Theology

A Reformed Harmony between Church and Civil Authority (The Leiden Synopsis)

May 8, 2021 by wagraham 3 Comments

After the Synod of Dordt (1618-1619), faculty from the University of Leiden spent years disputing reformed orthodoxy to create a synopsis that defined the norm of reformed orthodoxy.

During these disputations, Johannes Polyander (1568–1646) rejected the Roman Catholic position, as expressed in the Council of Trent and elsewhere, that “clerics are entirely and unconditionally exempt from the yoke of the political magistrate” (§50.21).

Through Power (the Son), the Father’s activity produces works

April 23, 2021 by wagraham 1 Comment

Didymus the Blind (AD 313–398) wrote: “For things of the same substance—ὁμοούσια—have the same activities, and things of a different substance—ἑτεροούσια—have discordant and distinct activities.”

This is a key basis for the doctrine of the Trinity.

Gregory of Nyssa refines the concept here by arguing that through Power, the Father’s activity produces works. Through the Son who is the Power of God, then, the Father and Son share the same activity and so works. See Contra Eunomium 3.4 or Michel Barnes.

Lockdowns Reveal An Enemy, the Passions of the Flesh. We Must Live by The Spirit.

April 1, 2021 by wagraham 1 Comment

Well, that changes our Easter plans. We planned to have people over for an outdoor meal, but we cannot do that now or else face a fine. Ontario has entered into a four-week lockdown.

Churches can still meet but only at 15% of capacity. Even so, there is only so much goodwill, so much patience, and so much restriction that we can as a nation accommodate.

I am not a prophet. But this may cross the line for many an elder-board. [Read more…] about Lockdowns Reveal An Enemy, the Passions of the Flesh. We Must Live by The Spirit.

From Death to Death, Living in Canada

March 29, 2021 by wagraham Leave a Comment

We have legalized ending the lives of those who feel themselves to be at the end of their life; we have also authorized the ending of lives before they have left the womb.

From beginning (womb) to end (assisted dying), we make choices that devalue the beginning and end of life. What does that mean for Canada? What does it mean for people caught in the middle of death? [Read more…] about From Death to Death, Living in Canada

FAQ on Romans 13

March 26, 2021 by wagraham 1 Comment

What does Romans 13 have to say about the myriad of civil matters that we face today?

Here I want to make a few observations that come out of the heart of the nerd who has been studying reformation theology and writings. Granted, these observations on Romans 13 in reformed thinking do, of course, touch on all the issues we have today.

Even so, I am not writing this as some sort of online battle, which normally I would not say but today I feel I must due to how volcanic the internet seems. I offer this little FAQ as simply my thoughts on Friday morning and later updated in the day. [Read more…] about FAQ on Romans 13

When you are tempted to think you are at war with fellow Christians

March 25, 2021 by wagraham Leave a Comment

When you are tempted to think you are at war with fellow Christians, remember: Christ “has made us both one and has broken down in his flesh the dividing wall of hostility.” If it’s true for Jewish persons and Gentiles, how much for us already a new creation in Christ (Eph 2:15)?

Social media, online communication, and the speed of the news tempt us to vilify each other for clout, sales, or whatever else. Often, however, the real war is the war in our heart—it deceives and tempts us (James 4:1). [Read more…] about When you are tempted to think you are at war with fellow Christians