Book 2/Chapter 16 What the ascension did for us (section 16) 1. What did Jesus do for us by means of His ascent into heaven? 2. Do we look forward to heaven as with a “bare hope”? Kingdom come (section 17) 1. Despite His present power, where is Christ’s kingdom now? 2. Will any escape …
All to the Good
Today is my mother’s ninetieth birthday. Below is a poem I wrote twenty years ago, for her seventieth. The poem assumes what needs to be stated outright, which is that my mother is one of the most remarkable women I have ever known. What I owe her will never be repaid, and that is all …
Dead Silence
Time to reengage with Lane on the question of paedocommunion. First, just a few comments on his post, and then on to Venema’s treatment of the historic Reformed position on all this. Lane uses the example of citizenship and certain privileges like driving or voting. He wants to say that just because covenant children are …
And I Guess We Don’t
This is just to help you get your mind around it. This math is from Ag Secretary Tom Vilsack. If someone gave you a million dollars, and told you to spend it at a rate of a dollar a second, and you started last week, you would be out of money by now. If they …
Resurrection and Ascension
Book 2/Chapter 16 The resurrection (section 13) 1. What must faith do in order to attain its full strength?2. What is the summary of the effects of the death and resurrection respectively? 2. What is the summary of the effects of the death and resurrection respectively? 3. What should we understand in Scripture when the …
Soul Agonies
Book 2/Chapter 16 Soul struggles (section 10) 1. If Calvin rejects the idea that Christ descended into the nether world, how does he take the phrase from the Creed? 2. Does the compiler of these study questions agree with this? Guess. Scripture proof (section 11) 1. How does Calvin undertake to prove this view? Answering …
Ordinary People, Extraordinary Music
We have already noted the importance of recognizing the importance of what kind of occasion this is, and therefore what kind of music should be presented to God. We have also noted the need for expertise. We come now to the question of what kind of people are to perform the music. And the biblical …
The Last Shall be First
One of our names for the establishment of this sacramental meal is the Last Supper. We call it this because it was the last meal that Jesus shared with His disciples before His arrest and crucifixion. But the name is more evocative than being just a reference to the chronology of Christ’s life. It was …
The Drought of Summer
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, we are tired of living in the drought of summer. …
The Descent into Hell
Book 2/Chapter 16 The cross (section 6) 1. What happened to the curse that was on us? 2. What exchange did the Son of God make, even though he was utterly clean of all fault? 3. Christ cleansed our filth by what means? 4. Even though it was full of shame, what was the cross …