08.19.08
‘The NECESSITY of Christ’s Mediatorial Kingship’ (1)
The Kingship of Christ is one of the most important doctrines the modern Evangelical church needs to recover. Indeed, given that nearly all the changes needed are applications of Christ’s Kingship, we may be justified in saying it is the most important. We need one who is a Prophet, a Priest, and a King. We need a royal Saviour. And we need to own this King in every area of life - especially over his own Church.
The following section is from ‘Messiah the Prince’ by William Symington, and is on the ‘NECESSITY’ of Christ’s mediatorial Kingship:
“The sovereign authority of Christ may be viewed either as necessary, or as official. Viewing him as God, it is necessary, inherent, and underived : viewing him as Mediator, it is official and delegated. It is the latter of these we are
now to contemplate. The subject of our present inquiry is, the MEDIATORIAL DOMINION Of the Son ; not that which essentially belongs to him as God, but that with which, by the authoritative act of the Father, he has been officially invested as the Messiah. It is that government, in short, which was laid upon his shoulders-that power which was given unto him in heaven and in earth.
In proceeding to the consideration of this interesting and momentous subject, the first thing which claims attention is the NECESSITY of Christ’s kingly office… ‘For he MUST reign till he hath put all enemies under his feet’ (1 Cor. xv. 25).
1. The kingly office of Christ is necessary to the fulfilment of God’s gracious purposes respecting the elect… [We need] not only [a Priest] to purchase and to offer redemption through his blood, but [a King] to apply it, to give it effect, to bestow the benefits of grace on the destined subjects of salvation.
2. Indeed, to complete the mediatory character itself, such an office was requisite… Each office of Christ has its own peculiar province, in which it is essential and indispensable. Generally speaking, it may be said that his province as a priest is to purchase ; as a prophet, to publish ; as a king, to apply. In the first, he procures ; in the second, he makes known ; in the third, he gives effect. They are all alike essential: not one of them can be dispensed with… It were absurd to talk of applying what had not been procured; but not less so to talk of procuring what could not be applied…
Let us, for the sake of illustrating and confirming the point under consideration, try what consequences would follow from supposing government or dominion to be expunged from the mediatorial functions of Christ. As priest, he makes atonement for the sins of the chosen of God, procures pardon, purchases deliverance from condemnation, pays the ransom due for their sins, and completely removes all legal obstructions to their salvation. As priest, also, he represents their case to the Father, pleads the merits of his sacrifice, and expresses his will that they may be put in possession of the purchased benefits of redemption ; and the Father is pleased to hear and sustain the validity of his claims. As prophet, he makes known to men that all this has been done, informs them plainly that the curse of the law has been removed, God reconciled, and heaven opened for their reception. Yet will these avail for their salvation ? All this may be conceived to be done, and yet not one sinner rescued from the pit, not one rebel restored to the favour of the Almighty, not one child of Adam exalted to glory. Without something more, the benefit arising from these interpositions is lost ; without another office, the functions of these two are neutralised. Without regal authority, the sacrifice, however meritorious, has no power ; the intercession, however powerful, has no efficacy ; the doctrine, however clear, has no saving influence ; and the Son of God must be content to see the whole human race perish for ever in their sins, as if his blood had never been either shed on Calvary, or carried within the veil. Such being the case, we can appreciate the import of the answer returned by the Saviour to the question of Pilate-‘ Art thou a king then? Thou sayest that I am a king. To this end was I born, and for this cause came I into the world.’
This view of the necessity of the kingly office in particular to the perfection of the others, agrees well with the account given in Scripture of the work of the Messiah. The purchase of redemption having been effected, the ransom for sin paid, the decease at Jerusalem accomplished, what step does he take next ? Does he surrender all further concern in the salvation of men ? Does he abandon all mediatorial actings, and retire into the bosom of the Father? No. Follow him in his ascension to heaven ; see him pressing forward into the presence of God and presenting his petition, ‘Father, glorify thy Son, that thy Son also may glorify thee.’ Ere it is asked it is granted. This is the address with which the Father salutes him as he enters the heavenly places not made with hands: ‘ Sit thou at my right hand, until I make thine enemies thy footstool.’ As if he had said to bim-Thou bast established thy right to that rebel world: I surrender the government of it into thy hands: go through it and find out thy redeemed : gather them from the four winds of heaven : for this purpose institute ordinances, promulgate laws, issue commands, appoint servants, subordinate whatever exists to the gracious and magnificent ends of thine appointment. And what is the result ? Why, the mitre becomes a crown ; the censer a sceptre ; the Mediator passes from the altar to the throne ; heaven becomes at once a temple and a palace, while its walls echo with the loud acclaim of welcome bursting spontaneously from the whole celestial host to the newly inaugurated monarch.” [He is "Head over all things to the Church": Meditorial King over all things in his Church's interest.]
Part One
G.M.
08.17.08
Real Puritanism Today (R)
This is actually an updated version of a post I wrote over two years ago. However, it is just as necessary now as then, if not, indeed, more so.
Almost every month now sees a new Puritan book published; in fact, there have not been so many new editions of Puritan works in well over a century. It is very encouraging indeed to know that there is some demand for such excellent works. However there still appears to be two great shortcomings in this renewed interest.
The first of these is the effect of the books upon their readers. Sadly reformed churches are not marked by the kind of holiness that the Puritans so exemplified. We love their theology, we even rehearse their explanations of Christian experience, yet we do not stand out in our communities as they did: as those who are pilgrims and strangers in a foreign land. In short, we are still in heart and life far too conformed to the world around us; we have not been transformed by the ‘renewing of our minds’.
J.I. Packer, in his better days, wrote this stirring challenge in his book about the Puritans - A Quest for Godliness. It sums up my point perfectly:
“A stirring of interest in the Puritans is not the same thing as a revival of Puritanism. We need the inward disposition of Puritanism towards evangelism. We need in our hearts, lives, and churches the authentic, biblical, intelligent piety the Puritans showed. Let us challenge one another! Who among us will live godly in Christ Jesus like the Puritans? Who will go beyond studying their writings, discussing their ideas, recalling their achievements, and berating their failures?”
There are, no doubt, many reasons for this. One of these is the fear we have of being ostracised by our relatives, acquaintances, and work associates; of being marked out as odd, ‘over the top’, excessively strict, fanatical, dare we say — puritan. The Puritans, however, were determined to follow every part of Scripture with the utmost strictness. They made conscience of the least duty, and repented bitterly of the ‘smallest’ sins. They sought to show the world how different God had made them, whereas we attempt to show how similar we are.
Another reason is our awful lack of self-denial and self-discipline. We settle for that experience and holiness that does not require too much effort. In contrast, the Puritans, wrestled with God constantly in prayer for more ‘grace upon grace’, they ordered their thoughts upon good things throughout each day, they crossed their natural appetites and sinful inclinations continually in order to keep “under their bodies”. We, however, want a religion with no ’spiritual sweat’!
The second shortcoming of our renewed interest in the puritans, is the limited nature of the books being republished. The Puritans sought to apply their theology to every single area of life. Christianity, they believed, must affect the home, society, and the state, as well as the individual’s heart. Subjects such as the Church’s government, worship, and discipline were much more important to them, than they generally are to us. They deeply cared about whether the Church was governed by elders or not, whether all the worship had biblical warrant or not, whether the state was limiting itself to its God-given sphere or not, whether education was distinctly and positively Christian or not, and so on, and so on.
Such of their books as are mainly published today, almost exclusively deal with the Christian’s inner experience or the core doctrines of the faith. Even these are often edited to remove comments of a ‘controversial’ nature. Consequently, many have a view of the Puritans which is not very historically accurate. [There has been a small improvement in the subject variety of late, but it does not, as yet, go anywhere near far enough. Nor have I yet come across a book of quotations by the Puritans which reflects the full scope of their beliefs about God and what he requires of us.]
We need desperately, then, both the holiness of the Puritans, as well as the comprehensive worldview they had and acted upon. May the Lord be pleased to grant us such.
G.M.
08.14.08
The Tenets of Biblical Patriarchy (5)
These are the last points, see here for the first part and the source.
“22. Both sons and daughters are under the command of their fathers as long as they are under his roof or otherwise the recipients of his provision and protection. Fathers release sons from their jurisdiction to undertake a vocation, prepare a home, and take a wife. Until she is given in marriage, a daughter continues under her father’s authority and protection. Even after leaving their father’s house, children should honor their parents by seeking their counsel and blessing throughout their lives. (Gen. 28:1-2; Num. 30:3ff.; Deut. 22:21; Gal. 4:1,2; Eph. 6:2-3)
23. Fathers should oversee the process of a son or daughter seeking a spouse. While a father may find a wife for his son, sons are free to take initiative to seek and “take a wife.” A wise son will desire his parents’ involvement, counsel, and blessing in that process. Since daughters are “given in marriage” by their fathers, an obedient daughter will desire her father to guide the process of finding a husband, although the final approval of a husband belongs to her. (Gen. 24:1ff.; 25:20; 28:2; Ex. 2:21; Josh. 15:17; Jdg. 12:9; 1 Sam. 18:27; Jer. 29:6; 1 Cor. 7:38; Gen. 24:58 )
24. Scripture is the believer’s sufficient guide for all of faith and practice, and Christians must believe and obey whatever it teaches and commands. The Bible provides the Christian — through precept, pattern and principle — all that is necessary to make wise decisions concerning the many ethically complex issues of life. (2 Tim. 3:16-17; 2 Pet. 1:3)
25. Fathers need to exercise discernment in the choices they make for their families and not simply drift with the cultural tide. Egalitarian feminism is an enemy of God and of biblical truth, but the need for care goes beyond this threat. The values of modern society are often at odds with those that accompany a biblical worldview. For example, fathers need self-consciously to resist the values of individualism at the expense of community, efficiency at the expense of relationships, and material well-being at the expense of spiritual progress. The world and the worldly church will cheer many choices that are detrimental to family sanctification. (Rom. 12:2; 1 Jn. 2:15)
26. While God’s truth is unchanging, the specific application of that truth may vary depending on facts and circumstances unique to each believer. Also, those who are further along in sanctification will see some issues more clearly than those who are less mature. For these reasons great charity must be maintained between believers who have differences of application, and liberty of application must be respected. However, an appeal to the doctrine of Christian liberty must never be used in an effort simply to avoid submitting to what Scripture plainly teaches. Believers should also bear in mind that things which are lawful may not be expedient if the goal is personal and family holiness. The biblical rule in judging behavior is charity toward others, strictness toward oneself. (Gal. 5:2-3 with Acts 16:3; Phil. 3:15; Rom. 12:10; 1 Cor. 1:10; 6:12; 9:27; 10:23; Gal. 5:13)”
Last Part
G.M.
08.13.08
Some Psalms
The following explanation is by Pastor Rob McCurley of Greenville Presbyterian Church:
“At the conference last week [North American Conference] Dr. Wanliss spear-headed a move to have some Psalm-singing recorded. A group of skilled singers got together, lead by Pastor Humby’s wife, Katie, and sang five Psalms in four-part harmony. Mr. Cochran recorded it and posted it online. Here is the link”:
G.M
08.12.08
‘The Best of a Bad Bunch’
Sadly when it comes to so many issues (from what church to attend to who to vote for), Christians choose the ‘best’ of the bad options. This is ruinous to Christian piety and our righteousness testimony before the world. In Northern Ireland it has had very terrible recent consequences in the political sphere. C. H. Spurgeon, however, was of a very different mind when he stated:
“When given a choice between two evils, choose neither.”
God does not ‘need’ us to sin. He has planned all the details of history, and he will bring all his good pleasure to pass. Even the ‘wrath of man shall praise him’. Whatever the consequences, we must do what is right, we must choose aright. In short, when it comes to politics, or indeed anything else, never vote for the ‘best of a bad bunch’ or choose the ‘least of two evils’ — avoid sin.
G.M.
08.09.08
‘Dawkins On Darwin’
Just of interest, I came across this quote from the arch-atheist Richard Dawkins:
“As a scientist, I am trilled by natural selection. As a human being, I abhor it as a principle for organising society.” (Quoted in an advert for a T.V. program called Dawkins On Darwin)
Says it all really, doesn’t it? Note how he wants you to think that Darwinism is about science, and as a faithful scientist, he just can’t believe otherwise. And see how anything will be believed rather than the true and living God of Scripture, no matter how terrible the consequences on earth.
G.M
Quotes of the Week
Since I spent a bit of time separating the page ‘Quotes on Courtship and Marriage’ into two new pages (Love and Marriage, and Courtship and Purity), I did not get adding as many new quotations as I would have liked.
New Quote:
Affliction and Scripture
“They that are afflicted understand Scripture, says Luther; but those who are secure in their prosperity read them as a verse in Ovid.”
Jeremiah Burroughs {Puritan}, Moses His Choice, With His Eyes Fixed Upon Heaven, p.57
Two Old Quote:
Remember
“Remember this, there never was an eminent, who was not an industrious man.”
Cotton Mather (Puritan), Unknown
Warriors of the Kingdom
“We raise our daughters to be warriors of the kingdom by raising them to be keepers at home.”
R.C. Sproul Jr., When You Rise Up – A Covenantal Approach to Homeschooling, p.?
G.M.
08.08.08
Deferred Adulthood
I have been reading the book ‘America Alone’ recently, by neo-con columist and commentator Mark Steyn. It is an interesting critique of the demise of Western Culture, particularly in Europe, due to the decline in birth-rate, dominance of socialism and the increase of Islamic Immigration. His assessment of where we are this side of the pond is acurate from where I am looking and he notes one of the specific symptoms of cultural breakdown here and in the US is “deferred adulthood.” Now before you read the following quote, I in no way, nor does this website condone nightclub dating! But the dating is not really the point as you will understand.
‘The chief characteristic of our age is deferred adulthood. All over North America and Europe there are millions of people going to college for no good reason. Certainly, there’s no reason why the sum of knowledge the average American has accumulated by the time he’s completed a bachelor’s degree should take twenty years to inculcate. We need to redirect the system to telescope education into a much shorter period. Instead, we’ve implicitly accepted that our bodies mature much earlier than our great-grandparents’ but that our minds don’t. We enter adolesence [not convinced there is such a thing, think we just made it up in the 20th century G.B] much sooner and leave it much later - in some cases not until middle age. We’ve created a world where a thirty-one year old European male can stroll into a nightclub, tell the babes he lives at his mom and dad’s place in the same bedroom he’s slept in since he was in diapers - and he can still walk out with a hot-looking date. This guy would have been a laughingstock at any other point in human history.’ (Quoted from America Alone - The End of the World As We Know it. Regnery Publishing 2006)
This is sad but true. Sadder still that too many Christians are following suit and want to be like that guy; only instead of the nightclub it might be in the Church youth group/rally/conference…..
G.B.
08.06.08
Young Sober Christians by Matthew Henry (9)
This is the ninth part in this short series from Matthew Henry. For an explanation of the series read here.
“Young men that are sober-minded are likely to be in time serviceable to the communities they are members of, civil or sacred, in a higher or lower sphere.
How to Become Sober-Minded
Let me now close with five general directions to young people, which may be of use to them, in order to the making of them sober-minded.
1. Adopt Sober Principles
Espouse sober principles; for men are, as their principles are.
2. Food for Thought - The Law and the Gospel
Dwell much upon such considerations as are proper to make you sober-minded…the great things of law and gospel… The four last things, death and judgment, heaven and hell, are commonly recommended as proper subjects of meditation, in order to making the mind serious.
…we ourselves shall be serious shortly.
3. Choose Your Company
Choose sober company. Nothing is of greater consequence to young people, than what company they keep, for we insensibly grow like those with whom we converse, especially with whom we delight to converse.
…let your delight be in the excellent ones of the earth, the sober ones.
4. Choose Your Reading
Read sober books. Those that are given to reading, are as much under the influence of the books they read, as of the persons they converse with, and therefore in the choice of them you need to be very cautious, and take advice…
5. Be Diligent
Abound much in sober work. Habits are contracted by frequent acts; if therefore you would have a sober mind, employ yourself much in meditation and prayer, and other devout and holy excercises… Be much in secret worship, as well as diligent and constant in your attendance on public ordinances; those who neglect these cannot but lose their seriousness.
…[and] profane not holy things.
And how do you like this sober, serious work you have now been about in reading this discourse? Have you been in it as your element - or as a fish upon dry ground? Have you suffered this word of exhortation, and bidden it welcome? Shall I leave you all resolved in the strength of God’s grace, that now in the days of your youth you will be sober-minded? If so, the Lord keep it always in the imagination of the thought of your heart, and by writing the law of sobriety there, establish your way before him!“
The Final part
G.M
08.04.08
Egalitarianism: The Great Enemy (3)
Before giving you the second, and last, part of this series on the effect of egalitarianism on education by Douglas Wilson, let me again mention that Mr. Wilson is to be used with extreme care (especially his books since about 2001), since he has aligned himself with the Federal Vision heresy. However, the truth is the truth no matter what the source.
Mental Aptitude
“I have found over the years that the most valuable lessons I have received in any area have been the result of unlearning something or other [Gavin and I can say the same of our own experience. But how sad that so much of our efforts are taken up deprogramming rather than programming, so to speak. God-willing the children who are spared all the false programming in the state schools will be able to grow in knowledge at a much faster rate than we can with our handicap. G.M]. This is especially true of egalitarianism in education.
As discussed above, not all students are equally intelligent. God has created all of us to be different, and some of the differences are seen in the area of mental apptitude… But it is a article of faith among secularists (actually it’s a high dogma) that every child starts at the same place as every other child, that the obvious differences between children are to be accounted for on the basis of enviroment, and that education is capable of removing these distinctions. Moreover, we have a moral obligation to eradicate such ‘inequalities’ [thus one-size-fits-all education. Or as I sometimes say, the everyone-must-wait-for-the-class-dummy set up. Thus children are held back and intellectually stunted in growth. Home educators, of course, are perfectly able to discern their own child's abilities, and so to decide whether to push them on or hold them back a bit. G.M]…
What about Learning Disabilities?
Every teacher since the world began has known, through long experience, the difference between bright, average, and slow students. But in our egalitarian society, describing any student as slow is a sin, and is probably a crime in most states by now. Having banished insensitive terms, we account for the obvious disparity between students by attaching medical-sounding labels to the problems. After all, many fine people break their legs, get the flu, find themselves dyslexic - hey, no problem here. ‘Wise’ and ’slow’ are words which commonly bring praise and blame in their train. Words like ‘dyslexic’ and ‘attention deficit’ invite Get Well Soon cards…
Chistians of another era used to say their children could become what God called them to be. Modern parents, even many who are Christians, say that a child can grow up to be whatever he wants. To say that any child can grow up to be president is not a patriotic sentiment; it is humanist idiocy. This piece of egalitarian dogma is a lie we have believed, and a lie we have passed on to our children. The lie makes us unhappy when our educational efforts collide with adamantine reality [we see this same nonsense in Britain where Labour want 50% of children to go to University. Most who presently go would have been far better off not doing so. Labour's answer is to dumb down University degrees so that the products of the state schools can actually get them! G.M].”
The Final Part
G.M
08.01.08
Free Church Atlanta
Dear all, especially those who may live in the Atlanta area, The Free Church Atlanta are commencing services at the following location.
Starting August 3, 2008, worship with us at our new Metro Atlanta location:
Northlake Executive Center, 2256 Northlake Pkwy, Suite 300, Tucker, GA 30084
Starting September 7, 2008, we will meet in suites 301-302 at our new location
Sunday Schedule:
11:00 a.m. – Morning Worship
12:45 p.m. – Congregational Meal
2:00 p.m. – Afternoon Worship
07.30.08
The Tenets of Biblical Patriarchy (4)
See here for the first part and the source.
16. Education is not a neutral enterprise. Christian parents must provide their children with a thoroughly Christian education, one that teaches the Bible and a biblical view of God and the world. Christians should not send their children to public schools since education is not a God-ordained function of civil government and since these schools are sub-Christian at best and anti-Christian at worst. (Deut. 4:9; 6:6-9; Rom. 13:3-5; Eph. 6:4; 2 Tim. 3:15)
17. Fathers are sovereign over the training of their children and, with their wives, are the children’s chief teachers. Christian parents are bound to obey the command personally to walk beside and train their children. Any approach to Christian education ought to recognize and facilitate the role of fathers and mothers as the primary teachers of their children. (Deut. 4:9; 6:6ff.; Ps. 78:3-8; Prov. 1:8; Eph. 6:4; )
18. Educational methodology is not neutral. The Christian should build his educational methodology from the word of God and reject methodologies derived from humanism, evolutionism, and other unbiblical systems of thought. Biblical education is discipleship, a process designed to reach the heart. The aim is a transformed person who exhibits godly character and a trained mind, both of which arise from faith. The parents are crucial and ordinarily irreplaceable in this heart-level, relational process. (Deut. 6:5-7; Lk. 6:40; 1 Thess. 2:7-12; 2 Tim. 1:5; 2 Pet. 1:5-8.)
19. Since the educational mandate belongs to parents and they are commanded personally to walk beside and train their children, they ought not to transfer responsibility for the educational process to others. However, they have the liberty to delegate components of that process. While they should exercise great caution and reserve in doing this, and the more so the less mature the child, it is prudent to take advantage of the diversity of gifts within the body of Christ and enjoy the help and support that comes with being part of a larger community with a common purpose [This can be done as part of Home Education; it should never virtually replace it. G.M]. (1 Cor. 12:14ff.; Gal. 4:1,2; 6:2; Eph. 4:16)
20. The age-integrated communities of family and church are the God-ordained institutions for training and socialization and as such provide the preferred pattern for social life and educational endeavors. The modern preference for grouping children exclusively with their age mates for educational and social purposes is contrary to scriptural wisdom and example. (Deut. 29:10-11; 2 Chron. 20:13; Prov. 22:15 with 13:20; Joel 2:16; 1 Cor. 15:33)
21. The Bible presents a long-term, multi-generational vision of the progress of God’s kingdom in the world. Christians parents need to adopt this perspective and be motivated by the generational promises of Scripture, and church shepherds need to promote this outlook within their flocks. By the grace of God, as fathers faithfully turn their hearts toward their sons and daughters and the youths respond in kind, the next generation will build upon the faith and improve upon the faithfulness of their parents. (Ps. 78:1-8; Is. 59:21; Mal. 4:6; Lk. 1:17; Gal. 6:9)
Part Four
G.M
07.28.08
Lamentations (3)
The third article based on This lecture.
The ABC of Sorrow.
There is a very particular alphabetic structure underlying each of these poetic laments which is hidden from the English reader. There are 22 letters in the Hebrew alphabet and each lament is built around this. Chapters 1, 2 & 4 each have 22 verses and each verse begins with the subsequent letter of the alphabet. Chapter 3 is three times longer than the other laments having 66 verses but the same pattern is followed here with groups of three verses. Chapter 5 is different. It has 22 verses (the number of letters in the alphabet) but it does not follow the alphabetic sequence as the others do.
This alphabetic structure is not specific to Lamentations. It is found elsewhere in the Bible e.g. Ps 119, and when it is used by the Spirit of God we should take note as there is a reason for it. We suggest three possible explanations for the alphabetic structure of these laments.
Conscious sorrow.
Sometimes in grief we can lose control and are not quite sure what we are saying, or how to describe our pain. Lamentations is not the product of such uncontrolled grief. Instead each lament is the product of conscious reflection not impassioned outbursts. The grief expressed is no less painful for being reasoned. That pain would rather be increased as the full extent of the city’s destruction has been considered and digested. Time has been taken to evaluate the situation fully and describe the emotions of the heart.
Comprehensive Sorrow.
Jeremiah and the inhabitants of Jerusalem were brought to great depths of grief. As one reads these laments a picture of comprehensive grief is also painted. The various causes of grief are described in detail together with the extent of the emotional responses provoked in the afflicted soul. In the underlying alphabetic structure of Lamentations the Holy Spirit may be suggesting that what is given here is a brief compendium of spiritual grief, an A-Z of sorrow.
Commemorative Sorrow.
The design of this alphabetic pattern is also an aid to memory. The destruction of Jerusalem was monumental in the history of the Jewish nation. They must never forget the reasons for this devastation and the consequences of it. So God gave them a book in a format that could be easily committed to memory from childhood, a book of commemorative sorrow. Although we do not benefit from these features in our English Bible, the fact that it exists in the original ought to impress upon the Church in all ages the importance of this neglected book.
Why Study Lamentations?
Because we need to be schooled in the Art of Godly Sorrow.
The contemporary Church appears not to understand the place of grief in the Christian life. What should we grieve for and how should we grieve? In Lamentations God teaches us vital lessons about the place of godly sorrow in the life of the Christian and it should be studied in preparation for when sorrow comes, and to help those who sorrow now. We also learn about the place of godly sorrow in the life of the Church. We are not just to be individualistic in our sorrow but the broader interests of the Church and our nation should be kept on our hearts.
07.23.08
The Tenets of Biblical Patriarchy (3)
See here for the first part and the source.
“13. Since the woman was created as a helper to her husband, the bearer of children, and a “keeper at home,” the God-ordained and proper sphere of dominion for a wife is the household and that which is connected with the home, although her domestic calling, as a representative of and helper to her husband, may well involve [limited - G.M] activity in the marketplace and larger community. (Gen. 2:18ff.; Prov. 31:10-31; Tit. 2:4-5)
14. While unmarried women may have more flexibility in applying the principle that women were created for a domestic calling, it is not the ordinary and fitting role of women to work alongside men as their functional equals in public spheres of dominion (industry, commerce, civil government, the military, etc.). The exceptional circumstance (singleness) ought not redefine the ordinary, God-ordained social roles of men and women as created. (Gen. 2:18ff.; Josh. 1:14; Jdg. 4; Acts 16:14)
15. God’s command to “be fruitful and multiply” still applies to married couples, and He “seeks godly offspring.” He is sovereign over the opening and closing of the womb. Children are a gift of God and it is a blessing to have many of them, if He so ordains. Christian parents are bound to look to Scripture as their authoritative guide concerning issues of procreation. They should welcome with thanksgiving the children God gives them. The failure of believers to reject the anti-life mindset of the age has resulted in the murder of possibly millions of unborn babies through the use of abortifacient birth control. (Gen. 1:28; 9:1; 29:31; 30:22; Ex. 20:13: 21:22-25; Ps. 127:3; 128:3-4; Is. 8:18; Mal. 2:15)”
Part Three
G.M
07.21.08
Lamentations (2)
The second in a series of articles on the book of Lamentations which stem from this lecture
How did it get its Title?
The title of Lamentations in the Hebrew Scriptures is the first word ‘ekah’ which means How. This is not a question but an exclamation of astonishment ‘How doth the city sit solitary that was so full of people!’ 1:1. Chapters 2 and 4 also begin with the same exclamation. In the 3rd century BC the Hebrew Old Testament was translated into Greek (The Septuagint) and there the title is ‘The tears of Jeremiah.’ The Latin Vulgate follows the Septuagint, calling it ‘the Lamentations of Jeremiah the Prophet’ and it is from this tradition that we get the title in our English Authorised Version.
Who Wrote Lamentations?
Whereas other books of the Bible clearly identify their author, Lamentations remains anonymous. Traditionally Jeremiah has been recognised as the author. We traced this tradition above when dealing with the title, and learned that Jeremiah has been identified as the author from at least the 3rd century B.C. To the title in the Septuagint was added a preface which reads ‘And it came to pass, after Israel was taken captive, and Jerusalem made desolate, that Jeremiah sat weeping, and lamented with this lamentation.’
It was almost universally accepted that Jeremiah was the author of Lamentations until the 18th century. Since then it has been objected that certain differences in phraseology, style and theology between the prophecy of Jeremiah and Lamentations mean that they could not both have the same author. E. J. Young critiqued a number of these objections and found the arguments offered against Jeremiah being the author to be of insufficient weight to reject the traditionally held view that Jeremiah wrote the book of Lamentations.
What Kind of Book is it?
It is not immediately obvious in our English Bible but Lamentations is a Poetic book. Its position in the Hebrew Bible hints at this, where it is found in the 3rd division of the scriptures known as ‘the writings’ or more generally as ‘the Psalms’ Luke 24:44.
More specifically it is a collection of Funeral Dirges or Laments. There are 5 in total and these are marked by the chapter divisions in our Bible. Together they sing of the destruction of Jerusalem as though she had died. Those of us familiar with Scots Irish culture have an illustration in the piper. He plays for the fallen in battle, you may find him at the head of a funeral procession but his strain is not a reel, it is a slow painful lament. Here are five laments for Jerusalem and to this day the Jews turn to them to read on the anniversary of a later destruction of Jerusalem in AD 70.
