To those "Anglicans" who question the effectiveness of the Reformation, or whether is was a good thing - today, as we read of alleged "Anglicans" abandoning the reformed Church of England for reprobate Rome, we are reminded that the winnowing of grain from stubble is an ongoing and perpetual process until Kingdom come.
Though I must extend some sympathy to my estranged Roman brethern, for at least they know what they believe and hold fast to it. Luther, however, has demolished the "Treasury of Merit" notion which still holds countless Roman Catholics in error.
"I believe that there is no concept within the Roman Catholic Church that is more basely repugnant to Protestants than the concept of the treasury of merit. A person who believes in justification by faith alone weeps at this notion. This is because Protestants also believe in a treasury of merit, one that is infinite and inexhaustible, but we believe that treasury is filled with the merit of the Son of God alone. The issue in the indulgences controversy is the sufficiency of Christ alone to redeem a person. According to Protestantism, justification happens on the basis of Christ’s merit credited to His people. For Rome, we are never finally saved until we have sufficient merit of our own."
—R. C. Sproul, Are We Together? A Protestant Analyzes Roman Catholicism (Reformation Trust Publishing, 2012), 76.
Spiritually earnest people were told to justify themselves by charitable works, pilgrimages, and all kinds of religious performances and devotions. They were encouraged to acquire this “merit”, which was at the disposal of the church, by purchasing certificates of indulgence. This left them wondering if they had done or paid enough to appease God's righteous anger and escape his judgment. This was the context that prompted Luther’s desire to refocus the church on salvation by grace
through faith on account of Christ by imputation of Christ’s righteousness to us. To those spiritually oppressed by indulgences and not given assurance of God’s grace, Luther proclaimed free grace to God’s true saints:
God receives none but those who are forsaken, restores health to none but those who are sick, gives sight to none but the blind, and life to none but the dead. He does not give saintliness to any but sinners, nor wisdom to any but fools. In short: He has mercy on none but the wretched and gives grace to none but those who are in disgrace. Therefore no arrogant saint, or just or wise man can be material for God, neither can he do the work of God, but he remains confined within his own work and
makes of himself a fictitious, ostensible, false, and deceitful saint, that is, a hypocrite (Luther W.A. 1.183ff).
Sunday, October 31, 2010
Wednesday, October 6, 2010
Pray Now and Vote This November
America is at a historic crossroads and our nation urgently needs concerned citizens to step forward by taking two essential patriotic actions: Pray and Vote!
Monday, September 20, 2010
A Muslim Cries Out To Jesus
(Hat Tip: CBN.Com, Stand Firm)
This is a wonderful and amazing testimony to the life-saving and life-changing power of Jesus.
This is a wonderful and amazing testimony to the life-saving and life-changing power of Jesus.
Sunday, July 25, 2010
What if St. Paul Wrote Letters Today?
Here's an amusing bit of drollery from Christianity Today
Dear Christianity Today:
In response to Paul D. Apostle’s article about the Galatian church in your January issue, I have to say how appalled I am by the unchristian tone of this hit piece. Why the negativity? Has he been to the Galatian church recently? I happen to know some of the people at that church, and they are the most loving, caring people I’ve ever met.
Phyllis Snodgrass; Ann Arbor, MI
Hie thee hence and read all six epistles: LINK
Monday, April 12, 2010
Episcopal Barbie
Prof. R.W. Meade has a link to the newest craze in doll-sized Episcopal Clergy:
Episcopal Barbie
I will quote his insightful view of why the Episcopal Church has fallen under Judgement:
"I hate to say this, guys, but I think God mocks us and holds us in derision. I think the disasters we have already experienced and the much greater ones that are coming closer every day are signs of his wrath. I think he is giving us the taste of wormwood and gall: he’s letting us face the full consequences of our own silly deeds. He waited patiently for decades as we frittered away the inestimable riches and advantages accrued over centuries. He bore our hypocrisy — incompetent busybodies and Mrs. Jellybys lecturing the rest of the world on how to manage its affairs as our own household fell progressively into deeper disarray — and our general inconsequential messing around with low priority issues like ’sexist’ hymn lyrics as our seminaries edged steadily closer to bankruptcy. But we’ve exhausted God’s patience and spent down our endowments. The Bailiff of Heaven is knocking at our door; the notice of eviction is in his hands."
As our estranged Roman Catholic cousins might say...BINGO!
TEC isn't being punished because of Katherine Schori and Gene Robinson, TEC is being punished BY Katherine Schori and Gene Robinson, for straying from her scriptural and reformed roots OVER A CENTURY AGO.
Forty years in the Wilderness seems about right.
Episcopal Barbie
I will quote his insightful view of why the Episcopal Church has fallen under Judgement:
"I hate to say this, guys, but I think God mocks us and holds us in derision. I think the disasters we have already experienced and the much greater ones that are coming closer every day are signs of his wrath. I think he is giving us the taste of wormwood and gall: he’s letting us face the full consequences of our own silly deeds. He waited patiently for decades as we frittered away the inestimable riches and advantages accrued over centuries. He bore our hypocrisy — incompetent busybodies and Mrs. Jellybys lecturing the rest of the world on how to manage its affairs as our own household fell progressively into deeper disarray — and our general inconsequential messing around with low priority issues like ’sexist’ hymn lyrics as our seminaries edged steadily closer to bankruptcy. But we’ve exhausted God’s patience and spent down our endowments. The Bailiff of Heaven is knocking at our door; the notice of eviction is in his hands."
As our estranged Roman Catholic cousins might say...BINGO!
TEC isn't being punished because of Katherine Schori and Gene Robinson, TEC is being punished BY Katherine Schori and Gene Robinson, for straying from her scriptural and reformed roots OVER A CENTURY AGO.
Forty years in the Wilderness seems about right.
Thursday, November 12, 2009
A Grand Day for the Irish…Protestants.
This past July 12th, I took part in an amazing example of Reformed Christian Witness in what’s probably the last place on earth where Protestants still do that sort of thing...
...Northern Ireland*.
Most American readers will only know Northern Ireland as a "trouble spot" similar to Beirut, Gaza or East Jerusalem. Many will also know that the peace accords of 1997 have helped to bring Northern Ireland, or Norn Iron, as the Scotch-Irish dialect pronounces it, from the brink of civil war to a well-deserved peace.
As a member of an American Orange Lodge (a growing movement in the U.S. and Canada) I went with members of our lodge and our Canadian brothers to meet with our Ulster brothers and walk with them on their Big Day.
An Orange 12th of July parade is very much like a U.S. 4th of July parade. There is plenty of colour (orange) and red-white-and blue. Many of the same tunes are played - “Green Banks of the Boyne” is played to the same tune as “Columbia, the Gem of the Ocean”. There are fireworks that night while bands play patriotic tunes.
Over all, an Orange march also equally encompasses the religious element – we are Protestants, and we are proud to show it.
Of course, there are naysayers. Because the Orange Order is pro-protestant, it is accused of being anti-catholic. It’s a wonder that no-one thinks to use the same argument to accuse the Roman Catholic Church, since it is pro-Catholic, of being anti-protestant. It was Pope Benedict who (as Cardinal Ratzinger) said that Anglicanism wasn’t a legitimate church. We Protestants just smile at the Pope saying another popish thing. What’s a few martyrs between estranged brothers and sisters, anyway.
Orangemen are charged by their Order to speak kindly and lovingly to our estranged Romanist brethren. Love the sinner; hate the sin, and all. Even when they are playing the Victim Game.
A typical morning of the 12th seems to go thus: Up at 6:00 AM to shower, shave and put on your Sunday Best (a dark suit, navy or black is the rule. Many Orangemen breach this and wear light sports jackets/blazers.) Note that a march is NEVER held on the Sabbath out of respect for the Lord’s Day.
After a quick cup of tea, it’s a quick walk to the lodge meeting point. Each lodge usually meets at the master’s or deputy master’s house. There, the whole family turns out to help with breakfast – sandwiches; bacon and egg, sausage, kippered herring, and lots of tea. If the house or back yard allotment is large enough, a short meeting for prayer and repetition of the Orange Principles is held.
It is a sobering and humbling event to stand in fellowship in the early morning quiet and pray the Lord’s Prayer with several dozen of your brothers. There is not a hint of jingoism, nor even, in that moment, patriotism. There is just Faith, simple and reformed.
Of course, we are surround outside by red-white-and-blue bunting, and the flags of the United Kingdom and Northern Ireland are prominently displayed, along with the Canadian and American flags.
Soon, the hired band will arrive, playing a merry march. Another round of sausage and egg sandwiches for the bandsmen (and any brother who feels the need for extra fortification) and then you’re off to the march off point.
To be continued…
* I know I wrote that Norn Iron is probably the last place where Protestants march is witness - really, they do so in Scotland and England as well. And soon - the United States. Stay tuned.
...Northern Ireland*.
Most American readers will only know Northern Ireland as a "trouble spot" similar to Beirut, Gaza or East Jerusalem. Many will also know that the peace accords of 1997 have helped to bring Northern Ireland, or Norn Iron, as the Scotch-Irish dialect pronounces it, from the brink of civil war to a well-deserved peace.
As a member of an American Orange Lodge (a growing movement in the U.S. and Canada) I went with members of our lodge and our Canadian brothers to meet with our Ulster brothers and walk with them on their Big Day.
An Orange 12th of July parade is very much like a U.S. 4th of July parade. There is plenty of colour (orange) and red-white-and blue. Many of the same tunes are played - “Green Banks of the Boyne” is played to the same tune as “Columbia, the Gem of the Ocean”. There are fireworks that night while bands play patriotic tunes.Over all, an Orange march also equally encompasses the religious element – we are Protestants, and we are proud to show it.
Of course, there are naysayers. Because the Orange Order is pro-protestant, it is accused of being anti-catholic. It’s a wonder that no-one thinks to use the same argument to accuse the Roman Catholic Church, since it is pro-Catholic, of being anti-protestant. It was Pope Benedict who (as Cardinal Ratzinger) said that Anglicanism wasn’t a legitimate church. We Protestants just smile at the Pope saying another popish thing. What’s a few martyrs between estranged brothers and sisters, anyway.
Orangemen are charged by their Order to speak kindly and lovingly to our estranged Romanist brethren. Love the sinner; hate the sin, and all. Even when they are playing the Victim Game.
A typical morning of the 12th seems to go thus: Up at 6:00 AM to shower, shave and put on your Sunday Best (a dark suit, navy or black is the rule. Many Orangemen breach this and wear light sports jackets/blazers.) Note that a march is NEVER held on the Sabbath out of respect for the Lord’s Day.
After a quick cup of tea, it’s a quick walk to the lodge meeting point. Each lodge usually meets at the master’s or deputy master’s house. There, the whole family turns out to help with breakfast – sandwiches; bacon and egg, sausage, kippered herring, and lots of tea. If the house or back yard allotment is large enough, a short meeting for prayer and repetition of the Orange Principles is held.It is a sobering and humbling event to stand in fellowship in the early morning quiet and pray the Lord’s Prayer with several dozen of your brothers. There is not a hint of jingoism, nor even, in that moment, patriotism. There is just Faith, simple and reformed.
Of course, we are surround outside by red-white-and-blue bunting, and the flags of the United Kingdom and Northern Ireland are prominently displayed, along with the Canadian and American flags.
Soon, the hired band will arrive, playing a merry march. Another round of sausage and egg sandwiches for the bandsmen (and any brother who feels the need for extra fortification) and then you’re off to the march off point.
To be continued…
* I know I wrote that Norn Iron is probably the last place where Protestants march is witness - really, they do so in Scotland and England as well. And soon - the United States. Stay tuned.
Wednesday, March 11, 2009
Maewyn Succat
That’s Celtic-British for Magonus Succetus, which is the Latin name for the man who would be known to modern-day Irish Christians as Naomh Pádraig, that is to say…
Saint Patrick
Son of a Romano-British Christian deacon named Calpurnius, it is uncertain exactly when and where Maewyn Succat was born, but it is believed to have been between 385-390 A.D., in the village of Bannavem Taburniae, somewhere along the north-west coast of the Roman province of Britannia. The actual location of "Bannavem Taburniae" has never been securely identified.
Patrick is important to Anglicans because he is, without really stretching, an Anglican. Born in The North (probably not far from Chester), and schooled in early British churchmanship.
Patrick’s mission work in Britain and Northern Ireland, along with that of St. Alba, helps to form the Anglican claim that, not only doth Rome have no authority in Ye Realm of England, Rome hath NEVER primary authority in England, because the early Church in England developed parallel to early Church of Rome, and not under her auspices.
Fifth-century Rome was in no way the juggernaught she would become during the medieval era, and Rome during the 5th century was in no position to enforce her will on any of the near provinces, let alone distant Britain, because of the barbarian Goths.
According to the Annals of Ulster, Patrick was probably teaching by the year 428 AD. Rome was still recovering from the barbarian Sack of 410. Patrick probably ministered to about the year 460 AD, and Rome finally fell in 476 AD.
Fast-forward just over a millennium – 1533 AD. Emperor Charles V of Austria holds Pope Clement VII prisoner in Ravenna. When cardinal Wolsey seeks to arrange a divorce for Henry VIII, it is Charles V, seeking to leverage the Habsburg dynasty into the English Royal Succession, who pulls Clement’s strings and denies the divorce. (If you don’t think the Habsburgs had designs on the English throne, just wikipedia Mary Tudor…)
English Clergy rejected the authority of Rome, and asserted that the Church of England had always been a distinct church, and they cite Patrick as one of the planters. Certainly the Church of England was well-enough established to send Restitutus, the Archbishop of London, to the Council of Arles in 314 AD, while the Church of Rome wouldn’t get her ducks in a row until the Council of Nicea, eleven years LATER.
Second Patrick…
There is an earlier Patrick, who was from Gaul (France) who dies around 361. He is often confused with the British Patrick.
When and where was the first St. Patrick’s Day parade? New York City – 1756. The British Army held a parade in honour of St. Patrick’s Day to show their appreciation to the loyal Irish soldiers (Catholic and Protestant)for defeating the French in the Seven Years War (French and Indian War).
Thank you, St. Patrick.
Saint Patrick
Son of a Romano-British Christian deacon named Calpurnius, it is uncertain exactly when and where Maewyn Succat was born, but it is believed to have been between 385-390 A.D., in the village of Bannavem Taburniae, somewhere along the north-west coast of the Roman province of Britannia. The actual location of "Bannavem Taburniae" has never been securely identified.
Patrick is important to Anglicans because he is, without really stretching, an Anglican. Born in The North (probably not far from Chester), and schooled in early British churchmanship.
Patrick’s mission work in Britain and Northern Ireland, along with that of St. Alba, helps to form the Anglican claim that, not only doth Rome have no authority in Ye Realm of England, Rome hath NEVER primary authority in England, because the early Church in England developed parallel to early Church of Rome, and not under her auspices.
Fifth-century Rome was in no way the juggernaught she would become during the medieval era, and Rome during the 5th century was in no position to enforce her will on any of the near provinces, let alone distant Britain, because of the barbarian Goths.
According to the Annals of Ulster, Patrick was probably teaching by the year 428 AD. Rome was still recovering from the barbarian Sack of 410. Patrick probably ministered to about the year 460 AD, and Rome finally fell in 476 AD.
Fast-forward just over a millennium – 1533 AD. Emperor Charles V of Austria holds Pope Clement VII prisoner in Ravenna. When cardinal Wolsey seeks to arrange a divorce for Henry VIII, it is Charles V, seeking to leverage the Habsburg dynasty into the English Royal Succession, who pulls Clement’s strings and denies the divorce. (If you don’t think the Habsburgs had designs on the English throne, just wikipedia Mary Tudor…)
English Clergy rejected the authority of Rome, and asserted that the Church of England had always been a distinct church, and they cite Patrick as one of the planters. Certainly the Church of England was well-enough established to send Restitutus, the Archbishop of London, to the Council of Arles in 314 AD, while the Church of Rome wouldn’t get her ducks in a row until the Council of Nicea, eleven years LATER.
Second Patrick…
There is an earlier Patrick, who was from Gaul (France) who dies around 361. He is often confused with the British Patrick.
When and where was the first St. Patrick’s Day parade? New York City – 1756. The British Army held a parade in honour of St. Patrick’s Day to show their appreciation to the loyal Irish soldiers (Catholic and Protestant)for defeating the French in the Seven Years War (French and Indian War).
Thank you, St. Patrick.
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