Matthew Burden's Blog, page 25

A Prayer from Thomas Cranmer

Blessed Lord,who hast caused all holy Scripturesto be written for our learning: Grant that we may in such wise hear them,read, mark, learn, and inwardly digest them,that by patience and comfort of thy holy Word,we may embrace and ever hold fast the blessed hope of everlasting life,which thou hast given us in our Saviour Jesus Christ.Amen.

Church History: From Persecution to Christian Empire (3rd-4th centuries)

(Click here for the church history series page)

Lecture: From Persecution to Christian Empire (click here to listen or right-click to download)

Lecture Notes Outline
The Age of Persecution (mid-3rd – early 4th century)
     - Decian persecution
     - Rapid growth of Christianity in all social classes
     - Developments in Christian worship & practice
     - The Great Persecution

The Constantinian Revolution
     - Constantine’s conversion & rise to power
     - Christianity’s initial growth as a legal religion
     - The roots of monasticism

The First Trinitarian Debate: On the Son
     - The challenge of Arianism
     - Athanasius’ defense of orthodoxy
     - The Council of Nicaea (325 AD) – the first ecumenical council

The Evangeliad (28:1-4)

(Click here for an introduction and previous installments of the Evangeliad)
Section 28:1-4 (corresponding to John 7:2-5)
The time of year turned to the Feast of Booths,When Israelites, from elders to youths,Made pilgrimage upward to Zion's slopesAnd around the city made tents their homes.
Now Jesus' brothers, who had their doubtsOn the way that Jesus was going aboutPresenting his claims to be the Christ-kingAmid small-town, backwater happenings,
Urged him to travel on up to the feast,Saying, "Go to Judea; there, at least,Your disciples can see your deeds among crowds;You can't whisper soft and be heard aloud.
If you're going to do this, do it right,Out there in public, yes, out in the light!If Messiah is here, God's plan unfurled,Then surely he'd show himself to the world!"

Photo of the Week

 

Magnificent, marvelous, matchless love,Too vast and astounding to tell,Forever existing in worlds above,Now offered and given to all.Oh, fountain of beauty eternal:The Father, the Spirit, the Son,Sufficient and endlessly generous--Magnificent, marvelous, matchless love!Creation is brimming with thankfulness,The mountains, exultant they stand;The seasons rejoice in Your faithfulness,All life is sustained by Your hand.You crown every meadow with color;You paint every shade in the sky;Each day the dawn wakes as an encore ofMagnificent, marvelous, matchless love.
- from a hymn by Matt Papa

Quote of the Week

"Nothing is more noble, nothing more venerable than fidelity. Faithfulness and truth are the most sacred excellences and endowments of the human mind."
- Cicero

A Prayer from Martin Luther

Behold, Lord,An empty vessel that needs to be filled.My Lord, fill it.I am weak in faith;Strengthen thou me.I am cold in love;Warm me and make me ferventThat my love may go out to my neighbor.I do not have a strong and firm faith;At times I doubt and am unable to trust thee altogether.O Lord, help me.Strengthen my faith and trust in thee.In thee I have sealed the treasures of all I have.I am poor;Thou art rich and didst come to be merciful to the poor.I am a sinner;Thou art upright.With me there is an abundance of sin;In thee is the fullness of righteousness.Therefore, I will remain with thee of who I can receiveBut to whom I may not give.Amen.

Church History: The Apostolic Fathers and Apologists (2nd-3rd centuries)

(Click here for the church history series page)
Lecture audio: The Apostolic Fathers and Apologists (click here to listen or right-click to download)

Lecture Notes Outline
The Apostolic Fathers and Apologists (2nd-3rd centuries)

- The Apostolic Fathers (late 1st - mid-2nd century)
     - Clement of Rome
     - Ignatius of Antioch
     - Polycarp of Smyrna

- Rapid Christian growth in lower classes of urban areas
     - Martyrdom (“witnessing”)
     - Attractive morality   
     - Compassion in action

- The Apologists (mid-2nd - mid-3rd century)
     - Justin Martyr
     - Irenaeus of Lyons
     - Clement of Alexandria
     - Origen
     - Tertullian

- Combating early heresies:
     - Gnosticism
     - Ebionism
     - Marcionism
     - Montanism

The Evangeliad (27:45-47)

(Click here for an introduction and previous installments of the Evangeliad)
Section 27:45-47 (corresponding to Luke 13:15-17)
But Jesus said, "You hypocrites, listen!How can you hold such a hateful position?For you on the Sabbath do just the same thing,Loosing the bonds on your beasts for a drink!
Your ox and donkey you untie for water,So why don't you pity Abraham's daughter?Eighteen years Satan kept her in bonds,So how can a Sabbath-day loosing be wrong?"
The leader and those on his side were ashamed,And not an attempt at rejoinder was made.The rest of the people marveled with joyAt what Jesus did, both with hand and with voice.

Photo of the Week

Sow righteousness for yourselves,reap the fruit of unfailing love,and break up your unplowed ground;for it is time to seek the Lord,until he comesand showers his righteousness on you.
- Hosea 10:12

Quote of the Week

"The Christian does not think God will love us because we are good,but that God will make us good because He loves us."
- C. S. Lewis