In last nights reading I came to the 100th question of the Westminster Large Catechism. If you read down you will see the text.

But it’s interest how all the reading research and study I am doing is seemingly being interconnected.

Here is an example some doctrinal ideas being clarified.

I’ve been studying the Canon’s of Dort. 

Here is a practical current article that discusses a major point. And in it you can see aspects of the Reformed (Dutch), Presbyterian (English/Scotish/American) and Lutheran faith. It’s not comprehensive and you can see in part 2 some of the real, not imaginary differences.

So far it doesn’t mention Baptist, but part 2 does mention Anabaptists, when might be described as those seeking or finding extra biblical revelation. I think 🤔 I’ve read they also influenced the Quakers.

Extra Biblical revelation also is found in Roman Catholicism, via tradition and the word of the Pope, but that’s a bigger discussion.

Roman Catholicism is today growing stronger through Pope Francis, and the wide opened to and acceptance of much of the world’s ideas and morality, with the emphasis on love and acceptance, via ecumenism, even syncretism, etc. The umbrella is all coming together maybe the word Unity is appropriate.

My observation is that Spiritual Formation (which my friend Pete mentioned last week) within the Visible Church, both Catholic and Protestant is a gateway both to our inner hearts and quest for a new(or old) higher spirituality that also provides means and techniques that get us direct revelations without or at least added to God’s Word, the Bible. It’s very prominent, but there is a bit of debate if this is a good thing or not. Lots to discuss about that and related ideas.

One thing I’ve been studying is how a lot of this stuff is interrelated, and what one sees if you try to rise above the day to day, and look at the macro perspective and if there is a unity in all the chaos. (I may have not worded that correctly.

Matthew 4:8-10

8 Again, the devil taketh him up into an exceeding high mountain, and sheweth him all the kingdoms of the world, and the glory of them; 9 And saith unto him, All these things will I give thee, if thou wilt fall down and worship me.

10 Then saith Jesus unto him, Get thee hence, Satan: for it is written, Thou shalt worship the Lord thy God, and him only shalt thou serve.

That is in essence the teaching of the first table of the law the first and great commandment. The preface of which is…

Deu 6:4  Hear, O Israel: The LORD our God is one LORD:

Deu 6:5  And thou shalt love the LORD thy God with all thine heart, and with all thy soul, and with all thy might.

Deu 6:6  And these words, which I command thee this day, shall be in thine heart:

Exodus 20:1-2

1 And God spake all these words, saying,

2 I am the LORD thy God, which have brought thee out of the land of Egypt, out of the house of bondage.

Which is a topic I’m currently reading in the WLC.

Q. 100. What special things are we to consider in the Ten Commandments?
A. We are to consider, in the Ten Commandments, the preface, the substance of the commandments themselves, and several reasons annexed to some of them, the more to enforce them.

Q. 101. What is the preface to the Ten Commandments?
A. The preface to the Ten Commandments is contained in these words, I am the LORD thy God, which have brought thee out of the land of Egypt, out of the house of bondage. Wherein God manifesteth his sovereignty, as being JEHOVAH, the eternal, immutable, and almighty God; having his being in and of himself, and giving being to all his words and works: and that he is a God in covenant, as with Israel of old, so with all his people; who, as he brought them out of their bondage in Egypt, so he delivereth us from our spiritual thraldom; and that therefore we are bound to take him for our God alone, and to keep all his commandments.

Q. 102. What is the sum of the four commandments which contain our duty to God?
A. The sum of the four commandments containing our duty to God, is, to love the Lord our God with all our heart, and with all our soul, and with all our strength, and with all our mind.Q. 103. Which is the first commandment?
A. The first commandment is, Thou shalt have no other gods before me.

Such good doctrine.

I pray someone hears.

Imaginary Differences: Part 1

Imaginary Differences: Part 1

View all posts by R. Scott Clark →

Worth reading, but more to come.

by R. Scott Clark on April 1, 2024 |