Posted on 03/01/2011 6:29:42 PM PST by Gamecock
OK, I admit it. A paragraph from Louis Berkhof’s Systematic Theology doesn’t have the sex appeal of the latest Rob Bell kerfuffle (if you’ve been sleeping for three days and have no idea what I’m talking about, click here). But, I’m a firm believer in something Michelangelo once said: “Oftentimes the best way to critique something is to create something better”–to focus, in other words, on the things that nourish more so than the things that distract.
So, reveling in and wrestling with the things that matter most (like how to read the Bible) will inevitably protect our hearts and minds from those “passing fancies” that possess only the power to distract.
Enjoy:
The Churches of the Reformation from the very beginning distinguished between the law and the gospel as the two parts of the Word of God. This distinction was not understood to be identical with that between the Old and the New Testament, but was regarded as a distinction that applies to both Testaments. There is law and gospel in the Old Testament, and there is law and gospel in the New. The law comprises everything in Scripture which is a revelation of God’s will in the form of command or prohibition, while the gospel embraces everything, whether it be in the Old Testament or in the New, that pertains to the work of reconciliation and that proclaims the seeking and redeeming love of God in Christ Jesus.
Systematic Theology (Grand Rapids, 4th ed. 1941, pg. 612)
Yes, very good that all should be counselled to study and read the Holy Scriptures.
As for me, after searching, memorizing, reading, and teaching for over 45 years (I’ll be 77 this month) I have been richly blessed.
The key life verse for the Gideons is:
“So shall My word be that goeth forth out of my mouth; it shall not return unto Me void, but it shall accomplish that for which I please, and it shall prosper in the thing whereto I sent It.” (Isaiah 55:11)
In Psalm 119:9,10-11 we read (better yet know by memory: “Wherewithal(how)shall a young man cleanse his way? by taking heed thereto according to Thy word. With my whole heart have I sought Thee: O let me not wander from Thy commandments. Thy word have I hid in mine heart, that I might not sin against Thee.”
“Thy word is a lamp unto my feet, and a light unto my path.” (Psalm 119:105)
“The entrance of Thy words giveth light; it giveth under-standing unto the simple.” (Psalm 119:130)
We must know: “Trust in the LORD with all thine heart; and lean not unto thine own understanding. In all thye ways acknowledge Him, and He will direct Thy paths.” (Proverbs 3:5-6)
“For God sent not His Son into the world to condemn the world; but that the world through Him might be saved.” (John 3:17)
Jesus said:”Search the scriptures; for in them ye think ye have eternal life; and they are they which testify of Me.” (John 5:39)
“For the wages of sin is death; but the gift of God is eternal life.” (Romans 6:23)
“That if thou shalt confess with thy mouth the Lord Jesus, and shalt believe in thine heart that God hath raised Him from the dead, thou shalt be saved. For with the heart man believeth unto righteousnaes, and with the mouth confession is made unto salvation.” (Romans 10:9-10)
“For whosoever shall call upon the name of the Lord shall be saved.” (Romans 10:13)
“For He (God) hath made Him (Jesus) to be sin for us, who knew no sin; that we might be made the righteousness of God in Him.” (2 Corinthians 5:21)
“Being confident of this very thing, that He which hath begun a good work in you will perform it until the day of Jesu Christ:” (Philippians 1:6)
“Study to shew thyself approved unto God, a workman that needeth not to be ashamed, rightly divding the word of truth.” (2 Timothy 2:15)
“All scripture is given by inspiration of God, and is profitable for doctrine, for reproof, for correction, for instruction in righteousness: That the man of God may be perfect, throughly furnished unto all good works.” (2 Timothy 3:16-17)
“Let everything that hath breath praise the LORD. Praise the Lord.” (Psalm 150:6)
That’s bizarre. Old testament is law, history, poetry, prophecy. It is all the Gospel to a Christian when understood in light of Christ. I’m so glad I became Orthodox.
Right!
The New Testament is in the Old Testament concealed.
The Old Testament is in the New Testament revealed.
The Gospel has always been with us, beginning with Genesis and even Job, let alone The Psalms. The Cross was demonstrated at Passover with where blood, from a chosen lamb, had to be placed on the door posts.
I can't wait for every single jot and tittle to be explained thoroughly, for even with the understood Word there is so much more. Much, much more.
That Book (The Bible) is amazing!
Can’t say I’ve heard ANYTHING from Tchividjian (Billy Graham’s grandson and Pastor of Coral Ridge, right?) which I cannot heartily agree with....
Just looked up the pronunciation: (pronounced cha-vi-jin)
Thanks, Gamecock, for that very short and succinct reminder from Berkhof that God is God over all, and Christ is our Savior, "by whom all things consist."
(And any thread that uses the word "kerfuffle" is worth noting.)
**(And any thread that uses the word “kerfuffle” is worth noting.)**
Agreed.
I think I just may be the first person in the history of FR to post the word kerfuffle!
Though all but one of the ten commandments is in the New Testament...we are under the New Covenant as Christ fulfilled all the requirements of the Old Testament ( Matt 5:17)....which was only a “shadow” of things to come.
‘having abolished in His flesh the enmity, that is the law of the commandments contained in regulations/ordinances so as to create in Himself one new man from the two, thus making peace.” eph 2:15
He has made the first obsolete. Heb. 8 13
Though all but one of the ten commandments is in the New Testament...we are under the New Covenant as Christ fulfilled all the requirements of the Old Testament ( Matt 5:17)....which was only a “shadow” of things to come.
‘having abolished in His flesh the enmity, that is the law of the commandments contained in regulations/ordinances so as to create in Himself one new man from the two, thus making peace.” eph 2:15
He has made the first obsolete. Heb. 8 13
Thank you so much for the heads up to that excerpt!
Amen!
All according to God’s plan of salvation, ordained from before the foundation of the world for His everlasting glory and the eternal welfare of His saints.
Is there a prize for that? :)
Nice article. Thank you for posting.
So now whenever any of us posts "IBTK" we'll be the only ones who know what it means. :)
Sorry to disappoint you
Google search: “kerfuffle site:www.freerepublic.com”
About 1,660 results (0.33 seconds)
ROTFLOL!
I’ll probably still forget and have to ask. 8~)
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