Atthispoint,theseareonlyintendedtobeprivatelecturenotes.Theyareacompositeof materialtakenfromThePrinciplesofTheologybyG.W.GriffithThomas, IntroductiontoDogmaticTheologybyE.A.Litton,recordedlecturesbytheRt.Rev. LeonardW.Riches,classnotesbyRt.Rev.GregoryHotchkiss,aswellasmiscellaneous othersourcesofwritingsbytheChurchFathers,othertheologies(Historic&Systematic), confessions,histories,etc. Whoeverhasthemisfortuneofusingthesenotesbeforetheyarefullyedited,your ideasandinputarewelcome.;) Futureimprovements(beyondediting)includemoredetailedcomparativenotes abouttheHeidelbergCatechism,AugsburgConfession,WestminsterStds.,andthe CouncilsofTrent.AlongertermprojectistousetheElizabethanHomiliesasa commentaryontheArticles. Withthesecaveats,Ihopethatthesenotesmayservethepurposeofbindingyour thinkingwiththestruggles,successesandmistakesofthosewhohavegonebefore,giving youanappreciationofthepastoralcharacterofAnglicanthinking,andprovidingyouwith agoodbasisforfurthertheologicalthinking. GriffithThomasinIntroduction Firstdealswithdefinitions,thoseofrevelation,faith,doctrine,theology,creeds,confessions andarticles,thentheAnglicanArticles. 1. Revelation a. Godunveilshimselfinavarietyofways,Nature,Man(creation?),History, JudaismandChristianity. b. Goduseshistoryasarevelatorytool(thatGodusesthehumantoolsofdiscovery, philosophyandevolution[ofthought]asmeansorchannelsbywhichGodhas revealedhimself.) c. Possibilityofrevelationsupposesthings: i. SupremePersonalbeingwhocommunicates ii. We,whoareabletobecommunicatedwith,havingacapacitytoreceive revelation d. ChristianrevelationistherevelationofaPersontopersons(p.xviii,4).Facts concerningtheactivityofGodyielddoctrine.RevelationiswhatGoddoesand says,RecordiswhatmenhavewrittenaboutwhatGoddoesandsays. e. Revelation,beinginhistory,islikehistoryprogressive.Prehistoric_OT_NT_ Postapostolic. f. Revelationislife,itspeaksaboutlifegivenandlifereceived.Thechiefendof Revelationisnotphilosophy,ordoctrine,orenjoyment,orevenmorality. Christianityhasthese,butitisfarmorethanthemall.Itisthereligionof Redemption,includingSalvationpast,present,andfuture.Thechiefendof GodsselfmanifestationistheunionofGodandman,andinthatunionthe fulfillmentofalltheDivinepurposesfortheworld.(p.xx,1)

2. Faith a. Humanresponsetodivinerevelation(Jesusreveals:Mat11.27,Joh1.18&14.6; wemustrespond:Heb11.6,Mat16.15) b. Faithhastwosides i. ItisthetruthaboutGod(Hooker,certaintyofevidence),Faithisnot blind,butintelligent,restingonfacts.Act6.7thefaith,Jud1.3,Tit1.4, Phi1.27 ii. ItisthetrustwhichcorrespondstoGodstruth(Hooker,certaintyof adherence).Mat8.5greatfaith c. BelievingallthearticlesoftheChristianfaithshouldleadtotrustinginGod, knowingthefactsandtrustingtheauthorofthefactsshouldbeconnected.(There canbeadifference,sinsevendemonscanbelieveJam2.19)Therefore,personal trustisthenecessaryaspectoffaithdevelopedfromaknowledgeofthetruth. d. UsesLatintomakeadistinction: i. CredoDeum(esse):IbelieveGodexists ii. CredoDeo:IbelievewhatGodsays iii. CredoinDeum:ItrustinGod 3. DoctrineCitestwoGreekwords:didach,|anddidaskali,a.Coupledwiththeword Christian(sincethesewordsthemselvescaneitherstandfortruthorerror)meansthe fundamentaltruthsofrevelationarrangedinsystematicform. 4. TheologyItisthescienceofGodsrevelation.Whereasdoctrineisgeneral,speaking abouttheessentialmattersofthefaith;theologyspeaksaboutthefactsandphenomenaof revelationintheBible. 5. Creeds,confessionsandarticles a. Faithisresponsetodivinerevelation,andconfessionistheexpressionoffaith. (p.xxiv,2) b. Short,comprehensivestatementofbeliefsuitablefordiscipleshipandworship (p.xxiv,4),laterdrivenbyheresies,theninthereformation,newpressures requirednewstatements c. NotwithoutBiblicalprecedent:Bycommonconfession,greatisthemysteryof godliness:Hewhowasrevealedintheflesh,WasvindicatedintheSpirit,Seenby angels,Proclaimedamongthenations,Believedonintheworld,Takenupin glory.(1Ti3.16) d. confessionshavebeencontrastedwithcreeds,butThomasseesthemas developmental(i.e.,lengthier)versionsofcreeds.11 RegardingearlystatementsofthefaithandtheessenceofChristianity(aswellastheessenceof Anglicanism,considerthesefourasessentialtoAnglicanism:a)HolyScripture,b)ThethreeCreeds,c)The BookofCommonPrayercommonprayertradition,d)TheThirtyNineArticlesofReligionthebenefitofthe

6. 39Articles a. Historicalimportance:namely,inrelationtotheirorigin. i. ProtestantnatureagainstRome ii. Continentalinfluence iii. English Protestantism b. DoctrinalpointsoutareasofunityanddiversitybetweenEnglishandother churches. c. PracticalregardingtheChristianlife.Itgivespracticaldefinitiontoagraspable faith. Second,hedealswiththehistoryoftheArticles. I. Fundamentally,39Articlesarepartofthemanyreformedconfessions.Aswiththem,it wasnotonlyconcernedtoshowthesupremacyofScripture,butthetruthsaboutwhich theywrotewerealsoinaccordtothecreedsandtheearlychurch. II. NotonlywasRomeinviewintheconfessions,butalsoagainstreformationalexcesses, suchastheAnabaptists. III. ReviewofLutheranConfessions A. GreaterandLesserCatechismsofLuther B. DietofAugsburg2(afollowuptotheDietofSpeier,whichprotestedanyforcing ofconscienceinreligiousmatters,andasaugmentationofArticleswrittenin SchwabachandTorgau)statedthebeliefsoftheLutheranprotestors(p.xxx,2). Coveredfaith(21Articles)andabuses(7Articles). C. ArticlesofSchmalcald,presentedtoacouncilatMantua D. SaxonConfession E. ConfessionofWurtemberg(framedonmodelofAugsburg) IV. ReviewofReformedConfessionsthesedidnothavedirectinfluenceonthe39Articles, butshowtheunityofessentialsamongthevarioustraditions,aswellasthedifferencesof detail.Reformation. Astowhatisuniversaltothechurch,somehavesuggestedthecountingtofivemethod.1Bible,2 Testaments,3Creeds,4Councils,5Centuries(15A.D.).ItcomesfromLancelotAndrewes. 1stCouncilTheFirstCouncilofNice,A.D.325;2ndFirstCouncilofConstantinople,A.D.381;3rd TheCouncilofEphesus,A.D.431;4thTheCouncilofChalcedon,A.D.451;5thTheSecondCouncilof Constantinople,A.D.553;6thTheThirdCouncilofConstantinople,A.D.680681;7thTheSecondCouncil ofNice,A.D.787. 2 Thisstatement,withtheConfessionofWurtemberg,stronglyinfluencedthe39Articles. ThomasmakesspecialnoteofthefactthateventhoughtheArticlesaresometimesverballyidentical withtheAugsburgConfession,thedoctrineoftheSacramentsisoftheReformedtype(usingThomas distinction),notLutheran.(p.xxxiii,1)

A. Zwinglian 1. 67ArticlesofZwingli 2. FirstConfessionofBasel 3. FirstHelveticConfession B. Calvinistic 1. Institutes 2. SecondHelveticConfession 3. SynodofDort 4. WestminsterConfession V. Romantheseworkswereclearlyknowntotheframersofthe39Articles A. Trent B. CreedandCatechismofPiusIV Thirdly,GTgivesanoutlineandanalysisofthestructureoftheArticles.This isincludedinthelanguageoftheArticlesthemselves.

Tape1: INTRODUCTORYMATERIAL 16thcenturyreformationalstatement,importantforallChristians,particularly forthosewhoclaimtobereformed.Also,andobviously,importantforthose inAnglicantradition.GriffithThomasspeaks:importanttohistoryandfaith/ doctrine.Partofreformationpositionandprotest. IntroductoryComments 1)Historical,theArtsdefinethestd.ofbelieffortheCoE,andthatof thereformedchurchesofthattime. 2)Doctrinal,theydefinethestd.ofbelieffortheCoE.Theyidentify pointsbothidenticalanddistinctivetoAnglicanism.Thus,historicaland doctrinalperspective. 3)Butbeyondhistoricalanddoctrinalcharacter,thepracticalvalueis moreimportant.Hencethetitle:ArticlesAgreeduponbytheBishopsand OtherLearnedMenintheSynodatLondonintheYearofOurLordGod1552 fortheAvoidingofControversyinOpinionsandtheEstablishmentofaGodly ConcordinCertainMattersofReligion.Pastoralintentisevidencedhere. Addressedneedsofthechurch,herpeace,stabilityandwellbeing. Hardwick:Notintendedtobeacompletebodyofdivinity,butenumerationof sometruths,whichhavebeendeniedbysomepersons.Again,pastoral practicalcharacter.

ItwillbeseenthattheArtsarewrittensomewhatdifferentlyfromother reformedconfessions,takingintoaccountpastoralconcerns.CitesThomasre: revelation,thatrevelationislife.SeeThomas,p.xx,1.Lifeispractical,thus confessionsmustnotonlybefactual/doctrinal,butalsopastoral. Richesdiscussesbiblicalrevelation,itspurposebeingtherelationshipbetween Godandman,notgristfromthehumanmill. SpeaksoftheopencharacteroftheArts,seep.xxiv,1,asaskeletal structure.Pointsoutthatanythingmorethanthatwouldactuallybecounterto thestatedintent.Itwouldnothaveavoidedcontroversy,butcreatedit,andnot inahealthyway.Themorepreciseonebecomes,themoreoneexcludesthe population,untilonlyonepersoncouldbeleft.Thusthestressonboth Biblicalandancientchurchground,sothatbeinginconcordwiththeearly churchwasrequiredforChristianity,butnottothebindingoftheconsciences ofmenonnonessentials.(Unity/Essential;Diversity/Nonessentials; Charity/Everything).WecannotbemoreprecisethanGodis. Everyecclesiasticaltraditionhasapersonalityorcharacter.Spokeof Presbyterianismasjuridical.Triestodefineanddecideallthings.Evenspeaks ofchurchesaslookinglikecourtrooms.WestminsterStds.triestospeakto ALLthings.WhereastheArtsspeakwithoutequivocationaboutessentials, butleavesothermattersundefined.QuotesBishopC.S.Gibson:extravagance ofthecontinentalreformersindefiningsmallpoints,contratheEnglishArts. Alsopointsoutthatthecreedsareshortandskeletal.Itispartoftheological educationtogainprecisionofdistinctionanddetail,andalsoperspectiveand scope. ThisperspectiveistobecontrastedwiththecommentsofF.Benteinthe ConcordiaTriglotta:TheLutheranChurchdiffersfromallotherchurchesin beingessentiallytheChurchofthepureWordandunadulteratedSacraments.. .theprecioustruthsconfessedbyhersymbolsinperfectagreementwiththe HolyScripturesconstitutethetruebeautyandrichtreasuresofourChurch,as wellastheneverfailingsourceofhervitalityandpower.3 Andagain:NotbeingformallyandexplicitlyadoptedbyallChristians,the specificallyLutheranconfessionsalsoaregenerallyregardedasparticular symbols.Inasmuch,however,astheyareincompleteagreementwiththeHoly3 Preface,p.iv

Scriptures,andinthisrespectdifferfromallotherparticularsymbols,the Lutheranconfessionsaretrulyecumenicalandcatholicincharacter.They containthetruthsbelieveduniversallybytrueChristianseverywhere, explicitlyevenbyinconsistentanderringChristians.Christiantruth,beingone andthesametheworldover,isnoneotherthanthatwhichisfoundinthe Lutheranconfessions.4 Analysis:HavingsuchaviewofonesconfessionsexceedsLutherhimselfand leavesoneeitherthesolerepositoryofthefaith,muchliketheRomanchurch, orleavesonebereftofaworkableconfession,openingoneselftounbelief. Hecontinuesbytalkingaboutinscripturatedrevelation,meaningthattruthis incorporatedinobjectiverevelation,notinsubjectiveperceptionsofthe objectivetruth.Therecord(inotherwords)isinfallible,andwecanhave confidencetherein.Butwemustbehumbleconcerningourapproach.(1Ti 6.1516,Isa55.8,Rom11.33)Knowledgepointstomystery,andtogether knowledgeandmysteryleadsustoworship. Foundationaltruths.Helpusseetheuniversalchurch,thereformation churchesandtheEnglishchurch.Weshouldlearnfromtheirdoctrineandtheir character.Makenotethatthe39Articlesfollowthegeneraloutlineofthe Apostles/NiceneCreeds. Notjusthistory,philosophy,ecclesiologybutperhapscauseustolookatour ownfaith,nurturingtoourownsoul. HistoricalComments Articlescome,notoutofavacuum,butfromthecontextofotherformularies. Preparationforpublicationofthefirstprayerbookcoincidewithdevelopment oftheArts English 153610Arts,putforwardbyEnglishchurchduringthetransition. Twosections:5doctrine,5ceremonies.Evidencethereformingbeginnings, butnotareformedstance.Attemptedtoprovidesomelandmarksforwherethe churchwasandwasgoing. 1537BishopsBook/InstitutionofaChristianMan,seeHotchkiss, p.7

4

p.3

153813Arts,Cranmerpresiding,Lutheran&Englishclerics.13 wereneversanctioned,butformedakeylinktotheofficial39.(13werea relativelyrecentdevelopment) 1539NotetheHenryeffect:hereandthere,dependingonmotives andmovers,thusthe6Arts,veryRomancatholic(Richescallsthem dramatic),includingprisonsentencesforreadingtheBible,capitalsentence fordenyingtransubstantiation.ThisislargelyduetoStephenGardiners influence. Revisionspostdefinition 1552/342Artsoriginalversion.Thekingandprivycouncilput forwardorderthatCranmerframearticlesofreligionforthepurposestatedin theabovecitedtitle.Cranmerwrote45,submittedtoBishopsanddivines,then returnedtoCranmer.PresentArt29wasoriginallyin4separatearticles,but thesewerecompactedintoone,makingthetotal42.Thedocumentworkedon twoproblems,boththoseofRome,aswellastheAnabaptists.Makenoteof thepurposeofneithermaintainingmedievalchurch,aswellastheradical Anabaptistsontheother(againstgovernment,aswellassacramental problems). 1553MaryTudorrepealedartsandotherreformingmoves. 1558ElizabethrestoresArtsandwantsthembetterframed.Wanteda formforunity.ThinkaboutActofUniformityintheGermansituation.Riches notesthatElizabethhadnointerestinwinningRome,butunitingProtestants. SeeThomasxlv,34. 1563The42arereducedto38. 157139ArtsappearwithlistingoftheApocrypha,affirmativeclause ofArtXX,forfurthercomparison,seeThomas,pp.xliiixlvi. 1801Americanversion,theversionreferredtointheDeclarationof Principles,andthereforetheversionusedinthelectures.Thomasusesthe Britishversion.Art8z.B.liststhreecreeds,butAmericanversionhasonly twocreeds.Welldealwiththoseinduetime. Germany 1530ConfessionofAugsburg,Melanchtonswork 1552Wurtemberg,presentedtoTridentinecouncil,framedonmodel ofAugsburg,containing35Arts.ThiswasusedbyParkerintherevisionsof theEdwardian42andrevisedthemaccordinglytothe39in1563.

ArticleI55 ThesedefinitionswillberequiredforthisArt:

APosteriorimethodofreasoningstartingwitheffects(eventsoccurringpostorafter)anddeducingcauses.

OfFaithintheHolyTrinity THEREisbutonelivingandtrueGod,everlasting,withoutbody,parts,or passions;ofinfinitepower,wisdom,andgoodness;themakerandpreserverof allthingsbothvisibleandinvisible.AndinunityofthisGodheadtherebe threePersons,ofonesubstance,power,andeternity;theFather,theSon,and theHolyGhost.6 Considerations:Context,Manner,Content Context:APrioriThatspecificconclusiondeducedfromgeneralprinciple,notfromexperience.Startingwithcauses (priorevents)anddeducingeffects.Usedtodescribeknowledgepossessedbythemindpriortoexperience,i.e., innateknowledge.Itisclearapriorithatawholeisequaltothesumofitsparts. Deductionknowledgeorassumptionofknowledgedrawingfromgeneralprincipletodiscoverspecificfacts. Ifapremiseiscorrect,itsconclusionisalsocorrect. Inductiondrawingfromspecificfactstodiscovergeneralconclusions(syllogisticthinking).Allmenhave beards,Markhasabeard,Markisaman. AlsoseenotesfromGTon: ArticleI FromThomas: Pointsoutthegeneraltheses:Unity/TrinityofGod

I. ExistenceofGod A. Discussestheismingeneral,assomethingnotuniquetoChristianity.Notesthat ArtassumesexistenceofGod.(4,0) B. SpeaksoftheoriginoftheideaofGodaseitherintuitiveorasamatteroflogical deduction.(4,1) C. ThenspeaksofapriorioraposterioriproofsforGod,speakingoftheaposterioriapproachasbetterandeasier(5,2).

Thencites5aposterioriargumentsforGod: 1. Ontological(6) 2. Cosmological(7) 3. Teleological(8) 4. Anthropological(8) 5. Christological(12) II. NatureofGod(aspectsnamedintheArt) A. Unityone...God,meaningnumerical,butevenmore,essential,heisthe unique,thehighest,thatbeingunderwhichallotherthingsarefound,the sovereignONE,thehighestofall B. Lifehesthelifeandsourceoflife,hesthelivingGodasopposedtothedead godsofidolatry C. Truthnottruthful,buttrue,genuine,substantial(trulyexisting),aswellastruein hismoralnatureD.

SeparationbetweenEnglandandRomecalledforclearexplanationof divergenceandunity.WhywaschurchdifferentfromRome?Manylater Articleswilldealwiththatdirectly,buttheinitialArticlesspeakofunitywith ancientchurch.Unityandcatholicitycomefirst.Thisisquitethesameashow theAugsburgConfessionclaimsitself.Thisisthefirstof5whichspeakof unityofchurch,unitywithcreedsoffirst5centuries.Linkswithpast,with Christianmainstream.

D. EternalrequiredforaFirstCauseunlimitedbycreatedboundaries,timeand space. E. Spiritualwithoutbody,parts,passions 1. notlimitedbypowerorspace,suchasbodiesare 2. essentiallyunified(justice/mercy),withoutdivision,conflict 3. notsubjectedtoanother,bywhomGodcouldbeaffected,denies impotenceorimperfection.Itdoesnotdenypassioninthemorelimited sensethathehasnoemotionalcapacity,whichdeniespersonality.IfGod isangry,heisangrybyhisownvolition. F. ConsideralsoRationality,MoralityandPersonality(personness,abletorelate, havingethicalandemotionalcharacter)ofGod G. Needtoalsospeakaboutanthropomorphicallanguage/imageofGodinman,see Gregsnotes,leadstonexttopic III. AttributesofGodgeneralandethicalrememberthatGodscharacterisnotmerely philosophical,butalsoethical/relational A. General 1. infinitepoweromnipotenceallpoweradequateforallnecessities (whichareimposeduponGodbyhimselfandhisownnature).Thisdoes notruleoutselflimitation(theideaofGodhavingaspecificnature demandsaformofselflimitation),Godcannotlie,z.B.Also,Godlimited himselftomanhoodinChrist.Butthisnotimposedfromexternal necessity,whichwouldrequiresome(one/thing)greaterthanGod. 2. infinitewisdomomniscience 3. makerofallthingsmatterisnoteternal,transcendenceofGod 4. preserverofallthingsGodhasnotlefttheworldwhichhecreated (immanence) 5. Godinnatureconsidertheunity/diversityoftranscendence/immanence particularlythedangersofdeism/pantheism(humanism?).SeeVanTil ontworeligions,Christianityorpantheism B. Ethical 1. Truth 2. Holiness 3. Faithfulness

Manner DeclarativeinformContinuityanddiversityfromRomanism,butalso establishestoneandsetsprecedentforthearticleswhichfollow.Itavoids speculativeorphilosophicalproblemsandstatesclearlythebiblicalfaith,ina personalandpracticalmanner.Litton(hisintro.dealingwithChristiantheism, p.91,23)[AlistairMcGrath/Theology?]writesthatthinkingaboutGod mustnotterminateinitselfaspurelyphilosophicalcontemplation,itloses itscharacterasChristianity.HewritesfurtherthattheTrinityistheTrinityof 4. Wisdom 5. BenevolenceinfinitegoodnessGodisnotmalevolent IV. p.20RevelationofGodinChrist(beginningtodealwithTrinitarianaspectofArt) A. 21TrinityuniquetoChristiantheologyGermanDreieinigkeit.SeestatementfromAthanasiancreed(CT,p.33,[Latin]6,1516,2025).

B. 21Slowlyunfoldingnatureofthedoctrineratherthandry,straightforward statement C. 22Butisitderivable?Incarnationleadstotheconclusion,aswellasspecific claimsofJesus.Thekeypointinthefollowingtextsisthattherelationship betweenthepersonsoftheTrinityareofpersonalexperienceofChristandhis teaching. 1. DisciplesconcludeitJoh20.28MeinHerrundmeinGott! 2. ActsoftheApostles2.22,PeterbothpointstotheSonship/Messiahship ofChrist&thefactthathishearersmustownChristandLordandmaster. SeealsoJesusassourceofhealing(3.6,16),princeoflife(3.15),corner stone(4.11),onlywayofsalvation(4.12). 3. Jesusteachesit;Joh10.30(IchundderVatersindeins.),re:theHoly Spirit(Joh4.1617,26;15.26,16.715). 4. DoctrineofHSasdevelopedinActs:5.34,9z.B.,andtheworkoftheHS inthechurch:2.4,8.29,10.19,13.24,16.6,20.28. 5. Epistles:1Th1.1ff.,1Pe1.2,Rom15.30,2Th3.16,18,1Co2.46,2Co 13.14,1Pe1.2 D. 24Doctrineisconfirmedintheepistles,seep.24,1andthelistsoftexts,etc. E. Mightaddthatthisisconfirmedinthecreedsandbytheearliestfathers 1. Polycarp:ButmaytheGodandFatherofourLordJesusChrist,andJesus ChristHimself,whoistheSonofGod,andoureverlastingHighPriest, buildyouupinfaithandtruth.(EpistletothePhilippians,Chap.12) 2. IgnatiusarguesforunityofchurchfromrelationshipbetweenChristand theFather:ForevenJesusChristdoesallthingsaccordingtothewillof theFather,asHeHimselfdeclaresinacertainplace,Idoalwaysthose thingsthatpleaseHim.Whereforeitbehovesusalsotoliveaccordingto thewillofGodinChrist,andtoimitateHimasPauldid.For,sayshe,Be yefollowersofme,evenasIalsoamofChrist.(EpistletoEphesians,

redemption,servingthepurposeofsavingmankind,thatisthebasicreasonfor whichGodrevealshimself. OntologicalTrinitybeingofGodasheis,asitexistsinitself,without referenceorrelationtoanyotherthingorbeing.AndthisisatreatmentofGod thatwouldbedifficult(ifpossibleatall)tofindintheScriptures.Father begets,SpiritspiratesfromtheFather/Son,eternalgenerationoftheSon. HavingsaidbegottenoftheFatherbeforeallworlds,whatelsecanwesay? Chap.3) F. OTEvidence 1. UnityDeu6.4:Hre,Israel,derHERRistunserGott,derHERRallein. 2. Diversitya.

Elohim(~yhil{a)pluralnameofGodwithsingularcreatebara( ),Gen1.1(similarconstructionin2Th3.11,wherePaulmentionsthe FatherandtheSon,andtheverbdirectisinthe3sOpt.Aor.Act.of kateuth8nw[kateuqu,nai]).

ar'B'

b. useofpluralsinGen1.26,3.22,11.7 c. AngeloftheLordasChristophany:Gen16.7,Exo3.2,Num22.22, *Jdg2.1,etc. d. SpiritofJehovah:Isa40.13,notaforce,butaperson(ality) e. Personificationofwisdom:Pro8,Joh1.118(logos),and1Co1.24 f. ThethriceholyofIsa6.13isahint?Nottobepressed,butnotto beoverlooked G. 27Superiorityofthedoctrine:Insummary,religionsconceiveofGodas Transcendent(Deism,Islam),orImmanent(Pantheism,Buddhism).Christianity seesbothasthesametime.SeePaulssermon,Act17.2428;Godascreator,but nearby.Thomasalsospeaksatsomelengthaboutthereasonablenessofthe Trinity,satisfyingtheincomprehensibilityofAgnosticism,theimmanenceof Pantheism,thetranscendenceofDeism,andthepersonalityofTheism.(p.28, 1) H. Historicalphrasing: 1. Greek:mi,a ouvsi,a evn trisi.n u`posta,sesin 2. Latin:unasubstantia,trespersonae 3. Art1ofAugsburgConfession(whichlentitselfinlargeparttoArticleIof 39Arts)says:AndthetermpersontheyuseastheFathershaveusedit, tosignify,notapartorqualityinanother,butthatwhichsubsistsofitself.6 InfluencedbytheConfessionofAugsburg.ThewordingfollowsinEnglishandDeutsch. ArticleI:OfGod. ...thereisoneDivineEssencewhichiscalledandwhichisGod:eternal,withoutbody,withoutparts,of infinitepower,wisdom,andgoodness,theMakerandPreserverofallthings,visibleandinvisible;andyetthere arethreePersons,ofthesameessenceandpower,whoalsoarecoeternal,theFathertheSon,andtheHoly

Cansaysomethings;theFatherlovestheSon,andtheSonlovestheFather, buteventhosethingshavebeenrevealedtousforthepurposeofundergirding theunderstandingofourredemption.(Here,forexample,Godisin relationshiptohimself,leadingtothepossibilityofotherrelationships,suchas withus.)Buttoomuchmoreisspeculative. EconomicTrinityBiblespendsmuchtimedescribinghowGodrelatestous. (Fathercreates,Sonredeems,Spiritsanctifies)oikos,leadingtooikonomia, stewardship,dealingwiththewayGoddealswithhishousehold,hisaffairs withrespecttocreation.ThisisthegeneralBiblicalapproach,Godin relationship.LetusfollowtheleadoftheBibleintheconsideration. ImmediateobjectTrinityofredemption.(Litton) Disciples,howdidtheylearnTrinitariantheology?NotafteranAthanasian model(nottodownplayitsprecisearticulation),butthediscipleslearnedby livinginthecompanyofJesus.Thomassaysonp.22thatthedoctrineofthe TrinityisanexpansionofthedoctrineoftheIncarnation.Itarisesoutof Christsownteaching.Joh1.18tellsusthisaboutChristandhisministryand service.GodmadefleshinChrist.Thomas:Jesususespersonalimpression, thelessonsoflifeandpractice. TheologiansspeakoftheactionsofGodadintra(thoseactivitieswhichoccur withinthecontextoftheTrinityitself:generation,filiation,spiration).Butin Article1,onedoesnotseesuchdistinctions.Suchthinkinghasaplace,butthe NTapproachisprimarilyeconomicinitsrelationship. Wecanalsospeakadextra,relationshipofGodtothecreatedorderandmore specificallytothepeoplewhoaremadeinhisimage,andtohisredeemed (purposedandaccomplished).ItisnowtheFatherwhocalls,theSonwho redeemsandtheSpiritwhosanctifies.TheNTpointsoutthatGodisuniquein theserelationships,andTHISishowwebecomeawareoftheotheraspectsof Godscharacter.WesoongaintheimpressionfromtheNTthatJesusof NazarethspeaksonlyasGodcanspeak,does,claims.(Mar2.7,Mat8.27) Theseunderstandingscamegradually,notbecausethereweretheologynotes.Ghost... DerI.Artikel.VonGott. ...daeineiniggttlichWesensei,welchesgenanntwirdundwahrhaftiglichistGott,undsinddochdrei PersonenindemselbeneinigengttlichenWesen,gleichgewaltig,gleichewig,GottVater,GottSohn,Gott HeiligerGeist,alledreieingttlichWesen,ewig,ohneStcke,ohneEnde,unermelicherMacht,Weisheitund Gte,einSchpferundErhalterallersichtbarenundunsichtbarenDinge...

TheywereconfrontedwiththerealityofthisJesus,andhisredemptiveacts andcharacterwerenothuman.TheysooncametorealizethefactofCol2.9. Inpersonalrelationship,thepersonsinteractwitheachother.Baptismof Christisanexcellentexample.(Mat3.17)Distinctpersons,eachinrelationto eachother,workingdistinctively,butnotseparately;eachredemptivelyin relationtous.Forusmen,andforoursalvation. Content Twoaspects:1st,affirmationofunityoftheGodhead.Setsthechurchs affirmationoffaithinthebroadestpossiblecontextofdivineselfdisclosure andredemptivehistory.Herewesee,TheLordourGod,theLordisone. (Deu6.4)Sohere,Thereisbutone...Soitsetsitselfnotonlyinthe contextofhistoricalChristianity,butinthecontextofredemptivehistory,of Israel,etc. 2nd,affirmationofdiversity/personaldistinctions.Historicalterminologyis used,butwithoutprecisedefinition,withoutbelaboringeachofthepoints. Onesubstance(substantia/essentiabeing).Ifsubstanceisused,itcould implymateriality.Samewithessence.Butwhatarealternativeterms.Weare, afterall,materialcreaturesandmustexpressourselvesinthatway.Thephrase withoutbody,parts,passionsexcludesmateriality.Godisnotcorporal, composite,captive(toficklefeelingsoremotions,externalmotivations,Godis notinfluencedorchangedoralteredbythingsoutsidehimself.Godisnot impressed,etc.Godisnotcontingent). Thethreesubsistences/personsofFather,Son,HolySpirit.Again,language createssomeproblems,inthatpersons=people.Here,simplymeaningaself conscious,actingsubject.Consciousofownexistence,capableofvolitionand action,inturn,maybeobjectofaction(notimpersonal,mereforce).Eachcan anddoessayIofhimself,andaddressestheothersasyou.Baptism,again, anexample.FatheraddressestheSonYouare/thisis.Jesusaddressesthe FatherinJoh17,orgardenprayer.Jesuspromisestosendanothercomforter, theSpiritofTruth,doeshemean,Illsendmyself?TheactivitiesoftheSpirit, comes,bearswitnessofJesus(IamtheSpirit,IbearwitnessoftheSon). PressingbeyondthispointgoesfurtherthanArticle,andperhapsfurtherthan wecancomprehend. Rememberthattheincarnationisthepointofreference.TheTriuneGodis describedinhumanterms,livingandtrue,eternalisalittlebigger, cannotembraceitfully,butunderstandreallybig.Infinitepower,wisdom

andgoodness.Eachofthesetermsbearssomeanalogytohumanity.Insome cases,moredirectlyanalogous,inothers,not.Butinanyevent,theBible speaksinthesameway.ImageofGodinmanplaysinhere.Theattributesof ourbeingbearsananalogytoGodsattributes.Otherwise,howwouldwebe abletoknow,becausehowwouldGodbeabletocommunicate.Without analogy,thereisnotknowledge.Theentireuniverseisthemeansbywhich Godmakeshimselfknown.Heavensdeclare...Invisibleattributes,being clearlyseen...(Psa19.1(d2),Rom1.20) Godmadehumanityinhisownimageandlikeness.Thereisanalogy.Butalso recognizethatwherethisisanalogy,thereisalsodifference.Thatis,thereis notattributeofGodthatwebearentirely,ortheotherwayaround.Godmakes himselfvisible,andparticularlyinJesus.Andwhenweseethatrevelation, thenweknowGod.(Joh17.3)KnowingGodiseternallife.

ArticleII OftheWord,orSonofGod,WhichWasMadeVeryMan THESON,whichistheWordoftheFather,begottenfromeverlastingofthe Father,theveryandeternalGod,andofonesubstancewiththeFather,took MansnatureinthewomboftheblessedVirgin,ofhersubstance:sothattwo wholeandperfectNatures,thatistosay,theGodheadandtheManhood,were joinedtogetherinonePerson,nevertobedivided,whereofisoneChrist,very God,andveryMan;whotrulysuffered,wascrucified,dead,andburied,to reconcilehisFathertous,andtobeasacrifice,notonlyfororiginalguilt,but alsoforactualsinsofmen. CitesfromtheGreatLitany:BythemysteryofthyholyIncarnation,good Lorddeliverus.Thisarticlebringsaredemptivefocustothetheology. Borrowsphrasesfromancientchurch.Again,continuityisinview,showing therelationshiptocatholicChristianity.Thelinkwiththepastservesto nurtureandstrengthenthepeople.I.e.,minimaloftechnicaltermsandabstract language. Alltheelementsarebroughttobearremindingusthattheyhappened toreconcileHisFathertous... p.41ofThomas:ItshouldneverbeforgottenthatChristisofnecessityinfinitelymorethananyhuman formula.Thisistrueevenofhumanpersonality,andmoreitistrueoftheDivine.Statements suchasthoseoftheCreedsandthisArticleareintendedtoguideandguardourthought, enablingustoformclearconceptionsandindicatinglimitswithinwhichourthoughtsmay moveinsafety.

Coverssomeoftheearlyheresies.Makenoteofpendulumeffect.

Errorsre:Deity/Humanity Ebionites(Hebraic,earliesterrorofJudaizers):DeniedDeity:They desiredtohonorChrist,butcouldnotreconcileDeityofChristwiththeirstrict monotheism.LikethoseduringChriststime,theEbionitescouldnotdeal withChristsequalitywithGod(Joh5.18).DenieddeityofChrist,madehim tobethelastgreatprophet.TheSpiritwasuponhim,butdepartedbefore thecrucifixion. Docetists(Hellenistic,earliesterrorsofGreektrainedChristians) Deniedhumanity,thoughtintermsofgnosticdualism,materialand immaterial,goodandevil,etc.Good=immaterial/spirit,evil=material/ physical.Intheirthinking,howcouldGodhimself(good/immaterial/spirit) becomeflesh(evil/material/physical)?Bythem,unthinkable,therefore denied.LikeEbionites,wantedtohonorChrist,butneededtoremain consistenttotheirthinking.Theypositedhimtobeanappearance,a hologram,anonrealimmaterialthing.Christappearedtobehuman,he seemedtobereal(doke,wdoke_).This,ofcourse,makesallthingshavingto dowithChristwouldalsoonlyappeartohavehappened.ButJohnspeaksof whatourhandshavehandled,etc.1Jo4.23,aswell. Arianism(320)denieddeitystatedthathewasafirstcreature,a uniquecreation,evenperhapsadeifiedman,butnevertheless,simplyaman. ThisheresyresultedintheNicenecouncil.Thecouncilsallowedfora tension,bothGodandman,anunresolvedsetoffacts.Thatiswhatthe Scripturessay.HeisveryGodofveryGod,butalsoboneofourbone.Thisis thecontroversyoverthedifferencebetweeno`moiou,sioj(like)and o`moou,sioj(identical). Errorsre:Dualnature Apollinarianism(310390)mergingdeniedthatJesushadatrue human,rationalfacultysuchasmendo.Likeusinhismanhood,butdifferent inthathissoul/reasonwasactuallytheSpirit.Godencapsulatedinflesh, braintransplantChristology.Ifwecouldimaginealion(z.B.)withahuman brain.ThatsthekindofChristApollinarusoffersus.Alsounabletooffera perfectvicarioussacrifice,sincehesnotoneofus,neither/nor,butatertium quid,ahybridorder.Itsamergingofthetwonatures. Nestorianism(428)separatingdeniedthatChristwasGod.He separatesthetwonaturesofChrist,havingadualpersonality.Christisactually twopeople,inclosecooperation;onlythedivineChrististobeworshiped, whilethehumanJesusisonlythetoolorvesselofthedivineChrist.Thiswas perhapsmeanttocounterasomewhatextravagantuseofthetermtheotokos (godoffspring),MotherofGod.Heusestheanalogyoftheindwelling SpiritinthebelievertodiscusstheanalogyofGodinChrist.Hereiswherethe

wordmonogenhj(onlybegotten)becomesimportant.ButNestoriusoffers SiamesetwinChristology.Ephesiancouncildeniesthisheresy. Eutychianism(aboutsametimeasNestorianism,beingdeposed448, alsofromConstantinople,aswasNestorius)mergingdenieddistinctionof natures,sayingthatChristwasnotactuallyofthesamestuffasus(humanity), fusingnaturesofChristintoacompositeform,neitherdivinenorhuman. Mostothererrorsofthosedays,orofthesedays,arevariationsonthese themes.Chalcedoniancouncildealtwiththeselast4errors:7Thomaswrites:AgainstthesefourerrorstheChurch,asrepresentedatChalcedon,emphasisedfour watchwords.InoppositiontoArianism,ChristwasdeclaredtobetrulyGod;inopposition toApollinarianism,ChristwasdeclaredtobeperfectlyMan;inoppositiontoNestorianism, Christspersonwasdeclaredtobeindivisiblyone;inoppositiontoEutychianism,thetwo NaturesofChristweredeclaredtobeunconfusedlydistinct.8

Andagain:Christisunique.IftherewasnorealIncarnationwehavenorealknowledgeofGodin relationtomanslife,especiallyinregardtosinanddeliverancefromit,exceptsofarasthe (byitself)imperfectrevelationoftheOTisconcerned.Unitarianismisafailure,becauseit cannotbearthestressofthedoctrineoftheDivineFatherhood.IftheIncarnationbedenied, Christianitycannotlongsurvive.Besides,thetruthisthatofGodbecomingManratherthan ofmanbecomingGod.NomereImmanencewillsuffice,andcertainlynoapotheosis. Itmustneverbeforgottenthatthereisvital,essential,andintimateconnection betweenourLordsdeityandHisworkofredemption.ITisnotmerelythatonemanismade unique,butitisacaseofGodcomingintotheworldinhumanform,forusmenandforour salvation. TheIncarnationmaybeinexplicableasapsychologicalorontologicalproblem;but itsatisfiestheyearningsofthosewhoareseekingafterGodandHisrighteousness.9

Hypostaticunion:theunityofthetwonatures,bothGodandman,fullyand properlyeach,butonepersonality. Communicatioidiomatum:Communicationofoperations(salvationworkof manandGod),graces(graceandglory,shareofworshipandadoration)and attributes/properties(finiteandinfinite,manofsorrowsandalmighty).7 Weconfess,therefore,ourLordJesusChrist,theOnlyBegottenSonofGod,perfectGod,andperfect Manofareasonablesoulandfleshconsisting;begottenbeforetheagesoftheFatheraccordingtohisDivinity, andinthelastdays,forusandforoursalvation,ofMarytheVirginaccordingtohishumanity,ofthesame substancewithhisFatheraccordingtohisDivinity,andofthesamesubstancewithusaccordingtohis humanity;fortherebecameaunionoftwonatures.WhereforeweconfessoneChrist,oneSon,oneLord. Accordingtothisunderstandingofthisunmixedunion,weconfesstheholyVirgintobeMotherof God;becauseGodtheWordwasincarnateandbecameMan,andfromthisconceptionheunitedthetemple takenfromherwithhimself.(FromletterofCyril,BishopofAlexandria,toJohnofDamascus) 8 9 Thomas,p.42,1 Thomas,p.3738,starting3

ArticleIII OftheGoingdownofChristintoHell ASCHRISTdiedforus,andwasburied;soalsoitistobebelieved,thathewent downintoHell.

LikethefirsttwoArticles,thisstatementisanaffirmationofhistoricalcreedal Xnty.GroundedonspecificwarrantoftheBible(notsimplyamatterof history).ItispartoftheApostlesCreed.Itishasbeensaidthatremovingthe descentclauseismakingtheApostlesCreedtoNOTbetheCreed.Also partoftheAthanasiancreed,infact,itsalltheAthanasiancreedsaysabout the(Whosufferedforoursalvation;descendedintohell,roseagainthethird dayfromthedead.). NotpartoftheearliestversionsofApostlesCreed,buttheCreedtookshapely gradually(overseveralcenturies).IthadbeenanancientRomanbaptismal formula.Inthisform,itwasinitiallyinterrogative.(wherecanthisbefound? *)DoyoubelieveinGod.IbelieveinGodtheFatheralmighty...Among wordsorphrasesnotpartoftheoldRomansymbolaresuchphrasesas: Makerofheavenandearth,Whowasconceived,suffered,dead, descendedintohell,Godthefatheralmighty,sittethattherighthandof God,catholic,communionofsaints,thelifeeverlasting.Anyone thereforewhowishestoobjecttothedescensusclausebasedonancientness, willhavetoobjecttotheseotherphrasesandclauses. Thekeyisthattherecanbenolegitimateobjection,sincePeterinAct2.31 speaksdirectlyaboutthis(incitationfromPsa16.10).10IfChristwasnotleft/ abandonedinHades,thenhemusthavegonethereinthefirstplace.Therefore thequestionisnotif,butwhen,why,etc. Whatthepossibilitiesarenot: 1)Christenteredtheplaceofeternaltormentinordertofurther sufferforsin:PartofGoodFriday/Karfreitagservice:Itisfinished.(Joh 19.30)Whatdothewordsmean:MyGod,myGod,whyhastthouforsaken me?Tostareatthesewordsistostareintohellitself.(Mar15.34)God abandonmentishell,tobewhereneithertheredemptionnorthecommon graceofGodwillreach.Hefulfilledhiswordofpromisetothemalefactor,10 helookedaheadandspokeoftheresurrectionoftheChrist,thatHEWASNEITHERABANDONED TOHADES,NORDIDHisfleshSUFFERDECAY.

Today,youwillbewithmeinparadise.(Luk23.43)Thisapproachalso givesthemeaninggehenna/helltothewordhades.Theusageofthese wordsdoesnotbearthattransferofmeaning.Seebelow. 2)NotrelatingPsalm16passageandthenrelatethemtoother obscurepassages.Namely,donttakePsa16/Act2andEph4.9.DoesEph refertoadescentintohell?Whatdoesdescentmean?Hecametoearth, referringtotheincarnation.Theascensionisthecounterpartofthisdescent. Evenifthereferencewasadescentintosomelowerworld,ratherthan simplytoearth(referstoThomas,p.67);thatChristsdescentiscloselylinked tobestowinggiftsforministry.WhatwouldChristsdescenttoHadeshaveto dowithabestowalofgifts?Thepointis,itcreatesaproblemfortheEph4 exegesis. Anothersuchpassage,1Pe3.18ff.Preachedtothespiritsinprison...See inrelation:1Pe4.6.Thereisnospecificlinkbetweenthesetextsandhell.Nor isthereaconnectionbetweenthesetextsandPsa16orAct2.Specific referenceismadetoNoahandtheark.Howarethehellandtheark/Noah related?Howaretheytakenintoaccount?Theentirecontextoftheepistlesas havinganimportantbearingontheseparticularpassages.Endof1Pe3is certainlyamongthemoredifficultpassages. ThispassageseemstobetheculminationofChristswork.Butwhatdoes baptismandtheanswerofagoodconsciencehavetodowithadescentof Christintohell?HowdoesthethoughtofChristsdescentintohell(which seemssecondaryinthiscontextof1Pe3)helpusunderstandthepointof Peterswords?BringingAct2orPsa16intoconnection,neitherhelpsuswith thesetexts,andcreatesconfusionin1Pe3.Goingtodifficultpassagesto explainadifficultpassagecompoundsconfusion. ItshouldbenotedthattheEnglishchurchdidhavesomedebatewhichused someofthesearguments. Thishoweverbringsusbacktosquareone.StartwithtermsSheoland Hades11.Thesewordsrepresentthedeadgo,righteousandwicked.Theplace11 Sheol:TheplacetowhichJacobexpectstogointhecasethatBenjaminiskilled(Gen42.38),also wherethewickedgo(Num16.3033,Psa9.17(d18)),theyarethelowestplacesofcreation(Job11.8,Psa 139.8),simplytheplaceofdeath(Psa6.5(d6),Psa16.10),usedasawordmeaningdeathinHos13.14whichis citedin1Co15.5556. Hades:seemstobeacounterpartwordforSheol,seeMat11.23,16.18Luk10.15,Luk16.23,Act2.27 &31isadirectquotefromPsa16(LXXusesa[|dhnastranslationforlAav.),Rev1.18,6.8,seeparticularlyRev 20.1314,inwhichHadesisthrownintothelakeoffire.Theseusesareequivocal,alwaysdeath,buteither righteousornot.

ofdepartedspirits,inwhichthesoulsoftherighteousdeadareabsentfrom thebodybutpresentwiththelord,butthesoulsofthewickeddeadarein conscioustormentareseparatedfromtherighteousbyagreatgulf.Gehenna servesasspeakingoftheplaceoftorment/punishmentourhell. BeforetheadventofChrist,littlewassaidorknown,ashadowyplace.Christ hasabolisheddeathandhades(seeconnectionofthesetwowordsin:Rev 1:18,Rev6:8,Rev20:13,Rev20:14).12Heremovedthefearofdeathby enteringintoitforusandemergingfromit,see1Co15.Notabandonedtoit, butratherentereditandemergedfromit. Thereismuchwedontknow.Itis,assomethink,atemporarystateofbeing. Itisfundamentallyunnatural.Godcreatedusaswholepersons.Bodyandsoul belongtogether.Deathisseparationofthetwoandunnatural.Absencefrom thebody(foratime)issomethingofwhichPaulspeaks(2Co5.68).Seealso Rom8.23:evenweourselvesgroanwithinourselves,waitingeagerlyforour adoptionassons,theredemptionofourbody.Theresurrectionofthebody andthelifeeverlastingisthefinalstateforwhichwewait. OurconfidenceliesinthefactthatChristenteredintoeveryaspect/stateof life,andwasthevictor.Byhisentirelifeeverystage(Heb4.15:Onewho hasbeentemptedinallthingsasweare,yetwithoutsin.)Born,crucified, died,buried,descended.Everyonewhodiesdescendsintohades. SeethequotefromThomas,bottomofp.68under#4.Thebest,andindeedtheonly,possibleinterpretationisthatthedoctrineresultsfromour Lordsonenesswithusatthis,asateveryotherpoint.Thiswouldseemtobetherealmeaning ofitsplaceintheCreed,andthereforeintheArticle.OurLordisconsideredtohavesatisfied everyconditionofmanhoodforusandforoursalvation.Hewasborn,hegrew,helived,he died,hisbodywasburied,hisspiritwentintotheunseenworldtoawaitresurrection,hewas raised,andheascended... AsitstandsitcompletesourconceptionoftheLordsDeath.Toourmindsdeathis theseparationofthebodyandsoul.AccordingtothisconceptionChristindyingsharedtothe fullourlot.Hisbodywaslaidinthetomb.Hissoulpassedintothatstateonwhichwe conceivethatoursoulsshallenter.HehaswonforGodandhallowedeveryconditionof humanexistence.WecannotbewhereHehasnotbeen.Heboreournatureasliving;Hebore ournatureasdead.

Gehenna:Mat5.22,5.29,5.30,10.28,18.9,23.15,23.33,Mar9.43,9.45,9.47,Luk12.5,Jam3.6 theseusesareunequivocal,alwayspunishment. 12 ...ourSaviorChristJesus,whoabolisheddeathandbroughtlifeandimmortalitytolightthroughthe gospel...(2Ti1.10)

LeonardalsopointsoutthattheAthanasiancreedonlyspeaksofdescended intohell,butnothingofcrucifixion,etc.Thisleadsustoconcludethatthe Athanasiancreedassumesthisphrasetoincludeallaspectsofhisdeath.This iswhytheArticlestatesitselfasitdoes.Christdiedandwasburied,therefore itmustbeunderstoodthathewentdownintohell. Purposelyavoidthedifficultpassages,sincetheywouldtakesometime. Especiallypointoutotherdifficulties,suchas:baptismsavesyou...(1Pe 3.21)

ArticleIV OftheResurrectionofChrist CHRISTdidtrulyriseagainfromdeath,andtookagainhisbody,withflesh, bones,andallthingsappertainingtotheperfectionofMansnature;wherewith heascendedintoHeaven,andtheresitteth,untilhereturntojudgeallMenat thelastday. ThisisanotherstatementofunitybetweentheEnglishreformingchurchand historicChristianityandthecatholicfaithandapostolicwitness.Inthe apostolicpreachingandteaching,theresurrectionwouldbethecoreofthe proclamation.Theywouldhaveaproblemspeakingofhisdeathwithout talkingofhisresurrection.See,z.B.,Rom8.3334.Thecreedofthechurch followsthedeathofChristwithhisresurrection.Thecreedsalldothis, followingoneupontheother. Thispatternaloneisinstructive.Weneedtoalsoconsiderthehistoricsenseof thecentralcharacteroftheresurrectionasimportanttoourwitness.SeePaul 1Co15.18;thatChristdied,buriedandraisedagain,andthen,asaproof, appearedtothedisciples.Christsresurrectionisthepunchlineofthe gospel,Act2.32,forexample.SeealsoAct13.3239.TheChristwhosavesus intheJesuswhodiedANDwhowasraisedagainbyGodtolife(Rom1.4). ItisnotedinAct17.18thatPaulpreachessostronglyoftheresurrection,thatit isnearlyconcludedbyhishearersthatheispreachingtwodeities,Jesusand Resurrection.In32,manyrespondbysneering,butitisneverthelessakey aspectofthemessagepreached.Theprayerbookpropersdrawoutthe connectionbetweenChristsresurrectionandourownfaith.Thisisderived fromthatfirstoftheepistlelessonsonEasterday(Col3.1).

Thiswasalldoneforus,acceptedbythefather,Christsmessageisconfirmed, heisexaltedtohisformerestateofgloryandweareliftedupwithhim.Itis ultimatelyforus. NownotetheaspectsoftheArticlewhichdealwithpossibleerror.Christdid trulyriseagain.13 AstheNiceneCreedsays,onethethirddayheroseagainaccording totheScriptures.Itisaresultofpredictiveprophecy.Thegroundofour assurancethen,isthatGodkeepshisword. Italsocorroborateshisownwitness,justashesaid.Mat28.6. CertifiestheFathersacceptanceoftheSonswork(Rom1.4). Itisacertificationofourownredemptionandpersonaldestiny,think of1Co15.1620. Christsofficeasmediatorisvicarious,doingitonbehalfof,his resurrectionisrelatedtooursanctification.Rom6.46,forexample,Joh14, 1Th4.14ff.,1Jo3.23. Christsascension:Re:ascension,needtokeepinmindtheplain teachingofScripturethatChristisabsentasmanbutpresentasGod.Hewho descendedistheonewhoascended...inordertofillthewholeuniverse(Eph 4.10).Christtakeshishumanityintoheaven,andoursaswell.Thusthe languagefromthearticle,thathedidtrulyriseagainwithbody,withflesh, bones,andallthingsappertainingtotheperfectionofmansnature.Jesus tookhisbodywithhim.HeisalwaystheincarnateSonoftheFather.The dustofearthnowsitsenthronedattherighthandofthemajestyonhigh. (Heb8.1)WhydowebelievethatwhatJobsaysistrue,thatinmyflesh,I shallseeGod(Job19.26)?Itisbecauseourredeemerlives(19.25).Heisour intercessor,andpleadsforus. Christssession:Therehesitsuntilhereturntojudge.Herulesandhe judges.Thisisafactofhisresurrectionaswell.Itimpliesbothreconciliation andrestitution,makingthosethingswhicharewrongtoberight.Therebel shallbesubdued,evilwillbedestroyed,theimperfectwillbemadeperfect (1Co15.53). Rev21.14:ThenIsawanewheavenandanewearth;forthefirstheaven andthefirstearthpassedaway,andthereisnolongeranysea.AndIsawthe holycity,newJerusalem,comingdownoutofheavenfromGod,madeready 13 Towhatextentdoescontemporarywitnessimitatethepatternoftheapostles.Doesthefactofthe resurrectionoccupythesameplaceofprominence?Itprobablydoesnot,itistosomeofembarrassing supernaturalcharacter,itistoobloodyforothersreferringtothehorrorofhisdeath,somespeakmerelythat Christdiedforyou,withoutthecorrespondingemphasisoftheresurrection.

asabrideadornedforherhusband.AndIheardaloudvoicefromthethrone, saying,Behold,thetabernacleofGodisamongmen,andHewilldwell amongthem,andtheyshallbeHispeople,andGodHimselfwillbeamong them,andHewillwipeawayeverytearfromtheireyes;andtherewillno longerbeanydeath;therewillnolongerbeanymourning,orcrying,orpain; thefirstthingshavepassedaway. ThisisthegroundofallChristianhopeandexpectation.Thisisthecertainty ofrewardfortherighteousandpunishmentoftheguilty.Allhonorwillthen begiventotheFatherasitought.Impliesdealingwithdoctrinesofubiquityin thesacrament,suchastheRomanview.

ArticleV OftheHolyGhost THEHOLYGHOST,proceedingfromtheFatherandtheSon,isofonesubstance, majesty,andglory,withtheFatherandtheSon,veryandeternalGod.14 Thisisthefinaloftheinitialseriesaffirmingunity/continuitywiththe catholicandcreedalfaith. TheSpiritisLord/Lifegiver.Heisofonesubstance,etc.,correspondsto ArticleI.Thisiswhatthechurchhasalwaysaffirmed.Buttracingoutwhat thismeanshasnotbeendonewell.TheologyproperandChristologyare popular,carefullyarticulatingtheresultsofthechurchsthinkinginthecreeds, etc.ButPneumatologyhasnotbeensowelldeveloped,evenhereArticleV nearlyrepeatsthelanguageofArticleI.Thisisinsomewaysaneglected aspectofChristiandoctrine,withtheexcessofenthusiasmonthepartof PentecostalistsandCharismaticsontheoneside,andalmostcompletely ignoringHimontheother. TheNiceneCreedidentifiestheSpiritastheonewhospokethroughthe prophets.Also,Heisoneofwhomtheprophetsspoke,theobjectoftheir speaking.(re:creation,Gen1.2;propheticutteranceorwisdom:Exo35.31, Num11.17ff.)Heisthepersonwhomtheprophetsassociatewiththelastdays ofredemptivehistory(Zec12.10,Joe2.28(d3.1)).SoalsodoesChrist. ParticularlytheobjectoftheperiodfromPentecosttothe2ndAdvent.14 SeetheApostlesCreed:IbelieveintheHolyGhost;theholycatholicchurch,thecommunionof saints;theforgivenessofsins;theresurrectionofthebody;andthelifeeverlasting. NiceneCreed:IbelieveintheHolyGhost,theLord,theGiverofLife,whoproceedethfromthe FatherandtheSon;whowiththeFatherandtheSontogetherisworshipedandglorified,whospakebythe prophets.AndIbelieveone(holy)catholicandapostolicchurch;Iacknowledgeonebaptismfortheremission ofsins;andIlookfortheresurrectionofthedead,andthelifeoftheworldtocome.

EverythingintheOTpointsforwardtothecomingoftheHS,andeverythingintheNT emphasizeshispresenceintheChristiancommunity.15

Again,itiscommonlysaidthatredemptioncomesfromtheFather,through theSon,andbytheSpirit. TherelationoftheSpirittoJesus:Speaksofthefilioqueclause16(seethe Article,proceedingfromtheFatherandtheSon,Joh15.26,thecounselor whomJesuswillsendfromtheFather.)WecannotseparatetheSpiritfrom Christ,speakingpurelyoftheworkoftheSpiritasaseparatefunctionfrom therestoftheworkofredemption.Thisbecomesanovercompensationfora perceived/reallack.TheSpiritneverfunctionsforhimselfalone.Hisministry istopointtoChrist.(Joh14.26) Ontheotherhand,ifweseparateChristfromtheSpirit,thenweare minimizingorneglectingthatOnethroughwhomGodsuppliesthebenefitsof redemptiontohispeople.

15

Thomas,p.99,0.

16 Concerningthequestion,WhydidtheEaststruggletoprotectthesoleprocessionoftheSpiritfrom theFather? ...thequestionwaswhetherthiseternalprocessionorforthcomingwasfrom theSonaswellasfromtheFather.TheproblemwasWestern,notEastern...thisattitude indicatesadifferencewhichisexplainedbytheconditionsofthetwoChurches.TheEastern wasfacewiththosewhotendedtoregardtheSpiritasinferiortotheSon,becausebrought intohumanlifethroughtheSonsmediation.Inorder,therefore,toprotectthefullDeityof theSpirit,itwasconsideredessentialtorepresentHimasproceedingsolelyfromtheFatheras thefountain(phgh,)oftheGodhead.TheWesternChurch,ontheotherhand,startingwiththe essentialunityoftheSonandtheFather,desiredtoprotectandpreservethetruththatthe SpiritisasmuchtheSpiritoftheSonasHeisoftheFather.Otherwisetherecouldbeno equality.(TheHolySpiritofGod,W.H.GriffithThomas,Wm.B.EerdmansPublishingCo., 1964,pp.9192) IntheEastthisProcessionisrelatedonlytothetimeoftheIncarnationandthe factoftheRedemption.ThepassagesinSt.JohnwhichspeakoftheSpiritbeinggivenbythe Sonareinterpretedinatemporal.(TheHolySpiritofGod,seepp.144146) OntheEasternsidetwopointsmaybemade,first,thattherelevantverseinJohns Gospel(15.26)speaksonlyoftheproceedingoftheSpiritfromtheFather,andsecond,that theadditiontothecreedwasneverdecidedecumenically.Infavoroftheadditiontwopoints mayalsobemade.ThefirstisthatthetermsafeguardsthevitalNicenetruththattheSonisof onesubstancewiththeFather.Thesecondisthat,sincetheSonnolessthantheFathersends theSpiritaccordingtoJohn15.26,wemaylegitimatelyinferbyanalogyfromthisrelationship inrespectofusthattheHolySpiritproceedsbothfromtheFatherandfromtheSonwithin theintraTrinitarianrelationship.TosayotherwiseisultimatelytodivorcetheSonfromthe SpiritindirectcontradictiontothepassageswhichspeakofhimastheSpiritofChrist(cf. Rom8.9,Cal4.6).(BakersDictionaryofTheology,filioque)

Thefilioqueclauseleadstosomethingelsethough.InJoh15.26,20.22ff, thesetextsspeakoftheSpiritsworkaspointingtoChrist.Hewilltestifyof me.Christbreathesonthedisciples,communicatingtheSpiritashis breath.Act2.33,JesusisexaltedbytheHS.Rom8.9:ifanyonedoesnot havetheSpiritofChrist,hedoesnotbelongtoHim(Christ).Gal4.6,Phi 1.19,1Pe1.11.Inotherwords,theHSprovidescontinuityoftheworkofthe Godhead.OnecannomoreseparateChristsworkfromtheFatherorvice versa,thanwecandothatwiththeHSandtherestoftheGodhead. Theimportanceofthefilioqueclauseisseeninseveralways:a)illustratesthe eternalinterrelationsofthepersonsoftheTrinity,b)illustratestheclose relationshipoftheworkoftheSpirittotheworkoftheSon,c)illustratesthe closerelationshipoftheSpirittotheChurch(whichisthebodyofChrist).Just asJesusisthesamesubstanceastheFather(omoousiaj)andalsosubordinate totheFather;soalsotheSpiritisofthesamesubstancewiththeFatherand theSon,andsubordinate. RelationoftheSpirittotheChurch:NoticeintheCreedthattheexpressionof thefaithintheHSisimmediatelyfollowedbyastatementofbeliefinthe church.TheChurchistheparticulararenaoftheSpiritswork(1Co12.13). ThecreedsareobviouslyTrinitarian.Eachsegmentdealswiththeworkof eachofthepersonsoftheGodhead.Andinthethirdsection,whatmodifiers areascribedtotheSpirit. a)the(one)holycatholic(andapostolic)church1Co12.13(also baptism) b)thecommunionofsaintsEph4.3 c)theforgivenessofsinsAct2.38 d)resurrectionofthebodyRom1.4(Christresurrected,andwewith him),Rom8.11 e)thelifeeverlastingRev22.17,Gal6.8 WecouldalsospeakoftherelationoftheSpirittotheScripturesin inspiration:Heb1.13,Act1.16 SpirittotheIndividual:Insomewaysareproductionoftheworkofthespirit inthechurch. PerhapswehavedevotedtoolittletoaproperoperationoftheHolySpirit/ SpiritofHolinessinthelifeofGodspeople.WhenweaffirmChristandhis redemptivework,andallthatbelongs,includinghumiliation,exaltation, ascensionandsession;wemustnotfailtoaffirmaswelltheworkofChrist

appliedbytheHolySpirit.Andtheplacethatthisworksoutisthechurch.By theapplicationoftheworkofthespirit,wearemadealivingtemple.(1Pe2.4 9)

ArticleVI OftheSufficiencyoftheHolyScriptureforSalvation HOLYSCRIPTUREcontainethallthingsnecessarytosalvation:sothatwhatsoever isnotreadtherein,normaybeprovedthereby,isnottoberequiredofany man,thatitshouldbebelievedasanarticleoftheFaith,orbethought requisiteornecessarytosalvation.InthenameoftheholyScripturewedo understandthoseCanonicalBooksoftheOldandNewTestament,ofwhose authoritywasneveranydoubtintheChurch. OftheNamesandNumberoftheCanonicalBooks(herearelistedthe OTbooks). AndtheotherBooks(asHieromesaith)theChurchdothreadfor exampleoflifeandinstructionofmanners,butyetdothitnotapplythemto establishanydoctrine;suchasarethefollowing:TheThirdBookofEsdras. TheFourthBookofEsdras. TheBookofTobias. TheBookofJudith. TherestoftheBookofEsther. TheBookofWisdom. JesustheSonofSirach. BaruchtheProphet. TheSongoftheThreeChildren. TheStoryofSusanna. OfBelandtheDragon. ThePrayerofManasses. TheFirstBookofMaccabees. TheSecondBookofMaccabees.

AlltheBooksoftheNewTestament,astheyarecommonlyreceived,wedo receive,andaccountthemCanonical. NothingcanbeclearerfromtheArticlesthanthattheyareintendedtobe basedontheauthorityoftheBible.In18of39oftheArticlesmakedirect referencetoHolyScripture,insomecases,moreoftenthanonetimeinthe sameArticle.AndwhattheArticlesimplyin18oftheArticles,hereinArtVI itisexplicitlystated.ItisstatedherewhattheScripturesareunderstoodtobe; Sufficient,Necessary,Authoritative,Perspicuous.Thefactthatthisisthe understandingintheArticles(andthusthechurchoftheArticles),andinthe formforordainingpresbytersintheEnglishandintheAmericanchurch.1717 AREyoupersuadedthattheHolyScripturescontainallDoctrinerequiredasnecessaryforeternal salvationthroughfaithinJesusChrist?Andareyoudetermined,outofthesaidScripturestoinstructthepeople committedtoyourcharge,andtoteachnothing,asnecessarytosalvation,butthatwhichyoushallbepersuaded maybeconcludedandprovedbytheScripture? Answer.Iamsopersuaded,andhavesodetermined,byGodsgrace.

WhatthisArticleexpressesisthereforenotmeretheory,buttheheartofthe entiresetoftheArticles,oughttobetheheartofitspastors,andistheheartof thechurchitself.So,inwhatsenseistheBibleauthoritative,andtowhat purposearetheyconsideredtobesufficient,aswellasnecessaryand perspicuous? TheauthorityoftheBibleisdeterminativeandfinalfordoctrinerequiredfor belief.ThatwhichisrequiredforsalvationmustbederivedfromScripture. allthingsnecessarytosalvation...,isnottoberequiredofanyman,that itshouldbebelievedasanarticleofthefaith...,bethoughtrequisiteor necessarytosalvation... ThisArticleopposestwokindsoferror;theRomanextensionofScriptureto orallytransmittedapostolic,andtheerrorofsayingthattheBibleisthe exclusiveauthority(thatis,theonlyauthorityonalltopics). Noticewhatitsays,butalsowhatitdoesNOTsay.Itdoesnotsaythatthe Biblecontainsallusefulknowledgeofanykind(forexample),norisit claimedthatHSisauthoritativeinthesensethatitanswerseverypossible question.Noteverythingwewantorneedtoknowaboutallconceivable subjectscanbefoundintheScriptures.Noteveryquestioneven philosophical/theologicalanswerswillnecessarilybefoundintheBible. NoristhereaclaimthattheBibleisregulative(regulativeprinciple:Onlythat whichisclearlycommandedbyScriptureispermitted,allelseisforbidden. SeePaulsuseofGreekphilosophersinAct17.28,evenasyourownpoetssay ...). Italsosaysthatthereareotherwritingsthatareofvalue,andevenspecifies some.Andthereareotherauthoritieswhichmayestablishcustoms,prescribe practicesorregulateconductevenforthechurchbutonlywithinthewell definedlimitsoftheprincipleandteachingofScripture.

SeeinthisregardArticles2018and3419.TheseArticlesclearlyrepresentthe positionofAnglicanismthatwhateverisnotprohibitedbyHolyScripturemay beallowed(asopposedto:onlywhateverScripturecommandsispermitted, seeregulativeprincipleabove).Andnothingwhichisexplicitormaybe provedfromitmayberequiredasnecessarytosalvation,however,ifsuch thingsbeordainedbycommonauthority(eventhoughnotrequiredbythe Scriptures),theymaybeenforced,evenbydiscipline.Inthiscase,the violationoftheScripturesisinthatfactthatsuchpeoplehaverunagainstdue authority,visavisRom13.Authorizationofprayerbooks,orderandstructure ofgovernment,otherdistinctivecharacteristicsofthevisiblechurch,etc.By analogy:everyhouseholdhastherighttoorderitstraditionsandcustoms. Again,theguardisthatnohouseholdhastherighttoordainthatwhichis contrarytoexplicitScriptureorreasonabledeductiontherefrom. Original42.Title:TheDoctrineofHolyScriptureasSufficienttoSalvation20. ThesenseofthatoneArticlearethesentimentssummarizedabove,i.e., ArticleVIinthelightofArticleXXandXXXIV.ThenthequotefromGT:Inthe16thcenturymenoftheextremeProtestantorPuritantypetaughtthateverythingisin theScripture,andthatnothingelsewastobevaluedinChurchlife.ButtheBibleisabookof principles,notofrules,andpresupposesnaturallaw,sociallaw,andciviclaw.Asspirituallife isvarieditcanandmustexpressitselfinvariousways.SolongasindividualandChurchlife istruetotheprinciplesofScripturealloutsideauthorityistobewelcomed.Scriptureis sufficientandsupremeistobeintendedtoemphasisethingsessentialasdistinctfromthings beneficial.21

Therealproblemisthatsomepeoplesaythateverythingisessential.Itisasif everyminutedetailoflifeisabsolutelyessentialinitscharacter(andtherefore18 OftheAuthorityoftheChurch:TheChurchhathpowertodecreeritesorceremoniesandauthority incontroversiesoffaith;andyetitisnotlawfulfortheChurchtoordainanythingcontrarytoGodsword written,neithermayitsoexpoundoneplaceofScripture,thatitberepugnanttoanother.Wherefore,although theChurchbeawitnessandakeeperofHolyWrit:yet,asitoughtnottodecreeanythingagainstthesame,so besidesthesameoughtitnottoenforceanythingtobebelievedfornecessityofsalvation. 19 OftheTraditionsoftheChurch:Itisnotnecessarythattraditionsandceremoniesbeinallplaces oneorutterlyalike;foratalltimestheyhavebeendiverse,andmaybechangedaccordingtothediversityof countries,times,andmensmanners,sothatnothingbeordainedagainstGodsword.Whosoeverthroughhis privatejudgementwillinglyandpurposelydothopenlybreakthetraditionsandceremoniesoftheChurchwhich benotrepugnanttothewordofGod,andbeordainedandapprovedbycommonauthority,oughttoberebuked openlythatothermayfeartodothelike,ashethatoffendethagainstcommonorderoftheChurch,andhurteth theauthorityofthemagistrate,andwoundeththeconscienceoftheweakbrethren.Everyparticularornational Churchhathauthoritytoordain,change,andabolishceremoniesorritesoftheChurchordainedonlybymans authority,sothatallthingsbedonetoedifying. 20 21 quotedonp.104,GT. GT,p.133,2.

mustbeintheBible),andasaresultifyoucantquoteaverseaboutwhatever itis,youaredefectiveinyourfaith. TheBibleisauthoritativeandsufficient(aswellasnecessaryand perspicuous),butitdoesnotregulateeveryconceivableaspectoflifeand conduct. TheArticlealsoacknowledgesthatthereisotherliterature,ancientand helpful.ItisimportantthatthecouncilofTrenthadmadeastatementafew yearsbeforethatwasinresponsetoProtestantcomplaints.Inmanycases,the ArticlesrespondconsciouslytotheRCresponseintheCouncilofTrent.In particular,Trenthadsaidin1546:ThesacredandholycumenicalandGeneralSynodofTrent...keepingthisalwaysin viewthat...thepurityitselfoftheGospelshouldbepreservedinthechurch...and perceivingthattruthanddisciplineiscontainedinthewrittenbooksandintheunwritten traditionswhich,receivedbytheapostlesfromthemouthofChristHimself,orfromthe apostlesthemselves,theHolyGhostdictating,havecomedowneventous,transmitted... fromhandtohand...(theSynod)receivesandvenerates,withequalaffectionofpietyand reverence,allthebooksbothoftheOldandalsooftheNewTestament...asalsothesaid traditions,boththoseappertainingtofaithaswellasthoseappertainingtomorals,ashaving beendictatedeitherbyChristsownwordofmouth,orbytheHolyGhost,andpreservedby thecontinuoussuccessionoftheCatholicChurch.22

Scriptureandtraditionarereceivedashavingtheprecisesameauthoritybythe Romanchurch. Indirectresponse,itsays:Andtheotherbooks(asHieromesaith)theChurch dothreadforexampleoflifeandinstructionofmanners;butyetdothitnot applythemtoestablishanydoctrine.Andthisistrue,inthatthechurch (fromthetimeofJudaism)beenreadingthesebooksforalmost17centuries. TheywereconsideredofsufficientworthtobetranslatedtogetherwiththeOT intheLXX.ItwastheversionoftheOTwhichthewritersoftheNTused withgreatestfrequency. TheNTwritersthereforeknewoftheintertestamentalbooksandsome scholarssayalludedtothemintheNT.Theintertestamentalbooksfillina periodofabout400years,betweentheendoftheOTandthefirstbooksofthe NT,andthereforehavevalueashistoricaldata. However,theyareNOTquotedintheNT,theywereneveracceptedinJewish canon,theywerenotacceptedbysuchmenasOrigenandJerome(towhom theArticlerefers),andthelaterchurchwithfullclaritymakesdistinction betweentheOTandtheApocryphalbooks.Indeed,evenintheLXX,the Apocryphaislistedasanappendix.22 citedbyGT,pp.127128,fromConc.Trident.,SessioQuarta,Decret.deCanonScript.

Itshouldbenotedthatduringtheperiodofthereformation,theApocrypha wasquotedasproofsandsupport(asintheHomiliesoftheEnglish Reformation),insomecasesevencalledthewordofGod. ThisArticleisintendedtoopposetheRomanacceptanceoftheApocryphaas authoritative.CouncilofTrentin1546,7oftheapocryphalbookswereadded totheOTcanon.AndnomatterwhattheesteemoftheEnglishchurchmay havehadfortheApocryphalbooks,thefactisthatitisclearlystatedherebut yetdothitnotapplythemtoestablishanydoctrine.

ArticleVII OftheOldTestament THEOLDTESTAMENTisnotcontrarytotheNew:forbothintheOldandNew TestamenteverlastinglifeisofferedtoMankindbyChrist,whoistheonly MediatorbetweenGodandMan,beingbothGodandMan.Whereforetheyare nottobeheard,whichfeignthattheoldFathersdidlookonlyfortransitory promises.AlthoughtheLawgivenfromGodbyMoses,astouching CeremoniesandRites,donotbindChristianmen,northeCivilprecepts thereofoughtofnecessitytobereceivedinanycommonwealth;yet notwithstanding,noChristianmanwhatsoeverisfreefromtheobedienceof theCommandmentswhicharecalledMoral. ThisArticle,acombiningofthe6thand19thArticlesofthe42wasmeantto dealwithtwoproblems.TheRomanchurchcreatedsomeproblems concerningritesandrituals.Andalso,amongtheAnabaptistsofthisday, thereweretwoteachingsgoingaround. OneerrorwasthattheOTwastobeentirelyrejectedbecausetheOT hadbeenentirelysupercededbytheNewTestament.Therefore,asaresultof thisidea,itwassaidthattheOTmorallaw(the10commandments)nolonger appliedeither,sincetheNTchurchwasabove/beyondtheselaws. Soalso,wehavetodaythosewhosetasidetheOTasbeingofnovalue becauseoftheNT,andmakenodistinctionbetweencivil,ceremonial,and morallaws.Theysetitallaside.Othersalsosaythattheyaretaughtbythe SpiritinsuchawaythattheyhavenoneedtobeguidedbytheScripturesin anyevent.Godleadsthem.Afterall,fortheletterkills,buttheSpiritgives life.(2Co3.6) TheothererrorwasthesameerrorasthatofJohnofLeydenof MnsterwastheOTcivilandceremoniallawwasfullybindinginevery aspect,andinfactsetupaNewJerusalem.

ThusweseethebalanceinthisArticle,aclearreaffirmationofthe applicabilityofthemoralpreceptsoftheOTandthecleargroundlaidforthe gospelwhichislaidthere;butalsosetsasideextremisterrorswhicheither deniedOTapplicabilityatall,orelevatedtheOTtotheexclusionoftheNew. Embeddedinthislanguageisanadherencetoacovenantalviewofthe Scriptures(Homily4,Book1,Part2).AlltheseFathers,Martyrs,andotherholymen,(whomSaintPaulspakeof)hadtheirfaithsurely fixedonGOD,whenalltheworldwasagainstthem.TheydidnotonlyknowGODtobetheLord, maker,andgovernorofallmenintheworld:butalsotheyhadaspecialconfidenceandtrust,thathe wasandwouldbeetheirGOD,theircomforter,aider,helper,maintainer,anddefender.Thisisthe Christianfaithwhichtheseholymenhad,andwealsooughttohave.Andalthoughtheywerenot namedChristianmen,yetwasitaChristianfaiththattheyhad,fortheylookedforallbenefitsofGOD theFather,throughthemeritsofhisSonJesusChrist,aswenowdo.Thisdifferenceisbetweenthem andus,thattheylookedwhenChristshouldcome,andwebeinthetimewhenheiscome.Therefore saithS.AugustineThetimeisalteredandchanged,butnotthefaith.

ArticleVIII OftheCreeds THENICENECREED,andthatwhichiscommonlycalledtheApostlesCreed, oughtthoroughlytobereceivedandbelieved:fortheymaybeprovedbymost certainwarrantsofHolyScripture.[OftheThreeCreeds ThethreeCreeds,NiceneCreed,AthanasiusCreed,andthatwhichiscommonlycalledthe ApostlesCreed,oughtthoroughlytobereceivedandbelieved;fortheymaybeprovedby mostcertainwarrantsofHolyScripture.]

TheyallhavesomekindofTrinitarianstructure. Theyaretrulycatholiccreeds,asonereadsfromtheearlycouncils,itwasnot uncommontoreadsuchthingsasthis:TheFirstCanonoftheFourthEcumenicalCouncil,Chalcedon,readsasfollows:Wehavejudgedit rightthatthecanonsoftheHolyFathersmadeineverysynodevenuntilnow,shouldremaininforce. AndtheCouncilinTrullo,initssecondcanon,hasenumeratedthesesynodsinthefollowingwords. Wesetoursealtoalltherestofthecanonswhichhavebeenestablishedbyourholyandblessed fathers,thatistosaybythe318GodinspiredfatherswhometatNice,andbythosewhometat Ancyra,andbythosewhometatNeocsarea,aswellasbythosewhometatGangra:inadditionto thesethecanonsadoptedbythosewhometatAntiochinSyria,andbythosewhometatLaodiceain Phrygia;moreoverbythe150fatherswhoassembledinthisdivinelykeptandimperialcity,andbythe 200whoweregatheredinthemetropolisofEphesus,andbythe630holyandblessedfatherswhomet atChalcedon,etc.,etc.23

23

FromtheCanonsoftheCouncilsofAncyra,Gangra,Neocaesarea,AntiochandLaodicea

ItisalsorecordedthattheEcumenicalCouncilatEphesusbeganwitha recitationoftheNiceneCreed.24 ApostlesCreed:EarlieststartasperhapsaRomanbaptismalformula (interrogativeinnature)datingfromperhapsthemiddleofthesecondcentury. Thephrasedescendedintohellfirstappearsinabout400.Thepresentfull formdatesfromabout750. NiceneCreed:AssociatedwiththeNiceneCouncil(325)andtheArian controversy25.FurtherdevelopmenttookplacebetweenthecouncilsofNicaea (325)andConstantinople(381)regardingthedeityoftheHolySpirit. Athanasian:strictlyspeakingnotacreed(doesntstartwithIbelieve),and notwrittenbyAthanasius.Seemstodatefromtheearly5thcentury(429?). TheAthanasiancreedwaspossibledeletedfromtheAmericanstatement becausethatcreedwasnotusedliturgicallyintheAmericanbookasitisinthe Englishbook.2624 TheThirdEcumenicalCounciltheCouncilofEphesusA.d.431,ExtractsfromtheActs,Session1.

25 Arianism(320)denieddeitystatedthathewasafirstcreature,auniquecreation,evenperhapsa deifiedman,butnevertheless,simplyaman.ThisheresyresultedintheNicenecouncil.Thecouncilsallowed foratension,bothGodandman,anunresolvedsetoffacts.ThatiswhattheScripturessay.HeisveryGodof veryGod,butalsoboneofourbone.Thisisthecontroversyoverthedifferencebetweeno`moiou,sioj(like)and o`moou,sioj(identical). 26 RegardingCalvinsviewoftheAthanasianCreed,IfoundthefollowingintheInstitutes(Book1, Chapter13,Section6,Footnote23): K.Barth,discussingCalvinsdoctrineoftheeternalSon,treatstheologicallythesuspicion castupontheReformersorthodoxyontheTrinityatthetimeofhiscontentionwithPierre Caroli,1537and1540(KirchlicheDogmatikI.i.438f.;tr.G.T.Thompson,TheDoctrineof theWordofGodI.477ff.).Duringthisdispute,Calvin,challengedbyCaroli,refused, thoughwithnohereticalintent,todeclarehisacceptanceoftheAthanasian,andevenofthe Nicene,Creed.Cf.CRVII.294f.;Herminjard,CorrespondenceIV.185ff.,239f. ConcerningCalvinsdisputewithPierreCaroliofLausanne,JohnT.McNiellwrites(TheHistoryand CharacterofCalvinism,OxfordUniversityPress,1973,p.1412): CalvinsTrinitarianorthodoxywaschallengedbyPierreCaroli,abrilliantParisscholar,but highlyunstable,whoaftertwoperiodsasaProtestantdiedintheRomanCommunion.Atthis timehehadbecomepastorofthechurchinLausanne,whereheattackedFarelandViretand revertedtosometeachingsthattheReformershadabandoned,suchasthedoctrineof purgatory.CalvinvisitedLausannetoaidViret,towhomhewasalreadywarmlyattached, andshowedCarolitheGenevaInstructioninFaith.Carolirespondedthatsuchanewcreed wasuncalledfor.ThemattercamebeforeaBernesedeputationtheninLausanne;Caroli accusedthethreeministersofheresyanddemandedthatCalvinsInstructionbesetasideand thatallagreetotheApostles,theNicene,andtheAthanasianCreed.Calvinobjected stronglytothereaffirmationofthelastnamed,withitslistofcondemnedheresiesthatmight becomeabasisofunfaircharges.TheoutcomewasasynodheldinLausanne,15May1537, inwhichCalvinassailedCaroliinintemperatelanguagebutwithconvincingevidencethatthe

Threeusesofcreeds:baptismal/fellowship(Apostles),testoforthodoxy (Nicene,inresponsetoArius),apologeticsafeguard/subsidiaryruleoffaith (Athanasian). Notecarefully,thesecreedsarenotintendedtoexpresseverythingthatneeds tobeexpressed.Thereisacommondistinctionbetweenthecreeds (particularlythesethree,aswellasotherstatementswhichbeginIbelieve) andconfessions(whichismostoftenappliedtothelaterformalstatements,as duringthetimeoftheReformation).

ArticleIX OfOriginalorBirthSin ORIGINALSINstandethnotinthefollowingofAdam,(asthePelagiansdovainly talk;)butitisthefaultandcorruptionoftheNatureofeveryman,that naturallyisengenderedoftheoffspringofAdam;wherebymanisveryfar gonefromoriginalrighteousness,andisofhisownnatureinclinedtoevil,so thatthefleshlustethalwayscontrarytotheSpirit;andthereforeinevery personbornintothisworld,itdeservethGodswrathanddamnation.Andthis infectionofnaturedothremain,yeainthemthatareregenerated;wherebythe lustoftheflesh,calledinGreek,fro,nhma sarko,j,27whichsomedoexpound thewisdom,somesensuality,sometheaffection,somethedesire,oftheflesh, isnotsubjecttotheLawofGod.Andalthoughthereisnocondemnationfor themthatbelieveandarebaptized;yettheApostledothconfess,that concupiscenceandlusthathofitselfthenatureofsin.

chargeofArianismwasbaseless.CaroliwasdeprivedofhischargeinLausanne.Atalater synodinBern(31May)hewasaccusedofgrossimmoralityandwasforbiddentopreach, whileFarelandCalvinwerecompletelyexonerated...Calvinrejectedtherequirementofthe AthanasianCreedongroundsoflibertyofconscience... Additionally,anyonewhomIreadwhocommentsontheAthanasianCreedspeaksinthesamesenseas doesCharlesHodge(Vol.1,Part1,Chap.6,Section4): AlthoughnotissuedwiththeauthorityofanyCouncil,itwassoonuniversallyadmittedin theWest,andsubsequentlyintheEast,andwaseverywhereregardedasanecumenical symbol.TheDoctrineoftheTrinityassetforthinthesethreeancientcreeds,theNicene, theConstantinopolitan,andAthanasian(socalled),istheChurchFormofthat fundamentalarticleoftheChristianfaith.Thereisnodifference,exceptastoamplification, betweentheseseveralformulas. 27 forthisphraseinGreekNT,see:Rom8.67.fro,nhma toj,thoughtfulplanning,thepsychological facultyofthoughtfulplanning,oftenwiththeimplicationofbeingwiseandprovidentthoughtfulplanning, wayofthinking,outlook.

NoticethatthisArticleisactuallyintwosections;thefirstspeakingoforiginal sinitself,theseconddealingwiththeproblemofsinintheregenerateman. TheobjectofthisArticleisclearerfromthe1553version,whenspeakingof thePelagians,addswhichalsotheAnabaptistsdonowadayrenew...The ArticlewasframedinitiallyinordertoconfrontanAnabaptist28revivalofthe oldPelagianerror. ThecharacteristicsofPelagianism(namedafterPelagius,aBritishmonk, popularpreachinginRome[401409]).Inadesiretostirupmoralityamong Christians,hetoldthemthatGodcommandednothingwhichtheycouldnot do,andthatitwasthereforepossibletolivefreefromsin)arewell summarizedbythechargesagainstPelagiusattheCouncilofCarthagein412. Augustineframedthetermoriginalsin.HehadopposedPelagius.Augustine hadprayedgivewhatyoucommandandcommandwhatyouwill.(This pointsoutthatGodmustgivegracebeforewecanobey.)Pelagiusdidntlike this,sinceitseemedtodenyhumanresponsibility.Hischieftenets: Adamcreatedmortalandwouldhavediedanyway. Adaminjuredonlyhimselfandnottheentirehumanrace.Itwas, afterall,notourfaultthatAdamhadsinnedashedid. Infants,attheirbirth,areinthesameconditionasAdambeforethe fall. Unbaptizedinfantsaswellasotherswillentereternallife.Whatever liesoutsideofonesownvolitionandchoicecannotkeeponeoutofheaven. HumanityneitherdiedthroughAdamnorwouldriseagainthrough Christsresurrection.Consistent,butobviouslyheretical. Thelawhasthesameeffectasthegospelinleadingpeopletothe kingdomofheaven.Tellsomeonewhatisright,andhehasthecapacityand willtodoit. EvenbeforeChristcame,therehadbeensinlesshumanbeings. (Joseph[OTcharacter])29

28 ReligiousgroupappearinginGermanyandelsewhereinEuropeduringtheReformationasan aftermathoftheLutheranReformation.Thepolitical,socialandtheologicalupheavaloftheReformation createdtheatmosphereinwhichsuchamovementcouldbegin.Characterizedbysocial,economicandpolitical radicalism.Namesignifiesinsistenceuponrebaptismofadults,repudiatedtheclassicaldoctrineofthechurch, andtherelationshipbetweenchurchandgovernment.Fitabroadspectrumofviews,frommoreconservative movementstoradicalmovementswhichdeniedthenecessityoftheexternalwordsincetheinternalwordof theSpiritwassufficient,denyingtotaldepravity,originalsin,election,eternaldamnation,absolutefreedomof thewill,andagnostictypeofdirectandmysticalcommunionwithGod.Someincludedamoderate communismandradicalmillenialism(teachingthattherewillbealiteral,material,worldruleofChristfor 1,000years).

Augustinesawthefallasaninfection,thehumanwillwasdisabled,andthe abilitytodogoodwasgone.Notonlywasholinesslostinthefall,butalsothe capacityforholiness,anactualcorruptionofnature. NoticethattheArticlestatesthathumanityisveryfargone,indicatingthat thoughwearenotfullyascorruptaswemightbe,neverthelesseverycapacity andfacultyiscorrupt.Wearesinfulextensively,butnotintensively.Theflesh isalwayscontrarytotheSpirit(Gal5.17),buttheimagoDeihasnotbeenlost, thoughdistorted.IftheimageofGodwerecompletelycorrupted,wewould notonlyceasetobeholy,butalsoceasetobehuman. ItalsocommentsthattheAndthisinfectionofnaturedothremain,yea,in themthatareregenerated...andalthoughthereisnocondemnationforthem thatbelieveandarebaptized,yettheApostledothconfessthatconcupiscence andlusthathitselfthenatureofsin. Thisseekstoanswerthequestion,whataboutsininthosewhoarebaptized Christians?Andwhatistheefficacyofbaptismregardingoriginalsin?The Romanchurchwouldsaythatbaptismwashesawayoriginalsin.ThisArticle opposessuchadoctrine.Thosewhobelieveandarebaptizedarestillunderthe powerandinfectionofsin,butastotheirstandingbeforeGod,theyareunder theprotectionofthecovenantofgraceandChristsblood.Forthatreason thereisnocondemnationforthemthatbelieveandarebaptized.(Rom8.1, inlightof6.34) TheconceptofregenerationoftheseArticlesisthereforecovenantal.Those whoareregenerate,broughtundertheprotectionofthecovenant,areseenas theforgiven,butnotsinless.30Bynaturechildrenofwrath,bymercychildren ofgrace.Itisforthisreasonthatinbaptismwesay:Wereceivethischildinto thecongregationofChristsflock...Theyarenolongeramongthose outsideofthecovenant,andtheyarenotcondemnedwiththeworld.Theyare thereforeunderstoodtobeachildofgrace.ArticleXXVIIonbaptismspeaks tothisaswell:Baptismisnotonlyasignofprofessionandmarkof 29 Juliansaid:ByhisfreewillmanisemancipatedfromGod.Godonlyreentersthepictureatthelast judgment. Arminianism(ortheRemonstrants)areamilderformofPelagianism.Thesocalled5pointsof Calvinismareactuallythe5pointsagainstArminius,beingareversalofthestatementsofthefollowersof Arminius.However,ArminiansdoNOTdenythenecessityofGodsgrace(thustheirinconsistency). 30 We...werebynaturechildrenofwrath,evenastherest.ButGod,beingrichinmercy,becauseof HisgreatlovewithwhichHelovedus,evenwhenweweredeadinourtransgressions,madeusalivetogether withChrist...sothat...HemightshowthesurpassingrichesofHisgraceinkindnesstowardusinChrist Jesus.(Eph2.37)

differencewherebyChristianmenarediscernedfromotherthatbenot christened,butisalsoasignofregenerationornewbirth,whereby,asbyan instrument,theythatreceivebaptismrightlyaregraftedintotheChurch.We willdiscussbaptismfurtherinArticleXXVII. Inanyevent,PelagiussawGodasbeingexcludedfromtheredemptive process,havingnothandinmakingeitherchildrenofwrathorchildrenof mercy.Butinthismatter,thesovereigntyofGodismostlyclearlyseenand mostnecessary,inasmuchasoriginalsinhasmadeushelpless.

ArticleX OfFreeWill THECONDITIONofManafterthefallofAdamissuch,thathecannotturnand preparehimself,byhisownnaturalstrengthandgoodworks,tofaith,and callinguponGod:Whereforewehavenopowertodogoodworkspleasantand acceptabletoGod,withoutthegraceofGodbyChristpreventingus,thatwe mayhaveagoodwill,andworkingwithus,whenwehavethatgoodwill. LiketheprecedingArticle,meetingthe16threvivalofPelagianismamong Anabaptists,soalsodoesthisArticle.ItmetthecharacteristicAnabaptistic denialoftheabsoluteneedofdivinegrace.Infact,itcouldbesaidthatthe Articledoesntactuallydealwithfreewillatall,butratherwiththetopicof Godsgrace.Itcertainlydoesntdealwiththetopiconanabstractor philosophicalviewpoint. Afewcommentsonnatureandfreewill.Ournaturesaretodothatwhich itiswithinourcapacityandcharactertodo.Birdsactlikebirds,paramecium likeparamecium,andfallensinnerslikefallensinners.SotheArticleasserts: ...hecannotturnandpreparehimself,byhisownnaturalstrength...31 However,withinthecontextofunderstandingwhatitisournaturetobeorto do,weCANspeakoffreewill,i.e.,freetobewhatweare(fallensinners), butnotfreetobewhatwearenotwithoutthegraceofGod. ThisArticleisnotonlyrelatedtotheprecedingArticleregardingtheoriginof itscontentsandconcern,butalsosequenceofthought.Infact,thepresent Articlewiththefollowing3(1113)areallconcernedwiththesamegeneral subjectGodswayofdealingwiththosewhoarebroughtintocovenantwith himbyChrist.Inparticular,thisechoesPaulsdoctrinethatwearesavedby31 CantheEthiopianchangehisskinOrtheleopardhisspots?ThenyoualsocandogoodWhoare accustomedtodoingevil.(Jer13.23)

gracefromfirsttolast(seeRom1.17,aswellasRom11.6,Eph2.5,Eph2.8, 2Th2.16).Asthosewhosenaturesareinfectedbybirthsin,wehavenoability toanythingwhichpleasesGodwithoutthegraceofGodpreventing(going before,preceding)us.Wedonotevenhaveadesiretodothegood,nevermind theabilitytofollowanysuchdesire.Andmore,wemusthavethegraceof Godworkingwithustofollowusafterthegracethatgivesusthedesire.We desire,therefore,becauseofgrace.Andweact,aswell,becauseofgrace.Itis, assaid,gracefromfirsttolast. PaulspeaksaboutthisfurtherinRom7.ForwhatIamdoing,Idonot understand;forIamnotpracticingwhatIwouldliketodo,butIamdoingthe verythingIhate.ButifIdotheverythingIdonotwanttodo,Iagreewiththe Law,confessingthattheLawisgood.(vss.1516)Heisaspiritual battleground,withforcesantagonistictoeachotherwithin.Thegoodopposed bytheevil,andtheotherwayaround,sothathecriesout:Wretchedmanthat Iam!Whowillsetmefreefromthebodyofthisdeath?(Rom7.24) Therearetwoterms:prevenientandcooperativegrace.Prevenientgrace inclinesthewilltodothegood(goingbefore),andcooperativeallowsthewill toactoncethegoodischosen.z.B.:Phi2.13:foritisGodwhoisatworkin you,bothtowillandtoworkforHisgoodpleasure. ThisArticlethereforeexpressesoneofthekeytenetsofthereformation. Salvationisnotbyworksoranykindofselfeffort,butstarted,continued,and finishedbyGodsgraceandhisgracealone.TheBCPexpressestheseideas intheCollectforEaster:AlmightyGod,whothroughthineonlybegottenSonJesusChristhastovercomedeath,andopened untousthegateofeverlastinglife;Wehumblybeseechthee,that,asbythyspecialgraceincliningus thoudostputintoourmindsgooddesires,sobythycontinualhelpwemaybringthesametogood effect,throughJesusChristourLORD.

Onthe17thSundayafterTrinity,theBCPreads:LORD,wepraythee,thatthygracemayalwaysbothprecedeandfollowus,andmakeuscontinually tobegiventoallgoodworks;throughJesusChristourLORD.Amen.

SoalsotheLutherantraditionhassuchsentiments:AllmchtigerGott,derdudeinenSohnvondenTotenauferweckethast:verleiheuns,daauchwir, durchdeineGnadewiedergeboren,ineinemneuenLebenwandeln.(Quasimodogeniti)

Andsowithotheraspectsofourworship. Itsimportanttoseethatthereligionoftheprayerbookandourworshipisthe religionoftheArticles(andviceversa).Thatis,doctrineandworshipeach

followtheother,reformedaccordingtothewordofGod.Lexcredendi,lex orandi.TheChristianfaithandlifeoftheArticlesandworshipareafaithand lifewhichcomesfromGodsgrace,fromfirsttolast. TheEdwardianArticles(42)hadanotherstatementinconnectiontothis, entitledOfGrace(ArticleX),whichcanbeinstructive.ThegraceofChrist,ortheHolyGhostbyHimgivendothtakeawaythestonyheart,andgivethan heartofflesh.Andalthough,thosethathavenowilltogoodthings,Hemakeththemtowill,andthose thatwouldevilthings,Hemakeththemnottowillthesame:yetneverthelessHeenforcethnotthewill. Andthereforenomanwhenhesinnethcanexcusehimself,asnotworthytobeblamedorcondemned, byallegingthathesinnedunwillinglyorbycompulsion.

NoonecanblameGodforhissinandsay,God,youareatfaultformy wickednature.ItsclearthattheCofEwantedabalancedrelationship betweendivinesovereigntyandpersonalresponsibility.Itwantedtobalance theextremecharacteroftheAnabaptisticerrorwhichclaimedthatgracewas notneededwiththestrongstatementofabsoluteneedofdivineGrace.Butit alsoavoidsunnecessarydetailaboutamystery,Godssovereigntyoversinand sinfulacts. BishopParkerpurposelyavoidedthelanguagetheEdwardianArticleX.He purposelyskippedoverthetopic,perhapsrealizingthefactthatsuchan attemptwouldbedifficultandcontroversial.Pelagianismdenieddivine sovereignty,buttherehavealsobeenerrorswhichstressedafatalisticviewof sovereignty,suchthattherewasnoroomforhumanresponsibility.Inother words,itspeaksonlyasfarastheScripturesdo.Excellentexampleofthis sametacticonthissametopicinRom9.SothenHehasmercyonwhomHedesires,andHehardenswhomHedesires.Youwillsaytome then,WhydoesHestillfindfault?ForwhoresistsHiswill?Onthecontrary,whoareyou,Oman, whoanswersbacktoGod?Thethingmoldedwillnotsaytothemolder,Whydidyoumakemelike this,willit?Ordoesnotthepotterhavearightovertheclay,tomakefromthesamelumponevessel forhonorableuseandanotherforcommonuse?(Rom9.1821)

Noticethatwearenotallowedinthistexttospeculate.Wearetoldinessence, Thisisthewayitworks,Godmadeitworkthatway,andweareinno positiontounderstandthemechanicsofthematter.AndtheArticleshere(as inotherplaces)showwisdominfollowingthesamepath.Theysaywhatneeds tobesaidsowecanbelievewhattheScripturesdosaywithoutbecoming involvedinspeculation.32 Articles913areinsequence,therefore...32 ThesecretthingsbelongtotheLORDourGod,butthethingsrevealedbelongtousandtooursons forever,thatwemayobserveallthewordsofthislaw.(Deu29.29) Wasverborgenist,istdesHERRN,unseresGottes;wasaberoffenbartist,dasgiltunsundunsern Kindernewiglich,dawirtunsollenalleWortediesesGesetzes.(5Mo29.28)

ArticleXI OftheJustificationofMan WEareaccountedrighteousbeforeGod,onlyforthemeritofourLordand SaviourJesusChristbyFaith,andnotofourownworksordeservings: Wherefore,thatwearejustifiedbyFaithonly,isamostwholesomeDoctrine, andveryfullofcomfort,asmorelargelyisexpressedintheHomilyof Justification. ThisArticle(togetherwithMartinLuther)establishedtheEnglishChurchas firmlywithinthereformationalchurchandconnectsitwiththereforming churchonthecontinent. 3Items: MeaningofJustification,clearthattobejustified=tobeaccountedrighteous: judicialmeaning.Itistobeheldnotguilty,averdictannouncedbyGod,and judiciallyaccountedrighteous.IfonecomparesArticle11withadecreefrom theCouncilofTrent,thematterbecomesveryclear.Atthe6thsessionofthis council,1/1547;Justificationisnotmerelytheremissionofsins,butalsothesanctificationandrenewaloftheinner man,throughthevoluntaryreceptionofthegraceandgifts,wherebymanfromunjustbecomesjust, fromanenemyafriend,thatsohemaybeanheiraccordingtothehopeofeternallife.

Fromthisstatement,justificationincludessanctification.The11thCanon passedatthesame6thsessionanathematizes:...anywhoshallsaythatmenarejustifiedeitherbythesoleimputationoftherighteousnessof Christorbythesoleremissionofsins,totheexclusionofthegraceandcharitywhichisshedabroadin theirheartsbytheHolyGhostandisininherentinthem.

ThereisnorecognitionoftheBiblicaldistinctionbetweenjustification(the workofGodtheSonforus)andsanctification(theworkofGodtheHoly Spiritinus).Thisdistinctionispreciselywhatthereformersarticulatedand emphasizedveryforcefully. GroundofJustification:whatisthemeritoriouscause?ItisChristandnotour ownworks.Therealcontrastisnotbetweenfaithandworks,butacontrast betweenChristsmeritandourownmerit.Fulfillmentoftherighteous requirementsofGodslawisabsolutelynecessaryforanyonetobejustifiedin thesightofGod.Theobligationtofulfillthelawisneverrelaxed.Yoube holyasIamholy.33Thatobligationisneversetaside,relaxed,excused.33 Lev11.4445,1Pe1.1516

Someonemustkeeptherequirementforanytobeaccountedrighteousin Godssight. Thinkofthequestion:HowisoneaccountedrighteousbeforeGod?Byfaith orbythekeepingofthelaw?Thisisactuallyatrickquestion. Christkepttheperfectrequirementsofthelawinfull.Hismeritbecomesthe groundofjustificationforthepeoplewhomhewouldsave.Wearesavedby fulfillmentofthelawwhichChristhasdone.34Itisfaith,theninhiskeeping ofthelawonourbehalf.Themeritthatprovidesthebasisofourjustification isChrists.TheykeypointhereisthatGodhasnotrelinquishedhisrighteous demandsforholinessandlawkeeping. Thisisnotcontrarytothemessage,forexample,ofthebookofGalatians. Thereitclearlysays:AmanisnotjustifiedbytheworksoftheLawbutthroughfaithinChristJesus,evenwehave believedinChristJesus,sothatwemaybejustifiedbyfaithinChristandnotbytheworksoftheLaw; sincebytheworksoftheLawnofleshwillbejustified.(Gal2.16)

WhatdoesthismeaninlightofwhatIhavejustsaid.Wearejustifiedbyfaith. ..inwhat?InChrist.FaithinwhataboutChrist?Itisfurtherinterpretedinvs. 20:IhavebeencrucifiedwithChrist;anditisnolongerIwholive,butChristlivesinme;andthelife whichInowliveinthefleshIlivebyfaithintheSonofGod,wholovedmeandgaveHimselfupfor me.

ThemeritwhichprovidesthebasisforGodsdeclarationofjustbelongsto Christ.ThisArticlemakesthisveryclear:Weareaccountedrighteousbefore God,onlyforthemeritofourLordandSaviorJesusChrist... InstrumentalMeansofAppropriatingJustification:isfaith.Thatiswhatis meantbythephrasewhereforethatwearejustifiedbyfaithonlyisamost wholesomedoctrine...Wearenotjustifiedbyfaith,butratherweare justifiedbygracethroughfaith.35Consideringourselvesjustifiedbyfaith withoutthegroundofthegraceofChristsmeritmakesfaithtobeawork,the34 ThereforethereisnownocondemnationforthosewhoareinChristJesus.ForthelawoftheSpiritof lifeinChristJesushassetyoufreefromthelawofsinandofdeath.ForwhattheLawcouldnotdo,weakasit wasthroughtheflesh,Goddid:sendingHisownSoninthelikenessofsinfulfleshandasanofferingforsin, Hecondemnedsinintheflesh,sothattherequirementoftheLawmightbefulfilledinus,whodonotwalk accordingtothefleshbutaccordingtotheSpirit.(Rom8.14) 35 ...therighteousnessofGodthroughfaithinJesusChristforallthosewhobelieve(Rom3.22) DowethennullifytheLawthroughfaith?Mayitneverbe!Onthecontrary,weestablishtheLaw. (Rom3.31)

verythingdeniedbythisArticleandtheScriptures.Therefore,theground beingthemeritofChrist,weusetheinstrumentoffaithtoacquirethemeritof Christonourbehalf.WeseethatChristalone,andfaithalone,arebrought together. NoticethattheArticlereferstotheHomilyonJustification.Thisrefersto thehomilyinthefirstbookofhomiliescalledtheHomilyofSalvation, coupledwiththetwofollowingsermonsinthatfirstbook,theHomiliesOf theTrueandLivelyFaith,andtheotherOfGoodWorks.TheArticlesof ReligionreferencetheBooksofHomiliesasanexpansionofthebriefer statementsoftheArticles.36 Welearntherethat: faithisaconfidingtrustinChristsworkonourbehalf.Thatis,God isapersontobetrusted,andwhathesayshewilldo,hedoes.Werelyonhis trustworthiness.Faith,inthissense,isselfsurrenderordependenceonGod. Thatis,graceisnotearnedbyfaith,butacceptedbytrust. faithleadstopracticalactionbyobedience.Therefore,obedienceis notthegroundofourjustification,butitdoesnecessarilyfollowour justification. Sayingthatwearejustifiedbyfaithaloneistoexcludeanyotherinstrument bywhichwereceivetheblessingofGod,thereisnootherhandbywhichwe mayreceiveGodsgrace.However,itdoesnotexcludeGodfromusing channelsbywhichheextendsthatgracetous?Welookforwardtoa discussionofthesacramentsinthisregard.

ArticleXII OfGoodWorks ALBEITthatGoodWorks,whicharethefruitsofFaith,andfollowafter Justification,cannotputawayoursins,andenduretheseverityofGods Judgement;yetaretheypleasingandacceptabletoGodinChrist,anddo springoutnecessarilyofatrueandlivelyFaith;insomuchthatbythema livelyFaithmaybeasevidentlyknownasatreediscernedbythefruit.Forbygraceyouhavebeensavedthroughfaith;andthatnotofyourselves,itisthegiftofGod;notas aresultofworks,sothatnoonemayboast.ForweareHisworkmanship,createdinChristJesusforgood works,whichGodpreparedbeforehandsothatwewouldwalkinthem.(Eph2.810) ...nothavingarighteousnessofmyownderivedfromtheLaw,butthatwhichisthroughfaithin Christ,therighteousnesswhichcomesfromGodonthebasisoffaith.(Phi3.9) 36 Noticethatthe2ndBookofHomiliesisreferredtoinentiretyinArticle35.

ThisArticledesirestosteeramiddlecoursebetweenunScripturalextremes, andprotectfromdistortedviewpoints.Ontheonehand,Romehadbeenvery clearaboutthemeritofgoodworks.Forexample(from6thsessionofthe proceedingsoftheCouncilofTrent,Jan/1547)WhosoevershallaffirmthatthegoodworksofajustifiedmanareinsuchsensethegiftofGod,as thattheyarenotalsohisworthymerits,orthathebeingjustifiedbyhisgoodworks,whichare wroughtbyhimthroughthegraceofGod,andthemeritsofJesusChrist,ofwhomheisaliving member,doesnotreallydeserveincreaseofgrace,eternallife,theenjoymentofthateternallife,ifhe diesinastateofgrace,andevenanincreaseofglory,lethimbeaccursed.37

Ontheothersideofthequestion,antinomianismandSolifidianism38were widespread,sayingthatsincejustificationwasbyfaithalone,goodworks werenotonlyunnecessary,butcouldevenbeconsidereddangerous(onemight trustinthemsomehow). Asonemightputthequestion,doesGodsgraceinjustificationgobeforethe exerciseofthewill,orfollowthewill?TheRomanistconfusesjustification withsanctification.39OthersadheredtoagermtheoryofJustification,that Godseesinfaiththegermofwhatweshallbecome,andthereforejustifiesus byanticipation.40Thismakesfaiththegroundofrighteousness.ThisArticle seeksthebalancethatisexpressed:Itisfaithalonewhichjustifies,andyet, thefaithwhichjustifiesisnotalone.41 TheexpressionofthisbalanceisfoundintheteachingofPaulandJames. Thesetwoauthorshaveoftenbeenseenasbeing(atleast)intension,ifnotin conflict.Buttothecontrary,asGTputsit:St.PaulandSt.Jamesarenottwosoldiersofdifferentarmiesfightingeachother,buttwoofthesame armyfightingbacktobackagainstenemiescomingfromdifferentdirections.42

Paul37 seeThomasp.206.

43

James

38 Solifidanismisdefinedassomepurelyintellectualacceptanceoftruthbywhichaloneamanis justified...weseethatallthatisintendedbyfaithonlyistheavoidanceofanythinglikeworksforthe purposeofjustification.(GT,p.198) 39 Asquotedbefore:Atthe6thsessionofthiscouncil,1/1547;Justificationisnotmerelytheremission ofsins,butalsothesanctificationandrenewaloftheinnerman,throughthevoluntaryreceptionofthegrace andgifts,wherebymanfromunjustbecomesjust,fromanenemyafriend,thatsohemaybeanheiraccording tothehopeofeternallife. 40 41 42 43 GT,p.204,citingfromBishopBull GT,p.206,quotingCalvin. GT,p.206. SeeGTscomparisononp.205.

InRom4dealingwithAbrahamasrecordedin Gen15.6(seeGal3.6).44 Here,Abrahamisamanjustifiedbyfaith. Here,Pauldealswiththeinstrumentof justification. PaulisdealingwithanonChristian.46 PaulusesGen15toprovethenecessityoffaith. Paulteachesthatworksmustspringfromfaith Paulisdealingwiththeerroroflegalism Paulwarnsagainstthinkingonecanearnmerit

InJam2,dealswithAbrahamfromGen2 yearslater.45 Here,Abrahamisactingasabelieverafte Here,Jamesisdealingwiththeproofof justification. JamesisdealingwithaprofessingChristi JamesusesGen22toprovethenecessity works. Jamesteachesthatfaithmustbeprovedb works Jameswithdealingwithantinomianism Jameswarnsagainstmereintellectualorth

TheArticleoffersatestimonytotheapplicabilityoftheScripturestoour understandingofjustification,thesameproblemswiththeApostleswerethe sameerrorsoftheEnglishReformationperiod,andthesameerrorsofourown day.

ArticleXIII OfWorksBeforeJustification WORKSdonebeforethegraceofChrist,andtheInspirationofhisSpirit,arenot pleasanttoGod,forasmuchastheyspringnotoffaithinJesusChrist;neither dotheymakemenmeettoreceivegrace,or(astheSchoolautho