Exegesis and Theology

The Blog of Brian Collins

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God’s Providential Care for His Creatures

June 4, 2009 by Brian

Suppose we grant that the beginning of motion is with God, but that all things, either of themselves or by chance, are borne wither inclination and nature impels. Then the alternation of days and nights, of winter and summer, will be God’s work, inasmuch as he, assigning to each one his part, has set before them a certain law; that is, if with even tenor they uninterruptedly maintain the same  way, days following after nights, months after months, and years after years. But that sometimes immoderate heat joined with dryness burns whatever crops there are, that at other times unseasonable rains damage the grain, that sudden calamity strikes from hail and storms—this will not be God’s work, unless perhaps because clouds or fair weather, cold or heat, take their origin from the conjunction of the stars and other natural causes. Yet in this way no place is left for God’s fatherly favor, nor for his judgments. If they say that God is beneficent enough to mankind because he sheds upon heaven and earth an ordinary power, by which they are supplied with food, this is too weak and profane a fiction. As if the fruitfulness of one year were not a singular blessing of God, and scarcity and famine were not his curse and vengeance! But because it would take too long to collect all the reasons, let the authority of God himself suffice. In the Law and in the Prophets he often declares that as often as he waters the earth with dews and rain [Lev. 26:3-4; Deut. 11:13-14; 28:12] he testifies to his favor; but when the heaven is hardened like iron at his command [Lev. 26:19], the grainfields consumed by blight and other harmful things [Deut. 28:22], as often as the fields are struck with hail and storms [cf. Isa. 28:2; Hag. 2:17, etc.], these are a sign of his certain and special vengeance. If we accept these things, it is certain that not one drop of rain falls without God’s sure command.

Calvin, Institutes, 1.16.5

Filed Under: Christian Living, Dogmatics

Psalm 51:3 and Exodus 34:6

May 29, 2009 by Brian

David’s prayer of repentance in Psalm 51 draws on God’s self-description of his glory.

Exodus 34:6 וַיַּעֲבֹ֙ר יְהוָ֥ה׀ עַל־פָּנָיו֘ וַיִּקְרָא֒ יְהוָ֣ה׀ יְהוָ֔ה אֵ֥ל רַח֖וּם וְחַנּ֑וּן אֶ֥רֶךְ אַפַּ֖יִם וְרַב־חֶ֥סֶד וֶאֱמֶֽת׃

Exodus 34:6 “The LORD passed before him and proclaimed, “The LORD, the LORD, a God merciful and gracious, slow to anger, and abounding in steadfast love and faithfulness,”

Psalm 51:3 חָנֵּ֣נִי אֱלֹהִ֣ים כְּחַסְדֶּ֑ךָ כְּרֹ֥ב רַ֜חֲמֶ֗יךָ מְחֵ֣ה פְשָׁעָֽי׃

Psalm 51:1 “Have mercy on me, O God, according to your steadfast love; according to your abundant mercy blot out my transgressions.”

David’s plea for forgiveness is thus rooted in the firm foundation of God’s declaration of his glory.

Filed Under: Christian Living

Gardening and Culture

March 25, 2009 by Brian

Gardening marks, as clearly as any activity, the joining of nature and culture. The gardener makes nothing, but rather gathers what God has made and shapes it into new and pleasing forms. The well-designed garden shows nature more clearly and beautifully than nature can show itself.

Alan Jacobs, “Gardening and Governing,” Books and Culture (March/April 2009): 18.

Filed Under: Christian Living

Moule on Theology and Devotion

December 22, 2008 by Brian

Beware . . . of an untheological devotion.

H. C. G. Moule, Colossian Studies, (London: Hodder and Stoughton, n.d.), 55f.

Filed Under: Christian Living

Alan Jacobs on Brian McLaren

December 22, 2008 by Brian

In lectures and speeches, as well as in his books, McLaren often pauses to say that he really does believe that doctrine is important. But he has to say this because he doesn’t otherwise show signs of being interested in it.

Alan Jacobs, “Do-It-Yourself Tradition,” First Things (January 2009): 29

Filed Under: Christian Living

Calvin on Humility 3

December 11, 2008 by Brian

To live happily the evils of false ambition and self-love must be plucked from our hearts by the roots.

If we listen to the instruction of Scripture, we must remember that our talents are not of our own making, but free gifts of God.

If we are proud of our talents, we betray our lack of gratitude to God.

“Who makes you to differ?” says Paul. “Now, if you received all gifts, why do you glory as if you had not received them?”

We must watch and acknowledge our faults, and be truly humble. For then we shall not be puffed up, but have great reason to feel dejected.

John Calvin, Golden Booklet of the True Christian Life, 2.4.4

Filed Under: Christian Living

Calvin on Humility 2

December 10, 2008 by Brian

The vices of which we are full we carefully hide from others, and we flatter ourselves with the notion that they are small and trivial; we sometimes even embrace them as virtues.

If the same talents which we admire in ourselves appear in others, or even our betters, we depreciate and diminish them with the utmost malignity, in order that we may not have to acknowledge the superiority of others.

If others have any vices, we are not content to criticize them sharply and severely, but we exaggerate them hatefully.

John Calvin, Golden Booklet of the True Christian Life, 2.4.2

Filed Under: Christian Living

Baxter on our Companions

December 10, 2008 by Brian

Not only the open profane, the swearer, the drunkard, and the enemies of godliness, will prove hurtful companions to us, though these indeed are chiefly to be avoided: but too frequent society with persons merely civil and moral, whose conversation is empty and unedifying, may much divert our thoughts from heaven.

Richard Baxter, The Saints Everlasting Rest, cited in Fish, Surprised by Sin, 12f.

Baxter’s words hold true not only for companions but also for entertainments.

Filed Under: Christian Living

Calvin on Humility

December 9, 2008 by Brian

When Scripture commands us to conduct ourselves in such a manner toward men, as ‘in honor to prefer others to ourselves,’ and faithfully to devote our whole attention to the promotion of their advantage, it gives such commands as our heart can by no means receive without being first cured of our sinful nature.

We are all so blinded and upset by self-love that everyone imagines he has a just right to exalt himself and to under-value all others in comparison to self.

If God has bestowed on us any excellent gift, we imagine it to be our own achievement; and we swell and even burst with pride.

John Calvin, Golden Booklet of the True Christian Life, 2.4.1.

Filed Under: Christian Living

An Election Day Prayer

November 4, 2008 by Brian

Give harmony and peace to us and to all who dwell on the earth, just as you did to our ancestors when they reverently called upon you in faith and truth, . . . while we render obedience to your almighty and most excellent name, and to our rulers and governors on earth. You, Master, have given them the power of sovereignty through your majestic and inexpressible might, so that we, acknowledging the glory and honor that you have given them, may be subject to them, resisting your will in nothing. Grant to them, Lord, health, peace, harmony, and stability, so that they may blamelessly administer the government that you have given them. For you, heavenly Master, King of the ages, give to human beings glory and honor and authority over the creatures upon the earth. Lord, direct their plans according to what is good and pleasing in your sight, so that by devoutly administering in peace and gentleness the authority that you have given them they may experience your mercy. You, who alone are able to do these and even greater good things for us, we praise through the high priest and benefactor of our souls, Jesus Christ, through whom be the glory and the majesty to you both now and for all generations and forever and ever. Amen.

1 Clement 60.4-61.3

Filed Under: Christian Living

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