, and then differ again. I am referring to this article. Here, in the first place, is the key place of difference. “If the church is not to be identified with culture, is it necessarily a counterculture? If Christians as well as non-Christians participate in …
New Covenant Instruments in the Old
Last week we noted that Paul assumes the use of musical instruments in worship—we are to sing psalms, hymns and spiritual songs with all our hearts, and we are to make melody as we do by means of instruments. Because this has been controversial in the church over the centuries, perhaps we should say a …
Sin Crushed As Well As Broken
Last week we saw that God breaks the idols, and He breaks all sin, and He breaks it for our salvation in the body of Christ. And so we, as that body, are enabled by God’s grace to partake of His forgiveness. The wine is made by crushing the grapes. This kind of crushing is …
Unforgiving and Unforgiven
Our Father and God, You have established Your Church as a royal priesthood in this world, and so we intercede for the nations of men now, confessing on their behalf so that the grace of Your forgiveness will soon be extended to them all. Father in heaven, we confess to You that our nation is …
A Universal Bishop as Antichrist
Book 4/Chapter 7 Position of the early Roman see (section 1) 1. When was the primacy of the Roman see first granted? 2. Were the legates of the Roman church given first place at that council? Chalcedon (section 2) 1. Why was the Roman church given the first seat at Chalcedon? 2. Did Rome have …