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Written by Administrator Saturday, 25 March 2006 19:00

There’s nothing like an old book. Think of the yellowing brittle pages with dark brown edges, binding that has come apart from the body of the book, faded dates and notes from readers a hundred years ago, oh, and don’t forget the dust and subsequent sneezing. Weird, I know. But beyond all of that, I love the way the authors challenge my shallow thinking. It’s humbling to read a book that makes me plod through only a couple of pages of text before brain overload. It can be really easy for us to push those aside because they are “out dated” or “too hard to read.” But in doing so, we are sometimes forfeiting a wellspring of knowledge…and not just head knowledge.

I want to share with you two encouraging sections from books I recently received. The Westminster Question Book for 1879 is one I purchased from a used book store and Wesley’s Hymns and New Supplement is a book of hymn texts that was given to me from Ken Romig’s collection. I hope they are a challenge and encouragement to you, without the dust and sneezing.

From the Westminster Question Book for 1879,

Q.21. Who is the Redeemer of God’s elect?

A. The only Redeemer of God’s elect is the Lord Jesus Christ, who, being the eternal Son of God, became man, and so was, and continueth to be, God and man, in two distinct natures, and one person, for ever.

Analysis. -Only Redeemer-there is none other capable of saving the world but Himself. Isa.63:5. God’s elect-those whom He hath chosen for His own people. Lord-because of His universal sovereignty and dominion. Acts 10:26. Jesus-a Savior. Matt.1:21. Christ-anointed, or appointed of God. 1Tim.2:5; Acts 10L38; John.3:34. Eternal Son of God-by nature; his Sonship is equally natural and necessary with the paternity of the Father. Matt.28:19; 2 John3. Became man-that He might redeem the elect. John1:14; Heb.2:16, 17. God and man-both His natures, divine and human, remaining distinct, without composition or confusion in one and the same person. Heb.7:24. Two distinct natures-the nature of God and the nature of man. 1Tim.3:16. One person- Rom.9:5; 1Tim.3:16. For ever-the union between the two natures will never be dissolved. Heb.7:24, 25.

Learn-1. That Jesus Christ was appointed from eternity to do the work of saving man. 2. The two natures of Christ are not mixed, but united; each has some distinct work to do or part to sustain. 3. This union of the two natures makes sure for ever the union between Christ and believers. John 14:19

From Wesley’s Hymns and New Supplement (1876) 669

1 His name is Jesus Christ the Just, My Advocate with God; In him alone I put my trust, Who bought me with his blood; A sinner of the Gentiles, My pardoning Lord embrace, And on his only name rely For all his depths of grace.

2 A sinner still, though saved, I am; And this is all my boast, I hang upon a God who came To seek and save the lost: I The object of my love and fear, Who hath my sins forgiven, Shall sink me into nothing here, And lift me up to heaven.

Of course, there are wonderful modern authors and musicians. But may we never, in our effort to be “relevant” or “easy to understand,” merely toss out the old because of its age. And, on the other side of that coin, may we never merely toss out the new, “because it’s not old.”