Thursday, March 30, 2023

33. The Nicene Creed


The Nicene Creed: An Introduction. Phillip Cary. 2023. [March] 248 pages. [Source: Review copy]

First sentence: The Nicene Creed originated because ancient Christians were appalled. A teacher in one of the most influential churches in the world was trying to get them to speak of Christ and say things like "there was once when he was not" and "he came to be out of nothing." They had good reason to be appalled. 

What you see is what you get: an introduction to the Nicene Creed. Phillip Cary walks his readers through the Nicene Creed. He does so--in part--by sharing his new translation of the Nicene Creed into English. Cary walks phrase by phrase through the Nicene Creed. He focuses on the original languages, the historical context, the theological/philosophical ramifications of the statements (what the Creed IS saying and what it is not saying; what it includes and what it excludes). For the record, Cary's Nicene Creed is the expanded confession formulated at the Council of Constantinople in 381. (As opposed to the Creed of Nicaea from 325). He at times discusses traditional renderings and translations of words and phrases. Occasionally he branches out into stories of word origins and associations. [The languages most referenced are Greek, Latin, and of course, English].

He points off by reminding readers that the Nicene Creed was a DEFINITIVE NO, NO, NO to the heretical beliefs creeping into churches. It was affirming what they held to be true, what they held to be biblical. It was denying what they held to be false, what they felt to contradict Scripture's teachings. He writes, "to say no is to draw a boundary and say: We're not going there, because that's not who Christ is." 

Quotes:

We believe [I believe]
in one God,
the Father, the Almighty,
maker of heaven and earth,
of all things visible and invisible;
and in one Lord,
Jesus Christ,
the only-begotten Son of God,
who was begotten of the Father before all ages,
[God from God,]
Light from Light,
True God from True God,
begotten, not made,
having the same being as the Father,
through whom all things came to be;
who for us human beings and for our salvation
came down from heaven,
and was incarnate
from the Holy Spirit
and the Virgin Mary
and became human,
and was crucified also for us under Pontius Pilate,
and suffered
and was buried,
and rose again on the third day according to the Scriptures,
and ascended into heaven,
and sits at the right hand of the Father,
and shall come again in glory
to judge the living and the dead,
of whose kingdom there shall be no end;
and in the Holy Spirit,
the Lord and Giver of Life,
who proceeds from the Father
[and from the Son],
who with the Father and Son together is worshiped and co-glorified,
who has spoken through the prophets;
in one, holy, catholic, and apostolic church.
We confess one baptism for the forgiveness of sins;
we look for the resurrection of the dead
and the life of the age to come.
Amen. 

© Becky Laney of Operation Actually Read Bible

Wednesday, March 29, 2023

32. A Metrical Psalter


A Metrical Psalter: The Book of Psalms Set to Meter for Singing. Julie and Timothy Tennent. 2017. 379 pages. [Source: Bought]

First sentence: The Book of Psalms--it has been loved, cherished, memorized, prayed, and used as a solace and comfort throughout the history of the Christian church and the Hebrew people. Portions of the psalms have been the source for countless anthems, hymns, and choruses. Somehow, we inherently recognize that the psalms were meant to be a means of grace in our lives, and they were meant to be sung. 

I've been reading the Psalms monthly for several years. The psalms have become familiar--mostly. When the book of Psalms is your friend, well, it becomes an even more lived-in book. I can never get enough--personally. 

Still the idea of SINGING the psalms seemed a little too 'out there.' True, not historically speaking. Traditionally, the psalms have been THE songs of the church. It would be out of place not to be singing the psalms. But I'm going to guess that many contemporary/modern churches don't sing the psalms. And probably even fewer sing the psalms in their own homes in private devotions. Emphasis on SING. I think plenty of Christians do READ the psalms in church and do READ the psalms in their private devotions. I think some/many do memorize psalms as well. 

There is a BOOK (which I do have a copy of) and a WEBSITE (which I actually used). The advantage of the website is that there are sound files that play the TUNES on repeat. But perhaps I'm jumping WAY ahead of myself.  EACH of the 150 psalms have been written into a metrical psalm. There are a handful of meters--more than just common meter was used. Each psalm has a list of suggested tunes for that meter, that psalm. There's an index of tunes for each meter. 

The website doesn't always have functioning music files. (In particular, Nettleton (Come, Thou Fount of Every Blessing) is completely missing. Fortunately, I know every note of that one.) A handful of times, a file will play in one place, but not another. (For example, sometimes Ode to Joy (Joyful, Joyful, We Adore Thee) would play just fine, and other times it would be completely missing. Again, I know every single note of that one.) 

Singing through all 150 psalms--there are some tunes that you see VERY frequently. It would be an option to sing that tune over half the time. Other tunes only showed up two or three times tops. 

The website is great in that it allows you to use unfamiliar to you tunes. I wish I could say that repeated singing allowed me to memorize tunes if not perfectly...at least well enough to function with the book alone. But sadly, I was still mostly dependent on the website for new-to-me tunes. Again, the tunes I knew, I knew well. New-to-me tunes I was insecure with singing a cappella.

Quotes: In essence, this book of the Bible is a book of 150 separate journeys. We need to take every one of those journeys, and to sing our way through them regularly. The steady practice of singing through all of the psalms is a spiritual discipline that forms us in our Christian pilgrimage. Some may seem more relevant to our present lives than others, but every psalm is laying the tracks for some journey in life that we will eventually encounter, or that we will walk through vicariously with another, or that has been taken by another pilgrim in another time or place with whom we stand in solidarity. Every psalm is teaching us something about the character of God and the posture of God's people, who live amid the tensions of a broken world. 

© Becky Laney of Operation Actually Read Bible

Sunday, March 26, 2023

Sunday Salon #13


Current Bible plans and projects:

Seedbed Psalter. There's a book. There's a website. The website plays the instrumental music, so that's what I'm using. (My mom has the book which she's using). So essentially, Dr. Timothy and Mrs. Julie Tennent have created a (new) psalter. It is a metrical psalter so that the psalms can be song to various tunes (that match up with the meters). I've committed to singing the Psalms for the month of March using the Book of Common Prayer psalms calendar. This week I've read/sung Psalm 95-119:1-104.

Psalm 95Forest Green (I Sing the Mighty Power of God)
Psalm 96Lyons (O Worship the King)
Psalm 97Hyfrydol (Come, Thou Long Expected Jesus)
Psalm 98Richmond (O For A Heart to Praise My God)
Psalm 99Richmond (O For A Heart to Praise My God)
Psalm 100Winchester Old (Come, Holy Ghost, Our Hearts Inspire)
Psalm 101Ode to Joy (Joyful, Joyful We Adore Thee)
Psalm 102Sweet Hour (Sweet Hour of Prayer)
Psalm 103Beecher (Love Divine, All Loves Excelling)
Psalm 104Munich ((O Word of God Incarnate)
Psalm 105Kingsfold (O Sing a Song of Bethlehem)
Psalm 106Toulon (I Greet Thee, Who My Sure Redeemer Art)
Psalm 107Aberystwyth (Jesus, Lover Of My Soul)
Psalm 108Aurelia (The Church's One Foundation)
Psalm 109Morning Song (My Soul Gives Glory to My God)
Psalm 110Richmond (O For A Heart to Praise My God)
Psalm 111Richmond (O For A Heart to Praise My God)
Psalm 112Stuttgart (May the Grace of Christ Our Savior)
Psalm 113Nettleton (Come, Thou Fount)
Psalm 114Dundee (God Moves In a Mysterious Way)
Psalm 115Austrian Hymn (Glorious Things of Thee Are Spoken)
Psalm 116Toulon (I Greet Thee, Who My Sure Redeemer Art)
Psalm 117St. Columba (The King of Love My Shepherd Is)
Psalm 118Ellacombe (Hosanna, Loud Hosanna)
Psalm 119:1-32Azmon (O For A Thousand Tongues to Sing)
Psalm 119:33-104Kingsfold (O Sing a Song of Bethlehem)

NIV 84 Rainbow Study Bible. 1 Chronicles 14-29. 2 Chronicles. Job 1-25. Mark. 1 Thessalonians. 2 Thessalonians. James. 

Wycliffe New Testament. Luke 1-24. John 1-8. 

NRSV XL. Jeremiah 32-52. Lamentations. Baruch. 

BSB M'Cheyne. Exodus 30-36. John 9-15. Proverbs 6-12. Galatians 5-6. Ephesians 1-5. 

Growing for Life. March is Mark 9-12. This week I read 1560 Geneva Bible, 1611 King James Version, ESV, BSB, and NASB 77. 

Currently reading:

Mornings with Tozer by A.W. Tozer 

I am currently in-between books. I finished up TWO books this past week. The Thrill of Orthodoxy which I highly recommend. And the Story of Abortion in America which again I highly recommend. It might need a few more trigger warnings (aka content warnings) than the Orthodoxy book. But it was so compelling. 



© Becky Laney of Operation Actually Read Bible

Friday, March 24, 2023

31. The Thrill of Orthodoxy


The Thrill of Orthodoxy: Rediscovering the Adventure of Christian Faith. Trevin K. Wax (Author) Kevin J. Vanhoozer. (Foreword).  2022. [November] 240 pages. [Source: Library]

First sentence from the foreword: Nothing thrills the disillusioned. 

First sentence from chapter one: The church faces her biggest challenge not when new errors start to win but when old truths no longer wow. J.R.R. Tolkien once said that the most regrettable feature of human nature is how quickly we become unsatisfied with the good. 

I absolutely LOVED, LOVED, LOVED, LOVED this thought-provoking read. This one celebrates creeds, confessions, and orthodoxy. (But not for the sake of being doctrinally correct.) Wax links orthodoxy with loving God, worshipping God, living for God, walking with God. 

IN some ways, this one is about re-embracing the Christian basics and rekindling your awe for God. 
IN some ways, this one is about living for Christ in a non-Christian [secular] world with opposing/contrasting values, ethics, and beliefs. 

It does address contemporary issues facing individual christians and the church as a whole. It does a great job at redirecting the focus to the BIG picture. To keeping everything aligned and in check so that you don't lose perspective and forget what really matters.

In all honesty, I was slightly nervous about reading books from this publishing house. While they have published some genuinely AWESOME books in the past, they've also published some extremely liberal/progressive books through the years--particularly the last decade or so. But this one was so SOLID. It was genuinely biblical and trustworthy.

I mentioned this briefly in my opening paragraph, but I LOVED how thought-provoking it was. Very convicting in places. Definitely stayed with me in between reading sessions. This book lived with me for days. (Not all books do). Wish I owned it instead of it being a library book.

Quotes:

The adventure for life is a fight for astonishment, a determination to resist growing bored in a world of wonders.

Why do we so easily lose our wonder at truths that have informed and inspired Christians for generations? How is it we find ourselves no longer wowed by old truths? Why are we drawn toward theological error? 

Before we recapture the thrill of orthodoxy--a renewed sense of awe and wonder at the glories of the gospel--we need to pay close attention to signs that the thrill of truth has faded. How can we know if we're drifting? How can we see if we're more susceptible to errors than we think?

Discovering truth is a little like dealing with the weather....You may have your preferences, but you don't say my weather and your weather, because you're not in control.

Christianity isn't just giving mental assent to a set of propositions. It's giving yourself to a Person. For that reason, the statements we make about the identity of God really matter. 

True Christianity does not emphasize following Jesus by neglecting what we believe about him. Too many well-intentioned Christians pit deeds against creeds.

Carefulness regarding theology is an expression of love, not a distraction from it. Theology should be undertaken as an act of service to God and neighbor. Theology is healthiest within the context of mission, when the study of Scriptures helps us fulfill the command of Jesus to make disciples.

Theology and love connect because theology is about a Person. "This is who God is. This is how you respond to God." To put it another way, "This is God. Now, love him."

Theology defines and directs the mission.

The key phrase of the Christian is not "I create," but "I confess." What we believe matters. By confessing our faith, we are standing on something we know is true. In confessing our faith, we are saying not "I build a religion" but "I believe in revelation." Not "I invent," but "I receive." We do not have the authority to change doctrine to fit the times. That's not our purview.

Augustine was known for saying Christians are to stand "against" the world "for the good" of the world. Our opposition to sin is never a goal by itself, but always a means to a greater good. We dissent from some of the prevailing perspectives of our time, not because we find our identity in being naysayers, but because our no is in service to a greater yes. 

Nothing removes the thrill of orthodoxy faster than nonchalance--the shrug of the shoulders toward doctrinal debates and creedal affirmations.

The problem with lowering the eternal stakes of Christianity and removing the eternal significance from our actions, our decisions, and our evangelism is that our quest for adventure will lead us to raise the stakes on lesser matters. We will find adventure. We will be on a quest. And if we don't accept the life-or-death urgency that Jesus and the apostles convey in their teaching, we will insert life-or-death urgency into other challenges, making earthly problems appear bigger than they are.



© Becky Laney of Operation Actually Read Bible

30. The Story of Abortion in America


The Story of Abortion in America. Marvin Olasky and Leah Savas. 2023. [January] 512 pages. [Source: Review copy]

First sentence from the foreword: Marvin Olasky and Leah Savas tell the story of abortion in America by telling the stories of abortion in America. 

First sentence from chapter one: Journalists for centuries have wrestled with how much attention to pay to the creature in the womb.

The authors stress that this is a STREET history of abortion in America--as opposed to "suite" history. It is a history book spanning almost four hundred years. It doesn't have a solitary or sole focus or angle. The approach isn't solely (or strictly, or exclusively) from a moral/ethical perspective (or frame). It presents the story of abortion in America from MANY angles/perspectives. It is first and foremost a book chronicling facts, facts, facts, and more facts. It has a plethora of stories spanning CENTURIES. There are some voices/perspectives that are pro-choice. There are some voices/perspectives that are pro-life. It shows how people's perception of abortion has changed through the centuries. 

I found this one fascinating AND heartbreaking AND sometimes astonishing. I was surprised by how early the [American] church betrayed the unborn. I always assumed that the church gave into pressure from society/culture. I didn't know that the church supported abortion years--if not decade(s) before it was legalized. That pastors had referral circles to abortionists. That they were actively encouraging women to get abortions if they found themselves in difficult situations. That was heartbreaking. 

There are so many STORIES. This one was so well-researched. 

© Becky Laney of Operation Actually Read Bible

Thursday, March 23, 2023

29. The Story of Easter


Board book: The Story of Easter: The Crucifixion and Resurrection of Jesus Christ. Pia Imperial. Illustrated by Carly Gledhill. 2023. [January] 20 pages. [Source: Review copy]

First sentence: When Jesus Christ, the Son of God, was born,
a new star shone bright in the night sky.
Three Wise Men, who studied the stars, knew that
when the star appeared, it was a sign the new King 
had been born.
Jesus Christ would be King of Israel.

What you see is what you get. This is the story of Easter. I cannot begin to tell you how pleased I am that not only did they reference Christ's deity in the first sentence, but, they started with the incarnation. I believe strongly in the mingling of Easter and Christmas. Christmas only becomes more amazing and incredible when Easter touches are included (WHY did Jesus come? WHAT was it all about?). And at Easter time, it is always a nice touch to remember the incarnation, to remember that he came down to earth and became one of us. 

The story is simplified. It is definitely simplified. But the theological seed of this one is good for the most part. It isn't a full story or full explanation. But it's a start. 

© Becky Laney of Operation Actually Read Bible

Saturday, March 18, 2023

Sunday Salon #12


Current Bible plans and projects:

Seedbed Psalter. There's a book. There's a website. The website plays the instrumental music, so that's what I'm using. (My mom has the book which she's using). So essentially, Dr. Timothy and Mrs. Julie Tennent have created a (new) psalter. It is a metrical psalter so that the psalms can be song to various tunes (that match up with the meters). I've committed to singing the Psalms for the month of March using the Book of Common Prayer psalms calendar. This week I've read/sung Psalm 62-94.

Psalm 62St. Columba (The King of Love My Shepherd Is)
Psalm 63Dundee (God Moves In a Mysterious Way)
Psalm 64Ellacombe (Hosanna, Loud Hosanna)
Psalm 65Toulon (I Greet Thee, Who My Sure Redeemer Art)
Psalm 66St. Denio (Immortal, Invisible)
Psalm 67Aurelia (The Church's One Foundation)
Psalm 68Forest Green (I Sing the Mighty Power of God)
Psalm 69Kingsfold (O Sing a Song of Bethlehem)
Psalm 70Trentham (Breathe On Me, Breath of God)
Psalm 71Old 100th (Doxology)
Psalm 72Foundation (How Firm a Foundation)
Psalm 73Arise/Restoration (Come Ye Sinners, Poor and Needy)
Psalm 74Toulon (I Greet Thee, Who My Sure Redeemer Art)
Psalm 75Redhead (Go To Dark Gethsemane)
Psalm 76Terra Beata (This Is My Father's World)
Psalm 77Kingsfold (O Sing a Song of Bethlehem)
Psalm 78Ellacombe (Hosanna, Loud Hosanna)
Psalm 79Passion Chorale (O Sacred Head, Now Wounded)
Psalm 80Guidance (He Leadeth Me)
Psalm 81Beecher (Love Divine, All Loves Excelling)
Psalm 82Winchester Old (Come, Holy Ghost, Our Hearts Inspire)
Psalm 83Ebenezer (O the Deep, Deep Love of Jesus)
Psalm 84Kingsfold (O Sing a Song of Bethlehem)
Psalm 85Arise/Restoration (Come Ye Sinners, Poor and Needy)
Psalm 86Kingsfold (O Sing a Song of Bethlehem)
Psalm 87Ode to Joy (Joyful, Joyful We Adore Thee)
Psalm 88Arise/Restoration (Come Ye Sinners, Poor and Needy)
Psalm 89Ode to Joy (Joyful, Joyful We Adore Thee)
Psalm 90St. Columba (The King of Love My Shepherd Is)
Psalm 91Hyfrydol (Come, Thou Long Expected Jesus)
Psalm 92Aurelia (The Church's One Foundation)
Psalm 93Beecher (Love Divine, All Loves Excelling)
Psalm 94Nettleton (Come, Thou Fount)

NIV 84 Rainbow Study Bible. I am LOVING THIS ONE SO MUCH. I can see why some may be tempted to have this be their 'one'. I read Genesis 6-50. Matthew 5-28. 

Wycliffe New Testament. Matthew 13-28. Mark 1-16. This is the Bible (New Testament) I'm using with the Be Thou My Vision devotional.

NRSV XL -- Jeremiah 1-31.

BSB M'Cheyne. Exodus 23-29. John 2-8. Job 41-42. Proverbs 1-5. 2 Corinthians 11-13. Galatians 1-4. 

Growing for Life. March is Mark 9-12. This week I read: NASB 77, NIV 2011, BSB, ESV, NASB 95, NASB 77.

Currently reading:

The Thrill of Orthodoxy: Rediscovering the Adventure of Christian Faith by Trevin K. Wax. 
The Story of Abortion in America by Marvin Olasky 
Mornings with Toxer by A.W. Tozer 


© Becky Laney of Operation Actually Read Bible

Tuesday, March 14, 2023

28. Jesus Revolution


Jesus Revolution: How God Transformed an Unlikely Generation and How He Can Do It Again Today. Greg Laurie and Ellen Vaughn. 2018. 272 pages. [Source: Library]

First sentence: The hippies who plunged into the Pacific Ocean during that summer sunset in 1970 didn't know they were in a revival. They didn't even know what a revival was. They were not acquainted with Christian vocabulary words like revival or salvation or sanctification. But thanks to the Beatles, Jim Morrison, and other countercultural icons of the day, the hippies did know about words like revolution.

How to describe this one? Part biography of Greg Laurie (including his conversion, his ministry, the ups and downs of his personal life). Part history of the Jesus Movement (not thorough nor complete, but an introduction for sure). Part info-dump of the times (feeling very Wikipedia info-dump on the 1950s, 1960s, 1970s, Vietnam War, American politics, etc.). 

I would describe this one as more vignettes, lingering impressions of the Jesus Movement (aka Jesus Revolution). There are personal stories from Greg Laurie and his wife, Cathe, about growing up in California in the late 1960s and early 1970s. There are stories of their courtship. There are stories of Laurie's early ministry work--the people who mentored him, encouraged him. A few stories--in general--of Chuck Smith's ministry before, during, and to a very small extent after. There are a few stories about Lonnie Frisbee, but, not as much as you might expect if you've seen the movie trailer or listened to reviews of the movie. Laurie points out that Frisbee working hand in hand with Chuck Smith was better than anything Lonnie Frisbee did on his own--in terms of theological soundness, biblical accuracy, etc. The book is not a gossipy book. Laurie neither condemns (completely) nor praises Lonnie  Frisbee. 

I don't know if Greg Laurie wrote any of this himself. It is written ENTIRELY in the third person. So if Greg Laurie was involved in the actual writing of the manuscript, it's a very odd choice. More likely, perhaps, Laurie giving interviews etc. 

Do I have thoughts???? Yes. I wish this one wasn't trying to do everything all at once. I'd rather have a book that was solely a memoir of Greg Laurie OR a book that was solely focused on the Jesus Movement (aka Jesus Revolution) perhaps capturing multiple points of view, telling a chronological story of the movement, mini-biographies of those involved, impact statements, follow-up stories, etc. A book could definitely be written gathering together memories/stories of those who were saved during this movement, who were baptized and prayed the sinner's prayer, who attended these churches, who experienced first hand this revival. It would answer a lot of lingering questions that skeptics may have. Reading the vignettes, brief captured moments, doesn't really give me--as a reader--a big picture. It raises more questions than it answers.

I've mostly focused (so far) on the book. That's only fair. The book was written before the filming began, before the movie was edited and ready to be released. 

The movie is released now. I have not seen it. I have seen dozens of reviews on YouTube. They tend to fall into three camps [or reactions]. Reaction 1) The movie is perfectly perfect; it is wonderful; best Christian movie ever; a great evangelical tool; everyone MUST see it; it will be the catalyst for revival; churches everywhere should be inspired and enlightened. Reaction 2) The movie is horrendously awful. It is dangerous. It's a slippery slope. It will lead people away from the Lord. It presents a different Jesus, a different gospel. It may lead to false revival, false conversions. It idealizes Lonnie Frisbee, a complex man with MANY issues (drug use, homosexuality, occult influences). It focuses too much on experiences and not enough on teachings, doctrines, theological soundness. Reaction 3) The movie may be a beautiful film, but, it has some issues, some problems. There are a few great things, a few good things, and some disturbing things. It's a mixed bag. Not the best. Not the worst. Be discerning. 

Seeking out movie reviews, I've stumbled into a PIT of commentary videos about the Jesus Movement, about Lonnie Frisbee, about Calvary Chapel, etc. And again reactions tend to extremes. Everything from a) 100% of converts who prayed the sinner's prayer, who were baptized, who were a part of this revival remained in the Lord--not only remained but were strengthened, discipled, transformed. Not a one fell away. Not a one continued to live in sin--drugs, sexual immorality, etc. to b) 90% of converts who prayed the sinner's prayer, who were baptized, who were a part of this revival fell away, were never transformed, never sanctified, never discipled, never grew in the Lord, never obeyed the Lord, were ultimately 'false' converts. You've got people utterly convinced that this revival was the best thing ever AND people utterly convinced it was the work of Satan. It can be confusing to parse through the videos and find the truth. I'm going to go out on a limb and say that neither extreme can be right--at least not totally, rigidly. There has to be a happy-medium-ground where facts lead us. 



© Becky Laney of Operation Actually Read Bible

Sunday, March 12, 2023

Sunday Salon #11


Current Bible plans and projects:

Seedbed Psalter. There's a book. There's a website. The website plays the instrumental music, so that's what I'm using. (My mom has the book which she's using). So essentially, Dr. Timothy and Mrs. Julie Tennent have created a (new) psalter. It is a metrical psalter so that the psalms can be song to various tunes (that match up with the meters). I've committed to singing the Psalms for the month of March using the Book of Common Prayer psalms calendar. This week I've read/sung Psalms 24-61. 

Psalm 24Lyons (O Worship the King)
Psalm 25New Britain (Amazing Grace)
Psalm 26St. Anne (O God, Our Help In Ages Past)
Psalm 27Candler (Ye Banks and Braes)
Psalm 28Winchester Old (Come, Holy Ghost, Our Hearts Inspire)
Psalm 29Foundation (How Firm a Foundation)
Psalm 30Dundee (God Moves In a Mysterious Way)
Psalm 31Guidance (He Leadeth Me)
Psalm 32
Beach Spring (Lord, Whose Love Through Humble Service)
Psalm 33The Ash Grove (Let All Things Now Living)
Psalm 34Morecambre (Spirit of God, Descend Upon My Heart)
Psalm 35Southwell (Lord Jesus, Think On Me)
Psalm 36Azmon (O For A Thousand Tongues to Sing)
Psalm 37Sweet Hour (Sweet Hour of Prayer)
Psalm 38Dundee (God Moves In a Mysterious Way)
Psalm 39Winchester Old (Come, Holy Ghost, Our Hearts Inspire)
Psalm 40Ellacombe (Hosanna, Loud Hosanna)
Psalm 41Kingsfold (O Sing a Song of Bethlehem)
Psalm 42New Britain (Amazing Grace)
Psalm 43St. Columba (The King of Love My Shepherd Is)
Psalm 44St. Denio (Immortal, Invisible)
Psalm 45Toulon (I Greet Thee, Who My Sure Redeemer Art)
Psalm 46Azmon (O For A Thousand Tongues to Sing)
Psalm 47Forest Green (I Sing the Mighty Power of God)
Psalm 48Lyons (O Worship the King)
Psalm 49Ode to Joy (Joyful, Joyful We Adore Thee)
Psalm 50Morning Song (My Soul Gives Glory to My God)
Psalm 51Dundee (God Moves In a Mysterious Way)
Psalm 52Kingsfold (O Sing a Song of Bethlehem)
Psalm 53St. Thomas (I Love Thy Kigndom, Lord)
Psalm 54Winchester Old (Come, Holy Ghost, Our Hearts Inspire)
Psalm 55St. George's Windsor (Come, Ye Thankful People, Come)
Psalm 56Kingsfold (O Sing a Song of Bethlehem)
Psalm 57New Britain (Amazing Grace)
Psalm 58Llangloffan (O God of Earth and Altar)
Psalm 59Kingsfold (O Sing a Song of Bethlehem)
Psalm 60Dundee (God Moves In a Mysterious Way)
Psalm 61Nettleton (Come, Thou Fount)

ESV Church History Bible. I finished this one!!!! Praise the LORD. I obviously love it. But it was getting to be a little stressful trying to read the notes and text with my current vision problems. But I mostly succeeded. It is reviewed. Highly recommend. This week I read Jeremiah 45-52, Lamentations, Joel, Amos, Ezekiel, Daniel, Hosea, Obadiah, Jonah, Nahum, Habakkuk, Zephaniah, Haggai, Zechariah, Malachi, and the Gospel of John. 

NIV 84 Rainbow Study Bible. Started this one on Saturday. Genesis 1-5. Matthew 1-4.

ESV Psalter. I finished this one too!!! I read Psalms 58-150.

Wycliffe New Testament. I read Matthew 1-12.

NRSV XL. I read Isaiah 46 through 66.

BSB M'Cheyne. Exodus 16-22. Luke 19-24. John 1. Job 34-40. 2 Corinthians 4-10. 

Growing for Life. March is Mark 9-12. This week I read: LSB, BSB, NLT, NASB 95, 1599 Geneva, CSB, NIV 84. 

Currently reading:

The Story of Abortion in America by Marvin Olasky (making some progress)
Jesus Revolution by Greg Laurie and Ellen Vaughn. (making some progress)
The Escape Game by Marilyn Turk (not making progress; all my fault)



© Becky Laney of Operation Actually Read Bible

Friday, March 10, 2023

2. ESV Church History Bible


ESV Church History Study Bible: Voices from the Past, Wisdom for the Present. God. 2022. [December] 2112 pages. [Source: Bought]

First sentence: In the beginning, God created the heavens and the earth.

I love, love, love, love the Church History Study Bible in the English Standard Version translation. Depending on your sources, it released mid-December to early January. I received my copy just before Christmas. (Merry Christmas to me!) I started reading it almost immediately. 

This is not the first nor the last study Bible Crossway will publish. They publish a LOT of study Bibles. The framework for this one is church history. The notes for each chapter, each book, come from ages of church history: from the earliest beginnings of the church to the twentieth century. I would NOT want to be responsible for matching quotes (aka study notes) with specific chapters and verses of scripture. But I am so incredibly thankful for the person(s) responsible for making all these decisions. 

Each book of the Bible has a brief (super brief) introduction. Just a paragraph or two. (Perhaps the only feature in the Bible to be in single column). 

There are notes for each chapter of the Bible. I wouldn't go so far as to say that each verse in each chapter has a note. (That would be a little extreme.) But there's enough notes for each chapter that you feel fed. The notes are at the bottom of each page. Some pages have more Scripture than notes. Other pages have more notes than Scripture. But you can always clearly distinguish between Scripture and study note.

The font size of the Scripture is 9 point. The notes are much smaller. The layout is double column. It is black letter.

There are special features. There are three creeds: Apostles' Creed, Nicene Creed, Chalcedonian Definition. There are twelve articles (located at the back) covering various aspects of church history (these articles are also in double column). There is a reading plan. There is an author index. There is a concordance. There are maps (which I'll never use).

In a perfectly perfect world, the author index would be the index of my dreams. (I love a good index). This isn't so much an index-index as it is an alphabetical listing of each author included in the notes. It tells you when each one lived. It includes a 'teaser' about each one. These aren't even in complete sentences. But it's a teeny-tiny bio. I'm thankful for that much at least. (I am.) I would have LOVED a proper index that marks the *pages* on which these authors' quotes can be found. That way, if you find an author that you are just absolutely loving and want more, more, more, more, MORE...you can see ALL the places these authors appear. Granted, the index would have probably tripled in size (at least) if it had been more like an index. 

Quotes:

If gold were thrown plentifully before every man's face, and everyone could have it without any labor or industry, it would not be prized as now it is. But God gives it to us in mines; we must dig for it if we are to get it, and that makes it precious. So God gives us divine truth in mines, as it were--in allegories and parables and types--where we must dig for it to come at it. ~ Jonathan Edwards

Every time we open our eyes, we must remember that two gates have been opened for the devil to enter our hearts, unless God guards us by his Holy Spirit. ~ John Calvin

It is Satan's strategy to lead people blindfolded into hell. ~ Richard Baxter

Our pulpits ring of nothing more than doing no one any harm, living honestly, loving your neighbor as yourselves and doing what you can, and then Christ is to make up the deficiency--this is making Christ to be half a savior, and man the other part. But I say, Christ will be your whole righteousness, your whole wisdom, your whole sanctification, or else he will never be your whole redemption. ~ George Whitefield

Start praising now if you intend to praise forever ~ Augustine, ESV Church History Bible

Let us "hear this parable" not to judge others but ourselves. Let us examine to which of the foregoing classes we belong. What has been the disposition with which we have heard the Word? What are the benefits we have received from the preached gospel? Have we labored to treasure up the truth of God in our hearts? Has it overpowered the corrupt desires that would obstruct its growth? And are we rising daily beyond the form, to the life and power of godliness? ~ Charles Simeon, ESV Church History Bible

If I fear death and do not like to die, I find in this Christ a comfort and medicine, so that I care nothing for death. If terrified at the anger of God, I have here a Mediator. Many a one runs into the desert or puts on garments of coarse hair and thinks he will force God not to be angry with him, but it will amount to nithing. Whoever has not this Christ, on him the wrath of God remains forever, for it is decreed. ~ Martin Luther, ESV Church History Bible

Evangelical repentance complies with spiritual joy and is a friend unto it. You grieve for sin, and you rejoice in God, and when you rejoice in God you grieve for sin. ~ William Bridge 

The best and holiest of men have need of Christ, and the better they are, the more they see that need. ~ Matthew Henry

There is no hook more dangerous to the members of Christ than that which is baited with Scripture misinterpreted and misapplied, which Holy Whit always is when it is so interpreted or so applied as to be made an argument to sin. ~ Matthew Poole 

We must grow and not be dwarves in Christianity for in Christianity there is no old age but only growth till such time as all rebellion and imperfection are taking away in the kingdom of God. ~ Thomas Cartwright, ESV Church History Bible

I am afraid that, if you and I had been there, we should have begun talking to Elijah and have worried the poor man by telling him how wrongly he had been acting. Instead of doing that, the angel let him have a cake and then let him go back to sleep. That was the best way of caring for him--and there is many a hungry and weary child of God who needs food and rest more than anything else. The spirit needs to be fed, and the body needs feeding also. ~ Charles Spurgeon, ESV Church History Bible

Nothing is more dangerous than to be satisfied with that measure of spiritual benefits that has been already obtained. Whatever, then, may be the height of our attainments, let them be always accompanied by the desire of something higher. ~ John Calvin, ESV Church History Study Bible

It is sweet to the soul to love Christ. It is an holy affection that fills the soul with sweetness. and then you will have the pleasure of living a life of communion with Christ, which will be a very sweet life. If you love Christ above all, it will tend to make you love everybody, which will be greatly to the benefit of your life. ~ Jonathan Edwards, ESV Church History Bible

Our prayers depend on no merit of our own, but all their worth and hope of success are founded and depend on the promises of God, so that they need no other support. ~ John Calvin

Every Christian is a saint. You cannot be a Christian without being a saint, and you cannot be a saint and a Christian without being separated in some radical sense from the world. ~ Martyn Lloyd-Jones, ESV Church History Study Bible

There are people who seem to think that the right thing to do in the house of God is just to go on singing choruses and a certain type of hymn until you are almost in a state of intoxication. Indeed the whole service is with a view to "conditioning."...The test of the value of these things is not whether it makes me feel better or not, but whether it gives me understanding. ~ Martyn Lloyd-Jones, ESV Church History Bible

The Lord makes his people willing to pass through afflictions, because he is with them and able to bear them. ~ John Gill, ESV Church History Bible

Religious controversy is rarely carried on with that meekness and candor that are necessary to render it profitable to the soul. ~ Charles Simeon, ESV Church History Bible



© Becky Laney of Operation Actually Read Bible