BOOK REVIEW - "A CLEAR AND PRESENT WORD: THE CLARITY OF SCRIPTURE" BY MARK D. THOMPSON

Am I the only person who smiled when they saw this book title, thinking of the phrase as well as the title of a Tom Clancy novel and its theatrical adaptation? I haven't read the book or seen the film (might when I think of it), but I think I can say for certain there's no connection.

In "A Clear and Present Word: The Clarity of Scripture" Mark Thompson presents a doctrine that I never had heard of before by name but have held to and agree with the author concerning its importance. The clarity of Scripture means that, in spite of figurative language and differing interpretations, a born-again believer can understand what Scripture means, as opposed to being dependent on an authority telling you what it means and expecting you to accept them as the final word.

This book is part of the New Studies in Biblical Theology by Intervarsity Press. I have heard "Biblical Theology" to refer to both studying what each book/human author teaches regarding a specific doctrine and to looking at the overarching story-line of God's Redemption from Genesis to Revelation. (In either case, it's in contrast to Systematic Theology, where you focus on the doctrine and how it appears in Scripture.) The books in this series takes the former approach. 

However, I can argue if this fits the pattern. The first chapter looks at objections to the concept of Biblical clarity, both historic (particularly the Catholic/Protestant divide at the Reformation) and contemporary (via the Post-modern movement). Chapter 2 looks at God communicating with man. If you skip a chapter, chapter 4 takes a needed look at the field of hermeneutics (Biblical interpretation), while the fifth and final chapter looks at two Reformation era debates (Luther vs. Erasmus, Bellarmino vs. Whitaker) before dealing with the current application of this. Biblical Theology is primarily evident in the third chapter, particularly focusing on Jesus' and the Apostles' view of the clarity of Scripture in the old Testament.

These books in this series tend to be academic, and I'll confess I find myself skimming through some of the volumes. Not this one. This was worth the careful plodding. The result is that my views have been confirmed about the clarity of Scripture, and I highly recommend it.

REVIEW - "HERE WE STAND: 31 REFORMERS, 1 PER DAY" BY DESIRING GOD

 Okay, how do I classify this? Is it a book? If so, it would be a good one, But there is no indication of it being published. Desiring God, connected to John Piper, released this on-line. When I saw it promoted in September, I signed up to receive it each day throughout October in honor of Reformation Day. I'm glad I did - it was a blessing.

How many reformers can you think of? I'll give you my list, and see how you do with it:

• John Wycliffe
• William Tyndale
• Jan Huss
• Simon Menno
• Peter Waldo
• Mr. and Mrs. Martin Luther (the latter was the first person Warren Wiersbe introduced in "50 People Every Christian Should Know")
• Philip Melanchthon (my hero and personal favorite)
• Ulrich Zwingli
• John Knox
• John Calvin
• Theodore Beza
• Jacob Arminius

There are others I'd also think of, like Charles Simeon, Matthew Henry, John and Charles Wesley, George Whitfield, and Isaac Watts, but all these were too recent for this list. And I have a hunch my list of 13 is impressive, but short of what they had. By the way, only one I listed was not covered, meaning they had 18 or so (they had at least one pair included the same day) I hadn't heard of.

The list was full of variations. They had pre-reformers like Wycliffe and Hus, Anabaptists like Waldo and Menno, "Bride of the Reformation" Wibrandis Rosenblatt who married and was widowed by four reformers (three of which were also included in the list), and non-theologian Johannes Gutenberg whose printing press helped the Reformation have the effect it did.

I don't know how to find this collection - they didn't post it on Facebook, and as I mentioned above, it hasn't been published. But I recommend it. However, I was unsurprisingly disappointed they didn't have the guts to include Jacob Arminius! But then, they might have been disowned by their Calvinist brethren. And maybe, like the others I mentioned, Arminius may have been a little too late for this list. 

Allow me this brief post-script - I'm posting this on International Day of Prayer for the Persecuted Church. It's appropriate - many of them like Luther and Calvin had to flee from one place to a safer one, while others like Tyndale and Zqingli paid the ultimate price.

THE MOST WONDERFUL TIME OF THE YEAR AND OTHER POST REFORMATION DAY THOUGHTS

The River Community Church, Cookeville, TN

Hope you've enjoyed my Reformation Day series, where I reviewed five books and an album. Let me close with some thoughts. 

Two of the five books I reviewed focused on the Reformation. Both books had several references to Augustine, Luther, and Calvin. But other reformers didn't get as much love. In one book, Melanchthon was mentioned four times and Zwingli twice; the other didn't list either. But that book did mention Wycliffe and Tyndale more. And is John Knox a Reformer? Neither book mentioned him. 

I looked up "Sola Scriptura" on Spotify, and found several selections listed. At first, I was excited - several albums on the subject I could review and lengthen this series! Alas, most of the selections were either rap (not my cup of tea), singles, in a foreign language, or in one case didn't reflect the subject of the title. 😭

I will mention that Reformation Day starts what I consider "The Most Wonderful Time of the Year." No, Christmas isn't part of the time; in fact, my favorite holiday - Thanksgiving - isn't in that period. I could call it "Holy Week," though that name is taken. This time is a week (or less), and includes four days that are special to me. Two are set on the calendar, same date every year; the other two are always on the same day of the week. What are the four?

1. Reformation Day, October 31st. No duh. After all, I did say it started with Reformation Day, didn't I? I want to keep a Semper Reformanda mindset, always reforming.
2. All Saints Day, November 1st. No, I'm not a Catholic, and I don't define a saint as they do - I believe all Christians are saints, and I believe the New Testament backs that up. But I want a time to celebrate those who have been inspirations to me, whether they're currently in heaven or on earth.
3. International Day of Prayer For The Persecuted Church, 1st Sunday of November. (I'm actually writing this on that day.)
4. World Day of Prayer for Child Evangelism Fellowship, 1st Wednesday of November. 

So, let me end by trying to start a discussion. What do these four days I just mentioned mean to you? If you aren't thinking of those days, how can you make them more meaningful?

 

YOUNG MARTIN LUTHER AND CAROLERS SING FOR MRS. COTTA IN EISENACH BY FERDINAND PAUWELS

 PART 12 OF A 17 PART SERIES ON FAVORITE ART AND ARTISTS

 

Young Martin Luther and Carolers Sing For Mrs. Cotta in Eisenach by Ferdinand Pauwels

Several years ago, I looked at the works of various artists, trying to discover new favorites (both artists as well as paintings). In doing so, I discovered this painting by Ferdinand Pauwels (Belgian, 1830-1904). 

When I first saw this picture, I was wondering which of the boys was Luther: the dark haired boy who was singing facing Mrs. Cotta or the one on the right who seemed a little more of a free spirit. So I looked up information and did not find a direct answer. 

I did learn that 14 year old Luther was sent to Eisenach by his parents to further his education. Since Luther and his friends didn't have Nintendo or a movie theater or even a baseball game to attend, they did caroling (I'm guessing not just at Christmas).

One of the homes Luther caroled at belonged to Frau Ursula Cotta and her family. She must have seen something in the singing teenager, and invited him to live with them, which he did for the following three years. She passed away in 1511. As a result, though, I think the one who was facing Mrs. Cotta is Luther.

The reformer was a frequent subject of Pauwels' art. There are also paintings of Luther entering the monastery, discovering the Bible, and, of course, nailing the 95 thesis on the Wittenberg door. His interest in the "founder" of Protestantism fascinates me, since Pauwels is the second Belgian I've become familiar with, and the first is the fictional, Catholic, detective Hercule Poirot. 

What do you think about this picture? Are there any people from history that you would paint portraits of if you have the ability?  

DO WE NEED A NEW REFORMATION?

 

 

I remember a few years ago a Catholic friend who first asked why Protestants thought Catholics really were that bad, and then questioning why the church doesn't unite (as Catholics, of course). 

This was a good example of what a book on logic I read in college called "The Fallacy of False Alternatives." Either Catholics are evil or Catholics are the true church. No in between to choose from.

I firmly disagree. I believe there are two other alternatives. And while my two alternatives don't fit with either of the two extremes listed above, they are compatible with each other and can both be true. Those alternatives?

1. Every generation and every movement has both wheat and tares, both sheep and goats.
2.  Every movement will start strong in the faith but will drift from the truth and will eventually need reformation, with the reformer and the reformation being resisted by the status quo.

We have several strong leaders to be thankful for, who stood for the Word of God in spite of opposition. Most would think of Martin Luther, John Calvin, William Tyndale, and Ulrich Zwingli, and many would include forerunners like Jon Wycliffe and Jan Hus or successors like Jonathan Edwards, George Whitefield, and the Wesleys. Too often, we forget Luther's teammate Philip Melanchthon, who composed the Augsburg  Confession realizing his life was in the balance while writing it or underestimate the role of hymn writer Isaac Watts. And many would hesitate to include Jacob Arminius, who was studying under Theodore Beza when his village declared itself Protestant and its residents - including his family - were raped and murdered by Catholic mercenaries, dealing with the question of whether those atrocities were predestined by God or done by the free will of wicked men. Agree with him or not, Arminius took a stand based on his conscience not unlike Luther's.

Do we need a Reformation today? Glance back at the second of the two alternatives for the answer. Evangelicals may not give the Church ultimate loyalty as was the case in the 1500s, but do we have such trust in the government (or, more accurately, the political party we associate with)? Are we attempting to live our lives by Sola Scriptura, or are we trusting science, psychology, the media, etc. and adjusting our view of Scripture to fit our worldview?

To be honest, I believe there is an attempted Reformation going on, but this reformation is a departure from truth instead of a return to it. So called Progressive Christianity is an example. Our woke culture is another. A Libertarian friend of mine, Jared Hall, wrote, "Compromises rely on multiple parties coming together to workshop. If a compromise is one sided, it’s not really a compromise." There are theological and political winds that some want a one-sided compromise.

Some who hold to Critical Race Theory believe that to be white or to be Christian or to be male is to be an oppressor. The reality is to be human is to be a potential oppressor. There have been instances when the oppressed gain power and they at best match the level of oppressiveness as those they overthrew - at worst, they become worse. 

Don't forget the massacre of Jacob Arminius' hometown of Oudewater. Realize that Tyndale was burned at the stake with a chain around his neck. Remember that many wanted to execute Luther and that Zwingli was killed in battle. And then, commit to memory the often quoted (not) Scripture, "Yes, and all who desire to live godly in Christ Jesus will suffer persecution." (2 Timothy 3:12)

Finally, recall the five solas of the Reformation. Most importantly, are we living them? Do we believe we're saved by grace alone through faith alone in Christ alone? Is our source of spiritual authority solely Scripture? And of the utmost importance, are we living only for the glory of God?

 I know. I said "Finally" a paragraph above. This time, I mean it as I add two more thoughts: 

1. We need to pray for God's kingdom to come and His will to be done on earth (meaning in you) as it is in heaven. This is asking for a reformation, and declaring a revolution against the god of this age. And there's a cost to that prayer.
2. We need to ask if God has called you to be a Luther nailing thesis on the door, a Melanchthon writing a statement knowing it could be exhibit A in a capital case against him, a Tyndale willing to die so others have God's Word where they can understand it.

What's your role in the next reformation?

HAPPY REFORMATION DAY!!!