Dr. Packer on Humaness

Genesis 1:27
So God created man in his own image, in the image of God he created him; male and female he created them.







I was reading J. I. Packer's book Concise Theology and he wrote something that really hit home with me. It was in the chapter Humanness (page 71) which dealt with what it means to be human and man's role as the image bearer of God:







"The statement at the start of the Bible (Gen. 1:26-27, echoed in 5:1; 1 Cor. 11:7; James 3:9) that God made man in his own image, so that humans are like God as no other earthly creatures are, tells us that the special dignity of being human is that, as humans, we may reflect and reproduce at our own creaturely level the holy ways of God., and thus act as his direct representatives on earth. This is what humans are made to do, and in one sense we are human only to the extent that are doing it."

It made me think, "How well am I being "human" in the sense that Dr. Packer is speaking of?" The answer is I am not doing very well. I unceasingly fail to reproduce the holy ways of God.

May God grant me the ability to reproduce His holy ways.

RC

Day 3: The Resolutions of Jonathan Edwards

Resolution #5:

Resolved, never to lose one moment of time; but improve it the most profitable way I possibly can.

The Reformed Doctrine of Predestination

I apologize, but the demands of the new year have caused me to delay the onset of this book study.


I would also like to announce the beginning of another book study. This one is a little heavier theologically. The book in question is
'The Reformed Doctrine of Predestination' by Loraine Boettner.

In a review you can read at A Puritan's Mind Dr McMahon states: "This is my wife’s favorite book on Calvinism. She fell in love with it as a result of it being her first exposure on the subject. It is no doubt one of the best introductions to the doctrine in print. It is regarded as an authoritative work on the subject and is highly esteemed as a hallmark presentation of the doctrines of grace held in the acrostic T.U.L.I.P.; (which stands for Total Depravity, Unconditional Election, Limited Atonement, Irresistible Grace, and Perseverance of the Saints.)"

You need not purchase this book it can be read on-line at Christians Classics Ethereal Library.

You can read it on-line here.

I will post my thoughts on the Introduction to the book on January 12th. I hope you will join in the discussion.

RC

Inaugural Book Study

I have always wanted to study Christian books with other like and not-so likeminded indviduals, however, it seems that it never goes well due to other obligations. The internet should be a perfect place to accomplish this goal. It is my desire that this activity of reading and discussing books via this blog will continue for many years.

One of the classic works of apologetics is
C.S. Lewis'book 'Mere Christianity.' It is required reading at many seminaries around the world. There is much to be gained from his work, however, one must use discernment. My goal is to focus on the positives without ignoring the negatives.

I encourage each of you to pick up a copy of the book and begin reading. I will post my first thoughts regarding the book on January 12th. Please read the Preface and the Forward of the book prior to that time.

I hope you will join in on the conversation. If you do not feel like you have anything important to say just say hello.

RC

Hymns that stir the Heart

I don't normally go on the Methodist side of things, but I do like the hymns of Charles Wesley. This is one that resonates with my Spirit:

O For a Thousand Tongues to Sing

Verse 1

O for a thousand tongues to sing
My dear Redeemer's praise!
The glories of my God and King,
The triumphs of His grace!

Verse 2

My gracious Master, and my God,
Assist me to proclaim,
To spread through all the earth abroad
The honors of thy name.

Verse 3

Jesus, the name that charms our fears
That bids our sorrows cease----
'Tis music in the sinners' ears,
'Tis life, and health, and peace.

From John and Charles Wesley: Selected Prayers, Hymns, and Sermons, Harper Collins San Francisco Publishing, (c) 1981, 2004.

Day 2: The Resolutions of Jonathan Edwards

Resolution Number 4

4. Resolved, never to do any manner of thing, whether in soul or body, less or more, but what tends to the glory of God; nor be, nor suffer it, if I can avoid it.

Penn Jillette can teach us all a little about Proseletyzing

Hopefully this will persuade us all to make a greater effort to proseletyze.

RC

Courtesy of The Contemporary Calvinist.