I used the word excursus in the title so that people would know that I was going to be scholarly in this one. Or maybe try to be scholarly. Or, better yet, try to act scholarly. You know, I think I am off to a bad start. In the comments on this series of posts …
At Least Not in Paul
As his section on Romans begins, Wright continues to reason beside the point. He begins, not surprisingly, with Romans 1:16-17 and with a discussion of what is meant by the “righteousness of God.” He says that, in effect, if we just read this verse without all the blinkers created by seventeenth century debates, we could …
Not Just Bare Permission
Book 1/Chapter 18 Not just bare permission (section 1) 1. Concerning God’s providence what is the “more difficult question”? 2. Does Calvin allow the distinction between doing and permitting? 3. Why would we describe Calvin as a strict biblicist on this question? 4. What are three examples given by Calvin? Control of the heart (section …
A Jedi-Knight Mastery of Pauline Theology
The last part of Wright’s chapter 6 is his section on Ephesians. My comments here will be more scattered than extensive, for reasons that will probably become obvious. First, we are to page 151 and it has been striking just how little interaction with John Piper there has been. This book has been a good …
Aimlessly Tumbled About
Book 1/Chapter 17 Joyful trust(section 11) 1. If we would rightly dread forture, what may our attitude toward God’s providence be? 2. Can anything happen that God does not determine? 3. When the world appears to be “aimlessly tumbled about,” what is the Lord doing? Objections(section 12) 1. What is an obvious objection to this …
When to Mount Up to God
Book 1/Chapter 17 When God blesses (section 7) 1. Can God turn the activity of our enemies to our good? 2. What is the only thing that can make all things prosper? Certainty about prosperity a help (section 8) 1. Why was Joseph able to forget the injustice committed by his brothers/ 2. What was …
He Doesn’t Just Take the Dirty One Away
The middle portion of chapter 6 in Wright’s book is on Corinthians or, to be more precise, on two particular passages in both extant letters to the Corinthians. Not a great deal rides on the first passage, but it is worth a few comments. “But of him are ye in Christ Jesus, who of God …
True Solace
Book 1/Chapter 17 Due prudence (section 4) 1. Should the fact that God’s providential care extends to all things prevent us from exercising due prudence? 2. If God offers secondary helps and instruments, should we use them? 3. Does God ordain the means as well as the ends? 4. Does God’s providence come to us …
Chief of Sinners, Really
In the next chapter, Wright addresses Philippians, Corinthians, and Ephesians. As before, I am going to tackle this piecemeal, starting with Philippians. But before getting into the text, I need to address a couple of things that have come up in the comments which, if we don’t deal with, will continue to be gum on …
The Secret Things
Book 1/Chapter 17 The meaning of God’s ways (section 1) 1. What are the three things that must be remembered with regard to God’s providence? 2. Do hard providences glorify God? What scriptural passage does Calvin use to make this point? Respect God’s ways (section 2) 1. How does Calvin describe those who do not …