1997 Issue 2
A message to correct misconceptions concerning the ministry and life of John Calvin, and to refute the pernicious yet prevalent notion that the doctrinal emphasis of the Protestant Reformation inevitably tends toward ecclesiastical disunity, pastoral neglect, and pride.
For those acquainted with the great men and movements of the 16th century Protestant Reformation, the names of Luther, Calvin, Melanchthon, Cranmer, Beza, and Bucer, the doctrines of sola gratia, sola fide, and sola scriptura produce continual thanksgiving to God for rescuing His Church from the abyss of spiritual darkness in which she was then engulfed. It is highly appropriate that we should commemorate that blessed deliverance. In so doing, we praise and bless the name of the most High God, who did not allow the truths of his Word to remain corrupted forever by men of depraved minds, but who in his own time, raised up a new generation of leaders in his Church, who brought her back to the faith once for all delivered to the. saints, and to the Scriptures which gave her life.
Matthew 5-7 has been called "The Sermon on the Mount" and Luke 6:17-49 has been called "The Sermon on the Plain," as if they were two different sermons on two different occasions. The reasons given are basically three: (1). the sermon in Luke is much shorter than the one in Matthew; (2). Matthew includes things not mentioned in Luke; Luke includes things not mentioned in Matthew; and some of Luke's statements are different in form and application from those in Matthew; and, (3), whereas Matthew's has the sermon taking place on "the mountain," 5:1, Luke's takes place "on a level place," 6:17, after Jesus came down from the mountain, 6:12, 17.
The problems which George Washington overcame during the War of Independence are truly incredible and ought not to be forgotten. Washington was highly esteemed in this nation for good reason.
He had to depend upon volunteers (since the Congress had no power to draft) and there were very few at the beginning willing to volunteer (upwards of 40% of the population was pro-British). Those who did volunteer were poorly trained (if trained at all) and would frequently desert because of the conditions that existed. For this reason, George Washington had to fight with an army of between 3,000 and 15,000 men who were poorly supplied and often in desperate straits, against the well supplied British troops which numbered well over 60,000.
The Carpenter of Zerbst by P. de Zeeuw.
During the Reformation, the Maehler family faces great opposition and trial because of its stand in support of Martin Luther and his biblical beliefs. They are ultimately kicked out of the town and left without employment or living quarters.
Sing to the Lord: The Children of Asaph Sing the Psalms of David on the Tunes of John Calvin.
The Children of Asaph is a small children's choir that was formed to sing psalms and hymns to God's glory. This recording allows a larger audience to appreciate their labors and join with them in the praise of our triune God. The entire program of thirteen selections (in mainly vocal but including two instrumentals) lasts almost an hour. The listener can marvel anew at the varied gifts God gave Calvin as one hears these psalms sung to the tunes of Calvin. There is a richness and depth in these selections that is too often missing in much contemporary music. The selections exude a confidence in an Almighty God and thanksgiving in His victorious deliverances. Psalter selections include: 42, 116, and 121. Instrumental accompaniment includes flute, violin, cello and organ. Once again Church Music and Records has provided the listener with the opportunity to hear enduring psalms sung and played with meaning and a quiet, sure confidence. Hopefully this recording will be widely purchased and used in the lives of many for the building up of God's people more and more unto His glory.
In this message we skip ahead a little in Deuteronomy. The verses found in the first portion of Deuteronomy 23 deal largely with ceremonial laws. Our concern in this series is to consider the more practical and abiding aspects of God's Law. Thus, we move ahead to consideration of the beginning of Moses' exposition of the Eighth Commandment: "Thou shalt not steal." This exposition, it would seem, runs from Deut. 23:15 through 24:7. In most of the situations presented it is obvious that the idea of theft lies in the background of the case laws. In some cases, however, it will require some careful scrutiny to see the connection. One fact we should notice at the outset is what the Eighth Commandment does not specify. That is, it does not say what is not to be stolen. Understanding this will make our task a little easier.
