Redemption Accomplished and Applied review ~~

Pam's Notes on Chapter One:

Redemption Accomplished and Applied

by John Murray

Chapter One Notes
The Necessity of the Atonement

The Who: John 3:16 – “For God so loved the world, that he gave his only Son, that whoever believes in him should not perish but have eternal life.”

The Why: Rom. 5:8 – “ … but God shows his love for us in that while we were still sinners, Christ died for us.”

The What: Rom. 8:31,32 – “31 What then shall we say to these things? If God is for us, who can be against us? 32 He who did not spare his own Son but gave him up for us all, how will he not also with him graciously give us all things?”

The When: Rom. 8:29 – “For those whom he foreknew he also predestined to be conformed to the image of his Son, in order that he might be the firstborn among many brothers.”

The Where: Eph. 1:4,5 – “4 … even as he chose us in him before the foundation of the world, that we should be holy and blameless before him. In love 5 he predestined us for adoption as sons through Jesus Christ, according to the purpose of his will…”

**The love of God from which the atonement springs is not a distinctionless love; it is a love that elects and predestinates. God was pleased to set his invincible and everlasting love upon a countless multitude and it is the determinate purpose of this love that the atonement secures.**

The Concept: The Sovereign love of God. Love is not something that God may choose to be or choose not to be. He is love, and that necessarily, inherently, and eternally. It was of the free and sovereign good pleasure of his will, a good pleasure that emanated from the depths of his own goodness, that he chose a people to be heirs of God and joint-heirs with Christ.

The Reason: Resides wholly in himself and proceeds from determinations that are peculiarly his as the “I Am that I Am.” The love of God constrains to the atonement as the means of accomplishing love’s determinate purpose.

The Necessity: The consequent absolute necessity. The word “consequent” points to the fact that God’s will or decree to save any is of free and sovereign grace. The terms: ‘absolute necessity’, indicate that God, having elected some to everlasting life out of his mere good pleasure, was under the necessity of accomplishing this purpose through the sacrifice of his own Son, a necessity arising from the perfections of his own nature. While it was not ‘inherently necessary’ for God to save, yet, since salvation had been purposed, it was necessary to secure this salvation through a satisfaction that could be rendered only through substitutionary sacrifice and blood-bought redemption.

The Notion: Hebrews 2:10, 17 – “10 For it was fitting that he, for whom and by whom all things exist, in bringing many sons to glory, should make the founder of their salvation perfect through suffering. 17 Therefore he had to be made like his brothers in every respect, so that he might become a merciful and faithful high priest in the service of God, to make propitiation for the sins of the people.” It was divinely appropriate that the Father in bringing many sons unto glory should make the captain of their salvation perfect through sufferings and that it behooved the Saviour himself to be made in all things like unto his brethren.

The Case: The exigencies (demands, needs) of the purpose of grace that the dictates of divine propriety required that salvation should be accomplished through a captain of salvation who would be made perfect through sufferings and that this entailed for the captain of salvation that he be made in all things like unto his brethren. The eternal peril to which the lost are exposed is remedied by the giving of the Son.

The Context: The transcendent efficacy of Christ’s sacrifice is required by the exigencies (demands, needs) arising from sin. This is an absolute. Heb. 9:23 – “Thus it was necessary for the copies of the heavenly things to be purified with these rites, but the heavenly things themselves with better sacrifices than these.” The Levitical sacrifices were patterned after the heavenly exemplar – patterns of the things in the heavens. Not the other way around – the Levitical sacrifice as the pattern for the sacrifice of Christ.

The Contrast: The heavenly as contrasted with the earthly, the eternal with the temporary, the complete with the partial, the final with the provisional, the abiding with that which passes away. The salvation which the election of grace involves on either view of the necessity of the atonement is salvation from sin unto holiness and fellowship with God. But if we are to think of salvation thus conceived in terms that are compatible with the holiness and righteousness of God, this salvation must embrace not merely the forgiveness of sin but also justification. And it must be a justification that takes account of our situation as condemned and guilty. The only righteousness conceivable that will meet the requirements of our situation as sinners and meet the requirements of a full and irrevocable justification is the righteousness of Christ. Justification could only been secured by our faith in Christ, otherwise another method would have been used.

The Demonstration: The cross of Christ is the supreme demonstration of the love of God. Rom. 5:8 and 1 John 4:10. The supreme character of the demonstration resides in the extreme costliness of the sacrifice rendered.

The Cost: Rom. 8:32 – “He who did not spare his own Son but gave him up for us all, how will he not also with him graciously give us all things?” The costliness of the sacrifice assures us of the greatness of the love and guarantees the bestowal of all other free gifts. Question – “would the cross of Christ be a supreme exhibition of love if there were no necessity for such costliness?” Sin is the contradiction of God and he must react against it with holy indignation. In the work of Christ the dictates of holiness and the demands of justice have been fully vindicated. God set him forth to be a propitiation to declare his righteousness. If we keep in view the gravity of sin and the demands arising from the holiness of God which must be met in salvation from it, then the doctrine of indispensable necessity makes Calvary intelligible to us and enhances the incomprehensible marvel of both Calvary itself and the sovereign purpose of love which Calvary fulfilled. The more we emphasize the inflexible demands of justice and holiness the more marvelous become the love of God and its provisions.

Obedience and Love -- the whole thing in a nutshell -- Obedience and Love

Bible Book Challenge .... Update

Can you find the sixteen (16) books of the Bible in this paragraph?

I once made a remark about the hidden books of the Bible. It was a lulu, kept people looking so hard for facts and for others it was a revelation. Some were in a jam, especially since the names of the books were not capitalized, but the truth finally struck home to numbers of readers. To others it was a real job. We want it to be a most fascinating few moments for you. Yes, there will be some easy ones to spot. Others may require judges to help them. I quickly admit it usually takes a minister to find one of them, and there will be loud lamentations when it is found. A little lady says she brews a cup of tea so she can concentrate better. Well, see how you can compete. Relax, now, for there really are sixteen names of books of the Bible in this story. One preacher found 15 books in 20 minutes, but it took him three weeks to find the sixteenth one.

Here are the answers --

I once made a remark about the hidden books of the Bible. It was a lulu, kept people looking so hard for facts and for others it was a revelation. Some were in a jam, especially since the names of the books were not capitalized, but the truth finally struck home to numbers of readers. To others it was a real job. We want it to be a most fascinating few moments for you. Yes, there will be some easy ones to spot. Others may require judges to help them. I quickly admit it usually takes a minister to find one of them, and there will be loud lamentations when it is found. A little lady says she brews a cup of tea so she can concentrate better. Well, see how you can compete. Relax, now, for there really are sixteen names of books of the Bible in this story. One preacher found 15 books in 20 minutes, but it took him three weeks to find the sixteenth one.

Hope you enjoyed this! Do you have one to share?

It's a good thing ....

I highly recommend this book on the five dilemmas of Calvinism. Craig is as stout as they come. His brother is the Pastor of my church. Craig and I graduated together from the same small town high school. My only wish is that I knew what he is teaching a lot sooner than I learned to put a name to what I now know as Calvinism. Written in an easy to understand hand. Most importantly to me - the proceeds from this book goes directly back into ministry not Craig's pocket. Not something you find much of today. Consider it as a gift for yourself and buy one for a gift this Holiday season.

To listen to his RC Sproul interview click here. After clicking the link go to the AUDIO link and scroll down to "Interview: the 5 Dilemas"

The Five Dilemmas of Calvinism Craig R. Brown (Author)

Written in a winsome and engaging style, Brown's work is an excellent primer on Calvinism and some of the critiques that have been leveled against it. As such, the book provides both apologetic help for Calvinists and answers for Arminians with honest questions.
"Craig Brown battles misunderstandings that have dogged Calvinism for long years. In so doing, he provides apologetic help for Calvinists stymied by the misinformed questions of their Arminian friends. And, of course, he kindles light for those who have never considered alternatives to the Arminian system."
--From the foreword by R.C. Sproul

Challies Great September Give-Away ....

Tim Challies has teamed up with Monergism Books and will be giving away three prizes in the Great September Giveaway:

* First prize: All six available volumes of the Reformed Expository Commentary series.
* Second prize: Any three volumes of the Reformed Expository Commentary series (to be selected by the winner).
* Third Prize: Any one volume of the Reformed Expository Commentary series (to be selected by the winner).



Click on the above link for more information. I've nothing but great things about these books.

Women's Bible Study ....

What suggestions do you have
for Women's Bible Studies?


What have you done in the past that really impacted
your Christian walk and why?

Do you favor a workbook with once a day bible study
or glean your own from a book that
has no questions?
Ex: JC Ryle - Holiness verses Elizabeth George's
"A Woman's Walk With God" book and study guide.

Do you ever do a video style bible study with the teacher
and then you have discussions afterwards?

Do you create your own weekly questions from
Scripture as you do a topical, verse by verse
or Book study?

Do you do a once a week or once a monthly study?

Do you do one-on-one or a group of women?

Do you have the study at Church or in a home?

What has not worked for you?

Why Read? ...

Over at Tim Challies blog (challies.com) again
you will find an excellent article --
"Books Don't Change People - Sentences Do.
Here is the link ...

http://www.challies.com/archives/articles/yesterday-bob-kauflin-wrote-about.php

Oh Dear ... recent poll shows that
1 in 4 Americans Read No Books in 2006 ...

Reading the Classics Together .... updated ...

Girls! I want to invite you to a Book Reading!

Tim from challies .com
is starting a "Reading Classics Together" on August 30th.
The book he chose is JC Ryle's "Holiness" but he is suggesting
we purchase JI Packer's "Faithfulness and Holiness"
from Westminster for only $11.69. Read the

"Introduction" in preparation for discussion on
August 30th. Go to the above link at
Challies for more info where Tim explains
why he chose this version over the
original plus much more info.

Guys are welcome, too, of course but
since only about 3 people read this blog
and they are women (Kim of Hiraeth; Ellen the
Happy Wonderer and Jen of JoyThru Christ)
I couldn't resist this pic
- it's hilarious!
Here is the four of us having Bible Study -
Kim is teaching, she's the one with her finger
in the air! LOL ...
Kim of Hiraeth you might know the
info behind this pic --
a relative who sent it to
me in an email said it is of
Irish origin in that the women
of the church used to wear these hats
for some reason or other ...
do you know if this is true and why?

Oh, anyhow .... come along and join
me in this "Reading The Classic's Together"

UPDATE: First off - I really am surprised of the folks that have
commented thus far. More readers than I thought actually and
quite honestly. Some I thought left, welcome back.
I just am not one to go around commenting on blogs alot.
When I do sometimes it seems I get in trouble,
so I sorta stick to my own here, if you read
and comment great, if you read great,
if you don't agree that's ok, no problems.
I am not one for numbers nor ratings.
Don't care for rantings neither but I've
had my share of those, too.
Secondly -- the pic was not meant to offend,
it was not meant to be derogatory in nature.

ANYHOW --
I did receive my book in the mail and WOW!
I am anxiously awaiting Tim's blog to start rolling!
I am struck by the remark's of Ryle, the
Epigraph reads like something on a blog
today concerned about the Emerging,
Seeker-Sensitive churches but what drew
my eye and my heart is this ...

Page 94) "It is, however, of great importance that the whole subject should be placed on right foundations, and that the movement about it should not be damaged by crude, disproportioned, and one-sided statements. If such statements abound, we must not be surprised. Satan knows well the power of true holiness, and the immense injury which increased attention to it will do to his kingdom. It is his interest, therefore, to promote strife and controversy about this part of God's truth. Just as in time past he has succeded in mystifying and confusing men's minds about justification, so he is labouring in the present day to make men "dark counsel by words without knowledge" about sanctification. May the Lord rebuke him! I cannot however give up the hope that good will be brought out of evil, that discussion will elicit truth, and that variety of opinion will lead us all to search the Scriptures more, to pray more, and to become more diligent in trying to find out what is "the mind of the Spirit."

Ryle has already prayed over these pages
for even future readers. All those years past
he knew those who broke open the pages
of this book would need prayer coverage.
The prowler is at work and once our eyes
begin to feast upon the truths in these
pages war will rage. Pray yourself up
dear friends, the prowler
does not want us to take these
truths to heart. Prayer is fleshed out
all through this book I am seeing.
I am looking forward
to this study more than any I
have in sometime ...
it's just the smack between
the eyes I need ...
"Lord, You always know what's
best for me ... thank You for leading me here."
I think we will all be on our knees ...
join me.

Books, Books, and more books, oh my! ....

There's a treasure to be had!

(If you are the lucky one)

All you book addict's out there
lay aside your book and set your attention here!

Hear ye! Hear ye! Hear ye!

I've stumbled upon the possibility of a chance to win
a Library of Theology Books worth $$$$$ !!!!!!

Oh, settle and contain thyself ...
of course I am going to share the info!!!!

http://www.kevinstilley.com/2007/03/thousands-of-dollars-in-free-books.html

Pop on over and check it out ...

Be warned ...
you might dream about it tonight ...
I am already planning my Library addition
to my home ... mahogany woodwork, leather chairs,
fireplace, a picture of Thirsty Theologian,
(that is him, isn't it?)
a stuffed kitty cat, I have the dogs,
a huge desk, one of those alien-looking computer's,
a small hidden bathroom behind
a revolving bookcase with an Ipod player toliet
paper holder (I just seen this on a bathroom
make-over on TV), one of those green lamps
with the pull chain - yes Mom, I want yours!,
a world-globe so I seem well traveled,
I already have a bear rug coming, (honest!)
((my son shot a bear in Colorado
last fall - 7 1/2 foot, 600 +lbs. we
are anxiously awaiting the rug from the taxidermist)),
I have the deer mount, 30 lb. turkey mount,
my Dad's gun cabinet,
my guns, a leather wing-back desk chair that
vibrates and massages and
of course I will have to hire someone
to come and smoke a pipe occasionally
...... hmmmmmmm what did I forget ...
oh yeah ... the Do Not Disturb sign!


"What shall I do with my books?" was the question;
and the answer "Read them" sobered the questioner.
But if you cannot read them, at any rate
handle them and, as it were, fondle them.
Peer into them. Let them fall open where they will.
Read on from the very first sentence that arrests the eye.
Then turn to another. Make a voyage of
discovery, taking soundings of uncharted seas. . . .
Arrange them on your own plan, so that if you
do not know what is in them, you at least know
where they are. If they cannot be your friends,
let them at any rate be your acquanintances.
If they cannot enter the circle of your life,

do not deny them at least a nod of recognition.

~ Winston Churchill

Anyone who has a book collection
and a garden wants for nothing.
~ Cicero

A room without books is like a body without a soul.
~ Cicero

The only way to do all the things you'd like to do is to read.
~ Tom Clancy

A book in the hand is worth two on the shelf.
~ Henry T. Coutts

I seldom read on beaches or in gardens.
You can’t read by two lights at once, the light of day
and the light of the book. You should read by electric light,
the room in shadow, and only the page lit up.
~ Marguerite Duras

Books are the quietest and most constant of friends.
They are the most accessible and
wisest of counselors, the most patient teachers.
~ Charles Eliot

When I get a little money, I buy books; and if any is left,
I buy food and clothes. My luggage is my library.
My home is where my books are.
~ Desiderius Erasmus

But he who truly loves books loves all books alike,
and not only this, but it grieves
him that all other men do not share
with him this noble passion.
Verily, this is the most unselfish of loves!
~ Eugene Field in Love Affairs of a Bibliomaniac

And indeed, what is better than to sit
by one’s fireside in the evening with a book,
while the wind beats against the window and the lamp is buring?
~ Gustave Flaubert in Madame Bovary

Read in order to Live.
~ Gustave Flaubert

Never lend books, for no one ever returns them;
the only books I have in my library are
books that other folk have lent me.
~ Anatole France

There are no bad books any more
than there are ugly women.
~ Anatole France

The book must of necessity be put into a bookcase.
And the bookcase must be housed.
And the house must be kept. And the library must be
dusted, must be arranged, must
be catalogued. What a vista of toil, yet not unhappy toil!
~ William Gladstone

The dear good people don’t know how
long it takes to learn to read.
I’ve been at it eighty years, and
can’t say yet that I’ve reached the goal.

~ Johann Wolfgang von Goethe

On this website I found some of these
quote's on books and reading.
Some I had, others I read there.
I have a file on my 'puter
and a written book I write
down quote's in.

These are some good ones!