Tried With Fire

I came across this Reformed Forum podcast with Dr. Richard M. Gamble, historian and member of the OPC. Dr. Gamble has just published a book, A Fiery Gospel: The Battle Hymn of the Republic and the Road to Righteous War. This book covers the background of the familiar "hymn," which was eye-opening to me. In a nutshell, a supposedly Christian song was written by a Unitarian who was influenced by German liberalism. The podcast is very interesting and points out how easily we are swayed by Christian-ish lyrics that sound vaguely biblical. Perhaps the vagueness is the reason The Battle Hymn endured and became part of American civil religion. I requested A Fiery Gospel through the public library, which I am hoping to read. In the meantime, I looked up Dr. Gamble's other books. His main area of research is American civil religion, a topic that I find grimly fascinating. I was able to find a copy of this book - In Search of the City on a Hill: The Making and Unmaking of an A...

Jonathan Edwards by Simonetta Carr, illustrations by Matt Abraxas, Reformation Heritage Books, 2014, 64 pages, for ages 7-12. Jonathan Edwards (1703-1758) was one of America's greatest theologians and thinkers. Unfortunately, many know him of him only as the author of the sermon, "Sinners in the Hands of an Angry God." But there is much more to his life. In this biography by Simonetta Carr, you will learn about Edwards' childhood, his love of learning, and his love for God. He eventually became a pastor who was instrumental in the First Great Awakening. However, he was removed by his own congregation for taking a stand that the Lord's Supper was only for believers. Edwards pondered over the scriptures and wrote on such topics as original sin, freedom of the will, and religious affections, which are theological classics to this day. Carr's writing makes Edwards' life accessible and interesting, pulling out tidbits of his life that would appeal to c...

Call to me, and I will answer you, and will tell you great and hidden things that you have not known. Jeremiah 33:3 The Most High is a God that hears prayer. Though he is infinitely above all, and stands in no need of creatures, yet he is graciously pleased to take merciful notice of poor worms in the dust. He presents himself as one sitting on a mercy-seat, that men may come to him in prayer. In our need he allows us to come and ask him, and he is ready to hear our prayers. God has given many promises to hear our prayers; the Scripture is full of such examples. He manifests himself to be a God that hears prayer. What is meant by God's hearing our prayers? Two things are implied. 1. He accepts the supplications of those who pray to him. He is pleased with them. He accepts the honour we do him by our praying. 2. He reveals himself to us by special discoveries of his mercy and sufficiency. While we are praying he gives us sweet views of his glorious grace and sovereignty.  He...

I was thinking more about what I posted yesterday. It would be easy to get discouraged by how nonbelievers and even Christians view God. However, God does not change based on our misconception of Him. His position as God does not shift because we do not acknowledge His supremacy. Rather, we are the ones who suffer from our lack of understanding or refusal to acknowledge who He is. Thank God, He knows that we would rather be blind than see Him as He is and yet He is merciful to give sight to the blind. I was comforted by these verses: The LORD is in his holy temple, the LORD's throne is in heaven: his eyes behold, his eyelids try, the children of men. Psalm 11:4 Thy throne, O God, is for ever and ever: the sceptre of thy kingdom is a right sceptre. Psalm 45:6 Amazing grace how sweet the sound that saved a wretch like me I once was lost but now am found, 'twas blind but now I see. Yesterday's devotional from gracegems.org was by Jonathan Edwards. I don't think Edwa...