14 Oct 2019
Posted by E.J. Hutchinson 
In Q/A 25 of the Geneva Catechism, commenting on the Apostles’ Creed, John Calvin strikes the note (for the children!) of the majority of the Christian tradition, given great emphasis by, e.g., Gregory of Nazianzus: God’s essence is unknowable to us and incomprehensible. We therefore know him from...
Read more → 11 Oct 2019
Posted by E.J. Hutchinson 
After a little delay, we're back with the next section of the First Catechism in Latin. These questions treat the definition of sin and the Fall. As always, please feel free to do with these as you like. Quaestiones XXX-XXXV xxxi. Quid significat illud “transgressio”? Facere quae mihi interdicit...
Read more → 08 Oct 2019
Posted by E.J. Hutchinson 
Justification at its most basic is straightforward. A man recognizes that he is a sinner. He judges himself to be guilty for his sin before God. He looks for a source whence he can obtain the righteousness he does not possess. He finds it offered to him in the gospel of Jesus Christ. He trusts in Christ,...
Read more → 07 Oct 2019
Posted by E.J. Hutchinson 
Next five questions below, about the Covenant of Life and sin. Quaestiones XXVI-XXX xxvi. Quid promisit Deus in foedere vitae? Se Adam vita donaturum esse, si Deo perfecte pareret. xxvii. Quid minatus est Deus in foedere vitae? Se Adam morte puniturum esse, si Deo non pareret. xxviii. Tenuitne...
Read more → 03 Oct 2019
Posted by E.J. Hutchinson 
The next five in our ongoing series, on creation and the covenant of life... Quaestiones XXI-XXV xxi. Quomodo cognoscis animum vitam in aeternum esse acturum? Quod Scripturae sanctae mihi hoc docent. xxii. In quo statu Adam Hevamque constituit Deus? Deus eos in sanctitatis et beatitudinis statu...
Read more → 02 Oct 2019
Posted by E.J. Hutchinson 
Today we continue on with the next five questions of the First Catechism translated into Latin, which concern the creation of Adam and Eve. Quaestiones XVI-XX xvi. Qui erant primi nostri parentes? Adam et Heva. xvii. Qualem hominem creavit Deus? Deus hominem creavit masculum et feminam, iuxta imaginem...
Read more → 01 Oct 2019
Posted by E.J. Hutchinson 
Yesterday I posted the first 10 questions of the First Catechism in Latin. Today we're back with the next five. xi. Potesne Deum videre? Deum videre non possum, sed Deus me videt semper. xii. Scitne Deus omnia? Deus omnia scit, et nihil ei latet. xiii. Potestne facere omnia Deus? Deus totam voluntatem...
Read more → 30 Sep 2019
Posted by E.J. Hutchinson 
It used to be standard practice in Protestant academies to catechize in Latin. That is obviously much less the case now, perhaps a cause of nostalgia for those of us who are (a) Christians and who also (b) teach Latin to small children. But nostalgia is dumb, and always has been. In an effort, therefore,...
Read more → 23 Sep 2019
Posted by Steven Wedgeworth 
Originally published in 1908, Herman Bavinck's book The Christian Family was only just translated into English in 2012. Throughout the book, Bavinck lays out a Christian theology of the family, and he gives practical advice on how families can withstand modern challenges and temptations. At one point...
Read more → 13 Sep 2019
Posted by E.J. Hutchinson 
At long last, below you will find the final prayer included at the end of Andreas Hyperius's Elementa Christianae Religionis. This one is to be used before reading or hearing the Bible. Once again, the attempt (doubtless insufficient) was made to put it in Cranmerian Plain Style. The content of the prayer,...
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