The final section of Wright’s chapter on Galatians is pretty good (pp. 114-118), and the observations I have already made would remain. There are just two things that deserve a brief comment. “The Christian looks back and celebrates the verdict already issued over faith: ‘righteous’, ‘my child’. The Christian looks forward and waits, in faith …
Other Related Vaudeville Acts
In his book, John Piper states that he writes as a pastor. And in his, Wright retorts that he does as well. And, as coincidence would have it, so do I, making it a hat trick. But given the subject under discussion, it is not surprising that as many practical differences have arisen over the …
No Stoic Fate
Book 1/Chapter 16 Natural occurrences (section 7) 1. What kind of testimonies are particular events? 2. What passage does Calvin cite to show God controls all winds? 3. The waves? 4. The opening and closing of wombs? 5. The nourishment that bread gives? Not fate or fortune (section 8) 1. Why does Calvin not believe …
And Lots Have
The more I read Wright interacting with Piper, the less I want to say “new perspective” and “old perspective,” and the more I want to say macro perspective and micro perspective. This is an unnecessary quarrel between the astronomer and the microbiologist. But, though it may be an unnecessary quarrel, it remains a necessary debate. …
Calvin Gets Down to Brass Tacks
Book 1/Chapter 16 The nature of providence (section 4) 1. What does the word providence not refer to? 2. Is providence limited to foreknowledge? 3. If God governs the laws of nature only, what has been taken from Him? God’s special providence (section 5) 1. If God controls the general laws only, what is no …
Torah Torah Torah
Now that we are into the exegetical portion of Wright’s book, I am not going to try to get through the chapters at one go. I am just going to work in each chapter until I have enough to write about, which will not be the whole thing, and we will see when we get …
Walk According to this Rule
So we are halfway through Wright’s book, and are on the threshhold of his exegetical section. Given the way these posts have gone, and the give and take of the conversation following them, I thought it would be good to give a quick summary of my take thus far. “For in Christ Jesus neither circumcision …
Calvin on Providence
Book 1/Chapter 15 Adam’s freedom (section 8) 1. Did Adam have the resources, prior to the Fall, to attain to eternal life? 2. Why should we not invoke the doctrine of secret predestination in this discussion? 3. Why do the “philosophers” misunderstand the nature of man? Book 1/Chapter 16 Creation and providence (section 1) 1. …
Thought Forms to the Rescue!
I enjoyed the next chapter by Wright immensely, and want to offer just a few fundamental quibbles. By this I mean that I want to present an alternative story to the one he is assuming about the history of the development of the doctrine of justification, and see if we can’t make our way to …
Faculties of the Soul
Book 1/Chapter 15 Renewal through Christ (section 4) 1. Since the image of God in man is a desolate ruin, how can we tell what it is like? 2. Do the elect in this life reflect any more of that image? 3. When does it attain its full splendor? 4. What does Calvin think of …