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Showing posts from September 14, 2014

"Grace and Gratitude" by B.A. Gerrish - a Review

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Grace and Gratitude: The Eucharistic Theology of John Calvin B.A. Gerrish Fortress Press (Reprinted by: Wipf and Stock 199 West 8th Avenue, Suite 3 Eugene, OR 97401-2960 www.wipfandstock.com) (Old ISBN: 978-0800625689 ) New ISBN: 978-1-59244-013-9; (May 1993) August 2002; $25.00 Clarifies Calvin 5 stars out of 5 There are very few books that I read more than once, outside of the Scriptures, the Book of Common Prayer, or C.S. Lewis. Therefore, it is quite phenomenal that B.A. Gerrish’s “Grace and Gratitude: The Eucharistic Theology of John Calvin” has so soundly captured my attention. I first read this book in 1998 at the recommendation of one of my seminary professors at the time. Since then I have come back to it in 2000, 2005 and now in 2014. Gerrish, John Nuveen Professor Emeritus and Professor Emeritus of Historical Theology at the University of Chicago Divinity School, states his agenda clearly and masterfully sticks to it, “I am ( . . .) concerned to sh

Revival and Reformation Pt 21

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[The recording didn't work last night. But here is the manuscript] Revival and Reformation Pt 21 2 Chronicles 32 Cause your Word, O Lord, cause your Word to take up permanent residence in our hearts that we may grow in the grace and knowledge of our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ, and that we may be strengthened to successfully resist sin, society and Satan. Amen. Problems (1). The first line should snag our hearts – “After these things and these acts of faithfulness”. We want it to be, “Acts of Faithfulness equal Painless Triumph!” Right? But God is very careful to show us that he is neither a machine nor an abstract mathematical calculation. James 1.2-4 . Preparation (2-5). Prophecy (6-8). The Son of David, the anointed one of God’s kingdom, speaks once more like a prophet. He has taken his cue from Jehoshaphat (20.17), and has gone all the way back to Elisha “” Do not be afraid, for those who are with us are more than those who are with them.” Then El

Congregational Prayer - 14 September 2014 PM

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To you, O LORD our God, belong heaven, and the heaven of heavens, the earth and all that is in it. Yet you have set your heart in love on our forbearers and chosen us, their offspring in the faith. Help us to circumcise the foreskins of our hearts, throwing off all stubbornness toward you; for you, O LORD our God, are God of gods and Lord of lords, the great, the mighty, and the awesome God, who is not partial and takes no bribe (Deuteronomy 10.14-17). O Lord, hear our prayer. Lord Jesus, nothing can withstand your word of life! Just as you called out and raised Lazarus from the dead, even after he had been in the grave for four days (John 11); Speak health and life, Lord Jesus, to those for whom we pray – those lingering at the door of death, those with crushed hearts and souls, those with debilitating weaknesses, and those with body-and-mind shattering ailments. O Lord, hear our prayer. Lord, our God, Lord of lords and King of kings, thanks be to you because you have blessed