Fantastic article! I love the clear exposition of Charnock’s view paired with direct personal application, it ministered to my soul well brother! I also enjoyed your voiceover, thank you for your work!
Thanks. So helpful. Love the pastoral implications.
Pls help me understand how in a simple being one attribute (power) can “overpower the infinite weight” of the expression of another attribute (wrath as an expression of justice/righteousness/holiness).
“Overpower” suggests competition, which implies composition, which is impossible for a simple being. Is there a better verb??
Hi Sam, thank you for your thoughtful comment. I agree that a weakness of using the word 'overpowered' is that it could be seen as potentially undermining the doctrine of divine simplicity. Looking again at the language Charnock uses (who himself was aware of the importance of divine simplicity), he was happy to talk about God 'exercising a power over himself' and God 'taking off an infinite weight' (see Volume 2, pp. 150-1 of his Works).
Of course, what Charnock is trying to describe is normally discussed in terms of divine satisfaction (which will feature in my next newsletter on Christ's resurrection). But Charnock doesn't discuss that doctrine at this point in his writing (he picks it up in his discourse on 'God being the author of reconciliation' in volume 3 of his works). I am assuming that this is because Charnock is attempting to explore as far as he can the depths of the divine attribute of power and, as a result, has chosen to stick with the language of having 'power over himself', notwithstanding the potential misunderstanding for simplicity.
So, one can "rest" under the shadow of His wings in storm, because He/God has promised not to leave us and forsake. He is more powerful, and His Word to be trusted, in storms - no matter their size. Our coming through storms, trusting in Him, means that this weakest "muscle" called faith, can grow and be stronger. All the power of God and its splendor is behind and around us, for those that believe. Really? That much love and power? Really? Oh, yes, for did not He send Christ to save us?
"Stronger than ALL the powers of hell and death"; and "hotter than Nebuchadnezzar's furnaces" ... must be the unimaginable infinite, powerful, eternal, love and justice of God. Hidden in those acts in redemption are the sinews and bones, that constrained Jesus in His sufferings and endurance on the cross - and provided a glorious hope through that work. Not things to be taken lightly, and how awful and yet glorious the struggle. The cost of billions of lost souls sins against the Power of God, in rescuing us and keeping His God-ness love and justice intact? One is in awe and submissive praise of His purity, wonder and power. "He is Worthy of our praise"
Fantastic article! I love the clear exposition of Charnock’s view paired with direct personal application, it ministered to my soul well brother! I also enjoyed your voiceover, thank you for your work!
Hey Houston, thank you for your kind words. The last post in this series should be out in the next week or so. I hope you will enjoy that one too!
Thanks. So helpful. Love the pastoral implications.
Pls help me understand how in a simple being one attribute (power) can “overpower the infinite weight” of the expression of another attribute (wrath as an expression of justice/righteousness/holiness).
“Overpower” suggests competition, which implies composition, which is impossible for a simple being. Is there a better verb??
Hi Sam, thank you for your thoughtful comment. I agree that a weakness of using the word 'overpowered' is that it could be seen as potentially undermining the doctrine of divine simplicity. Looking again at the language Charnock uses (who himself was aware of the importance of divine simplicity), he was happy to talk about God 'exercising a power over himself' and God 'taking off an infinite weight' (see Volume 2, pp. 150-1 of his Works).
Of course, what Charnock is trying to describe is normally discussed in terms of divine satisfaction (which will feature in my next newsletter on Christ's resurrection). But Charnock doesn't discuss that doctrine at this point in his writing (he picks it up in his discourse on 'God being the author of reconciliation' in volume 3 of his works). I am assuming that this is because Charnock is attempting to explore as far as he can the depths of the divine attribute of power and, as a result, has chosen to stick with the language of having 'power over himself', notwithstanding the potential misunderstanding for simplicity.
What are your thoughts?
So, one can "rest" under the shadow of His wings in storm, because He/God has promised not to leave us and forsake. He is more powerful, and His Word to be trusted, in storms - no matter their size. Our coming through storms, trusting in Him, means that this weakest "muscle" called faith, can grow and be stronger. All the power of God and its splendor is behind and around us, for those that believe. Really? That much love and power? Really? Oh, yes, for did not He send Christ to save us?
"Stronger than ALL the powers of hell and death"; and "hotter than Nebuchadnezzar's furnaces" ... must be the unimaginable infinite, powerful, eternal, love and justice of God. Hidden in those acts in redemption are the sinews and bones, that constrained Jesus in His sufferings and endurance on the cross - and provided a glorious hope through that work. Not things to be taken lightly, and how awful and yet glorious the struggle. The cost of billions of lost souls sins against the Power of God, in rescuing us and keeping His God-ness love and justice intact? One is in awe and submissive praise of His purity, wonder and power. "He is Worthy of our praise"