Thankful Thursday

I’m thankful 

• for my ordinary quiet life. I have no drama, no big plans, no exciting news. And that suits me just fine.
• for midnight sun. As soon as I finish this, I’ll take the dog out for his before bed walk, and it will be 11:30pm and still daylight. This is one of my favorite times of the year. 
• for God’s protection. I’ve got no “near miss” stories, but I figure that just means he’s protecting me from even the near misses. When I think about what could happen, what would happen, minus God’s protection, I am very thankful for each safe day.
• for God’s power. We’ve been having frequent thunderstorms, unusual for us, and a reminder of our powerful God who “rides upon the storm.”
• for yesterday with the toddler granddaughters. I am thankful that they enjoy each other so much. I’m thankful that we’ve got a peaceful rhythm to the days together.
• for mangoes and avacadoes. For the variety of fresh fruits and vegetable in my supermarket. 
• that God is faithful and unchanging.
• for the promise of tomorrow and eternity.

What are you thankful for?

Linked Together: Sufficient

Four things that stand alone: not just necessary, but sufficient.

Christ
Question 33 of the New City Catechism: “Should those who have faith in Christ seek their salvation through their own works or anywhere else?” 

“No, they should not, as everything necessary to salvation is found in Christ.”

Faith
Does Martin Luther’s declaration that justification is by faith alone, and that our works and merit add nothing conflict with James 2:24? Read R. C. Sproul’s answer at Ligonier Ministries Blog.

Grace
“Salvation is wholly of grace, not only undeserved but undesired by us until God is pleased to awaken us to a sense of our need of it. ” Read the whole quote from John Newton at Of First Importance.

Scripture
What does it mean that scripture is sufficient? “[T]o speak of scriptural sufficiency is one way of speaking about the unique authority of Scripture in the life of the church and the believer as the authoritative and sufficient source for the principles of faith and practice.” —Carl Trueman at 9Marks Blog. 

Theological Term of the Week

amanuensis
A scribe or secretary employed to assist an author of Scripture or other texts by writing down what is dictated and sometimes helping with syntax and grammar.

• From scripture:

I Tertius, who wrote this letter, greet you in the Lord. (Romans 15:22 ESV)

By Silvanus, a faithful brother as I regard him, I have written briefly to you, exhorting and declaring that this is the true grace of God. Stand firm in it. (1 Peter 5:12)

• From The Pocket Dictionary of Biblical Studies by Arthur G. Patzia and Anthony J. Petrotta:

Tertius is named the “writer” of Romans (16:22). Paul also employed other individuals, and he draws attention to the fact by commenting that he is closing the letter in his own hand. (cf. 1 Cor 16:21; Gal 6:11; Col 4:18; 2 Thess 3:17). Silvanus is identified as Peter’s amanuensis (1 Pet 5:12). This practice of using secretaries (Jer 36:4) may account for some differences in style and language in some NT letters attributed to Paul and Peter.

Learn more:

1. Blue Letter Bible: Were Some of the Biblical Books Actually Written by a Scribe Rather than by the Named Author?

Related terms:

• autographs
• inspiration of scripture

Filed under Scripture

Do you have a term you would like to see featured here as a Theological Term of the Week? If you email it to me, I’ll seriously consider using it, giving you credit for the suggestion and linking back to your blog when I do.

Clicking on the Theological Term graphic at the top of this post will take you to a list of all the previous theological terms in alphabetical order.