This discussion board is set up to encourage conversations between those in the Officer Training Seminar (or Elder Training Class) at LCC. Here you will find weekly assignments as well as some related links. To post a thought or comment, click on "Post a Comment" under the appropriate week and comment as "Anonymous". Finally, don't forget to put your name somewhere in the post!
Friday, July 15, 2011
WEEK 1: INTRODUCTION & SCRIPTURE
Assignments: 1. Listen to OTS 1-1 (here), 1-2 (here), and 1-3 (here) by Dr. Reynolds ; let Ben know if you need/want them in CD format. 2. Read Williamson, WCF, Chapter 1. 3. Read Hodge, WCF, Chapter 1 (optional); you can read it online here.
FYI, you will also have to verify that you are a human (as opposed to a robot) when posting a comment. This is done by typing in some letters shown on the screen after you click on the "Post Comment" button. I do apologize if this is a pain in the rear, but it is the easiest thing I can think of. This way we don't have to deal with getting accounts set up or anything of that sort. -Ben
This looks like it will work. I hope everyone has started on the assignments. The first audio is apparently not complete. The notes go far beyond and the second audio starts at section 2.
Perspicuity is an important word. It means that the Scriptures are clear enough for us to understand what God is saying.
Also notice the importance of knowing the Scriptures. We need to read it. We should be reading through the Bible at least once a year. Pastor L
Gentlemen, Ed pointed out that the listening for each week seems to be in sections. For instance, I believe that the listening for Week 1 is listed as; 1-1, 1-2, and 1-3. He and I went through and tested this theory by listening to 2-1 and 3-1 to see if the topic of the message lined up with the beginning of week 2 and week 3...it seemed to. (I wish he would start each message with a clear opening that states the title of the section...). Pastor, can you confirm whether this is true?
Thanks Scott (and Ed)! I have updated the assignments for week 1 and included links to the other two mp3s (1-2 and 1-3).
I think WCF I.4 relates to our discussions about the OPC, that the Bible's authority does not rest on the testimony any man or church. It is its own authority and the source from which the authority of sessions, presbyteries and even general assemblies are derived.
Also, I found Williamson's illustration of the authenticiy of our English Bibles to be helpful (since we only affirm the inspiration of the original texts, not our translations). I've read somewhere that more than 90% of the discrepancies between all the different manuscripts are as trivial as spelling the word "honour" with an "u" vs. without; and none of the remaining 10% make any doctrinal difference whatsoever. -Ben
Yes, Scott, each audio portion begins at each new seciton. It seems like maybe some of them may not be complete in going over the notes, but read them and we will discuss them at our next meeting.
I'm still confused. I have started listening to "Tape 1-2" today and it seems to clearly line up with "Week 2" notes. If someone figures out precisely how the tape labels work, then lay it out for me. Thanks. For now, I am just going to listen and read and hope that it all prepares me. :)
Scott, I did notice that the first half of "Tape 1-2" seemed out of place. It starts to line up with the notes though somewhere in the middle of the tape. -Ben
Ben -- you are right. The first 30 minutes of tape 1-2 covered material from "Week 2" in the binder up through subpoint4 "Decree." Then, it switches to material from "Week 1." Around 33 minutes the tape lines up with the notes titled "Warn of the Danger of Subjectivism."
There are a lot of foundational doctrines in Chap 1 of WCF. The thing that really got my attention was the "necessary consequence [...] deduced from Scripture". It reminded me of how important logic is to our thinking because it is God's way of thinking. There are people who say that contradictory statements (I am a boy, and I am not a boy) can be true at the same time, and think that they sound "deep" in saying nonsense like that. I know most of us haven't had a course in logic since high school, but it is something worth studying again since it is one of the tools through which we think Christian thoughts!
FYI, you will also have to verify that you are a human (as opposed to a robot) when posting a comment. This is done by typing in some letters shown on the screen after you click on the "Post Comment" button. I do apologize if this is a pain in the rear, but it is the easiest thing I can think of. This way we don't have to deal with getting accounts set up or anything of that sort. -Ben
ReplyDeleteThis looks like it will work. I hope everyone has started on the assignments. The first audio is apparently not complete. The notes go far beyond and the second audio starts at section 2.
ReplyDeletePerspicuity is an important word. It means that the Scriptures are clear enough for us to understand what God is saying.
Also notice the importance of knowing the Scriptures. We need to read it. We should be reading through the Bible at least once a year. Pastor L
Thanks Ben for making it easier for me. Ed
ReplyDeleteGentlemen, Ed pointed out that the listening for each week seems to be in sections. For instance, I believe that the listening for Week 1 is listed as; 1-1, 1-2, and 1-3. He and I went through and tested this theory by listening to 2-1 and 3-1 to see if the topic of the message lined up with the beginning of week 2 and week 3...it seemed to. (I wish he would start each message with a clear opening that states the title of the section...). Pastor, can you confirm whether this is true?
ReplyDeleteScott
Thanks Scott (and Ed)! I have updated the assignments for week 1 and included links to the other two mp3s (1-2 and 1-3).
ReplyDeleteI think WCF I.4 relates to our discussions about the OPC, that the Bible's authority does not rest on the testimony any man or church. It is its own authority and the source from which the authority of sessions, presbyteries and even general assemblies are derived.
Also, I found Williamson's illustration of the authenticiy of our English Bibles to be helpful (since we only affirm the inspiration of the original texts, not our translations). I've read somewhere that more than 90% of the discrepancies between all the different manuscripts are as trivial as spelling the word "honour" with an "u" vs. without; and none of the remaining 10% make any doctrinal difference whatsoever. -Ben
Yes, Scott, each audio portion begins at each new seciton. It seems like maybe some of them may not be complete in going over the notes, but read them and we will discuss them at our next meeting.
ReplyDeleteKeep up the good work!
I'm still confused. I have started listening to "Tape 1-2" today and it seems to clearly line up with "Week 2" notes. If someone figures out precisely how the tape labels work, then lay it out for me. Thanks. For now, I am just going to listen and read and hope that it all prepares me. :)
ReplyDeleteScott, I did notice that the first half of "Tape 1-2" seemed out of place. It starts to line up with the notes though somewhere in the middle of the tape. -Ben
ReplyDeleteBen -- you are right. The first 30 minutes of tape 1-2 covered material from "Week 2" in the binder up through subpoint4 "Decree." Then, it switches to material from "Week 1." Around 33 minutes the tape lines up with the notes titled "Warn of the Danger of Subjectivism."
ReplyDeleteHope that is more helpful than it is confusing!
Scott
There are a lot of foundational doctrines in Chap 1 of WCF. The thing that really got my attention was the "necessary consequence [...] deduced from Scripture". It reminded me of how important logic is to our thinking because it is God's way of thinking. There are people who say that contradictory statements (I am a boy, and I am not a boy) can be true at the same time, and think that they sound "deep" in saying nonsense like that. I know most of us haven't had a course in logic since high school, but it is something worth studying again since it is one of the tools through which we think Christian thoughts!
ReplyDelete