Calvin Synod Herald, 2003 (104. évfolyam, 3-12. szám)

2003-05-01 / 5-6. szám

CALVIN SYNOD HERALD

7

Introduction to the Westminster Larger Catechism (1648)

The Larger Catechism shares the theology and many of the characteristics of its better known companion, but covers more ground in greater detail. It contains 196 questions and answers, many of the latter extending to over one-hundredword compound complex sentences.

Demanding greater powers of memorization, the usefulness of the Larger Catechism lies in its memorability than in its value as a teaching aid framed in the catechetical form. Philip Schaff expressed the opinion that its intended function might have been to promote the kind of catechetical preaching common in the continental Reformed tradition. While that is unsubstantiated and quite unlike, it is true that the Larger Catechism serves well as a useful guidebook for preaching on doctrinal themes. In this sense it identified the key elements and issues that ought to be addressed in such preaching.

Following five opening questions indicating that it is from Scripture that we learn who God is, how we may know Him and what He requires, questions 6-90 teach us what we are to believe about Him. Questions 91-196 spell out the duties of the Christian life.

As is the case with the Shorter Catechism, this emphasis on the obedience of the Christian is set within a strong and full grasp of God’s grace in Christ. The divines set out to provide a well-structured guide to applying the word of God in the practical context of everyday life. While few may have the mental energy to memorize the Larger Catechism, it continues to provide a valuable guidebook to Christian thinking and living.

Dr. Joel Beeke t

ORDERBLANK - MEGRENDELŐLAP

Wilburn A. Roby Jr.

264 Old Plank Rd.

Butler, PA 16002

Please enter my subscription for the Calvin Synod Herald

Megrendelem a Reformátusok lapját

for one year ( ) or ( ) years ($10.00 per year) egy évre ( ) vagy ( ) évre

Payment enclosed - Előfizetés mellékelve $......................

Renewal () New Subscription ()

Change of address only () enclosed old label

Name...........................................................................................................

Street.........................................................................................

City, State, Zip.......................................................................................

<■__________________________________________________________________________________*

Islam and the Hungarian Confession of Faith

Rev. Prof. Dr. F.N. Lee

(Continued from our March/April. 2003 issue)

“For it is the custom of Scripture that it chiefly speaks about the third person in the first and second person - as in: This is what Jehovah said to me: “I am Jehovah, the Creator, the Redeemer, E; Shaddai; that is how you must speak My words to them: “thus say [the Lord] Jehovah, do not act godless against My Law!” The Apostle hence explains the statement in Hebrews 3 & 4 & 8 & 10: ‘Today when you hear His voice, do not harden your hearts like your fathers who tempted Me! Psalms 78 & 95 & 105 and Numbers 14:23 and First Corinthians 10. And so too this statement: “This is My Covenant which I wish to make with you’ - regarding the same in the first and third person[s].

“Concerning the first statement, He speaks thus in Hebrews 3: “Therefore, as the Holy Spirit says, “Today if you hear His voice, do not harden your hearts!” Here He says the Holy Spirit speaks about those whom the Father led forth from Egypt. Yet it was Jehovah - the Father, the Son, the Holy Spirit - who led forth; as in Isaiah 63 and First Corinthians 10 and Exodus 2&5&6&14&15&32&34 and Numbers 4 & 5 & 6 & 32 and Ezekiel 2 & 3 & 8 & 11 and Jeremiah 31.

“When Jehovah blames, it is the Holy Spirit Himself Who speaks. Hebrews 8 & 10 and Jeremiah 31. ‘Behold, the days are coming,’ as the Holy Spirit testifies. ‘ This is the Testament which I will make with them’ - says Jehovah. Jeremiah 31.

“In Ezekiel 2&3&4&8 & 11, the same Holy Spirit announces them thus: ‘The Spirit of Jehovah came upon me, and He put the Spirit on my feet, and the Spirit said to me: “Behold, I will speak to you; I will send you to the rebellious nations, and you shall speak My words to them and say ‘This is what Jehovah says.””.... Look, Ezekiel soon calls the same God Jehovah and also ‘Spirit’ - and then, directly, ‘Jehovah God of Hosts; and Adonai.

Here, also Psalm 95 says this. In Hebrews 3 & 4 & 8 & 10, according to the same peculiarity of the Hebrews, the Spirit says of Himself in the third person: ‘Thus says Jehovah.’ In the first person, He says: T am Jehovah Who led them forth.’ ‘The Holy Spirit testifies and says: “This is the Testament which I shall make with them,” says Jehovah.’ First, He says ‘Spirit’; then, ‘Jehovah’.

“So too in Ezekiel 2 & 3 & 4 & 8: ‘The Spirit of Jehovah came upon me; and He, Jehovah, spoke to me, and said: “I am Jehovah Who has led you forth.”” First, He calls Himself‘Holy Spirit’, after that, He calls Himself “Jehovah Adonai’ on account of His Being - ‘Holy Spirit’ on account of His Property of proceeding from the Father and being sent forth from the Son. He is called Jehovah Adonai on account of His Divine Being which He has in common with the Father.

(continued on page 8)