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Great little introduction to Aquinas' thought and theology.

"Whenever possible the minister should include himself in his reproofs. In this way his preaching, teaching, and counselling will be expressed in a mild and gentle spirit (cf. Daniel 4:16-19, 1 Cor. 4:6, Gal 2:15)

"We should despise the value of our lives by comparison with the value we place on Christ and his truth"

"Any view of social order that does not start with individual responsibility leads to coercion." Bahnsen

"Once the principle is admitted that it is the duty of the government to protect the individual against his own foolishness, no serious objections can be advanced against further encroachments" Mises

Probably my favorite book I've read in awhile

The man who touches a corpse (death) had to be cleansed twice (3rd day and 7th day) and here we see how resurrection happens in two parts (spiritual regeneration then bodily resurrection):

And so Jordan observes:

"Christians live between the third and seventh days of History. Spiritually resurrected and in the New covenant, but physically mortal and assigned to complete the tasks of the old adamic covenant."

...With beauteous motions Nature’s parts
In fond compact invigorate
The fabric of the universe,
Which else they strive to dissipate.

Such love embraces nations too;
In hallowed pacts it them combines.
With chaste affections man and wife
In solemn wedlock it entwines.

Love’s laws most trusty comrades bind.
How happy is the human race,
If Love, by which the heavens are ruled,
To rule mens minds is set in place.

Not the book that convinced me of paedobaptism, but if I had read this one first it would have been. This one gets to the core of the debate beyond the usual arguments from silence. Very difficult to argue against.

"public repentance does not refer to God in the forum of conscience, but looks to the judgment of the church, that the sinner may by some sign declare before man what his mind is before God. In regard to satisfaction, the scripture claims, out and out, for Christ this honor that he is an expiator for sin, that the chastisement of our peace was upon him, that through his name only is obtained forgiveness of sin"
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