Posted on 03/08/2011 6:45:53 PM PST by Alex Murphy
It is remarkable that anyone who claims to be Reformed let alone a Calvinist would ever countenance the exercise of such corrupt and false piety as is called for by the idolatrous ‘Season of Lent.’ Yet, examples of such absurdities are not hard to find.
In obedient submission to the Sacred Scriptures, Calvin taught that nothing may be called true worship or piety which is not first required of us by God in His Word. Let us hear Calvin.
20. Then the superstitious observance of Lent had everywhere prevailed: for both the vulgar imagined that they thereby perform some excellent service to God, and pastors commended it as a holy imitation of Christ; though it is plain that Christ did not fast to set an example to others, but, by thus commencing the preaching of the gospel, meant to prove that his doctrine was not of men, but had come from heaven. And it is strange how men of acute judgment could fall into this gross delusion, which so many clear reasons refute: for Christ did not fast repeatedly (which he must have done had he meant to lay down a law for an anniversary fast), but once only, when preparing for the promulgation of the gospel. Nor does he fast after the manner of men, as he would have done had he meant to invite men to imitation; he rather gives an example, by which he may raise all to admire rather than study to imitate him. In short, the nature of his fast is not different from that which Moses observed when he received the law at the hand of the Lord (Exod. 24:18; 34:28). For, seeing that that miracle was performed in Moses to establish the law, it behoved not to be omitted in Christ, lest the gospel should seem inferior to the law. But from that day, it never occurred to any one, under pretence of imitating Moses, to set up a similar form of fast among the Israelites. Nor did any of the holy prophets and fathers follow it, though they had inclination and zeal enough for all pious exercises; for though it is said of Elijah that he passed forty days without meat and drink (1 Kings 19:8), this was merely in order that the people might recognise that he was raised up to maintain the law, from which almost the whole of Israel had revolted. It was therefore merely false zeal, replete with superstition, which set up a fast under the title and pretext of imitating Christ; (Institutes of the Christian Religion, Book IV, Ch. 12.20)
Well said. Amen.
Matthew 6:5 "as the hypocrites do in the synagogues and in the streets to win the praise of others."
Notice the word win. It's in the true motive of the person.
Also notice when at times Christ talks he over exaggerates to get to the main point like when he talks about cutting your hand or foot off if you sin. It can be a style of speaking. He did not at best literally mean actual natural act. He meant hate it as such.
The more I read the scriptures or hear audio bible these nuances I believe can be seen especially after heartfelt prayers. The verses of spoken words of Jesus can have a subtle distinction or variation from the first read of a text. Especially Jesus's red lined words in the Bible. Which I think is just wonderful to read at times truly exciting to ponder in the Holy Spirit. I always find it so beautifully surprising when there is a multilevel to it. That I did not see before. Imagine he the Lord knew this would be repeated and written for his witness for over two thousand years. Just mind bongling on the natural mind. How awesome he truly is at all the times.
Thank you for sharing.
You mentioned audio bible… I recently started listening to the Gospels online and found it a whole new experience.
For those who haven’t yet and wish to try, here’s a link:
http://www.biblegateway.com/resources/audio/
I believe this(mention of numbered verses) can ruin the flow of speech especially when the words of Christ are spoken it's like he is there. Why? He never mentioned verse's numbers as he truly spoke. So with the Holy Spirit it truly is like Christ speaking to your heart. I highly recommend this style.
I agree, no verse numbers in audio ! :)
We often read or study a few verses or a chapter. Hearing it more closely to how the early Christians heard it is so much more complete, more dramatic, more whole.
The gospels in particular. However, I recently learned that Paul’s letters quite possibly were delivered by a reader - one who worked with Paul to read it properly. So, again, hearing it is closer to how it was intended. I found the letters, while not as dramatic as the Gospels, are much better understood as one whole.
Anyway... thanks for bringing it all up.
Blessings to you.
I just went to this site. Not bad at all.
Yes, without a doubt otherwise why does it say "Faith comes by hearing and hearing the word of God". The writings were always intended for a speaker to speak it. Thats why it can come across so much better to your spirit. Thanks for Sharing! Praise Jesus!! AMEN!!
Excellent point.
Thanks friend. I’m off to bed and I wish you great peace and blessings in this season.
Yes! I am tired! I started the season off very well. I moved 3 months ago. I think I found where to go to Church. I live in between two churches distance wise. The Church today had too many signal graces to say no. Good night Mr D! Good night everybody!
Mr. Seinfeld: It's those ...culottes you made him wear when he was five!We will now return to the orginal thread.Mrs. Seinfeld: They weren't culottes, they were shorts.
Mr. Seinfeld: They were culottes! You bought them in the girl's department.
Mrs. Seinfeld: By mistake! By mistake, Jerry! I'm sorry!
BWHAHAHAHA!!! How long have you waited to invoke the culottes conversation?!? WELL DONE!
What was I thinking back in ‘98 when I chose that screen name?
**How long have you waited to invoke the culottes conversation?!?**
Since the inception of the “Ping List About Nothing!”
ROFL! You are TOO funny!
Isn't it funny ??We have to get all our sin in now so we can be "holy" for 40 days.. God is not mocked
Okay, outside of the Scriptures, this is one of the best, most concise, powerful statements describing the Gospel. Thank you, very much.
In an acceptable time I heard you, and on the day of salvation I helped you.
Behold, now is a very acceptable time; behold, now is the day of salvation.
One of the coolest things St. Paul ever said IMHO.
Our antagonists assume -- and they are almost right -- that we always have the worst of motives. So if we assemble to worship, as Joel among others, summons us to do, we must, in their view, be doing it only to win the praise of others.
And, certainly, left to myself, I only come up with bad bad motives.
But we are in Christ, in Him in whose helps we trust. And in Him, my motives are His -- or His are mine.
So, trusting that He is doing for me greater things than I can imagine or pray for, I happily gather with my brothers and sisters to pray with other members of the Body.
Their sense of man's predicament is good, though the phrase "Total Depravity" needs glossing to avoid self-contradiction. Their sense of Christ's redemption, like their ecclesiology, is weak and wanting. They are, in some respects, like a prince who was released from the spell that made him a pig, but who felt somehow that he ought still to wallow in the mire. They do not step confidently forward trusting in their restored state, but hang back and talk about how dreadful the mud was.
AMEN!!!
There are people on this thread that think it is the official position of the Catholic Church that St Paul was crazy because of a Catholic Freeper's opinion.
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