Just a few more comments about The Manhattan Declaration. I was asked to respond to John Stackhouse’s dismissal of the whole thing as just one more iteration of “been there, done that” Religious Rightism. There are two things to say about his reasoning. The first is that he maintains that he is on the side …
The Error of Ubiquity
Book 4/Chapter 17 A Lutheran error (section 29) 1. What error of Servetus is adopted in order to make it possible for Christ’s body to be everywhere? 2. What is Calvin’s central objection to this notion? 3. How does Calvin explain Stephen and Paul seeing Christ? Ubiquity of the body (section 30) 1. What does …
The Ascension and the Supper
Book 4/Chapter 17 The meaning of the ascension (section 27) 1. What did the Sophists teach about the ascension? 2. What does Calvin counter with? Testimony from Augustine (section 28) 1. What do these men appeal to in support of their doctrine? 2. What does Calvin answer concerning Augustine? 3. According to Augustine, why did …
Getting Our White Little Buns Into Heaven
Okay, then, the Manhattan Declaration. Things have been busy, and I just now got around to reading it. I want to take the odd stance of applauding and supporting something that I could not sign. In order to make sense of this, I have to dump a few things out on the table first. I …
Sure. Faith in What?
I was on the radio this morning with Greg Epstein, the humanist chaplain at Harvard. You can listen here.
Thanksgiving in the Evil Day
I just recently finished peeling the potatoes for the feast later on, and I note in passing that the way my wife makes bashed potatoes is one of her innumerable glories. Having made my contribution to the process, which stretched and almost exceeded the limit of my culinary abilities, I have thought it necessary to …
Not Aristotle, but Rather the Spirit
Book 4/Chapter 17 The limits of reason (section 24) 1. What do Calvin’s opponents accuse him of? 2. How does Calvin reply? Appeal to power (section 25) 1. What happens when the transubstantionists run themselves into absurdities? The body in Heaven (section 26) 1. What is not Calvin’s reason for teaching that the body of Christ …
The Sacrament and Figures of Speech
Book 4/Chapter 17 A figure of speech (section 21) 1. Does Calvin say that “this is my body” is a metaphor? 2. What figure of speech does he call it? 3. What other example does he use of this? The word “is” (section 22) 1. What part of this argument do his opponents rest most …
Sweet Defiance
Why sweet defiance? In Psalm 119:23, we are told, “How sweet are Your words to my taste, sweeter than honey to my mouth.” Now these are wonderful words in every believing ear. We could do some nice graphics work with it, no doubt — along with a picture of a beautiful sunset and beach, have …
More Resources for Music Reformation
We have gotten a great response on the psalm-singing videos. You might want to check this out from some folks with similar goals.