Bird writes,While it has been fashionable in recent decades to say that Paul was 'called' rather than 'converted', we might remember that Paul's gut-wrenching and decisive transformation meant he was indeed swung around 180 degrees. This conversion, however, was not a conversion from one religion to another or from Judaism to Christianity. Paul was converted from the Pharisaic sect to a messianic sect within Judaism. (35)What do you make of these last two sentences?
John Baillie, a Scottish theologian, was born on March 26, 1886. I am still learning about his life and ministry, but in the meantime I have been waiting for an opportunity to introduce to you his little book titled A Diary of Private Prayer (1936). It is regarded as a devotional classic and has been a tremendous blessing to me as I have used it over the past year.O Thou to whom I owe the gift of this day's life, give to me also, I beseech Thee, the spirit to use it as I ought. Forbid that I should stain the brightness of the morning with any evil thought or darken the noontide with any shameful deed. Let Thy Holy Spirit breathe into my heart to-day all pure and heavenly desires. Let Thy truth inform my mind. Let Thy justice and righteousness make a throne within me and rule my errant will. Let Christ be formed in me, and let me learn of Him all lowliness of heart, all gentleness of bearing, all modesty of speech, all helpfulness of action, and promptness in the doing of my Father's will.For more biographical information about Baillie, I would direct you to begin with The Baillie Project.
O Thou who compassest the whole earth with Thy most merciful favour and willest not that any of Thy children should perish, I would call down Thy blessing to-day upon all who are striving towards the making of a better world. I pray, O God, especially--for all who are working for purer and juster laws:Cast down, O Lord, all the forces of cruelty and wrong. Defeat all selfish and worldly-minded schemes, and prosper all that is conceived among us in the spirit of Christ and carried out to the honour of His blessed name.
for all who are working for peace between the nations:
for all who are engaged in healing disease:
for all who are engaged in the relief of poverty:
for all who are engaged in the rescue of the fallen:
for all who are working towards the restoration of the broken unity of the Holy Church:
for all who preach the gospel:
for all who bear witness to Christ in foreign lands.
Amen.
is offering this set at the same price.
Here's the Banner of Truth info:| Book Title: Tracts and Letters of John Calvin - 7 Volume Set |
| Author : John Calvin |
| Price: $ 80.00 |
| ISBN#: 9780851519876 |
| Binding: Clothbound |
| Page Count : 3488 |
| Description: SPECIALLY PRICED THROUGH 31 December 2009 List Price: $170(USD); Available this year: $80(USD) - No additional discount Long unavailable the republication of Calvin's Tracts and Letters will delight all who have come to delight in the writings of the sixteenth-century reformer of Geneva. 3 Vols of Tracts Three volumes of Tracts comprise some of Calvin's most important writings. Volume 1 begins with the Life of Calvin written by his close friend and colleague, Theodore Beza. An outline of Calvin's life and work by an eye-witness and intimate friend, it will never be entirely superseded by any other biography. There follows several miscellaneous Tracts relating to the reformation, which all have a strong bearing on the leading points at issue between Roman Catholics and Protestants. Among them is the famous exchange with Cardinal Sadaleto [sic] and The Necessity of Reforming the Church. The Tracts contained in the second volume discuss subjects which are of the highest importance in themselves. They range widely over a very extensive field, presenting us both with general summaries of the Truth, in its most elementary form (Calvin's Catechism, etc.), and also with learned and profound treatments of more difficult points, particularly the nature of our Saviour's Presence in the Supper. The four Tracts that comprise the third volume, were selected partly on account of their own intrinsic value, and partly on account of the additional interest which recent controversies have given to some of the subjects considered in them. They contain lucid discussions on all the leading points in the controversy with Rome, furnish wholesome advice in answer to a question which once was, and will probably again become, of great practical importance (The True Method of Reforming the Church and Healing Her Divisions); and refute the wild dogma which a kind of infidel fanaticism had devised, asserting, that in the interval between death and the final judgment the soul remains in a state of sleep or unconscious existence. All the Tracts sustain the reputation of their distinguished author; and, considering their controversial nature, do not often display the virulent spirit and intemperate language for which modern critics all too often condemn Calvin. 4 Vols of Letters The man who regularly lectured to theological students, preached on average five times a week and authored enough material to fill forty-eight enormous volumes could scarcely be expected to show enthusiasm for correspondence. Yet in the Complete Works of John Calvin there are to be found no less than eleven volumes of his correspondence! Calvin wrote to kings and princes, reformers and friends, nobility and common people alike. His letters discuss affairs of State, but also the most mundane problems of everyday life, and through them all is revealed a man of deep pastoral concern, consistent and exemplary evangelistic zeal, with a humble sense of the final authority of God and his word. The four volumes of letters in this edition range from 1528 to the year of the reformer's death in 1564, and are of enormous historical interest. But their permanent significance lies in the reminder they provide of a great work of God, and the example they set of compassionate Christian care, and a deep concern for the advance of the gospel wherever it is proclaimed. Calvin's personal ambition undergirds each letter: 'It is enough that I live and die for Christ who is to his followers a gain both in life and in death.' |
On this day in 1981 Welsh preacher Martyn Lloyd-Jones finished his earthly pilgrimage and entered the presence of his Savior. He had suffered from throat cancer for many months until he was no longer able to speak. When he realized his condition would not improve, he decided to suspend further treatments and requested his family not to pray for healing: "Do not hold me back from the glory." He was ready to meet the Lord.'Bear that in mind,' he said solemnly. 'Our greatest danger is to live upon our activity. The ultimate test of a preacher is what he feels like when he cannot preach.' Our relationship to God is to be the supreme cause of joy. To lean upon our sermons or words of testimony from others is 'a real snare for all preachers'. 'We cannot lean on them'. (Iain H. Murray, D. Martyn Lloyd-Jones: The Fight of Faith 1939-1981; Edinburgh: Banner of Truth Trust; 1990. p. 738, emphasis mine)On the night of February 28, 1981 Lloyd-Jones read Scripture, and his daughter Ann prayed with him before he fell asleep. Sometime during the early morning hours of March 1 he awoke in the presence of the Lord. On this day we remember David Martyn Lloyd-Jones, who faithfully expounded the Word, gave us a sense of the presence of God, and modeled what he preached in his living and dying.
