Current Theology Thoughts: Pt. 2, Definitions

I started this post just reviewing patristic quotes of immutability, but as I’ve thought through the idea, I think that I need to review definitions of some basic words used in theology and philosophy, and really think through some implications. I’ve decided this post should be split into multiple posts. I should probably also re-write…

Made gods

We have not been made gods from the beginning, but at first merely men, then at length gods; although God has adopted this course out of His pure benevolence. -Irenaeus, Against Heresies

The Cup

He has acknowledged the cup…as His own blood, from which He bedews our blood; and the bread…He has established as His own body, from which He gives increase to our own bodies. -Irenaeus, Against Heresies Again, as a Protestant, don’t know what to think of this.

Sons of God?

According to nature…we are all sons of God, because we have all been created by God. But with respect to obedience and doctrine we are not all the sons of God: those only are so who believe in Him and do His will. And those who do not believe, and do not obey His will,…

Atonement Thoughts

How did Christ atone for His People? Protestant Theologians debate whether it was in an Equivalent or Exact Sense: Equivalent: “Not indefinite as to the duration, still…equivalent as to the value on account of the Person suffering.” -Turretin Exact: “Christ “made satisfaction by undergoing the same punishment…they themselves were bound to undergo…essentially the same in…

The Decree

“The Son’s sponsio was not an expromissio (surety) [disagreeing with Berkhof], such that the guilt of sin was transferred without further ado from the elect to the Son and they had already become guiltfree through the pact itself. Rather it was a real fideiussio (bail), a guarantee which was already effective from the start, even…

Human Wisdom: a Handmaiden, Not a Mistress

We’ve been working through 1 Corinthians in our evening sermon series at my Church. I’m thinking back through a previous passage I preached on, and ran across this quote by Calvin. It is really excellent, and so I thought I’d put it up here. The natural arts and all the sciences by which wisdom is…

Vermigli and SSA (pt. 7): Conclusion

Continued from part 1, part 2, part 3, part 4, part 5, and part 6. We’ve discussed, in great detail, Vermigli’s views and how they relate to Reformed. But what does that have to do with the current discussion of sexuality in the PCA? Contemporary & Confessional Discussion Contemporary Language about Sexuality There are three…