http://theologica.blogspot.com/2008/09/john-woodhouse-on-ot-narrative.html
If you want to learn how to read/preach OT narrative, John Woodhouse (Principal of Moore Theological College in Sydney, Australia) is an excellent guide.
If you want to learn by watching him do it, check out his expository commentary on 1 Samuel.
If you want to learn by hearing him teach on it, check out the following six one-hour lectures on OT narrative delivered for the Charles Simeon Trust:
Saturday, September 20, 2008
Friday, September 5, 2008
Wednesday, September 3, 2008
Thoughts on Jonathan Edwards's "Religious Affections": Day 8
The next affection, after hope, is love and its opposite - hate. Obviously true religion also consists of obeying the two greatest commandments: 1) Love the Lord your God with all your heart, soul, and mind and 2) Love your neighbor as yourself. The Scriptures that speak of love are too innumerable to recount. However, he does offer some citations that speak of hate, even hate that is pleasing to the Lord: Prov. 8:13; Ps. 97:10; Ps. 101:2-3; Ps. 119:104, 128; Ps. 139:2. (239)
Desire, or "longings, hungerings, and thirstings after God and holiness," comes next. (239) Edwards cites Isa. 26:8; Ps. 27:4; Ps. 42:1-2; Ps. 63:1,2; Ps. 84:1,2; Ps. 119:20. This calls to mind, for Edwards, a verse from the Beatitudes - Matt. 5:6. Eternal life, naturally, is connected to this type of thirst - Rev. 21:6.
Desire, or "longings, hungerings, and thirstings after God and holiness," comes next. (239) Edwards cites Isa. 26:8; Ps. 27:4; Ps. 42:1-2; Ps. 63:1,2; Ps. 84:1,2; Ps. 119:20. This calls to mind, for Edwards, a verse from the Beatitudes - Matt. 5:6. Eternal life, naturally, is connected to this type of thirst - Rev. 21:6.
Thoughts on Jonathan Edwards's "Religious Affections": Day 7
Up to this point Edwards has made his case philosophically and well, because what he has postulated so far is logical and easily observed and understood. Now, in Section II, part IV, Edwards prepares to unload a torrent of Scriptures to build his case biblically. (238)
First, he states, without citation (because it is too numerous), that the character of those who are truly religious consists very much of a reverent fear of God. "The fear of God" is true holiness. (238)
Next, he brings up hope. He says, as seen in 1 Cor. 13:13, that hope is one of the ingredients of true religion. (238) Ps. 146:5 tells that happiness is the reward for those whose hope rests in the Lord. (See also Jer.17:7) Ps. 31:24 promises that hope in the Lord, rooted in good courage, results in our hearts being strengthened by God.
Our hearts definitely need strengthening right now. If it wouldn't actually cost us a great deal of money and it wouldn't throw Coffee Haus into a tailspin, it is likely that we would have already moved back to America. Our circumstances have dictated our attitudes, instead of considering all these trials as pure joy. Of course, that is easier said than done. I am very thankful, however, that despite the trying times our family life is growing in the Lord, that it is enjoyable, and fruitful.
Edwards notes that the Scriptures, actually fuse a reverent fear of God together with hope in the Lord, resulting in "the character of the true saints." (Ps. 33:28; Ps 147:11) (239) The basis for this saintly character does not lay solely in the OT. Paul also says "in this hope we were saved." (Ro. 8:24) He says the saint's armor should consist of a helmet which is the hope of salvation - 1 Thess. 5:8. Hope is also the anchor that prevents us from being tossed around - Heb. 6:19. Christ's resurrection and victory of sin and death is the source of our hope - 1 Pet. 1:3.
First, he states, without citation (because it is too numerous), that the character of those who are truly religious consists very much of a reverent fear of God. "The fear of God" is true holiness. (238)
Next, he brings up hope. He says, as seen in 1 Cor. 13:13, that hope is one of the ingredients of true religion. (238) Ps. 146:5 tells that happiness is the reward for those whose hope rests in the Lord. (See also Jer.17:7) Ps. 31:24 promises that hope in the Lord, rooted in good courage, results in our hearts being strengthened by God.
Our hearts definitely need strengthening right now. If it wouldn't actually cost us a great deal of money and it wouldn't throw Coffee Haus into a tailspin, it is likely that we would have already moved back to America. Our circumstances have dictated our attitudes, instead of considering all these trials as pure joy. Of course, that is easier said than done. I am very thankful, however, that despite the trying times our family life is growing in the Lord, that it is enjoyable, and fruitful.
Edwards notes that the Scriptures, actually fuse a reverent fear of God together with hope in the Lord, resulting in "the character of the true saints." (Ps. 33:28; Ps 147:11) (239) The basis for this saintly character does not lay solely in the OT. Paul also says "in this hope we were saved." (Ro. 8:24) He says the saint's armor should consist of a helmet which is the hope of salvation - 1 Thess. 5:8. Hope is also the anchor that prevents us from being tossed around - Heb. 6:19. Christ's resurrection and victory of sin and death is the source of our hope - 1 Pet. 1:3.
Monday, September 1, 2008
Thoughts on Jonathan Edwards's "Religious Affections": Day 6
It was encouraging to read, at the beginning of Section II, that Edwards also states that the affections given by God are essentially the 'springs' of our actions. I had used the word a few days ago as I sought to understand what Edwards described; here in Section II, Edwards uses the same word. As affections are a part of our nature, so too upon conversion are holy affections the essence of true religion (238).
The world would be static and lifeless were it not for the affections. Those who clamor after worldly treasure would not do so without being affected by greed. Those who seek sensual passions would not do so without being affected by lust. Likewise a man who possesses mere knowledge about God but lacks holy affections is useless. (238)
Edwards uses Section III to assert that without affections never was there a man who sought after God. In fact, he says, "the things of religion take hold of men's souls no further than they affect them." (238) This is apparent all the time as I think even about the people I know who have heard the gospel but remain affected. What has affected me and I know to be the Truth is plain foolishness to people like my mom and grandmother. Edwards says that is because their souls remain unaffected towards God.
The world would be static and lifeless were it not for the affections. Those who clamor after worldly treasure would not do so without being affected by greed. Those who seek sensual passions would not do so without being affected by lust. Likewise a man who possesses mere knowledge about God but lacks holy affections is useless. (238)
Edwards uses Section III to assert that without affections never was there a man who sought after God. In fact, he says, "the things of religion take hold of men's souls no further than they affect them." (238) This is apparent all the time as I think even about the people I know who have heard the gospel but remain affected. What has affected me and I know to be the Truth is plain foolishness to people like my mom and grandmother. Edwards says that is because their souls remain unaffected towards God.
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