Ironic providence

This morning I was reading from The Reformation by T. M. Lindsay, and came to the section on the Scottish reformation. The circumstances which helped bring it about amused me!

Back in the Middle Ages, Scotland was - like most European countries - predominantly Catholic. One of the primary priorities of the Scottish church was the education of the laypeople, and to its credit, a significant number of the people there were literate. During the medieval times, the typical monastery was a formidable repository of learning - monks scrupulously transcribed ancient manuscripts and also wrote many books of their own. Those of Scotland were no exception.

Because of the high standards of the typical Scotsman's education, they began to attract attention from notables abroad. Over on the continent, Charlemagne, in his quest for re-establishing the Roman Empire, was busy setting up the schools which would over time grow into many of the renowned universities of Europe still existent today. He sent for the Scottish scholars to be teachers in his schools.

Slowly, the ideas of Huss, Luther, Calvin, Zwingli and others began to trickle into the universities. One by one the Scotsmen brought them back home with them. Before long, Presbyterianism had gained a considerable presence in the country.

Isn't it deliciously ironic that the Roman Catholic Church was a significant aid in bringing the Protestant Reformation - its nemesis - to Scotland? It reminds me of the story of Joseph and his brothers - they tried to kill him, but he turned around and became the second in command of Egypt, the most powerful nation in the world at that time.

This is why I love history. In a nutshell, it's the study of God's providence. Seeing what God has done in the lives of others - how He works everything out perfectly for His glory and the good of those who love Him - makes me readier to face what He has in store for me.

.....and of course, as in this case, it can be pretty entertaining as well. :-)

The 1689

When my family first started going to our church, it was studying the 1689 Baptist Confession of Faith. For those of my 5 readers who don't know what that is, allow me to enlighten you:

Way back in the 1600's, the English government wasn't a big fan of the Puritans. (I spose their lopping off of the king's head played a good part of it) A lot were ejected out of their pulpits and the churches went underground. Most of them were Presbyterians, some Congregationalists, and a few were Baptists. Now, nobody liked the Baptists because they confused them with another group called the Anabaptists, who back during the Reformation were essentially a group of crazies with an anarchist tendancy. Their trademark, however, was that of baptizing only those who confessed faith in Christ.

So not only did the Presbies dislike the Baptists, the English government wasn't a big fan either. My theological forefathers were tired of the misunderstanding, and wanted to show the mainline Puritans that we believe almost exactly the same as they do (aside from baby-baptizing.) A committee secretly got together and wrote a long document detailing what we believe the Bible says on all the major points of doctrine and the Christian life. It's basically a really long statement of beliefs with proofs from Scripture. The persecution from the government necessitated their keeping it secret until William and Mary passed the Tolleration Act 12 years later in 1689.

I mention this all because my church has started up the study again. I want to have a better understanding of it, so each Sunday afternoon, I'll post a blurb about the section we're on, things my pastor pointed out, and my own observations on it. Although my intent in doing this is mainly to help myself, I hope that whoever reads the posts will be encouraged to study their Bibles more and to think deeply about what they believe.

Common Sense - Introduction

From what I've read so far, this looks like it's going to be an extremely interesting book. The subtitle totally grabs me: The Case Against an Out-of-Control Government. The less government I see, the better. The government is here to keep a group of people from acting wickedly - not to control a bunch of businesses or dictate how you educate your children.

2 Annoyances with this genre which I hope this book won't dredge up-

1. Reality isn't always the picture the author is painting it to be. Yes, its a fact that the country's a couple trillion in debt; but that China is most likely going to invade California and Iran's going to nuke New York because of said debt isn't. Point in case: Don't blindly believe the people running around screaming "APOCALYPSE!"

2. Authors have an exasperating tendency of ranting about the aforesaid doom without offering any solutions on how to prevent or deal with it. Message to all authors: Don't bother me with all the horrors that might happen if you aren't prepared to offer advice on how to handle them.

At the end of "A Note from the Author," Beck includes a quote from Martin Luther King which caught my eye:

The hottest place in Hell is reserved for those who remain neutral in times of great moral conflict.

The Bible differs - the hottest place in Hell is for those who were continually exposed to the Gospel and disregarded it. {Above is a telling specimen of the social gospel of Martin Luther King. Stop thinking he was some great Christian leader. He was simply a civil rights activist.}

One of the great mistakes made by many churches today is that they see themselves as places to "spread the word" about conservative politics. People are encouraged from the pulpit to vote republican, join such and such group against abortion, or call their senators to vote against some bill. But as my pastor pointed out, the church's concern is with the kingdom to come, not the present one. Remember when the Jews came to Christ in an attempt to name Him leader of a rebellion against Rome? He refused, because His business was that of the Kingdom of Heaven, not that of earth.

But that doesn't mean Christians should adopt a passive, fatalistic attitude towards state of our country. We ought to protect the hard-earned freedoms procured for us by our ancestors. Man was made to govern the earth, and its our duty to ensure that it is governed fairly. When there is liberty in a country, there's the opportunity to advance the Gospel.

The Bible has advice on how to help maintain our freedom of worship, and it doesn't include nagging senators or picketing in front of the capitol -

First of all, then, I urge that entreaties and prayers, petitions and thanksgivings, be made on behalf of all men, for kings and all who are in authority, so that we may lead a tranquil and quiet life in all godliness and dignity. 1 Timothy 2:1-2

Sieze the Day

William Jay:

The saints on earth have one privilege above the saints in heaven. It is in the means and opportunities of doing good. "The spirits of just men made perfect" cannot forgive injuries, cannot exercise candor, cannot teach transgressors the ways of God, cannot feed the hungry, nor clothe the naked. This is your privilege alone alone, Christians; and it will not be your privilege long.

(Lectures on Female Scripture Characters, p. 282)

5 Things

1. Tomorrow is John Calvin's 500th birthday. I'm celebrating by reading my Institutes.
   
   
2. This post over at Sacred Sandwich hits drolly close to home.
   
   
3. Listen to this podcast of R.C. Sproul. Out of all the modern day theologians, he's probably my favorite. Each time I read/hear something from him, I walk away learning something new and seeing the things he addresses in a different light.
   
   
4. Maddie and I are once again switching Junto books. (I know, I know. We're hopeless.) This time we're going to do Glenn Beck's Common Sense. We'll probably go back to Animal Farm later on. Maybe this time we'll finish it. :-)
   
   
5. Congratulations to my 3 readers for sticking with me to this, the 100th post on my blog. Huzzah. You survived my semi-coherent posts like this one. And by the looks of it, I have too. *grin*
   

True Religion

If only mine was an attitude more like this -

Lord God Almighty,

I ask not to be enrolled amongst the earthly 

great and rich,

but to be numbered with the spiritually blessed.

Make it my present, supreme, persevering concern

to obtain those blessings which are

spiritual in their nature,

eternal in their continuance,

satisfying in their possession.

Preserve me from a false estimate of the whole 

or a part of my character;

May I pay regard to 

my principles as well as my conduct,

my motives as well as my actions.

Help me 

never to mistake the excitement of my passions

for the renewing of the Holy Spirit,

never to judge my religion by occasional 

impressions and impulses, but by my 

constant and prevailing disposition.

May my heart be right with thee, 

and my life as becometh the gospel.

May I maintain a supreme regard to another 

and better world,

and feel and confess myself a stranger 

and a pilgrim here.

Afford me all the direction, defence, support, 

and consolation my journey hence requires,

and grant me a mind stayed upon thee.

Give me large abundance of the supply of 

the Spirit of Jesus,

that I may be prepared for every duty,

love thee in all my mercies,

submit to thee in every trial,

trust thee when walking in darkness,

have peace in thee amidst life’s changes.

Lord, I believe, help thou my unbelief 

and uncertainties.

(The Valley of Vision)