Resources on History – Church
Today is the anniversary of the birth of Charles Hodge, a towering leader in American Presbyterianism. We do well to pursue biblical studies and theology with his disciplined passion. Evangelical believers of previous generations spoke of “the force of truth.” And rightly so. Paul rejoices that the Romans “obeyed from the heart that form of doctrine to which you were delivered” (Romans 6:17). That the union of will (obedience), affections (heart), and intellect (form of doctrine) marked their mature faith is no surprise. Through his Word, God appeals to our hearts through the mind, creating godly affections and sanctifying behavior. Charles Hodge knew the force of truth. His teaching career at Princeton Seminary spanned 58 years (1820-1878). Relationships with six decades of ministerial…
Read MoreToday is the 115th anniversary of the birth of Dr. Martyn Lloyd-Jones, a pulpit giant of the 20th century. In his mid-20s he left a promising medical career to enter the Christian ministry. During his twenty-nine year pastorate at Westminster Chapel in London, he became one of the most prominent evangelical leaders in Britain. Read a biographical trust at MLJ Trust. Thirty-five years ago my father passed along a cassette tape of this sermon on Ephesians 2:1-10. Seldom had I heard the gospel proclaimed with such clarity, compelling logic, and spiritual authority. MLJ Trust has 1600 sermons available for listening and downloading.
Read MoreJohn Bunyan was born November 28, 1628. About sincerity in prayer, he wrote: “And why must sincerity be one of the essentials of prayer which is accepted of God, but because sincerity carries the soul in all simplicity to open its heart to God, and to tell Him the case plainly, without equivocation; to condemn itself plainly, without dissembling; to cry to God heartily, without complimenting. . . . Sincerity is the same in a corner alone, as it is before the face of all the world. It knows not how to wear two masks, one for an appearance before men, and another for a short snatch in a corner; but it must have God, and be with Him in…
Read More“Love the father of the family and you will embrace in your love and good will His entire household.” Today is the 505th anniversary of the French Reformer, John Calvin. A devoted pastor, he pleads with his flock to help, love, and pray for the Christian family nearby and faraway: Extend our hands to one another, Help one another we must, And especially we commend Our brethren to the providential care Of the best of Fathers. For if He is kind and favorable, Nothing else at all can be desired. This very thing, indeed, we owe To our Father. Love the father of the family And you will embrace In your love and good will His entire household. To His…
Read MoreA leader among French Protestants, Antoine de Chandieu (1534-1591) fled to Geneva after the bloodshed of St. Bartholomew’s Day and was added to the Company of Pastors. One of his prayers: “O God, you who are powerful and awesome, you who are always the same, look thus upon my captivity. Change my weakness into power, my fear into joy and confidence, my servitude into freedom.” – from Scott M. Manetsch, Calvin’s Company of Pastors: Pastoral Care and the Emerging Reformed Church, 1536-1609 (Oxford: 2013), 58.
Read MoreGenevan pastor Simon Goulart (1543-1628) offers this advice to a friend: 1. Live with other people as if God were watching. Speak with God as if others were listening. 2. Endure with greatest patience what you are not able to change and walk with God (by whose authority all things occur) without complaining. Evil and wretched is the person who follows after the commander of Hell. 3. In times of activity as much as in periods of rest, all dimensions of life ought to be beautiful. 4. Commit your way to God. Hope in him and he will do it. Goulart adds: “[Only] eternal things endure.” – from Scott M. Manetsch, Calvin’s Company of Pastors: Pastoral Care and the Emerging…
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