Question for the community, especially Jim due to his patristics expertise. I recently came across a YT channel called Biblical Understanding (BU), and the host is a Calvinist (Presbyterian) who makes bold claims about finding support for Calvinist/Reformed beliefs in Ignatius and Polycarp. For instance, he believes he can harmonize the Presbyterian two-tiered leadership with Ignatius of Antioch's three-tiered hierarchy (bishop/priest/deacon); also, Calvinist spiritual real presence in Ignatius; and sola scriptura, unconditional election, and even limited atonement in Polycarp's letter to the Philippians. He has more besides these examples. He seems pretty smart, but doesn't really give me the vibe of a scholar, much less a patristics expert. I'm skeptical based on my prior study of these fathers; however, I am for sure a total beginner. Is there any merit to the types of claims he is making? Is there any scholarly countenancing of finding Calvinist beliefs in these Apostolic Fathers, or is the (overwhelming?) consensus that these Fathers fall on the side of Catholic beliefs? (I realize later on Augustine had proto-Calvinist beliefs.) In a comment to one of BU's videos he cites Philip Schaff, TF Torrance, and Thomas Schreiner as sources. I don't want to spend a lot of time pursuing this topic if it's a non-starter. Jim, I know you're very busy, so I certainly don't expect you to watch any of the BU videos, but it would be an extra bonus if you did!
This was for March 24th, recorded for the Ascension App
Thanks for your patience - here is our next installment of The Journey - it's session # 96, but I'm also calling it PART 1 of a "miniseries" on John chapter 6.
Whoever watches it first, please let me know if it looks good or if there are any problems with it - I get through the first two sections of the text on the feeding of the 5,000.
Enjoy!
I mentioned in The Journey that I wrote a song based on Isaiah 2, which is one of my favorite OT passages:
In days to come, the mountain of the Lord’s house
shall be established as the highest mountain, and raised above the hills.
All nations shall stream toward it. Many peoples shall come and say:
“Come, let us go up to the Lord’s mountain, to the house of the God of Jacob, That he may instruct us in his ways, and we may walk in his paths.” For from Zion shall go forth instruction, and the word of the Lord from Jerusalem.
He shall judge between the nations, and set terms for many peoples.
They shall beat their swords into plowshares, and their spears into pruning hooks; One nation shall not raise the sword against another, nor shall they train for war again. House of Jacob, come, let us walk in the light of the Lord!
I hope you like the song!
I got a call from one of my publishers, Ave Maria Press - my book, Praying a Christ-Centered Rosary is now on sale for only 4 bucks. (Honestly, not sure how I feel about my books being on sale, but...)
The sale goes until April 23rd - here's a link to their site:
https://www.avemariapress.com/products/praying-a-christ-centered-rosary
The video's not ready yet but in case you want to look ahead to the text...
Jesus (and for a second, Peter!) WALK ON WATER
